Use of Engineered Materials to Reduce Both Strainer Head Loss and Fiber Bypass for Emergency Core Cooling Systems

Testing has shown that the use of engineered materials that can be combined with Loss of Cooling Accident generated debris has the ability to reduce debris head loss for boiling water and pressurized water reactors on Emergency Core Cooling System strainers. This engineered material has also been shown to reduce the amount of fiber that penetrates a strainer and continues downstream toward the fuel. Large scale testing is described that demonstrates that engineered materials can reach the strainers and reduce head loss. Small scale testing is described that demonstrates that engineered material can reduce the amount of fiber that can penetrate a strainer.