Experimental results of direct containment heating by high-pressure melt ejection into the Surtsey vessel: The DCH-3 and DCH-4 tests

• Main Authors: Allen, M.D., Pilch, M., Brockmann, J.E., Tarbell, W.W. (Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)), Nichols, R.T. (Ktech Corp., Albuquerque, NM (United States)), Sweet, D.W. (AEA Technology, Winfrith (United Kingdom))
• Other Authors: United States. Department of Energy.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Sandia National Laboratories 1991
• Subjects: Heat Transfer; Bwr Type Reactors; Reactor Vessels; Reactor Components; Accidents; Oxidation; Transition Elements; Computer Calculations; Gas Analysis; Chemical Reaction Kinetics; Reactor Cooling Systems; 22 General Studies Of Nuclear Reactors; Reactor Accidents; Energy Systems; Chemical Reactions; Water Moderated Reactors 220900* > Nuclear Reactor Technology > Reactor Safety; 21 Specific Nuclear Reactors And Associated Plants; Data; Reaction Kinetics; Fluid Mechanics; Heating; Aerosols; Oxygen; Sols; Water Cooled Reactors; Kinetics; Containment; Size; Iron; Reactor Instrumentation; Particle Size; Reactors; Temperature Measurement; Test Facilities; K Codes; Mechanics; Reactor Safety; Cooling Systems; Experiment Planning; Engineered Safety Systems; Hydraulics; Pwr Type Reactors; Blowdown; Planning; Pressurization; Experimental Data; Energy Transfer; Enriched Uranium Reactors; Elements; Metals; Hydrogen; Computer Codes; Corium; 210100 > Power Reactors; Nonbreeding; Light-Water Moderated; Boiling Water Cooled; Numerical Data; Thermal Reactors; Information; Dispersions; Pressure Measurement; Power Reactors; Data Acquisition; Nonmetals; Colloids; Containment Systems; 210200 > Power Reactors; Nonboiling Water Cooled; Safety; C Codes; Containers; Surtsey
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/5081015; https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1058322/

Two experiments, DCH-3 and DCH-4, were performed at the Surtsey test facility to investigate phenomena associated with a high-pressure melt ejection (HPME) reactor accident sequence resulting in direct containment heating (DCH). These experiments were performed using the same experimental apparatus with identical initial conditions, except that the Surtsey test vessel contained air in DCH-3 and argon in DCH-4. Inerting the vessel with argon eliminated chemical reactions between metallic debris and oxygen. Thus, a comparison of the pressure response in DCH-3 and DCH-4 gave an indication of the DCH contribution due to metal/oxygen reactions. 44 refs., 110 figs., 43 tabs.