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Thermocapillary-induced breakup of molten cladding films

Journal Article · · Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6127686

The fragmentation of molten cladding films into rivulets and single waves is investigated. This problem is especially relevant to liquid-metal fast breeder reactor safety analysis because of its impact on the flow regime of the clad metal. Among other effects, various instabilities may contribute to film breakup. In the axial direction, the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability can arise. As the Sandia transient axial relocation experiments frequently exhibit, an azimuthal fragmentation process also occurs. Consequently, another instability due to thermocapillarity is proposed.

Research Organization:
Institut fur Neutronenphysik und Reaktortechnik, Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe Postfach 3640, D-7500 Karlsruhe 1
OSTI ID:
6127686
Journal Information:
Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 96:2; ISSN NSENA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English