Safety analysis of LBLOCA in BDBA scenarios for the Bushehr's VVER-1000 nuclear power plant

This paper presents the results of thermal-hydraulic calculations of a large break loss of coolant accident (LBLOCA) analysis for a VVER-1000/V446 unit at Bushehr nuclear power plant (BNPP). LBLOCA is analysis in two different beyond design basis accident (BDBA) scenarios using the RELAP5/MOD3.2 best estimate code. The scenarios are LBLOCA with station blackout (SBO) and LBLOCA with pump re-circulation blockage which have been evaluated in the final safety analysis report (FSAR) of BNPP. A model of VVER-1000 reactor based on Unit 1 of BNPP has been developed for the RELAP5/MOD3.2 thermal-hydraulics code consists of 4-loop primary and secondary systems with all their relevant sub-systems important to safety analysis. The analysis is performed without regard for operator's actions on accident management. The safety analysis is carried out and the results are checked against the acceptance criteria which are the possibility of using water inventory in the emergency core cooling system (ECCS) accumulators and the KWU tanks for core cooling and the available time to operators before the maximum design limit of fuel rod cladding damage is reached. These kinds of analyses are performed to provide the response of monitored plant parameters to identify symptoms available to the operators, timing of the loss of critical safety functions and timing of operator actions to avoid the loss of critical safety functions of core damage. The results of performed analyses show that the operators have 2.9 and 3.1 h for LBLOCA with SBO and LBLOCA with pump re-circulation blockage scenarios, respectively, before the fuel rod cladding rupture. The results are also compared with the BNPP FSAR data.     

RELAP5/MOD3.2 investigation of reactor vessel YR line capabilities for primary side depressurization during the TLFW in VVER1000/V320

During the development of Symptom Based Emergency Operating Procedures (SB-EOPs) for VVER-1000/V320 units at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), a number of analyses have been performed using the RELAP5/MOD3.2 computer code. One of them is “Investigation of reactor vessel YR line capabilities for primary side depressurization during the Total Loss of Feed Water (TLFW)”. The main purpose of these calculations is to evaluate the capabilities of YR line located at the top of the reactor vessel for primary side depressurization to the set point of High Pressure Injection System (HPIS) actuation and the abilities for successful core cooling after Feed&Bleed procedure initiation. For the purpose of this, operator action with “Reactor vessel off-gas valve – 0.032 m” opening has been investigated. RELAP5/MOD3.2 computer code has been used to simulate the TLFW transient in VVER-1000 NPP model. This model was developed at Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (INRNE-BAS), Sofia, for analyses of operational occurrences, abnormal events, and design basis scenarios. The model provides a significant analytical capability for the specialists working in the field of NPP safety.     

RELAP5/MOD3.2 investigation of a VVER-1000 MCP switching on Benchmark problem

This paper provides comparisons between experimental data of Kozloduy NPP “MCP switching on when the other three MCP are in operation”, with Relap5 calculations. The investigated thermal-hydraulic driven transient is characterized by spatially dependant non-symmetric processes. RELAP5/MOD3.2 computer code has been used to simulate the investigated transient. Operational data from Kozloduy NPP have been used for the purpose of assessing how the RELAP5 model compares against plant data. During the plant-commissioning phase at Kozloduy NPP Unit 6 a number of experiments have been performed. One of them is switching on MCP when the other three MCPs are in operation. The event is characterized by rapid increase in the flow through the core resulting in a coolant temperature decrease, which leads to insertion of positive reactivity due to the modeled feedback mechanisms. The main purpose of this investigation was to improve the discrepancy between the calculations and the plant data. The sensitivity calculation investigates the mixing in reactor vessel and influence of heat structure on the hot legs temperature. The areas of improvements to the Relap5 model are:

• •The non-symmetrical mixing in downcomer and reactor vessel annular exit.
• •The influence of heat structure temperature on the time delay for equipments measurements.
• •Investigation of pressurizer water level – using the hot legs temperature correction.

