Experimental study on fuel rod melting based on alternative materials

In this paper, the Fuel Rod Melting Progression Apparatus used for the visualization of severe accident phenomena has been established to study the complex phenomena of fuel rod melting, melt expansion and dissolution of typical Pressurized Water Reactorstructures. And a series of experiments have been carried out. The experiment carried out a visualizing study using zinc-aluminum and zirconium-alumina structure fuel rods. The transient axial temperature distribution of the fuel rod cladding and the dynamic process of melt expansion, migration and relocation during a severe accident have been obtained. Based on experimental data, this research has conducted an in-depth analysis of the physical phenomena and process related to the flow, expansion, solidification and migration of the melt. And the research provides experimental data support for the development of models analyzing severe accidents.