Empirical correlations for predicting the self-leveling behavior of debris bed

Studies on the self-leveling behavior of debris bed are crucial for the assessment of core-disruptive accident (CDA) occurred in sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFR). To clarify this behavior over a comparatively wider range of gas velocities, a series of experiments were performed by injecting nitrogen gas uniformly from a pool bottom. Current experiments were conducted in a cylindrical tank, in which water, nitrogen gas and different kinds of solid particles, simulate the coolant, vapor (generated by coolant boiling) and fuel debris, respectively. Based on the quantitative data obtained (mainly the time variation of bed inclination angle), with the help of dimensional analysis technique, a set of empirical correlations to predict the self-leveling development depending on particle size, particle density and gas injection velocity was proposed and discussed. It was seen that good agreement could be obtained between the calculated and experimental values. Rationality of the correlations was further confirmed through detailed analyses of the effects of experimental parameters such as particle size, particle density, gas flow rate and boiling mode. In order to facilitate future analyses and simulations of CDAs in SFRs, the obtained results in this work will be utilized for the validations of an advanced fast reactor safety analysis code. (authors)