Development and validation of a transition boiling model for RELAP5/MOD3 reflood simulation

The current version of the RELAP5/MOD3.1 code significantly underpredicts the transition boiling heat transfer during reflooding of hot fuel rods. In order to extend the code’s range of application for LOCA and degraded core analyses, a new transition boiling model has been developed, assessed and implemented. The model is based entirely on local state variables calculated by the code (wall and fluid temperatures, pressure, void fraction, mass flux and static quality) and does not rely on other history parameters, such as quench position or CHF and minimum film boiling temperatures. A number of separate-effect and bundle experiments are analyzed with the modified version of the code, and the predictions are compared with the ones obtained by the current version and with available experimental data. In all cases, the predictions of the improved model better fit the measured data. The shape of the new temperature curves is more physically and conceptually sound than the one calculated by the current version of the code.     

RELAP5/MOD3.3 analysis of coolant depletion tests after safety injection failure during a large-break loss-of-coolant accident

This study is concerned with development of a coupled calculation methodology with which to continually and consistently analyze progression of an accident from the design-basis phase via core uncovery to core melting and relocation. Experiments were performed to investigate the core coolant inventory depletion after safety injection failure during a large-break loss-of-coolant accident in a cold leg utilizing the Seoul National University Facility (SNUF). The SNUF is an integral test loop scaled down to 1/6.4 in length and 1/178 in area from the Advanced Power Reactor 1400 MWe (APR1400). The SNUF tests are simulated with the RELAP5/MOD3.3 code. The test results revealed that the core coolant inventory decreased five times faster during the sweepout in the downcomer than after termination of the sweepout. The sweepout was observed to take place on top of spillover from the downcomer region to expedite the depletion of the core coolant inventory. The calculation results of RELAP5/MOD3.3 deviated from the experimental data in terms of entrainment from the surface of core coolant, condensation and sweepout in the downcomer. Thereby, the core coolant level was computed to decrease faster than the measured from the experiment due to the overestimated spillover by the evaporation of the entrained droplets by the uncovered heaters. Notwithstanding the occasional disparities, the code prediction is in reasonable agreement with the overall behavior of the tests.     

Sweepout model implementation in RELAP5/MOD3.3 to improve RCS coolant inventory calculation during a LBLOCA

According to the experiments of the Upper Plenum Test Facility (UPTF) and advanced power reactor 1400 MW_e (APR1400), the sweepout in the downcomer has been identified to play an important role in depleting the core coolant inventory during a Large-Break Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LBLOCA). In order to identify the sweepout mechanism and to estimate the amount of coolant discharged by sweepout, the separate-effect test was carried out in the plate type test apparatus, which was scaled down to 1/5 of the size of the APR1400 downcomer. In addition, the sweepout model was developed by correlating the experimental data on the critical void height and the discharge flow rate at the break to the values of analytically derived non-dimensional parameters. This model was implemented in RELAP5/MOD3.3 to improve its calculation of coolant inventory loss during a LBLOCA. To validate the modified RELAP5/MOD3.3 by implementing the sweepout model, the sweepout separate-effect test was simulated by both the original and the modified RELAP5/MOD3.3. The original one predicted the different discharge flow rates according to the node size of the donor volume, and these flow rates were larger than those of the experiment. On the other hand, the modified one calculated the discharge flow rate and the critical void height much more similar to those of the experiment than the original model did. In the future, the improved RELAP5/MOD3.3 adopted in an integrated analysis system will support a more realistic thermal hydraulic analysis.     

Integral loop test and assessment of modified RELAP5/MOD3.3 for RCS coolant inventory during a LBLOCA

This study investigates experimentally and analytically the thermal hydraulic phenomena during the transition from design basis accident (DBA) to beyond-DBA, particularly, the depletion of core coolant inventory. To investigate the overall thermal hydraulic behavior after safety injection (SI) failure during a large-break loss-of-coolant accident (LBLOCA) in a cold leg, an integral loop test was performed at the Seoul National University Integral Test Facility (SNUF), which was scaled down to 1/6.4 in length and 1/178 in area from the advanced power reactor 1400 MWe (APR1400) according to the three-level scaling method. The plant condition at 200.0 s as the base case and those at 625.0 and 1950.0 s as test cases after the initiation of LBLOCA were applied as initial conditions in the experiments, respectively. The experimental results showed that the sweepout increased the coolant flow discharged to the break depending on the steam flow rate in intact cold legs and the initial downcomer coolant level and expedited the depletion of the core coolant inventory.In the meantime, since RELAP5/MOD3.3 uses the average properties of donor volume as those of its connected junction, this scheme causes the mass and the energy flux in a junction to be calculated incorrectly if significant phase separation occurs in the donor volume such as in the downcomer during the LBLOCA. The sweepout model was developed and implemented in RELAP5/MOD3.3 to improve its calculation of coolant inventory during the LBLOCA. To assess the applicability of the modified RELAP5/MOD3.3 to the actual system, the experiments in SNUF were simulated by both the original and the modified RELAP5/MOD3.3. The original one predicted the discharge flow rate at the break larger than that of the experiment. On the other hand, the modified one calculated the discharge flow rate more similar to that of the experiment than the original one did. As a result, the modified RELAP5/MOD3.3 reduced the coolant flow discharged to the break to delay the initiation time of heater heat-up after SI failure during LBLOCA in a cold leg. This improved RELAP5/MOD3.3 will support a more realistic thermal hydraulic analysis in an integrated analysis system.     

