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Languages : en
Pages : 17
Book Description
One of the three major categories of HAPO fuel element failures is the side corrosion type rupture. The majority of side-corrosion failures has been characterized by oval or tear-drop shaped flow patterns containing evidence of accelerated corrosion. Thorough examination of many of these so-called 'hot spot' failures has indicated the failure was caused by poor heat transfer associated with misalignment, dimensional distortion or poor jacket-to-core bonding. It has been postulated that misalignment of the fuel element is a necessary condition for formation of hot spots under the present reactor operating conditions. Neither tru-line contours nor X-8001 alloy are successful in the prevention of misalignment and associated ruptures; therefore, it has been proposed to test the effectiveness of projections on the side of the fuel element toward preventing fuel misalignment in ribbed process tubes. A previous test of this element termed the 'bumper fuel element' was encouraging; however, it failed to provide the conclusive proof required to justify a large-scale demonstration loading. Supplement A to the basic test was written to obtain necessary preliminary data. This report presents an outline of further testing required to accelerate evaluation of the bumper concept.