Hollow sphere formation in a gassy two-liquid pool. [LMFBR]

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Lett. Heat Mass Transfer; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0094-4548(77)90137-0· OSTI ID:7212665

Bankoff, S G; Horin, W A

Molten fuel pools with an overlying layer of steel can be expected to form in various stages of the LMFBR post-accident heat removal sequence, either on in-vessel or ex-vessel core catchers, or on a concrete of refractory floor beneath the reactor vessel. Since the boiling point of steel is approximately the same as the freezing point of UO/sub 2/, one can expect that a crust of frozen UO/sub 2/ may form at the interface. However, there may be significant bubbling through the interface, either by boiling within the fuel pool or by gas released from the concrete or sacrificial material. The original objective of this work was therefore to study the conditions for crust formation in a simulant (hexane and water) pool with gas evolution. A unique physical phenomenon was observed, however, consisting of the formation of ''ping-pong'' balls of ice formed by water transported by the bubbles entering the cold overlying hexane. These formed a raft of hollow spheres at the top of the hexane layer. By analogy, one might expect considerable mixing of UO/sub 2/ in the form of hollow spheres into the molten steel, with important consequences for the pool geometry and heat transfer.

• Research Organization: Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL
• OSTI ID: 7212665
• Journal Information: Lett. Heat Mass Transfer; (United States), Journal Name: Lett. Heat Mass Transfer; (United States) Vol. 4:3; ISSN LHMTB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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