Abstract
Possibilities of experimental study of the model fuel assembly (FA) destruction of ASTRID reactor in a severe accident were studied in this paper. Experiments with model FA can be carried out in a research impulse graphite reactor (IGR) [1] in the framework of joint program between RSE NNC RK and CEA, called SAIGA (SAIGA – Severe Accident InPile experiments for Generation IV reactor and Astrid project) [2]. ASTRID reactor core consists of an inner zone with heterogeneous FA in height, in which the principle of separation of high enrichment fuel into two zones (upper and lower) is applied by fuel layer with a low uranium-235 content, intended for the reproduction of fission substances, and an external zone with homogeneous FA [3]. The study considers two versions of the model FA for reactor tests, which differ in the geometry and composition of the fuel elements installed in them. Test modes of model FA are determined and complex calculations on their justification is conducted.