Thermal behavior of cohesive debris beds in a degraded nuclear reactor
During a severe core damage accident in a nuclear light water reactor, the process of melting and solidification of core material results in a cohesive debris bed. This paper determines (a) the initial equilibrium thickness of the lower crust of the bed, which serves as a receptacle for subsequently melted material, (b) the formation of the upper crust of the bed, which, together with the lower crust, forms the boundary of the bed, (c) the heatup of the interior of the bed, and (d) the erosion of the rusts by the enclosed material as the latter is heated above its melting point. The results show that the upper crust tends to be relatively thin and is likely to fail under stress, as it did during the TMI-2 accident. 3 refs., 2 figs.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/NE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-76ID01570
- OSTI ID:
- 7150580
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-M-88444; CONF-890819--27; ON: DE90010934
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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