Interpretation of the XR2-1 experiment and characteristics of the BWR lower plenum debris bed

The Ex-Reactor (XR) experiments have been conducted to advance the understanding of BWR severe accident melt progression events. The XR2-1 experiment addresses the fate of the initial large (code-predicted) movements of molten metals from the upper core to the lower core and core plate region. For this question, which has ramifications for blockage formation in the core region, the XR2-1 test results provide significant and perhaps definitive insights. Nevertheless, some events that occurred during this test are creatures of the special features of the test apparatus, and there is a potential for misconceptions with respect to the direct applicability of some of the results. This paper describes the conclusions that can be drawn from the XR2-1 experiment results and identifies those areas (such as fuel pellet stack collapse and core plate integrity) where care must be taken not to misconstrue the test events. Another important area where much recent work has been performed is the effort to analyze the potential for maintaining core debris within the reactor vessel lower plenum by cooling of the outer vessel wall. One of the first steps in such an analytical endeavor is to attempt to establish the pattern of energy transfers into the wall inner surface. As a prerequisite to determination of this pattern, it is necessary to first consider the nature of the debris within the lower plenum. Too often is an easily represented homogeneous circulating liquid pool incorporated without adequate consideration of the true material conditions. Basic considerations of the relative quantities of materials present, the potentials for eutectics formations, and the associated melting points dictate otherwise. This paper offers some insights as to the true nature of the lower plenum debris and discusses the need for some relatively simple experiments that would contribute much toward the basic understanding necessary for accurate debris characterization. 11 refs., 4 figs., 4 tabs