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Preliminary Experimental Study on Suppression of Steam Explosion with Superabsorbent Polymer Microbeads

  • Jingqi Zhao
  • , Jinkun Min
  • , Qiang Guo
  • , Bin Zhang
  • , Wei Li
  • , Yidan Yuan
  • Xi'an Jiaotong University
  • China National Nuclear Corporation

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

During a hypothesis severe accident scenario in pressurized water reactor (PWR), the melt corium interact with coolant water, potentially triggering steam explosions due to fuel–coolant interactions (FCI). Such explosions threaten containment integrity, making the study of suppression mechanisms critical. Preliminary experiments conducted on the VULCAN facility revealed that the suppression effect on steam explosion intensity and triggering probability could be achieved through SAP microbead-mediated multiphase interactions. Small melt jets fragmenting in subcooled water induce steam explosions. Superabsorbent polymer microbeads suppress this by altering jet breakup, vaporization, and pressure waves, disrupting FCI and inhibiting energy release. The findings from preliminary experiments advance the understanding of FCI suppression mechanisms and hopefully provide a technical foundation for engineering applications in nuclear safety.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 32nd International Conference on Nuclear Engineering— Volume 8, ICONE 2025- Nuclear Codes and Standards, Licensing and Regulation, Mitigation Strategy for Beyond Design Basic Events
EditorsSichao Tan, Weiqiang Xu, Yanyan Zhu
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages535-545
Number of pages11
ISBN (Print)9789819532360
DOIs
StatePublished - 2026
Event32nd International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, ICONE 2025 - Weihai, China
Duration: 22 Jun 202526 Jun 2025

Publication series

NameSpringer Proceedings in Physics
Volume334 SPPHY
ISSN (Print)0930-8989
ISSN (Electronic)1867-4941

Conference

Conference32nd International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, ICONE 2025
Country/TerritoryChina
CityWeihai
Period22/06/2526/06/25

Keywords

  • Fuel–coolant interaction
  • Steam explosion
  • Superabsorbent polymer microbeads

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