INTERACTIONS OF LMFBR CORE DEBRIS WITH CONCRETE.

Experiments were conducted to study each of the four processes of importance in the analyses of the interactions of LMFBR core debris with concrete: (1) concrete dehydration, (2) interaction with molten stainless steel, (3) interaction with molten UO//2, and (4) interaction with liquid sodium. Based on the observed rate of thermal diffusion in concrete, a preliminary model of heat transfer in concrete has been developed. Penetration of concrete by molten stainless steel was studied by an induction heating technique. Penetration of concrete by molten UO//2 was studied by an electrical heating method. Interaction with sodium was studied by an immersion technique. Results showed that large quantities of carbon were generated, indicating that some or all of the CO//2 was reduced to elemental carbon.