A BWR control blade degradation observed in situ during a CLADS-MADE-02 test under Fukushima Dai-Ichi Unit 3 postulated conditions

• Published in: Journal of nuclear science and technology Vol. 58; no. 9; pp. 1025 - 1037
• Main Authors: Pshenichnikov, Anton, Kurata, Masaki, Nagae, Yuji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Taylor & Francis 02.09.2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Boiling water reactor; boron carbide; control blade degradation; Degradation; Exhaust gases; fuel debris; Fukushima Dai-Ichi decommissioning; Gas analysis; Metallography; Nuclear accidents; Nuclear power plants; Oxidation; Raman spectroscopy; Relocation; severe accident; Spectroscopic analysis
• ISSN: 0022-3131; 1881-1248
• DOI: 10.1080/00223131.2021.1906777

The paper summarizes the results of the control blade degradation test CLADS-MADE-02 performed in the Japan Atomic Energy Agency . The test focused on the beginning phase of the accident at Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant (1F) Unit 3. The investigation provided important data, especially on the temperature history, exhaust gas measurement, and in situ video of metallic debris formation and relocation to the colder elevations under the test scenario, which reproduced oxidizing conditions during the initial phase of the 1F Unit 3 reactor heat-up. Complementary post-test analysis by metallography, Raman spectroscopy, elemental scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry spectroscopy, and exhaust gas analysis provided additional data on the local materials interactions that gave insights on the melt progression scenarios. Based on the test results, some decommissioning-related conclusions concerning the formation of new B-rich phases containing Cr and Fe were made.