Investigation of the interaction between corium and metal-coolers at the VCG-135 test bench in the conditions of a severe accident

Abstract

This article presents the results of research after a series of experiments at the VCG-135 test bench to study the interaction between corium and candidate metal-coolers. Metal-coolers can be used to organize a heat removing from the surface of the corium in the core catcher until the cooling water supply. Zinc, antimony and manganese were selected as the investigated candidate metal-coolers.As a result of the conducted research, the patterns and features of the interaction of metals with corium in the conditions of discharging fragments of solid metal into the corium melt have been established. The macro and microstructure of the solidified compositions of the products of the interaction of corium with metal coolers, the elemental composition to determine the presence of the studied metals in their structure were studied. An elemental analysis of material samples in various areas of the experimental assembly and the working chamber of the VCG-135 test bench was conducted to determine the pattern of migration of corium components and interaction products from the melting volume.