Interaction and penetration of heated UO/sub 2/ with limestone concrete. [LMFBR]

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6342446

Farhadieh, R; Pedersen, D R; Purviance, R; Carlson, N

To safeguard the environment against radiological releases, the major question of concern in PAHR safety assessment, following an HCDA, involves confinement and dilution of the molten core-debris. Significant to the study is the directional growth of the core-debris in the concrete foundation of the reactor building or the concrete below the reactor cavity. The real material experiments were carried out in the test apparatus shown. Casts of CRBRP limestone concrete were prepared in graphite cylinders, each having an internal diameter of 8.9 cm and a depth of 30.5 cm. The 17.8-cm-deep concrete samples were allowed to cure for at least 28 days. Experiments were conducted within two months of curing time. The cavity above concrete was packed with 3 kg of pure UO/sub 2/ particles (1 to 3 mm). A uranothermic mixture was placed on the top of UO/sub 2/ powder. Heating and possible melting of UO/sub 2/ was achieved resistively after the ignition of the thermite. Total experimental time was about 60 minutes, during which time a maximum electrical power input of 1.8 watts/gr was applied to the UO/sub 2/. Three gas samples were taken at temperatures of 100, 600, and 950/sup 0/C, measured in the plane of the No. 2 thermocouple. Selection of three temperatures were to study the amount and the type of gases released from different phases of concrete.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6342446
• Report Number(s): CONF-820717-6; ON: DE83008500
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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