Results of laboratory tests on a robust filtration system for PWR containments in the case of a serious accident

A study is currently in progress in France on a simple filtration process using sand as a filtration medium which, in the event of a serious accident leading to core meltdown in a pressurized water reactor, will permit controlled and filtered releases from the containment. Laboratory tests on sand filters for aerosols have been conducted. The tests involved the use of columns of sand, 80 cm high and 20 cm in diameter, under conditions which were similar to those inside the containment of a PWR in which a serious accident has occurred. The sand granulometry, the aerosol particle size and the flow rate and steam content of the fluid to be filtered were variable parameters. The results obtained from the experiment showed that as a filtration medium for this simple filter system for reactors a sand obtainable from the Cattenom quarry was most suitable. For this sand the filtration coefficient for aerosols is greater than 10 and the pressure drop is less than 104 pascals. Experience has also shown that there is no risk, under the operating conditions envisaged, that the filter will become clogged by aerosols or steam from condensed water or that there will be any major escape of aerosols retained during long-term operation of the filter or caused by the vaporisation of the condensed water. A larger scale experiment is already being carried out. (author)