Reactor development and research into core meltdown analysis in West German PWRs

The paper describes experimental and analytical investigations performed in the Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe on the development and consequences of core meltdown accidents in West German PWR's. The experiments relate to:-release of fission products from the fuel, melt-concrete interaction, behaviour of aerosols, thermodynamics in the reactor containment, and source term evaluation. The results reveal that the containment has strong retention capabilities for fission products resulting from a molten core. Also the severe consequences of a core meltdown accident would be limited to the plant itself or to the near surroundings. (U.K.)