The RELAP5/MOD3.2 model of Kozloduy NPP VVER-1000 for investigation of operational occurrences, abnormal events, and design basis scenarios have been developed and validated in the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (INRNE-BAS) Sofia, and Kozloduy NPP. The model provides a significant analytical capability for the specialists working in the field of NPP safety.This investigation is a process that compares the analytical results obtained by the RELAP5 computer model of the VVER-1000 against the experimental transient data received from the Kozloduy NPP Unit 6. The comparisons indicate good agreement between the RELAP5 results and the experimental data. The sensitivity investigation improves the discrepancy between the calculation and the plant data.This investigation was possible through the participation of leading specialists from Kozloduy NPP and with the support of Argonne National Laboratory, under the International Nuclear Safety Program (INSP) of the United States Department of Energy.     

RELAP5/MOD3.2 sensitivity calculations of loss-of-feed water (LOFW) transient at Unit 6 of Kozloduy NPP

This paper provides a comparison between the real plant data obtained by Unit 6 of Kozloduy nuclear power plant (NPP) during the loss-of-feed water (LOFW) transient and the calculation results received by RELAP5/MOD3.2 computer model of the same NPP unit.RELAP5/MOD3.2 computer model of the VVER-1000 has been developed at the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy-Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (INRNE-BAS) based on Unit 6 of Kozloduy NPP. This model has been used for simulation the behavior of the real VVER-1000 NPP during the LOFW transient. Several calculations have been provided to describe how the different boundary conditions reflect on the prediction of real plant parameters.This paper discusses the results of the thermal–hydraulic sensitivity calculations of loss-of-feed water transient for VVER-1000 reactor design. The report also contains a brief summary of the main NPP systems included in the RELAP5 VVER model and the LOFW transient sequences.This report was possible through the participation of leading specialists from Kozloduy NPP and with the assistance of Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) for the United States Department of Energy (US DOE), International Nuclear Safety Program (INSP).     

Simulation of the chernobyl accident

An analysis of the April 26, 1986 accident at the Chernobyl-4 nuclear power plant in the Soviet Union is presented. The peak calculated core power during the accident was 550 000 MW_t. The analysis provides insights that further understanding of the plant behavior during the accident. The plant was modeled with the RELAP5/MOD2 computer code using information available in the open literature. RELAP5/MOD2 is an advanced computer code designed for best-estimate thermal-hydraulic analysis of transients in light water reactors. The Chernobyl-4 model included the reactor kinetics effects of fuel temperature, graphite temperature, core average void fraction, and automatic regulator control rod position. Preliminary calculations indicated the effects of recirculation pump coast down during performance of a test at the plant were not sufficient to initiate a reactor kinetics-driven power excursion. Another mechanism, or “trigger” is required. The accident simulation assumed the trigger was recirculation pump performance degradation caused by the onset of pump cavitation. Fuel disintegration caused by the power excursion probably led to rupture of pressure tubes. To further characterize the response of the Chernobyl-4 plant during severe accidents, simulations of an extended station blackout sequence with failure of all feedwater are also presented. For those simulations, RELAP5/MOD2 and SCDAP/MOD1 (an advanced best-estimate computer code for the prediction of reactor core behavior during a severe accident) were used. The simulations indicated that fuel rod melting was delayed significantly because the graphite acted as a heat sink.     

