High temperature thermal properties for metals used in LWR vessels

Abstract

Because of the impact that melt relocation and vessel failure has on subsequent progression and associated consequences of a light water reactor (LWR) accident, it is important to accurately predict the heatup and relocation of materials within the reactor vessel and heat transfer to and from the reactor vessel. Accurate predictions of such heat transfer phenomena require high temperature thermal properties. However, a review of vessel and structural steel material properties in severe accident analysis codes reveals that the required high temperature material properties are extrapolated with little, if any, data above 700 °C. To reduce uncertainties in predictions relying upon this extrapolated high temperature data, INL obtained data using laser-flash thermal diffusivity techniques for two metals used in LWR vessels: SA 533 Grade B, Class 1 (SA533B1) low alloy steel, which is used to fabricate most US LWR reactor vessels; and Type 304 Stainless Steel SS304, which is used in LWR vessel piping, penetration tubes, and internal structures. This paper summarizes the new data, compares it to existing data in the literature, and provides recommended correlations for thermal properties based on this data.