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Sodium flow blockage in liquid-metal fast breeder reactors: sweepout of a planar blockage

Journal Article · · Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6883831
The method-of-Ergun fluidization theory is applied to a postulated porous blockage in the core of a liquid-metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR). By the parallel flow channeling through the subassemblies of the reactor, a definite pressure gradient is imposed across each subassembly. This pressure gradient is found to be sufficient to fluidize (and entrain particles from) any postulated loose-particle-formed blockage. A parametric study that considers a range of reactor materials and sodium coolant temperatures demonstrates that a radially large planar blockage cannot be reasonably postulated to exist in an LMFBR. Further, any radially large particulate blockage would be subjected to fluidization and ultimate destruction by entrainment and turbulent flow forces. Thus, flow starvation via a slowly growing blockage can be dismissed as an incredible event.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Ave. Argonne, Illinois 60439
OSTI ID:
6883831
Journal Information:
Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Sci. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 76:3; ISSN NSENA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English