Experimental investigation on the bursting of single molten droplet in coolant

Experimental investigation on the bursting of single molten droplet in coolant 1 corresp first-author E-mail: tsli@sjtu.edu.cn E-mail: tsli@sjtu.edu.cn tsli@sjtu.edu.cn 1 1 1 School of Mechanical Power Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China School of Mechanical Power Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China An experiment facility for observing low-temperature molten tin alloy droplet into water was established to investigate mechanisms of vapor explosion occurring in severe accidents of a fission nuclear reactor. The vapor explosion behaviors of the molten material were observed by a high-speed video camera and the vapor explosion pressures were recorded by a pressure transducer mounted under the water surface. The results showed that the pressure reached a peak value when the molten metal temperature was 600℃–650℃, and the coolant temperature had an obvious decreasing effect on the droplet breakups. A model for single droplet fuel/coolant interaction is proposed. It considers that in the case of Rayleigh-Taylor instability, the coolant that jets from opposite direction penetrates into the fuel and the vapor explosion occurs because of the rapid evaporation. This model explained the effect of metal droplet temperature and coolant temperature on vapor explosion. Vapor explosion FCI Observable experimental equipment References Yang Yanhua . Multi-phase simulations for phenomena in vapor explosions , University of Tokyo , Doctoral Dissertation , 1996 . Multi-phase simulations for phenomena in vapor explosions Theofanous T G , Yuen W W . “ The prediction of dynamic loads from ex-vessel steam explosions” . Proceedings of the International Conference on New Trends in Nuclear System. Thermohydraulics , Pisa , 1994 . 257 - 270 . The prediction of dynamic loads from ex-vessel steam explosions” Yutaka Abea . J Nuclear Engineering and Design , 2004 , 230 : 277 - 291 . J Nuclear Engineering and Design Corradinietal M L . J Nuclear Safety , 1991 , 32 ( 3 ): 337 - 362 . J Nuclear Safety Huhtiniemi I , Magallon D . J Nuclear Engineering and Design , 2001 , 204 : 391 - 400 . J Nuclear Engineering and Design Kim B , Corradini M L . J Nuclear Science and Engineering , 1988 , 88 : 16 - 28 . J Nuclear Science and Engineering Nelson L S . “Steam explosion triggering phenomena; stainless steel and corium-E stimulants studied with a floodable arc melting apparatus” SAND77-998, NUREG/CR-0122 , Sandia National Laboratories , May 1978 . “Steam explosion triggering phenomena; stainless steel and corium-E stimulants studied with a floodable arc melting apparatus” SAND77-998, NUREG/CR-0122 Buchanan D J . Phys D , 1974 , 7 : 1441 . Phys D Henry R E , Fauske H K “ Nucleation characteristics in physical explosion ,” Proc. 3rd Specialists’ Mtg. Sodium Fuel Interaction , Tokyo, Japan , March 1976 . Nucleation characteristics in physical explosion 10.1016/S1001-8042(08)60012-3 TK12 Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.50376036) . 2007-06-30 2007-12-20 2021-01-19 2007 Nuclear Science and Techniques 06 18