Loss-of-flow transient characterization in carbide-fueled LMFBRs

One of the benefits derived from the use of carbide fuel in advanced liquid metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBRs) is a decreased vulnerability to certaiin accidents. This can be achieved through the combination of advanced fuel performance with the enhanced reactivity feedback effects and passive shutdown cooling systems characteristic of the current inherently safe plant concepts. The calculated core response to an unprotected loss of flow (ULOF) accident has frequently been used as a benchmark test of these designs, and the advantages of a high-conductivity fuel in relation to this type of transient have been noted in previous analyses. To evaluate this benefit in carbide-fueled LMFBRs incorporating representative current plant design features, limited calculations have been made of a ULOF transient in a small (modular) carbide-fueled LMFBR.