基于RELAP5 MOD3.2的钠冷快堆热工水力系统分析程序开发及验证

对大型核反应堆热工水力分析程序RELAP5 MOD3.2进行了改造,使之适用于钠冷快堆系统安全分析。在不影响原程序功能的基础上添加了气液两相钠物性和液态金属对流换热模型,并改造了相应的初始化模块和计算模块。改造后的程序可正确模拟钠的流体力学特性和热物性,搭建钠冷快堆热工水力流体网络进行分析计算。对EBR-Ⅱ试验堆基准题进行了稳态模拟和失流事故分析,其中稳态计算主要参数与实验值相对偏差小于1%,瞬态计算相对偏差小于10%,各参数变化趋势与实验值相符良好,初步验证了改造程序的可靠性。     

Implementation of control rod movement and boron injection options by using control variables in RELAP5/PARCS V2.7 coupled code

In present neutron kinetics codes, control rods banks do not have the possibility of dynamic movement during the simulation of a transient; besides it is necessary to send the boron concentration from the thermal-hydraulic code to the neutronic code to account for changes in cross-sections due to boron dilution. For instance, control rod movements are pre-programmed with simple instructions introduced before the beginning of the calculation. Hence, control rod positions are not related to the core characteristics and the control systems at any time of the simulation. This work presents the changes introduced in RELAP5/PARCS v2.7 codes to achieve that control rods and the boron injection become more dynamic and realistic components in such kind of simulators. Furthermore, in order to test the modifications introduced in both codes, it has been analyzed a boron injection transient in a typical PWR Nuclear Power Plant. The thermal-hydraulic model includes all the primary loop components of a PWR, the core fuel assemblies modeled with PIPE components, pumps, steam generators, pressurizer, etc. The neutronic representation of the reactor has been made in a one-to-one basis fuel channel model for the whole core.     

Implementation of control rod movement and boron injection options by using control variables in RELAP5/PARCS V2.7 coupled code

In present neutron kinetics codes, control rods banks do not have the possibility of dynamic movement during the simulation of a transient; besides it is necessary to send the boron concentration from the thermal-hydraulic code to the neutronic code to account for changes in cross-sections due to boron dilution. For instance, control rod movements are pre-programmed with simple instructions introduced before the beginning of the calculation. Hence, control rod positions are not related to the core characteristics and the control systems at any time of the simulation. This work presents the changes introduced in RELAP5/PARCS v2.7 codes to achieve that control rods and the boron injection become more dynamic and realistic components in such kind of simulators. Furthermore, in order to test the modifications introduced in both codes, it has been analyzed a boron injection transient in a typical PWR Nuclear Power Plant. The thermal-hydraulic model includes all the primary loop components of a PWR, the core fuel assemblies modeled with PIPE components, pumps, steam generators, pressurizer, etc. The neutronic representation of the reactor has been made in a one-to-one basis fuel channel model for the whole core.     

RELAP5铅铋快堆模型拓展及验证

为研究铅铋快堆瞬态热工水力特性,对RELAP5程序进行二次开发,添加铅铋合金（LBE）物性模型和液态金属流动换热模型,并与NACIE-UP和CIRCE-ICE台架的实验结果进行对比。计算结果表明：NACIE-UP台架稳态流量和温度相对误差在2%以内,瞬态相对误差不超过5%,与其他系统程序CATHARE、ATHLET、RELAP5-3D、RELAP5/MOD3.3(modified)相比,本文程序的相对偏差不超过10%;CIRCE-ICE台架稳态流量和温度相对误差在2%以内,瞬态相对误差不超过10%。本文程序满足反应堆系统热工水力分析程序精度要求,可作为铅铋快堆安全分析的有效工具。     

基于修改后RELAP5/MOD3.2的氟盐高温堆实验回路分析

大型热工流体整体效应系统实验(CIET)台架是为模拟氟盐冷却高温堆(FHR)热工水力响应而设计的实验回路,采用DOWTHERM A模拟氟盐作为冷却剂。通过在RELAP5/MOD3.2程序中加入DOWTHERM A物性参数以及传热关系式,计算FHR实验回路CIET在两种工况下的热工水力行为,并与实验结果进行对比,计算工况包括强迫循环条件与自然循环条件。计算结果表明:在强迫循环条件下,堆芯热量主要靠盘管式空气换热器(CTAH)排出,堆芯进出口冷却剂温度及CTAH出口冷却剂温度与实验值符合良好,CTAH进口冷却剂温度与实验值有些微偏差;在自然循环工况中,堆芯热量主要通过DHX与堆芯辅助冷却系统(DRACS)回路的换热带走,DHX及DRACS的流量与实验值接近,相对误差在10%左右,验证了修正后RELAP5/MOD3.2的正确性。     