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。     

Simulation of SBLOCA based on an Improved Choked Flow Model for RELAP5/MOD3 Code

This paper is a continuation of the present author’s previous publication dealing with a new choked flow model for two-phase flow. The model based on a hyperbolic one-dimensional two-fluid model, where in the momentum equations the terms representing the interfacial pressure difference has been included in lieu of the virtual mass force terms. The new choked flow model is an improvement upon the choked flow model of the current RELAP5/MOD3 code, which itself is based on the Trapp–Ransom method. The author compares the predictions of this improved model with Trapp–Ransom model and Henry–Fauske model, for an assumed flow in a vertical pipe. The author simulates a typical PWR system with a hypothetical SBLOCA as well, and compares the system behaviors predicted by RELAP5/MOD3, based on the aforementioned choked flow models. He shows that the improved choked flow model leads to better predictions.     

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.     

Validation of RELAP5/MOD3.2 model on trip off one main coolant pump for VVER 440/V230

This paper presents the validation of RELAP5/MOD3.2 model of the VVER 440 for Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the analysis of the following transient: “Trip off one MCP”.This validation is a process that compares the analytical results obtained by RELAP5/MOD3.2 model of the VVER 440 with measurement transient data received from Kozloduy NPP Unit #4. The baseline input deck for VVER440 was developed at the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy for analyses of operational occurrences, abnormal events, and design basis scenarios. It will provide a significant analytical capability for the Bulgarian technical specialists located at the Kozloduy NPP.The criteria used in selecting transient are: importance to safety, availability and suitability of data followed by suitability for RELAP5 code validation. The comparison between the RELAP5 calculations and the test data indicates a good agreement.This validation was possible through the participation of leading specialists from Kozloduy NPP and with the support of the Argonne National Laboratory, under the International Nuclear Safety Program (INSP) of the United States Department of Energy.     

Direct-contact condensation heat transfer model in RELAP5/MOD3.2 with/without noncondensable gases for horizontally stratified flow

Direct-contact condensation experiments on atmospheric steam and steam/air mixture on subcooled water flowing co-currently in nearly-horizontal channels are carried out and the local heat transfer coefficients are obtained. Inlet air mass fraction in the mixture is varied by up to 50%. Based on previous and present experimental data, a direct-contact condensation database is constructed. The horizontally stratified condensation model of RELAP5/MOD3.2 overpredicts both co-current and counter-current experimental data. The correlation proposed by Kim predicts the database relatively well compared with that of RELAP5/MOD3.2. In the presence of noncondensable gases, RELAP5/MOD3.2 overpredicts the database with percentage errors of 55.1 and 61.1% for pipe inclination angles of θ=2.1° and θ=5.0°, respectively. The UCB correction factor is modified to consider the effects of noncondensable gases on heat transfer coefficients. When Kim's correlation is substituted with the Dittus–Boelter type correlation in RELAP5/MOD3.2 and a modified correction factor is used, the prediction errors are greatly reduced to 20.7 and 28.8% for inclination angles of θ=2.1° and θ=5.0°, respectively.     

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。     

Assessment of RELAP5/MOD3.2.2 Gamma against ABB Atom 3×3-Rod Bundle Reflooding Tests

The results of the ABB Atom 3×3-Rod Bundle Reflooding Tests were used for assessment of the reflooding model used in RELAP5/MOD3.2.2 Gamma version. The assessment calculations were performed using the default calculation model options implemented in the code.The tests were performed to investigate the effects of different spacer grid designs on heat transfer during the reflooding period of a pressurized water reactor loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). The tests were conducted under low-pressure and low-flow (LPLF) conditions using a PWR-type 3×3-rod bundle with full-length indirectly electrically heated, stepped cosine axial power-shaped heater rods. Three different spacer grid configurations were studied: spacer grids without mixing vanes, mixing vane spacer grids, and mixing vane spacer grids together with intermediate flow mixers (IFM).A total of 36 tests with different spacer grid configurations were calculated. For two selected basic tests with non-mixing spacer grids an extended comparison of calculated and measured parameters is presented. The comparison of the predicted and measured maximal cladding temperatures and quench times, which are the most important parameters in licensing calculations, is presented for all the performed tests.The assessment calculations were preceded by nodalization, time step, and moving mesh studies.The RELAP5/MOD3.2.2 Gamma code was found to still have several deficiencies in the reflood model. The calculation results show a satisfactory agreement with experimental inner peak cladding temperature, however the predicted temperature turn-around times and quench times are significantly too short. The results also show a significant over-prediction of the reflood heat transfer and the vapour temperatures. The void profile downstream the quench front is not correctly predicted either. Finally, the present reflood model does not properly reflect the effects of spacer grids on the reflood heat transfer.In spite of these deficiencies the improvements incorporated into RELAP5/MOD3.2 by the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) eliminated the unphysical behaviors such as continuous cooling without clear turn-around temperature and no visible quenching phenomena, which were shown in the reflood calculations by means of the RELAP5/MOD3.1 code.     

