• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.43-53
• /
• 2018

It is important to clarify the characteristics of flow regimes underlying the debris bed formation behavior that might be encountered in core disruptive accidents of sodium-cooled fast reactors. Although in our previous publications, by applying dimensional analysis technique, an empirical model, with its reasonability confirmed over a variety of parametric conditions, has been successfully developed to predict the regime transition and final bed geometry formed, so far this model is restricted to predictions of debris mixtures composed of spherical particles. Focusing on this aspect, in this study a new series of experiments using nonspherical particles have been conducted. Based on the knowledge and data obtained, an extension scheme is suggested with the purpose of extending the base model to cover the particle-shape influence. Through detailed analyses and given our current range of experimental conditions, it is found that, by coupling the base model with this scheme, respectable agreement between experiments and model predictions for the regime transition can be achieved for both spherical and nonspherical particles. Knowledge and evidence from our work might be utilized for the future improvement of design of an in-vessel core catcher as well as the development and verification of sodium-cooled fast reactor severe accident analysis codes in China.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.97-107
• /
• 2001

The Sejong Formation of Late Paleocene to Eocene is a lower volcaniclastic sequence unconformably overlain by upper volcanic sequence, and distributed along the southern and southeastern cliffs of the Barton Peninsula. The Sejong Formation is divided into five sedimentary facies; disorganized matrix-supported conglomerate (Facies A), disorganized clast-supported conglomerate (Facies B), stratified clast-supported conglomerate (Facies C), thin-bedded sandstone (Facies D), and lapilli tuff (Facies E), based on sedimentary textures, primary sedimentary structures and bed geometries. Individual sedimentary facies is characterized by distinct sedimentary process such as gravel-bearing mudflows or muddy debris flows (Facies A), cohesionless debris flows (Facies B),unconfined or poorly confined hyperconcentrated flood flows and sheet floods (Facies C), subordinate streamflows (Facies D), and pyroclastic flows (Facies E). Deposition of the Sejong Formation was closely related to volcanic activity which occurred around the sedimentary basin. Four different phases of sediment filling were identified from constituting sedimentary facies. Thick conglomerate and sandstone were deposited during inter-eruptive phases (stages 1, 3 and 4), whereas lapilli tuff was formed by pyroclastic flows during active volcanism (stage 2). These records indicate that active volcanism occurred around the Barton Peninsula during Late Paleocene to Eocene.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.25-33
• /
• 1996

Stable isotopic ratios of the carbonate rocks and chemical compositions of the matrix of pebble bearing phyllitic rocks known as the Hwanggangri Formation, which are in hot debate on their origin such as tillite, debris flow and turbidite, were determined to interpret their depositional environment. Argillaceous matrix of the pebble bearing phyllitic rocks has a high content of CaO (av. 19.5%) and MgO (av. 8.3%), corresponding to calcareous sandy shale. No difference of chemical compositions including trace elements and REE is in the matrices between the Hwanggangri and the Kunjasan Formations. Carbonate rocks from the Okchon zone and outside of the zone range $-2.5{\sim}+6.1$‰ in ${\delta}^{13}C$ and $+5.8{\sim}+25.9$‰ in ${\delta}^{18}O$, indicating normal marine limestone. However, unusally $^{13}C$ enriched carbonate rocks might be deposited in the highly evaporated sedimentary basin. A wide variation of ${\delta}^{18}O$ values is responsible for metamorphism with a $^{18}O$ depleted meteoric water. Isotopic equilibrium temperatures by graphite-calcite geothermometer show a higher metamorphic temperature ($547{\sim}589^{\circ}C$) in the Okchon zone than those ($265{\sim}292^{\circ}C$) in the Samtaesan Formation of the Chosun group. Rhythmic alternation of relatively thin shale with thin limestone in the Kounri Formation is not cherty layer but thin limesilicate bed by metasomatic replacement. Judging from the isotopic and chemical compositions of the carbonate rocks and calcareous matrix of the pebble bearing phyllitic rocks, the Hwangganari Formation was deposited in the shallow marine environment favorable to debris flow.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
• /
• v.10 no.1_2 s.11
• /
• pp.23-33
• /
• 2004

