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Intersubassembly fuel penetration into a failed blanket subassembly. [LMFBR]

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6809665· OSTI ID:6809665
This work provides additional understanding of hypothetical core-disruptive accident issues involving LMFBRs. Intersubassembly molten fuel and steel penetration into a failed blanket subassembly was analyzed with the two-dimensional SIMMER-II code. Interaction of the fuel and steel with the blanket coolant was included in the investigation. The molten core material was injected through a prescribed opening in the blanket subassembly wall. Eighteen cases involving variations of parameters of importance to the subsequent flow were calculated. In general the resulting pressurization was a good figure of merit for rating the severity of the events. In turn, the pressurization depended on the wall opening size, the initial pool pressure, and the heat-transfer rates. However, only when the wall failure rate was large relative to the sodium expulsion rate, was sufficient pressure generated that could affect the reactor vessel containment.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
6809665
Report Number(s):
LA-9436-MS; ON: DE82021255
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English