压力容器外部冷却非加热实验研究

压力容器外部冷却(ERVC)作为一项重要的严重事故缓解策略,可以将事故进程终结在压力容器内,实现熔融物堆内滞留(IVR)。但在核电厂应用ERVC策略之前,需要对其流动和传热过程进行实验研究。本实验采用1∶1模拟循环高度的切片实验装置模拟中国改进型三环路压水堆(CPR1000)压力容器外部冷却两相自然循环过程,研究其外部冷却流道结构及尺寸对外部冷却流动的影响。实验结果表明:进出口面积、贯穿件及保温层结构等对外部流动存在着不同程度的影响,其中进出口面积对循环流量的影响是主要的,但贯穿件对传热现象的影响需要进一步的分析和验证。试验中注气流量与回路循环流量的最大测量误差分别为12.9%和3.4%。     

基于RELAP5的ERVC两相自然循环能力研究

利用RELAP5程序建立压力容器外部冷却（ERVC）系统模型,在水淹平衡条件下分析不同的安全壳内压力、冷却水过冷度、加热功率和水淹水位对系统两相自然流动能力的影响,找到各工况下的临界过冷度和不稳定性边界。结果表明：AP1000的ERVC系统设计具有很大裕量,仅依靠自然循环就可通过下封头对熔池进行有效冷却;安全壳内压力越高、冷却水过冷度越低、加热功率越大、水淹水位越高,两相自然循环流量越高。但当加热功率水平较低时,压力对临界过冷度影响不大;冷却水过冷度低于临界值时,会发生剧烈的倒流和流量震荡现象;当水淹水位低于5.5 m时,不能建立稳定的两相自然循环流动。     

ERVC流道内两相局部分布实验研究

采用1∶1循环高度的切片实验装置模拟压力容器外部冷却流道,通过向实验段注入空气模拟压力容器外部两相自然循环过程,采用自制电导探针对系统内的局部空泡份额分布进行实验测量和分析。实验结果表明:压力容器外部冷却流道内的两相流具有显著的局部分布特征,流道截面上的局部空泡份额类型从壁面峰值分布类型过渡到近壁面峰值分布类型,最终发展成为中心分布类型;液相和气相流量的敏感性分析表明,气相流量的大小对局部空泡份额分布特征有较大的影响。     

压力容器外部冷却系统冷却水池温度场的实验研究及分析

压力容器外部非能动冷却系统采用换料水池作为冷却水源。在浮升力驱动的自然循环流动作用下,冷却水池内会逐渐出现热分层现象。本实验基于先进压水堆压力容器外部冷却系统模拟装置REPEC实验回路,通过测量实验系统内冷却水箱的温度场空间分布,对冷却水池的热分层与混合现象、发展规律和主要影响因素进行了实验分析。结果表明：实验水箱内温度场分布差异主要表现在高度方向;循环流量是影响热分层的重要参数,而水箱工质初始温度的影响非常微弱;针对本实验的无量纲一维瞬态温度场方程分析表明,水箱内温度场的发展规律主要受对流传热控制。     

一体化小型堆主回路自然循环稳态特性实验研究

在模拟一体化小型堆主回路的自然循环试验台架上,进行了小型堆主回路自然循环稳态流动特性的实验研究。结果表明:在输入的外部条件保持一致的情况下,实验本体内的自然循环流动保持了很好的对称性;影响自然循环流量的主要因素是加热功率,入口温度、系统压力等参数的影响较小;提出了一个表征系统自然循环能力的综合特征参数k,可当作指标参数来衡量不同的自然循环回路或不同的运行工况下的自然循环能力,对进一步优化一体化自然循环反应堆的参数设计具有重要指导意义。     

大功率先进压水堆压力容器外部冷却能力研究

目前压力容器外部冷却（ERVC）作为严重事故管理策略中压力容器内熔融物滞留（IVR）的一部分已得到了广泛应用。本文采用RELAP5系统安全分析程序定性研究一些流动参数和边界条件（如进出口面积、冷却水的入口温度、下封头处的加热功率、下封头处流道的间隙尺寸及注水高度等）对大功率先进压水堆压力容器外部冷却的自然循环能力产生的效应,它为结构的设计和系统的瞬态响应行为提供了一定的分析依据。     

