Core relocation in the TMI-2 (Three Mile Island) accident

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6978117

Kuan, P

This report reviews the formation of the debris bed in the TMI-2 nuclear reactor core during the core damage accident on March 28, 1979, and examines plausible thermal and mechanical failure mechanisms of the crust of the consolidated region in the debris bed that allowed molten core material to relocate to the lower plenum of the reactor vessel. Thermal interaction between molten core material and lower core support structures is analyzed. The results are consistent with a sudden failure of the crust and a brief flow of molten core material that caused little, if any, damage to the lower core support structures.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 6978117
• Report Number(s): EGG-TMI-7402; ON: DE87004529
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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