ML19199A648
| ML19199A648 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crane  |
| Issue date: | 04/26/1979 |
| From: | Meyer R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| TASK-TF, TASK-TMR NUDOCS 7905070088 | |
| Download: ML19199A648 (1) | |
Text
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- CENTRAL FILES NRR READING ApR26 E
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CPB READING MEM0PJflDUM FOR: FILE FROM:
R. O. Meyer, Leader, Reactor Fuels Section, CPB, DSS
SUBJECT:
COMMUNICATIONS RELATED TO TMI-2 I have been called three times (the latest was last night,A$ptil234, at home) by Stan Benjamin of Associated Press to talk about our Core Damage Assessment for THI-2 (R.0. l' eyer memo to R.J. Mattson dated [
April 13,1979). Benjamin was primarily interested in how close TMI-2 carie to core melt.
I explained that the fear of core melt was pri:,arily related to large fission product releases from fuel pellets (not ncressarily from the plant), and that, since we knew that about 30". of the fission products had been released from the pallets, it really didn't matter if some of that had come from localized reoions of molten fuel. Nevertheless, I said, we thought that peak fuel temperatures remained 600 to 800 C below the melting coint of Un2-Benjamin asked many questions of clarification about the April 13 report (e.g.
we talked at length about radial temperature profiles in fuel pellets during full-power operation and in' TMI-2 at 2 hr into the accident).
We talked about the possible melting of, spacer grid,. guide tube, and control rod materials. And I mentioned the possible melting of partly oxidized Zircaloy cladding, as in the German. tests, in response to his question about any new discussions on the subject since the April 13 report.
Earlier (forgot the dates) I.had two calls from the Attorney General of New York (I was never sure whether I talked to the Attorney General or a staff assistant). He wanted basic tutorial infomation on fission products (e.g., that they have half lives and that sore of them are mobile).
I explained that I was not the best source of infomation on fission produce hazards, but he said he just wanted basic information so he could understand comments being received in his office.
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