After the Fukushima accident, the interest of the scientific community in severe accident research has been renewed. One of the severe accident research issues that needs to be further investigated is the potential for recriticality of the fuel debris, which is formed after the core meltdown. In this study, a conservative criticality evaluation of the Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1 debris bed has been carried out. Parameters, such as debris size, porosity, particle size, fuel burnup and the coolant conditions, including the water density and the content of boron, were considered. The effect of these parameters on the neutron multiplication factor was analysed and safety parameter ranges, i.e. zones where the recriticality can be totally excluded, have been identified. The content of boron in water required to secure the subcriticality was calculated for those zones with recriticality potential. It was found that recriticality is achievable for a wide range of fuel debris conditions. 1600 ppm B would ensure subcriticality under any conditions.
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2018 26th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering
July 22–26, 2018
London, England
Conference Sponsors:
- Nuclear Engineering Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5153-1
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
A Criticality Evaluation of Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1 Fuel Debris Available to Purchase
María Freiría López,
María Freiría López
University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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Michael Buck,
Michael Buck
University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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Jörg Starflinger
Jörg Starflinger
University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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María Freiría López
University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Michael Buck
University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Jörg Starflinger
University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Paper No:
ICONE26-81148, V009T16A009; 9 pages
Published Online:
October 24, 2018
Citation
Freiría López, M, Buck, M, & Starflinger, J. "A Criticality Evaluation of Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1 Fuel Debris." Proceedings of the 2018 26th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering. Volume 9: Student Paper Competition. London, England. July 22–26, 2018. V009T16A009. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/ICONE26-81148
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