The Lago Sofia conglomerate in southern Chile is a lenticular unit encased within mudstone-dominated, deep-sea successions (Cerro Toro Formation, upper Cretaceous), extending from north to south for more than $120{\cal}km$. The Lago Sofia conglomerate is a unique example of long, gravelly deep-sea channels, which are rare in the modern environments. In the northern part (areas of Lago Pehoe and Laguna Goic), the conglomerate unit consists of 3-5 conglomerate bodies intervened by mudstone sequences. Paleocurrent data from these bodies indicate sediment transport to the east, south, and southeart. The conglomerate bodies in the northern Part are interpreted as the tributary channels that drained down the Paleoslope and converged to form N-S-trending trunk channels. In the southern part (Lago Sofia section), the conglomerate unit comprises a thick (> 300 m) conglomerate body, which probably formed in axial trunk channels of the N-5-trending foredeep trough. The well-exposed Lago Sofia section allowed for detailed investigation of sedimentary facies and large-scale architecture of the deepsea channel conglomerate. The conglomerate in Lago Sofia section comprises stratified conglomerate, massive-to-graded conglomerate, and diamictite, which represent bedload deposition under turbidity currents, deposition by high-density turbidity currents, and muddy debris flows, respectively. Paleocurrent data suggest that the debris flows originated from the failure of nearby channel banks or slopes flanking the channel system, whereas the turbidity currents flowed parallel to the orientation of the overall channel system. Architectural elements produced by turbidity currents represent vertical stacking of gravel sheets, lateral accretion of gravel bars, migration of gravel dunes, and filling of channel thalwegs and scoured hollows, similar to those in terrestrial gravel-bed braided rivers. Observations of large-scale stratal pattern reveal that the channel bodies are offset stacked toward the east, suggestive of an eastward migration of the axial trunk channel. The eastward channel migration is probably due to tectonic tilting related to the uplift of the Andean protocordillera just west of the Lago Sofia deep-sea channel system.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.385-400
• /
• 2004

The Lago Sofia Conglomerate encased in the 2km thick hemipelagic mudstones and thinbedded turbidites of the Cretaceous Cerro Toro Formation, southern Chile, is a deposit of a gigantic submarine channel developed along a foredeep trough. It is hundreds of meters thick kilometers wide, and extends for more than 120km from north to south, representing one of the largest ancient submarine channels in the world. The channel deposits consist of four major facies, including stratified conglomerates (Facies A), massive or graded conglomerates (Facies B), normally graded conglomerates with intraformational megaclasts (Facies C), and thick-bedded massive sandstones (Facies D). Conglomerates of Facies A and B show laterally inclined stratification, foreset stratification, and hollow-fill structures, reminiscent of terrestrial fluvial deposits and are suggestive of highly competent gravelly turbidity currents. Facies C conglomerates are interpreted as deposits of composite or multiphase debris flows associated with preceding hyperconcentrated flows. Facies D sandstones indicate rapidly dissipating, sand-rich turbidity currents. The Lago Sofia Conglomerate occurs as isolated channel-fill bodies in the northern part of the study area, generally less than 100m thick, composed mainly of Facies C conglomerates and intercalated between much thicker fine-grained deposits. Paleocurrent data indicate sediment transport to the east and southeast. They are interpreted to represent tributaries of a larger submarine channel system, which joined to form a trunk channel to the south. The conglomerate in the southern part is more than 300 m thick, composed of subequal proportions of Facies A, B, and C conglomerates, and overlain by hundreds of m-thick turbidite sandstones (Facies D) with scarce intervening fine-grained deposits. It is interpreted as vertically stacked and interconnected channel bodies formed by a trunk channel confined along the axis of the foredeep trough. The channel bodies in the southern part are classified into 5 architectural elements on the basis of large-scale bed geometry and sedimentary facies: (1) stacked sheets, indicative of bedload deposition by turbidity currents and typical of broad gravel bars in terrestrial gravelly braided rivers, (2) laterally-inclined strata, suggestive of lateral accretion with respect to paleocurrent direction and related to spiral flows in curved channel segments around bars, (3) foreset strata, interpreted as the deposits of targe gravel dunes that have migrated downstream under quasi-steady turbidity currents, (4) hollow fills, which are filling thalwegs, minor channels, and local scours, and (5) mass-flow deposits of Facies C. The stacked sheets, laterally inclined strata, and hollow fills are laterally transitional to one another, reflecting juxtaposed geomorphic units of deep-sea channel systems. It is noticeable that the channel bodies in the southern part are of feet stacked toward the east, indicating eastward migration of the channel thalwegs. The laterally inclined strata also dip dominantly to the east. These features suggest that the trunk channel of the Lago Sofia submarine channel system gradually migrated eastward. The eastward channel migration is Interpreted to be due to tectonic forcing imposed by the subduction of an oceanic plate beneath the Andean Cordillera just to the west of the Lago Sofia submarine channel.