Transient dissolution of a steel structure in an aluminum melt pool

F. B. Cheung, B. C. Yang, D. H. Cho, M. J. Tan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A numerical model is developed to describe the process of transient dissolution of the interior surface of a reactor bottom head in a pool of molten aluminum resulting from a severe core meltdown accident. The model accounts for the transient heat conduction in the steel structure, the mass transfer due to dissolution, and the time variations of the bulk pool temperature and concentration. Results indicate that over the range of accident conditions considered in the study, the bulk pool always attains a saturated state while the interface temperature approaches an asymptotic value. Once this saturated state is achieved, no further dissolution would take place. For a given pool inventory, the critical time for achieving the saturated state is found to be a function of the Nusselt number and the dissolution coefficient. On the other hand, the fraction of the steel structure that is dissolved before reaching the saturated state is a function of the Nusselt number alone.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThermal Hydraulics of Advanced and Special Purpose Reactors
PublisherPubl by ASME
Pages61-69
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)0791807991
StatePublished - 1992
EventWinter Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers - Anaheim, CA, USA
Duration: Nov 8 1992Nov 13 1992

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, Heat Transfer Division, (Publication) HTD
Volume209
ISSN (Print)0272-5673

Other

OtherWinter Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers
CityAnaheim, CA, USA
Period11/8/9211/13/92

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Transient dissolution of a steel structure in an aluminum melt pool'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this