• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 1985

A two inverted U-tubes condenser was constructed from transparent materials to study the heat removal capability of steam generators under filmwise reflux condensation mode. Essentially, two sets of experiments were performed: (1) the first dealt with the reflux condensation length, and (2) the second dealt with the flooding points with and without the presence of a noncondensible gas in the steam flow, and the effect of the flooding time. In addition, experimental results are compared with the predictions of analytical models.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.1578-1583
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• 2003

LAVA-ERVC experiments have been performed to investigate the effect of insulation design features on the coolability in case of the external reactor vessel cooling (ERVC). All the 4 tests have been performed using Alumina iron thermite melt as a corium simulant. Due to the limited steam venting through the insulation, steam binding occurred inside the annulus in the KSNP case simulation. On the contrary, in the tests which were performed for simulating the APR1400 insulation design, sufficient water ingression and steam venting through the insulation lead to effective cool down of the vessel characterized by nucleate boiling. It could be found from the experimental results that modification of the insulation design allowing sufficient ventilation could increase the positive effects of the external reactor vessel cooling.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2014

Steam explosions can be caused by fuel-coolant interactions resulting from failure of the external vessel cooling system in a new nuclear power plant. This can threaten the integrity of structures, including the nuclear reactor and the containment building. In the present study, an improved technique for analyzing the steam explosion phenomenon was proposed on the basis of previous research and was verified by simulations involving alumina experiments. Also, the improved analysis technique was applied to determine the pressure history of the reactor cavity in accordance with postulated failure locations. The results of the analysis revealed that the effects of vessel side failure are more serious than those of vessel bottom failure, with approximately 70% higher maximum pressure.