矩形回路内超临界二氧化碳自然循环实验研究

为认识超临界二氧化碳自然循环基本特性,开展超临界二氧化碳在简单矩形回路内自然循环特性的实验研究,研究系统压力和冷热段流体温差对自然循环流量的影响,分析回路结构对自然循环特性的影响。结果表明:循环流量存在峰值;峰值点前,随加热功率增加流量快速上升,峰值点后流量变化平缓;在本试验参数条件下未观测到流动不稳定现象;压力对循环流量影响与亚临界自然循环类似,压力越高循环流量峰值越大,回路冷热段温差对循环流量影响较大;加热段出口流体温度接近拟临界温度时,很小的回路温差变化即可引起循环流量较大变化;加热段布置方式对超临界二氧化碳自然循环流量变化特性影响较大,对回路稳定性的影响需要进一步进行实验验证。     

RELAP5模拟AP1000 ERVC自然循环过程研究

压力容器外部自然循环冷却(ERVC)系统作为AP1000的非能动安全系统之一,对熔融物堆内滞留,阻止放射性物质大规模释放起到关键的作用。本文通过RELAP5程序针对AP1000的ERVC系统建立模型,进行自然循环冷却的物理过程模拟,并对加热功率,冷却水过冷度,安全壳压力等关键参数进行了敏感性分析。除此之外本文还对分析模型进行简化,并对比了两个模型的计算结果,证明了简化的合理性。     

RELAP5模拟AP1000 ERVC自然循环过程研究

压力容器外部自然循环冷却(ERVC)系统作为AP1000的非能动安全系统之一,对熔融物堆内滞留,阻止放射性物质大规模释放起到关键的作用。本文通过RELAP5程序针对AP1000的ERVC系统建立模型,进行自然循环冷却的物理过程模拟,并对加热功率、冷却水过冷度、安全壳压力等关键参数进行了敏感性分析。除此之外,本文还对分析模型进行简化,并对比了两个模型的计算结果,证明了简化的合理性。     

HRTL-5自然循环稳态特性

基于一维两相四方程漂移流模型,采用数值模拟的方法对5MW低温核供热堆热工水力模拟回路（HRTL-5）的自然循环稳态特性进行模拟,分析了HRTL-5自然循环流量特性及其参数效应。结果表明：1)漂移流模型比均相流模型更适用于HRTL-5;2)当系统压力为1.5MPa时,系统自然循环流量随加热热流密度的升高而增加;3)当系统压力为0.5MPa时,系统自然循环流量随加热热流密度的升高先增加后减小;4)自然循环流量随加热段入口欠热度的升高而减小;5)当加热热流密度较低时,〖JP3〗系统自然循环流量随压力的升高而减小,当加热热流密度较高时,系统自然循环流量随压力的变化呈现复杂状况。     

Two-phase natural circulation flow of air and water in a reactor cavity model under an external vessel cooling during a severe accident

As a part of a study on a two-phase natural circulation flow between the outer reactor vessel and the insulation material in the reactor cavity under an external reactor vessel cooling of the Advanced Power Reactor (APR) 1400, a Hydraulic Evaluation of Reactor cooling Mechanism by External Self-induced flow-HALF scale (HERMES-HALF) experiment has been performed by using the non-heating method of an air injection. This large-scale experiment uses a half-height and half-sector model of the APR1400. This experiment has been analyzed to verify and evaluate the experimental results by using the RELAP5/MOD3 computer code. The RELAP5/MOD3 results have shown that the water circulation mass flow rate is very similar to the experimental results of the HERMES-HALF, in general. Increases in the water inlet area and the water level in the reactor cavity lead to an increase in the water circulation mass flow rate. The effects of an air injection mass flow rate and the water outlet area on the water circulation mass flow rate are dependent on the water inlet area size. As the water outlet moves to a lower position, the water circulation mass flow rate increases slowly.     

