PROBLEMS OF ATOMIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants

since 1971

Русский (РФ)

ISSN 2414-1038 (online)

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE INTERACTION BETWEEN 
THE LEAD-BISMUTH COOLANT AND THE STEEL OF THE FUEL ROD SHEATH

EDN: JMTEDV

Authors & Affiliations

Almjashev V.I.1,2, Sulatsky A.A.1, Vitol S.A.1, Krushinov E.V.1, Kotova S.Yu.1, Shevchenko E.V.1, Kalyago E.K.1, Bulygin V.R.1, Belyaeva E.M.1, Shuvaeva E.B.1, Timchuk A.V.1
Alexandrov Research Institute of Technology, Sosnovy Bor, Russia
Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI”, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Almjashev V.I. – Head of Department, Ph.D. (Chem.), Alexandrov Research Institute of Technology (NITI). Associate Professor, Saint Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI”.
Sulatsky A.A.
– Associate Professor, Lead Researcher, Ph.D. (Tech.). Contacts: 72 Koporskoe shosse, Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad region, Russia, 188540. Tel.: +7 (913) 756-81-61; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Vitol S.A.
– Head of Laboratory, Ph.D. (Tech.).
Krushinov E
.V. – Lead Engineer.
Kotova S
.Yu. – Senior Researcher, Ph.D. (Tech.).
Shevchenko E.V. – Group Leader.
Kalyago E.K. – Researcher.
Bulygin V.R.
– Engineer.
Belyaeva E.M.
– Engineer.
Shuvaeva E.B.
– Engineer.
Timchuk A
.V. – Trainee, Alexandrov Research Institute of Technology.

Abstract

The paper is devoted to an experimental study of the features of the interaction between the lead-bismuth coolant and the steel of the fuel rod sheath for the conditions of a reactor plant accident, accompanied by a significant increase in the temperature of the coolant. Experimental modeling of a severe accident was carried out by exposing fuel rod sheath steel samples at lead-bismuth eutectic melt temperatures of ≈1190, ≈1240 and ≈1320 °C in a neutral atmosphere and ≈1120 °C air atmosphere. An experimental study was carried out on the “Rasplav-3” installation using the technology of induction melting in a cold crucible of the complex of experimental installations “Rasplav”. As a result of the experiment and post-test analyzes, it was shown, in particular, that when a fragment of the steel sheath of a fuel rod is exposed in a lead-bismuth eutectic melt with a temperature of ≈1320 °C, the steel actively dissolves in the melt, and during exposure for 60 min. the sample was almost completely dissolved. In addition, post-test analysis of the ingot revealed melt stratification into two immiscible layers. The composition of the first layer was close to lead-bismuth eutectic without steel components. The second layer contained, in addition to lead and bismuth, up to 50 wt. % steel components (iron and chromium). The data obtained can be used in the analysis and modeling of beyond design basis accidents at reactor plants with lead-bismuth coolant.

Keywords
lead-bismuth coolant, fuel rod sheath, beyond design basis accidents, corrosion, temperature threshold, melt stratification

Article Text (PDF, in Russian)

References

UDC 621.039.546, 621.039.586

Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants, 2022, issue 2, 1:7