skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Role of ex-vessel core retention in severe-accident mitigation. [PWR; BWR]

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5786731

Ex-vessel core retention can reduce the risk of severe nuclear accidents by preventing early, above-ground containment failure for some accident sequences; eliminating the continuous and long-term sources of fission products, aerosols, and combustible gases associated with debris/concrete interactions; and preventing basemat penetration in those reactors, such as a floating nuclear plant, having major liquid pathways for fission product release given such penetration. These effects are discussed and quantified with examples using the CONTAIN code. Finally, an overview of core retention concepts and a summary of recent research is presented. The concepts include particle beds, refractory brick crucibles, and castable ceramic liners.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5786731
Report Number(s):
SAND-83-0791C; CONF-830816-29; ON: DE83016240
Resource Relation:
Conference: International meeting on light-water reactor severe accident evaluation, Cambridge, MA, USA, 28 Aug 1983
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English