Modeling for Void Reactivity Effect by Subcooled Boiling under Reactivity Initiated Accident Condition of BWR

A simple mechanistic model is presented to evaluate the subcooled void reactivity effect under a Reactivity Initiated Accident (RIA) at cold critical condition of BWR. This model consists of a drift flux model for vapor velocity and a vapor mass conservation model with a term of vapor source on a heated wall, and it was incorporated into a homogeneous and equilibrium thermal-hydraulic code EUREKA-JINS. A sample analysis by this model showed that the subcooled void reactivity effect leads to reduction of the maximum fuel enthalpy by about 20 cal/g UO₂ in the case of RIA at cold critical condition. Though the reduced value is dependent on the reactor core condition, this result indicates the significance of subcooled void reactivity effect in the accident, while the effect can be neglected in the hot stand-by case where, at most, only 4 cal/g UO₂ is reduced for the maximum fuel enthalpy.