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U.S. Department of Energy
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Interpretation of debris bed dryout observed during the D-3 experiment

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6606759
In the D-3 experiment, a nominally 158 mm-deep particle bed was formed by 7.29 kg of UO/sub 2/. The sodium volume fraction within the bed was 0.43. Runs were performed at bulk sodium temperatures of 773, 673, and 873 K. Dryout (liquid voidage by vapor blanketing) of a shallow zone at the bottom of the bed occurred when the power was increased in the already-boiling and convecting bed at 773 and 673 K. Temperature limitations on the experiment prevented the attainment of dryout at 873 K. Measurements and analysis of dryout observed during the D-3 experiment show: (1) the observed temperature transients during dryout can be explained in terms of a conduction process in an expanding zone; (2) the expansion is a displacement process; (3) expansion of the zone reduces the height of the overlying convection zone; and (4) while bed dryout may be a necessary condition for remelting of the fuel to occur, it may not always be a sufficient condition.
Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0789
OSTI ID:
6606759
Report Number(s):
SAND-78-1251C; CONF-781105-39
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English