Improved models for predicting heat transfer from a molten pool

During a severe accident, molten pools may form that are internally heated by fission product decay heat. Because heat transfer from molten pools may significantly affect subsequent accident progression, a study was conducted to review existing experimental studies of molten pool behavior, evaluate the applicability of data to severe accident conditions, assess the impact of possible model modifications, and make recommendations for improving SCDAP/RELAP5/MOD3.1 molten pool heat transfer models. Modeling recommendations and estimated impact are summarized in this paper.