Nuclear reactor melt arrest and coolability device
Example embodiments provide a Basemat-Internal Melt Arrest and Coolability device (BiMAC) that offers improved spatial and mechanical characteristics for use in damage prevention and risk mitigation in accident scenarios. Example embodiments may include a BiMAC having an inclination of less than 10-degrees from the basemat floor and/or coolant channels of less than 4 inches in diameter, while maintaining minimum safety margins required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
1. A Basemat-Internal Melt Arrest and Coolability device (BiMAC), comprising:
a distributor configured to receive a coolant; and
a plurality of adjacent coolant channels connected to the distributor at a first end of the channels and configured to receive the coolant from the distributor,
each of the channels having an inclination equal to or greater than about 5 degrees and less than 10 degrees with respect to horizontal,
each of the channels having a second end with a vertical portion, the second end being open and configured to permit the coolant to exit,
the BiMAC configured to absorb a thermal load of at least 100 kW/m2 from molten debris relocated on top of the BiMAC for at least 24 hours,
wherein each of the coolant channels are configured to not completely void a liquid coolant flowing through the coolant channel during the 24 hours.
2. The BiMAC of claim 1 , wherein each of the channels has an inner diameter of about 2 inches.
3. The BiMAC of claim 2 , wherein each of the channels has an inclination of about 5 degrees with the horizontal.
4. The BiMAC of claim 1 , further comprising:
an ablation shield covering the distributor and the plurality of coolant channels.
5. The BiMAC of claim 4 , wherein the ablation shield is fabricated of at least one of a ceramic material and concrete.
6. The BiMAC of claim 1 , further comprising:
a shielding material under the plurality of coolant channels, the shielding material supporting the plurality of coolant channels.
7. The BiMAC of claim 1 , wherein the distributor is connected to a deluge line of an economic simplified boiling water reactor in order to receive coolant from the deluge line.
8. The BiMAC of claim 1 , wherein the BiMAC is shaped to cover a basemat of a lower drywell and at least a portion of a wall of a lower drywell.
9. A Basemat-Internal Melt Arrest and Coolability device (BiMAC), comprising:
a plurality of adjacent coolant channels having an inclination equal to or greater than about 5 degrees and less than 10 degrees with respect to horizontal,
the BiMAC configured to absorb a thermal load of at least 100 kW/m2 from molten debris relocated on top of the BiMAC for at least 24 hours,
wherein each of the coolant channels are configured to not completely void a liquid coolant flowing through the coolant channel during the 24 hours.
10. The Bi MAC of claim 9 , wherein the inclination is about 5 degrees with the horizontal.
11. The BiMAC of claim 10 , wherein each of the coolant channels has an inner diameter of about 2 inches.
12. The BiMAC of claim 11 , further comprising:
a distributor configured to receive the coolant, the plurality of coolant channels connected to the distributor at a first end of the channels and configured to receive the coolant from the distributor, each of the channels having a second end with a vertical portion, the second end being open and configured to permit the coolant to exit.
13. The BiMAC of claim 12 , further comprising:
an ablation shield covering the distributor and the plurality of coolant channels.
14. The BiMAC of claim 13 , wherein the ablation shield is fabricated of at least one of a ceramic material and concrete.
15. The BiMAC of claim 14 , further comprising:
a shielding material under the plurality of coolant channels, the shielding material configured to support the plurality of coolant channels.