A Quick-look report on JAEA plasma heating tests simulating severe accident in BWR

Sato, Ikken ; Nakagiri, Toshio  ; Abe, Yuta  ; Ishimi, Akihiro ; Nagae, Yuji 

An experimental program using non-transfer type plasma heating is underway in JAEA in order to address large uncertainty in core-material-relocation behavior in severe accidents of BWRs. Based on preparatory tests, two experiments with simulated fuel rods, channel box, control blade and lower support structure were carried out. After the heating, control blade and channel box were mostly gone but major part of the fuel columns remained standing. Downward relocation of molten materials probably consisting mainly of metals was confirmed in the lower support structure region. These results together with data from planned X-ray CT measurement on the heat teat pieces will provide effective data for core material relocation behavior with the BWR design conditions.