A study of fuel behavior under reactivity initiated accident conditions — review

Abstract Results obtained in the 400 tests performed to simulate reactivity initiated accidents since 1975 in the Japanese Nuclear Safety Research Reactor, are described. Tests included the effects of cooling environment, defective fuel elements, fuel design parameters, the behaviour of fuel elements for various reactor types, all done for a wide range of energy deposition. Four types of basic fuel failure mechanisms have been established, and are discussed in detail: cladding melt failure, UO 2 melt failure, high temperature burst failure and low temperature burst failure. Future test plans up to 1990 are out-lined and features requiring particular attention are pointed out.