Medium-scale melt-sodium fragmentation experiments

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5981572

Chu, T Y; Beattie, A G; Drotning, W D; Powers, D A

The results of a series of fragmentation experiments involving up to 20 Kg of thermitically produced high temperature melts and 23 Kg of sodium are presented. Except for one experiment where some centimeter size particles are observed, the fragment distributions seem to be in the range of previous data. Spatial distribution of the fragments in the debris bed appears to be stratified. Scanning electron micrographs of fragments indicate fragmentation to be occurring in the molten state for the more intense interactions observed. Interaction data obtained show quiescent periods of 0.5 to 1.5 second between pressure pulses. The force impulse values per unit mass of melt seems to be in the same range as previous experiments.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 5981572
• Report Number(s): SAND-79-0126C; CONF-790816-35
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210500 -- Power Reactors
Breeding
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ACCIDENTS
ALKALI METALS
BREEDER REACTORS
CORIUM
ELEMENTS
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
FRAGMENTATION
FUEL-COOLANT INTERACTIONS
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
MELTDOWN
METALS
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTORS
SIMULATION
SODIUM