Melt infiltration through porous debris at temperatures above Solidification: Validation of analytical model

• Published in: Annals of nuclear energy 2021-10, Vol.161, p.108435, Article 108435
• Main Authors: Mohsen Hoseyni, Seyed, Villanueva, Walter, Thakre, Sachin, Konovalenko, Alexander, Bechta, Sevostian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Debris bed; Melt infiltration; Porous media; Severe accident
• ISSN: 0306-4549; 1873-2100; 1873-2100
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2021.108435

•The dynamics of melt infiltration through porous debris bed were studied.•An analytical model has been validated against existing data from REMCOD experiment.•Two flow regimes were identified for the melt flow inside the porous debris by the model consistent with the experiment.•The predictions by analytical model are in agreement with the experimental data.•Global sensitivity analysis identifies permeability as the most influential parameter. This paper investigates the dynamics of melt infiltration through a preheated porous debris bed which is of importance to severe accident modeling in nuclear power plants. Proper understanding of the flow physics and affecting parameters is needed to define flow regime(s) according to combination of the driving forces, i.e. capillary and gravity. A model development and validation therefore should consider various effects and competing mechanisms. After a careful study of the governing equations and scaling rules, a known analytical model is validated against existing experimental data from REMCOD experiment. The predictions of this model are in good agreement with the experimental data. Furthermore, a global sensitivity analysis identifies the most influential parameters and reveals the need for further experiments with different range of affecting parameters. The results underline the importance of permeability as the most influential parameter.