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Results of the GAP-4 experiment on molten-fuel drainage through intersubassembly gap geometry. [LMFBR]

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5866935
One of the key issues in assessment of the meltout phase of a hypothetical core disruptive accident in the LMFBR system involves the timing and paths for dispersal of molten fuel from the disrupted core. A program of experiments is underway at Argonne National Laboratory to investigate molten fuel penetration through these postulated escape paths. The purpose of the GAP-4 test was to examine the penetration distances of molten fuel flowing through the flat, narrow channels representing the intersubassembly gap geometry. In the experiment design, the gap geometry was selected to be two-dimensional on the basis that the gap volume in a reactor design would be interconnected and continuous. The molten fuel used in these tests was a mixture of UO/sub 2/ (81%) and molybdenum (19%) which was generated by an exothermic thermite reaction at a temperature of approx. 3470 K.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
5866935
Report Number(s):
CONF-831047-37; ON: DE83014685
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English