METAL-WATER REACTIONS. 1. A METHOD FOR ANALYZING A NUCLEAR EXCURSION IN A WATER COOLED AND MODERATED REACTOR
An approximate method for analyzing the effects of a nuclear excursion in a water cooled and moderated reactor was developed. This analysis is based on idealized models of the reactor which represent the salient features of the system under investigation; and consists of simultaneously solving ten equations. The primary nuclear shutdown mechanism is the void generated in the liquid moderator due to vaporization and radiolytic gas formation. To evaluate this method of analysis it is applied to the Borax 1 and Spert 1 reactors. A comparison of the analytical and experimental results indicates reasonable agreement between calculated and experimental data, but suggests that refinements in the method and input parameters are required. This formulation was prepared as the first step in analyzing the effects of a serious nuclear incident in a water cooled and moderated reactor. The continuing program will consist of improving this model and applying the resulting techniques to particular reactor designs to determine the total weight, temperature, and dispersion of molten metal in the core as a function of time. These results will permit evaluation of the extent of a metal water reaction initiated by a nuclear incident.(Author)
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Corporate Authors:
General Electric
Marine Turbine & Gear Engineer, 1100 Western Ave
Lynn, MA United States 01910 -
Authors:
- Janssen, E
- Cook, W H
- Publication Date: 1958-5-1
Media Info
- Pagination: 50 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Equipment tests; Nuclear power plants; Nuclear reactor cores; Nuclear reactors; Safety
- Old TRIS Terms: Nuclear reactor safety; Nuclear reactor testing
- Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00026135
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
- Contract Numbers: AT(04-3)-189
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: May 4 1973 12:00AM