Core-melt source reduction system to terminate an LWR core-melt accident

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States)

OSTI ID:6681638

Forsberg, C W; Beahm, E C; Parker, G W ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)

One of the design, safety, and licensing issues for the next generation of light water reactors (LWRs) is, [open quotes]What approach should be used to terminate a reactor core-melt accident and ensure no reactor containment failure in the unlikely event of an accident that results in core debris melting through the reactor vessel onto the concrete containment floor [close quotes] The safety concerns are that the molten core material will (a) melt through the concrete (thus penetrating the containment) and (b) generate noncondensable/burnable gases (thus pressurizing the containment and threatening its integrity). Noncondensable gases include burnable hydrogen (H[sub 2]) and carbon mnoxide (CO) generated primarily from the reaction of zirconium with concrete decomposition products (water and carbon dioxide). A new approach to eliminate these concerns is described herein and is called the core-melt source reduction system (COMSORS) which involves placing glass under the reactor vessel.

• OSTI ID: 6681638
• Report Number(s): CONF-921102--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Journal Volume: 66
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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