General formulation of an HCDA bubble rising in a sodium pool and the effect of nonequilibrium on fuel transport

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Nucl. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6474583

Kocamustafaogullari, G; Chan, S H

Consideration is given to a fuel-dominated bubble, which is assumed to have just penetrated into the sodium pool in a spherical form subsequent to a hypothetical core disruptive accident. The two-phase bubble mixture is formulated as it rises through the sodium pool to the cover-gas region. The formulation takes into account the effects of the nonequilibrium mass transfer at the interfaces and of the radiative cooling of the bubble as well as the kinematic, dynamic, and thermal effects of the surrounding fields. The results of calculation for the amount of the fuel vapor condensed before the bubble reaches the cover-gas region are presented over a wide possible range of the evaporation coefficient as well as the liquid sodium-bubble interface absorbtivity. It is shown that the effects of nonequilibrium mass transfer become more meaningful at the later stage of bubble rise where the temperature difference between the liquid fuel and the gaseous mixture has been increase. The thermal radiative cooling is found to be very effective in attenuating the fuel content of the bubble; depending on the value of the liquid sodium-bubble absorbtivity, a great reduction of fuel vapor can result. Consequently, if the condensed fuel falls out of the bubble, the thermal radiation, which condenses out most of the fuel vapor, can effectively prevent and eliminate most of the fuel leakage from the reactor vessel.

• Research Organization: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Mechanical Engineering Department, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• OSTI ID: 6474583
• Journal Information: Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 3:1; ISSN NUTYB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ACCIDENTS
BUBBLES
COOLING
COOLING SYSTEMS
COVER GAS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUILIBRIUM
FLUIDS
FUEL-COOLANT INTERACTIONS
GASES
INERT ATMOSPHERE
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
MASS TRANSFER
RADIATIONS
RADIATIVE COOLING
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTOR CORE DISRUPTION
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTORS
SAFETY
SODIUM COOLED REACTORS
THERMAL RADIATION
VAPOR CONDENSATION