V.B. Khabensky

Severe accident management concept of the VVER-1000 and the justification of corium retention in a crucible-type core catcher

First ex-vessel core catcher has been applied to the practical design of NPPs with VVER-1000 reactors built in China (Tyanvan) and India (Kudankulam) for severe accident management (SAM) and mitigation of SA consequences. The paper presents the concept and basic design of this crucible-type core catcher as well as an evaluation of its efficiency. The important role of oxidic sacrificial material is discussed. Insight into the behaviour of the molten pool, which forms in the catcher after core relocation from the reactor vessel, is provided. It is shown that heat loads on the water-cooled vessel walls are kept within acceptable limits and that the necessary margins for departure from nucleate boiling (DNB) and of vessel failure caused by thermo-mechanical stress are satisfactorily provided for.

Phase relations in the ZrO2-FeO system

We present the results of the investigation of the ZrO2-FeO system under an inert atmosphere. We have refined the position of the eutectic point, which lies at 1332 ± 5°C and 10.3 ± 0.6 mol % ZrO2. The iron oxide solubility boundaries in zirconium dioxide have been determined over a wide temperature range taking into account the polymorphism in ZrO2. A phase diagram for the system has been designed.