ACE program Phases C and D: Molten corium concrete interaction (MCCI) experiments and corium melt coolability experiments (MACE)

A series of experiments are being performed at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) investigating the interaction of molten core material with concrete and its coolability with water. The work is supported by the ACE (Advanced Containment Experiments) International Consortium. This consortium consists of 19 countries; with the US participation shared by Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Energy (DOE), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Westinghouse. The project is managed by EPRI. The general objectives of the molten core concrete interaction (MCCI) experiments are to measure: (1) the releases of refractory fission product species, i.e., oxides of lanthanum, barium, cesium and strontium; (2) the physical and chemical character of the aerosols generated; and (3) the thermal-hydraulic aspects of the interaction, including the concrete ablation rate. The principal objectives of the melt attack and coolability experiments (MACE) project are to: (1) obtain data on coolability with water of corium melt interacting with basemat concrete; and (2) develop models for insertion in the industry and NRC-sponsored codes