A Simple approach to the prediction of transient self-leveling behavior of debris bed

Cheng, S.*; Kai, Takayuki*; Gondai, Yoji*; Nakamura, Yuya*; Fuke, Fusata*; Zhang, B.*; Matsumoto, Tatsuya*; Morita, Koji*; Yamano, Hidemasa   ; Tagami, Hirotaka ; Suzuki, Toru; Tobita, Yoshiharu

There is a possibility of the formation of conically-shaped debris bed over the core-support structure and/or in the lower inlet plenum of the reactor vessel, postulates core disruptive accident (CDA) in a sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR). However, coolant boiling may lead ultimately to leveling of the debris bed. In this study, nitrogen gas was used to clarify this behavior percolating uniformly through particle beds. Wide ranges of experimental parameters were used. Based on the experimental data, a simple empirical approach was suggested to evaluate the transient variation in the bed inclination angle during the leveling. Validation of this approach was confirmed through analyses of the effects of experimental parameters, while its applicability to extended conditions (different initial inclination angles) was further validated by several typical experimental cases.