Evaluation of materials for CRBRP core retention. Annual progress report

Technical Report · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7064656· OSTI ID:7064656

Swanson, D G

A series of experiments were performed to study the interactions expected in a hypothetical core meltdown accident between molten core debris, liquid sodium, and reactor materials. In ''transient'' molten core debris experiments, either UO/sub 2/ or stainless steel was melted in an electric arc furnace, poured on a specimen to simulate thermal shock, and allowed to cool. Later, in combined transient-sustained heating experiments, the UO/sub 2/ or steel layer was remelted in another arc furnace and maintained in a molten state in order to study the penetration of molten core debris into the specimen. During the liquid sodium experiments, sodium was poured on the material being tested and was then maintained at a predetermined temperature in a single operation. In both the molten core debris and liquid sodium experiments, interactions with MgO, basalt concrete, magnetic concrete, and two kinds of limestone concrete were investigated. Temperature data were obtained, and gas samples were analyzed in both series of experiments. In addition, penetration rates were determined in the molten core debris experiments. Some microstructural analysis has been completed but more remains to be done.

• Research Organization: Aerospace Corp., Los Angeles, Calif. (USA). Materials Science Lab.
• OSTI ID: 7064656
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-0076; ATR-77(7608)-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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