Progress in understanding key aerosol issues

L. E. Herranz (Corresponding Author), J. Ball, Ari Auvinen, D. Bottomley, A. Dehbi, C. Housiadas, P. Piluso, P. Layly, F. Parozzi, M. Recks

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    15 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The 6th FWP SARNET project launched a set of studies to enhance understanding and predictability of relevant-risk scenarios where uncertainties related to aerosol phenomena were still significant: retention in complex structures, such as steam generator by-pass SGTR sequences or cracks in concrete walls of an over-pressurised containment, and primary circuit deposit remobilization, either as vapours (revaporisation) or aerosols (resuspension). This paper summarizes the major advances achieved. Progress has been made on aerosol scrubbing in complex structures. Models based on empirical data (ARISG) and improvements to previous codes (SPARC) have been proposed, respectively, for dry and wet aerosol retention, but, further development and validation remains, as was noted during the ARTIST international project and potential successors. New CFD models for particle-turbulence interactions have been developed based on random walk stochastic treatments and have shown promise in accurately describing particle deposition rates in complex geometries. Aerosol transport in containment concrete cracks is fairly well understood, with several models developed but validation was limited. Extension of such validation against prototypic data will be feasible through an ongoing joint experimental program in the CEA COLIMA facility under the 6th Framework PLINIUS platform. Primary deposit revaporisation has been experimentally demonstrated on samples from the Phebus-FP project. Data review has pinpointed variables affecting the process, particularly temperature. Available models have been satisfactorily used to interpret separate-effect tests, but performing integral experiments, where revaporisation is likely combined with other processes, still pose a difficult challenge. Further experimental data as well as modelling efforts seem to be necessary to get a full understanding. Resuspension, sometimes referred to as mechanical remobilization, has been recently addressed in SARNET and although a set of models were already available in the literature (i.e., Rock'n Roll model, CESAR, ECART), further work is needed to extend current capabilities to multi-layer deposits and to produce simplified, but sufficiently accurate, models. A major remaining uncertainty is the particle-to-particle/wall adhesion and its dependence on microscale roughness. Data from the previous EU STORM project have been retrieved and further experiments designed for code validation are being used to benchmark the models.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)120-127
    Number of pages8
    JournalProgress in Nuclear Energy
    Volume52
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010
    MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

    Keywords

    • Severe accidents
    • Source term
    • Aerosols

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