An Experimental study on self-leveling behavior of debris beds with comparatively higher gas velocities

比較的高速なガス流入速度を用いたデブリベッドのセルフ・レベリング挙動に関する実験的研究

Cheng, S.; 山野 秀将   ; 鈴木 徹; 飛田 吉春; 権代 陽嗣*; 中村 裕也*; Zhang, B.*; 松元 達也*; 守田 幸路*

Cheng, S.; Yamano, Hidemasa; Suzuki, Toru; Tobita, Yoshiharu; Gondai, Yoji*; Nakamura, Yuya*; Zhang, B.*; Matsumoto, Tatsuya*; Morita, Koji*

Studies on self-leveling behavior of debris bed are crucial for the assessment of core-disruptive accident (CDA) occurred in sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFR). Although in the past, several experiments have been conducted to investigate this behavior, most of these were under comparatively lower gas velocities, the findings of which might be not directly applicable to actual reactor accident conditions. To further clarify this behavior, a series of experiments has been performed by percolating nitrogen gas uniformly from pool bottom. Current experiments were conducted in a cylindrical tank, in which nitrogen gas, water and different kinds of solid particles, simulate the fission gas, coolant and fuel debris, respectively. During experiments, to alleviate the liquid disturbance from the bottom inlet pipelines, within the upper region of the test tank a condition of comparatively lower pressure was created. It is found that in this way the bubble-based leveling as expected in actual reactor accident conditions can be achieved effectively throughout the whole experimental process. Further, based on the quantitative data obtained, influence of various experimental parameters, including gas flow rate (up to 300 L/min), water height (180 mm, 400 mm), particle size (2 6 mm), particle density as well as column geometry on the leveling was checked and compared. Current work provides fundamental data for better understanding and improved estimation of CDAs in SFRs.