PREVENTING MELT-WATER EXPLOSIONS

Explosive interactions between molten aluminum and water are being stu died at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to determine the causes of e xplosion triggers and the extent of protection provided from various c oatings in order to develop a fundamental, cost-effective methodology for prevention. The study includes experimentation and mathematical mo deling of the interactions between molten metals and water on various coated and uncoated surfaces. Phenomenological issues related to surfa ce wettability, gas generation from coatings, charring of coatings, in ertial constraint, melt temperature, water temperature, and external s hocks are being investigated systematically to gage their relative imp act on the triggerability of surface-assisted steam explosions. A phys ics-based novel prevention methodology based on enhancing system stabi lity via air (gas) injection at vulnerable locations has been develope d and tested at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.