Status of the Melt Coolability and Concrete Interaction (MCCI) Program at Argonne National Laboratory

摘要

The OECD-sponsored Melt Coolability and Concrete Interaction (MCCI) program is conducting reactor material experiments and associated analysis with the objectives of resolving the ex-vessel debris coolability issue, and to address remaining uncertainties related to long-term two-dimensional core-concrete interactions under both wet and dry cavity conditions. Achievement of these two objectives will demonstrate the efficacy of severe accident management guidelines for existing plants, and provide the technical basis for better containment designs for future plants. To date, a total of seven separate effects tests have been conducted to provide data on various core debris cooling mechanisms. In addition, two large scale integral tests have been conducted to provide data on long-term two-dimensional core-concrete interaction under both wet and dry cavity conditions. These tests have provided a broad database for the development and validation of models and codes that will be used to extrapolate to plant scale. This paper provides a summary overview of the test facilities and key results obtained from experiments carried out thus far in the program, as well as the experiments to be carried out over the remainder of the program. Finally, the general plan for integration of the experiment results into models for extrapolation to plant scale is described.