Molten fuel moderator interaction experiments for PHWRs

One of the very-low probability events considered for CANDU PHWRs is a reduction in coolant flow to a single fuel channel. If the reduction inflow is severe, the fuel in the affected channel will rapidly overheat, leading to failure of the fuel channel and ejection of molten material into the surrounding heavy water moderator. AECL is implementing an experimental program to determine the nature of the interaction between the forcibly ejected …