Local propagation theory for vapor explosions. [LMFBR]

Conference · Tue Feb 03 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7365646

Ochiai, M; Bankoff, S G

Explosive boiling was studied by dropping small drops of a cold volatile liquid onto a free surface of a hot, non-volatile liquid. A ''splash'' theory for local propagation of vapor explosions in spontaneously-nucleating liquid-liquid systems was formulated. After a random contact is made, explosive growth and coalescence of the vapor bubbles occurs as soon as the surrounding pressure is relieved, resulting in a high-pressure vapor layer at the liquid-liquid contact area. This amounts to an impact pressure applied to the free surface, with a resulting velocity distribution obtained from potential flow theory. The peak pressure predictions are consistent with data for Freon-oil mixing, but further evaluation will await additional experimental data. Nevertheless, the current inference is that a UO/sub 2/-Na vapor explosion in a reactor environment cannot be visualized.

• Research Organization: Northwestern Univ., Evanston, Ill. (USA). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
• OSTI ID: 7365646
• Report Number(s): NU-2512-5; CONF-760328-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ALKALI METALS
BOILING
BREEDER REACTORS
CHALCOGENIDES
ELEMENTS
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
EQUATIONS
EXPLOSIONS
FAST REACTORS
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FLUIDS
FUEL-COOLANT INTERACTIONS
GASES
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
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MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
REACTORS
SHOCK WAVES
SIMULATION
SODIUM
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM DIOXIDE
URANIUM OXIDES
VAPORS