RELAP5/MOD3.3程序对非能动核电厂小破口失水事故的适用性研究

AP1000核电厂采用非能动堆芯冷却系统来缓解小破口失水事故(SBLOCA),缓解事故的理念是流动冷却。RELAP5/MOD3.3程序适用于传统核电厂SBLOCA研究,对于非能动电厂SBLOCA研究的适用性需重新研究与评估。本工作基于非能动电厂小破口失水事故的分析,结合RELAP5/MOD3.3的结构与模型,对其进行评估和改进。为验证改进后的RELAP5/MOD3.3的适用性,以AP1000小破口失水事故的验证试验台架APEX-1000为模拟对象,分析模拟DBA-02、NRC-05事故工况。分析结果表明,改进后的RELAP5/MOD3.3的计算结果与试验数据符合较好。     

非能动专设安全设施应急余热排出试验研究

在海水淡化堆综合模拟试验装置上,开展了非能动专设安全设施应急余热排出模拟试验研究,获得了系统参数对非能动余热排出特性的影响规律。利用RELAP5/MOD3.2程序对蓄压水池不同初始水位下自然循环的建立和余热导出的过程进行了计算。结果表明,RELAP5/MOD3.2程序能较好地模拟海水淡化堆非能动专设安全设施的非能动余热导出过程,计算结果与试验结果符合较好。     

RELAP5堆芯功率计算模型的扩展

为了更好地将反应堆热工水力最佳估算程序RELAP5应用于分析控制棒控制的反应堆堆芯的功率瞬变过程,堆芯功率计算模块除保留原程序中使用的点堆中子动力学模型外,还必须向轴向一维中子动力学模型进行扩展。本文通过在现有轴向一维物理程序基础上进行改造和开发,实现了RELAP5程序与一维物理程序的耦合,并且通过例题验证了耦合的正确性。     

秦山一期核电站未能紧急停堆的预期瞬变导致堆芯熔化的进程及事故缓解措施研究

选择失去主给水、失去厂外电和正常运行情况下控制棒失控提升3个典型的导致未能紧急停堆的预期瞬变(ATWS)的初因事故,采用自行研制的基于SCDAP／RELAP5／MOD3．1的核反应堆严重事故分析平台,对秦山一期核电站ATWS初因导致堆芯熔化严重事故进程进行了分析研究,对防止ATWS导致堆芯熔化进程的缓解措施的有效性进行了验证。计算分析结果表明,二回路补水和一回路卸压的事故缓解措施能有效地阻止堆芯熔化进程。     

RELAP5/FLUENT耦合程序的开发

热工水力数值模拟是反应堆系统设计和安全分析的重要内容,以RELAP5为代表的系统程序可对瞬态或事故工况进行快速分析,同时以FLUENT为代表的计算流体动力学(CFD)程序对堆芯局部三维现象的分析也越来越重要。为综合利用两者的优点,以RELAP5/FLUENT为基础,利用对RELAP5程序源代码的二次开发和FLUENT的用户自定义函数(UDF)进行编程,开发了RELAP5/FLUENT耦合程序。利用flibe熔盐在水平圆管流动问题验证了程序耦合的正确性;针对2 MW熔盐堆进行了稳态模拟,耦合程序能详细分析熔盐堆的热工水力行为;模拟了2 MW熔盐堆功率突变的瞬态热工水力行为,相对于单独的RELAP5,耦合程序能更好地揭示熔盐堆系统和堆芯的三维物理现象。该耦合程序可用于解决熔盐堆热工水力分析中存在的显著三维混合现象的问题。     