Detailed Evaluation of the Natural Circulation Mass Flow Rate of Water Propelled by Using an Air Injection

One-dimensional (1D) air-water two-phase natural circulation flow in the “thermohydraulic evaluation of reactor cooling mechanism by external self-induced flow—one-dimensional” (THERMES-1D) experiment has been verified and evaluated by using the RELAP5/MOD3 computer code. Experimental results on the 1D natural circulation mass flow rate of water propelled by using an air injection have been evaluated in detail. The RELAP5 results have shown that an increase in the air injection rate to 50% of the total heat flux leads to an increase in the water circulation mass flow rate. However, an increase in the air injection rate from 50 to 100% does not affect the water circulation mass flow rate, because of the inlet area condition. As the height increases in the air injection part, the void fraction increases. However, the void fraction in the upper part of the air injector maintains a constant value. An increase in the air injection mass flow rate leads to an increase in the local void fraction, but it has no influence on the local pressure. An increase in the coolant inlet area leads to an increase in the water circulation mass flow rate. However, the water outlet area does not have an influence on the water circulation mass flow rate. As the coolant outlet moves to a lower position, the water circulation mass flow rate decreases.     

HFETR自然循环能力分析研究

针对高通量工程试验堆（HFETR）的运行特点,本文利用RELAP5/MOD3程序对HFETR进行了数值建模,并结合反应堆实际运行工况,采取了阶跃升功率法和积分功率法分析了系统压力和压力壳平均水温对HFETR最大自然循环能力的影响。结果表明：系统在常压和带压工况下,HFETR的最大自然循环能力分别为0.9、2.0MW。自然循环能力随运行压力的升高而增大,随压力壳水温的升高而降低。本文基于计算数据与理论推导提出了预测不同平均水温下最大自然循环能力的关系式,该公式具有指导反应堆实际运行的工程意义。     

Study theoretically on two-phase circulation flow characteristics under ERVC condition in advanced PWR

For the problem of two-phase natural circulation flow in gap clearance between reactor vessel lower head and insulator in the condition of severe accident, one-dimensional steady-state natural flow analysis code was written by utilizing FORTRAN. Based on the code, the effects of different correlations for friction coefficient and the number of nodes of heating section on mass flow rate of two-phase natural circulation flow were studied. And the results are compared with that of Chinese REPEC experiment and simulation using RELAP5 program so as to verify the rationality and correctness of the code. Based on the experiment data, simulation results and the model, friction coefficient and the void fraction condition under ERVC correlation are obtained by fitting. The results calculated by the model using fitting friction coefficient correlation agree well with ULPU V test data. Furthermore, the effect of power, pressure, inlet area, gap diameter, flooding level and inlet water subcooling on mass flow rate and void fraction of two-phase natural circulation were studied utilizing this code.     

Development of TSACO and application to Chinese HCCB TBM cooling system

In this study, a thermal-hydraulic and safety analysis code (TSACO) for helium cooling system has been developed using Fortran 90 language, and the simulation has been performed for the cooling system of the Chinese helium cooled ceramic breeder test blanket module (CH HCCB TBM). The semi-implicit finite difference technique was adopted for the solution of the dynamic behavior of helium cooling system. Furthermore, a detailed illustration of the numerical solution for heat structures and critical model was presented. The code was verified by the comparison of RELAP5 code with the same initial condition, boundary condition, heat transfer and flow friction models. The TBM inlet/outlet temperatures and pressure drop were obtained and the results simulated by TSACO were shown in good agreement with those by RELAP5. Thereafter, the design basis accident in-vessel loss of coolant accident (LOCA), was investigated for the CH HCCB TBM cooling system. The critical flow model was also verified by comparing with RELAP5 code. The results indicated that the TBM can be cooled down effectively. The vacuum vessel (VV) pressure and the mass of helium spilled into the VV maintained below the design limits with a large margin.     

