A Theoretical Study of Destructive Nuclear Bursts in Fast Power Reactors

An estimate of the order of magnitude of the explosion during a core meltdown-compaction accident for heavy liquid metal fast reactors: A disquieting result updating the Bethe–Tait model

“…Taking into account our previous calculations, for a full gravitational compaction of the 100 MWth core, the vessel could withstand the 60 kg TNT-equivalent explosion from a 100 $/s reactivity insertion if a bare core is assumed; however, allowing for the presence of the unboiled heavy liquid metal coolant, the explosive yield would be on the order of 3.8 ton TNT-equivalent according to Eq. (29) with f = 2 or about 600 kg TNT-equivalent with the weaker dependence from Jankus (Jankus. 1962), see Eq.…”

“…The ratio of excess energy to threshold energy, E−E * E * , as a function of the power flattening factor f in the simple Bethe-Tait calculation according to Jankus(Jankus. 1962).…”

Hypothetical core disruptive accident

“…To consider further the question of possible channel plugging, IV- 21 preliminary analyses have been done taking into account thQ coolant temperature distribution across a typical subassembly in FFTF. As shown on the figure there is a sizeable temperature drop near the outer 2 or 3 rows of pins.…”

Venus: A Two-Dimensional Coupled Neutronics-Hydrodynamics Computer Program for Fast-Reactor Power Excursions.

“…Integrating Eq. 3 over the time interval T yields fkj.T j (4) where n and C^ are n(t ) and Cj(t^), respectively. Upon making the linear transformation t' = t -t*S Eq.…”