Validation of coupled neutronic/thermal-hydraulic code RELAP5-3D for RBMK-1500 reactor analysis application

This paper summarizes RELAP5-3D code validation activities carried out at the Lithuanian Energy Institute, which was performed through the modeling of RBMK-1500 specific transients taking place at Ignalina NPP. A best estimate RELAP5-3D model of the INPP RBMK-1500 reactor has been developed and validated against real plant data, as well as with the calculation results obtained using the Russian STEPAN/KOBRA code. The obtained calculation results demonstrate reasonable agreement with Ignalina NPP measured data. Behaviors of the separate MCC thermal-hydraulic parameters, as well as physical processes are predicted reasonably well to the real processes, occurring in the primary circuit of RBMK-1500 reactor. The calculated reactivity and the total reactor core power behavior in time are also in reasonable agreement with the measured plant data, which demonstrates the correct modeling of the neutronic processes taking place in RBMK-1500 reactor core. The performed validation of RELAP5-3D model of Ignalina NPP RBMK-1500 reactor allowed to improve the model, which in the future would be used for the safety substantiation calculations of RBMK-1500 reactors. Future activities are discussed.     

Reactor cavity and ALS thermal-hydraulic evaluation in the case of fuel channels ruptures at Ignalina NPP

This paper presents the work analysis of the thermal-hydraulic parameters behavior in the RBMK-1500 reactor cavity (RC) and other connected volumes in the case of fuel channels ruptures. The analysis is performed with CONTAIN code using the models of accident localization system (ALS) and reactor cavity venting system (RCVS). The RCVS capacity is assessed and expressed as a number of ruptured fuel channels at which the integrity of RC is maintained. The uncertainty analysis of pressure behavior in RC during multiple fuel channel rupture was performed. The initial and boundary conditions and the code models were selected and their influence on the results is estimated.Calculation of coolant mass and energy release to the reactor cavity in case of fuel channels rupture performed using the main circulation circuit model of Ignalina NPP, which was developed by employing state-of-the-art code RELAP5/MOD3.2 [Fletcher et al., RELAP5/MOD3 code manual user’s guidelines, Idaho National Engineering Lab., NUREG/CR-5535 (1992)]. These results were applied further as the initial data for the analysis of the thermal-hydraulic parameters behavior in the affected compartments employing CONTAIN code.     

Development of TSAC1.0 and application to reactivity insertion accident of CARR

In this study, we have developed a thermo-hydraulic and safety analysis code named TSAC1.0 with Visual Fortran 6.5 to analyze the thermal-hydraulic characteristics of the China advanced research reactor (CARR) under reactivity insertion accident (RIA) which was induced by unexpected control rod withdrawal in full power condition. The neutron kinetic model depended on the point kinetics with six groups of delayed neutrons including reactivity feedback effects and it was adopted for the solution of reactor power. Furthermore, a new simple and convenient model was adopted for the solution of the transient behaviors of main pump instead of the complicated four-quadrant model. Visual input, real-time processing and dynamic visualization output were achieved using Microsoft Visual Studio.NET 2003 to make the application of TSAC1.0 much more convenient in the engineering. The simulated results of TSAC1.0 were found to be in reasonable agreement with those of RELAP5/MOD3 and showed that the parameters, including the peak coolant temperature, the peak heat structure temperature, and MDNBR, were in the acceptable range of design safety limit under RIA.     

动态棒价值测量软件包LIGHT的开发与数值验证

动态棒价值测量是一种快速测量控制棒组价值的方法。基于测量过程和相关的反应堆物理数值计算方法，开发了动态棒价值测量软件包LIGHT。LIGHT可产生进行动态棒价值测量所需的参数，包括静态空间因子、动态空间因子和缓发中子参数。针对基准问题和AP1000核电厂进行了数值计算并进行了比较。分析表明，计算结果具有较高的精度，说明建立的计算模型及开发的程序是正确的。