Specifics of RBMK core cooling in beyond design basis accidents

The most dangerous beyond design basis accidents for RBMK reactors, leading to the worst consequences, are related to the loss of long-term heat removal from the core. Due to a specific design of RBMK, there are a few possibilities for heat removal from reactor core by non-regular means: removal of heat from graphite stack by reactor gas circuit, removal of heat from reactor core using control rods cooling circuit, depressurisation of reactor cooling system, supply of water into cooling system from low pressure water sources, etc. This paper presents the analysis of such heat removal by employing RELAP5, RELAP5-3D and RELAP/SCDAPSIM codes. The analysis was performed for Ignalina nuclear power plant with RBMK-1500 reactor. The analysis of result shows that the restoration of water supply into control rod channels enables to remove 10-30 MW of the generated heat from the reactor core. This amount of removed heat is comparable with reactor decay heat in long-term period and allows to slowdown the core heat-up process. However, the injection of water to reactor cooling system is considered as main strategy, which should be considered in RBMK-1500 accident management procedure.     

Capability of the RELAP5 code to simulate natural circulation behavior in test facilities

Many advanced reactor designs incorporate passive systems mainly to enhance the operational safety and possible elimination of severe accident condition. Some reactors are even designed to remove the nominal fission heat passively by natural circulation without using mechanical pumps e.g. ESBWR, AHWR, CHTR, CAREM, etc. while in most other new reactor concepts, the decay heat is removed passively by natural circulation following the pump trip conditions. The design and safety analysis of these reactors are carried out using the best estimate codes such as RELAP5, TRAC and CATHARE, etc. These best estimate codes have been developed for pumped circulation systems and it is not proven about their adequacy or applicability for natural circulation systems wherein the driving mechanism is completely different. Some of the key phenomena which are difficult to model but are significantly important to assess the natural circulation system performances are – low flow natural circulation mainly because the flow is not fully developed and can be multi-dimensional in nature; flow instabilities; critical heat flux under oscillatory condition; flow stratification particularly in large diameter vessel; thermal stratification in large pools; effect of non-condensable gases on condensation, etc. Though, these best estimate codes use a six equation two-fluid model formulation for the thermal-hydraulic calculation which is considered to be the best representative of two-phase flows, but their accuracies depend on the accuracies of the models for interfacial relationships for mass, energy and momentum transfer which are semi-empirical in nature. The other problem with two-fluid models is the effect of ill-posedness which may cause numerical instability. Besides, the numerical diffusion associated due to truncation of higher order terms can affect the prediction of flow instabilities. All these effects may lead to inability to capture the important physical instability in natural circulation systems and instability characteristics i.e. amplitude and frequency of flow oscillation. In view of this, it is essential to test the capability of these codes to simulate natural circulation behavior under single and two-phase flow conditions before applying them to the future reactor concepts.In the present study, one of the extensively used best estimate code RELAP5 has been used for simulation of steady state, transient and stability behavior of natural circulation based experimental facilities, such as the High-Pressure Natural Circulation Loop (HPNCL) and the Parallel Channel Loop (PCL) installed and operating at BARC. The test data have been generated for a range of pressure, power and subcooling conditions. The computer code RELAP5/MOD3.2 was applied to predict the transient natural circulation characteristics under single-phase and two-phase conditions, thresholds of flow instability, amplitude and frequency of flow oscillations for different operating conditions of the loops. This paper presents the effect of nodalisation in prediction of natural circulation behavior in test facilities and a comparison of experimental data in with that of code predictions. The errors associated with the predictions are also characterized.     

RELAP5-3D modeling of PWR steam generator condensation experiments at the Oregon State University APEX facility

This report describes modeling using RELAP5-3D of a series of six steam generator U-tube steam condensation (without non-condensable gas) tests conducted at the Oregon State University Advanced Plant Experiment Test Facility from 2005 through 2007. These tests were designed to evaluate steam condensation rates in a scaled pressurized water reactor steam generator at various primary and secondary side pressures and inlet steam mass flow rates. Comparisons between the experimental data and the RELAP5-3D model results are made to quantify the effectiveness of RELAP5-3D in handling steam condensation in U-tube steam generators. RELAP5-3D tends to over predict the condensation rate and heat transfer coefficient when compared against the experimental data when the code uses the laminar Nusselt correlation to determine the heat transfer coefficient. When RELAP5-3D results are used with the Shah correlation the comparison between the heat transfer coefficients is much improved.