Results of recent investigations at Sandia National Laboratories on core debris interactions with concrete

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Nuclear Technology; (United States)

OSTI ID:6593219

Powers, D A; Copus, E R ^[1]; Bradley, D R ^[2]

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1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. Science Applications International Corp., Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Studies of core debris interaction with concrete have been extensive over the last decade. These studies have reached a climax in recent tests of the interactions of prototypical melts of UO[sub 2], ZrO[sub 2], zirconium, and stainless steel with concrete. Zirconium metal has been found to have profound effects on melt interactions with concrete. Zirconium metal reacts with condensed-phase products of concrete decomposition as well as with steam and carbon dioxide evolved from the concrete. Models of core debris interactions with concrete have been modified to include heat produced by the condensed-phase reactions of zirconium. The modified models predict well the high-temperature interactions of prototypical melts with concrete. Discrepancies between predictions and observations are being addressed by improving models of phase relationships in the melt-concrete system.

• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6593219
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Nuclear Technology; (United States) Vol. 101:3; ISSN 0029-5450; ISSN NUTYBB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ABLATION
ACCIDENTS
AEROSOLS
BUILDING MATERIALS
COLLOIDS
CONCRETES
CONTAINMENT
CORIUM
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FAILURES
HEAT TRANSFER
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MELTDOWN
METALS
MODIFICATIONS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTOR SAFETY
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SAFETY
SAFETY ANALYSIS
SANDIA LABORATORIES
SOLS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
ZIRCONIUM