ML20207A356
| ML20207A356 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/09/1986 |
| From: | Kelber C NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH (RES) |
| To: | Ross D NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REGULATORY RESEARCH (RES) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20207A169 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-86-678, RTR-NUREG-1150 NUDOCS 8611100230 | |
| Download: ML20207A356 (1) | |
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UNITED STATES y ?'t NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
.g g WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 SEP 9 1986 M.EM0rn:DUM FOR: Denwood F. Ross, Jr., Acting Director Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research i FROM: Charles Kelber l Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research l
SUBJECT:
EFFECT OF CANCELLING STEAM EXPLOSION RESEARCH Although I share the general pessimism about getting resolution of steam explosion issues if the attack continues along current lines, I want to make clear that the latest results from NRR's technical assistance program do not lead to a feeling the problem is readily neglected.
The recent work by SAIC and Theophanus leads to the following estimates of the three key variables at their trost probable values:
2 lower grid failure areas: 0.9 n melt energy 1.2 GJ/t conversion ratio 15%
These values lead to an explosien energy of 5.3 GJ, more than enough to rupture any n reactor containment.
If one uses the TMI-2 result that the molten fuel apparently poured through the holes in the grid plate, then one would get significantly more me.s
" premixed" to yield an explosion energy of 20 GJ or so.
Thus, I believe that the optimistic view expressed in the current draft of NUREG-1150 can not be sustained, on the basis of NRR's latest results.
Nevertheless, I have yet to see a program that is based on " analysis before test" and incorporates a program that appears to have a decent chance to elucidate the problem further.
I believe that, failing work on DCH and FCI, we will have to assume early containment failure.
I arles K 1 er
[ Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research cc: W. Morris
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