RELAP/SCDAPSIM/MOD4.0程序的FHR应用扩展及验证

基于轻水堆最佳估算系统分析程序RELAP/SCDAPSIM/MOD4.0,添加新的FLi Na K熔盐热物性参数和适用于熔盐的对流换热系数,开发了适用于FHR系统的热工水力分析程序RELAP5-FHR。通过FLi Na K高温熔盐实验回路对RELAP5-FHR程序进行实验验证。结果表明:RELAP5-FHR程序计算值与实验值吻合较好,验证了程序的适用性。     

SCDAP/RELAP5包壳氧化模型改进研究

目前,SCDAP/RELAP5采用抛物线型氧化模型模拟严重事故早期再淹没期间的包壳氧化。该模型在模拟包壳温度较高、表面水蒸气流量较小时的氧化存在不足,此外,该模型未分析包壳中氧原子的分布,对包壳失效的准确模拟有限制。本课题对抛物线型氧化模型和扩散氧化模型之间的区别与联系进行分析,并将扩散氧化模型植入SCDAP/RELAP5中,研究两种模型对严重事故早期再淹没现象的模拟效果。结果表明:扩散氧化模型能更好地模拟严重事故早期再淹没现象;抛物线型氧化模型是扩散氧化模型在特定条件下的简化。     

A separate effect test on the cooling behavior in a pressurized water reactor core under a low reflooding rate condition by using ATLAS and RELAP5/MOD3.3 code assessment

A separate effect test was performed on the cooling behavior in a PWR core under a low reflooding rate condition by using the ATLAS (Advanced Thermal–Hydraulic Test Loop for Accident Simulation) which is a thermal–hydraulic integral effect test facility for the pressurized water reactors APR1400 and OPR1000. Although several integral tests for the reflood phase of a large break loss of coolant accident (LBLOCA) of APR1400 have been performed with the ATLAS, the previous integral effect tests for the reflood phase of a LBLOCA are not easily simulated by existing codes, such as the RELAP5/MOD3, due to a unique phenomena in ATLAS, that resulted from an injection of large amount of subcooled water onto the heated wall of which temperature was higher than the target value.     

Flow analyses using RELAP5/MOD3 code for OPR1000 under the external reactor vessel cooling

External reactor vessel cooling (ERVC) is considered as one of the most promising severe accident management strategies for an in-vessel corium retention (IVR). Heat removal capacity and water availability at the vessel outer surface can be key factors determining the success of ERVC measures. In this study, for the investigations on the effect of water availability in case of ERVC, flow analyses using the RELAP5/MOD3 code were performed. The analyses were focused to examine the flow behavior inside the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) insulator of the OPR1000 (Optimized Power Reactor 1000 MWe) under a cavity flooding. The current flow analyses results show that for the accident scenarios of station black out (SBO) and 9.6 in. large break loss of coolant accident (LBLOCA) under the ERVC, steam could not ventilate through the insulator and the pressure inside the RPV insulator increased abruptly. This induced a water sweep out and steam domination in the flow path inside the insulator. These flow analyses results indicate that sufficient water ingression and steam venting through the insulator can be a key factor determining the success of the ERVC in the operating nuclear power plant, OPR1000. According to the results of the sensitivity studies for the venting area, in terms of an effective flow circulation inside the insulator, an optimal venting is to assign four holes having a diameter of 0.3 m at the upper exit (hot leg level) of the insulator. And the effect of the inlet flow area at the insulator bottom is rather minor when compared to that of the outlet flow area of a steam venting.     

Evaluation of analytically scaled models of a pressurized water reactor using the RELAP5/MOD3 computer code

This paper performs analytical evaluations for the potential distortions caused by the scaled models using RELAP5/MOD3 computer codes. By use of scaling analysis, two scaled models with the same volumetric ratio are constructed for the Korean next generation reactor (KNGR), which is an advanced light water reactor. The scaling methodology adopted in this paper preserves the two-phase natural circulation similarities between prototype and scaled models. One scaled model is at full height with reduced flow area. The other model is at reduced height with reduced flow area. By using appropriate scale factors the RELAP5/MOD3 input models are developed. Then, the transient responses of the two ideal scaled models are simulated for small break loss of coolant accidents (SBLOCAs) by using the RELAP5/MOD3 computer code. The transient responses of the two scaled models are compared with those of the prototype. The results indicate that qualitative and quantitative similarities are well preserved for both models during SBLOCA with different break sizes.     

RELAP5程序与三维时空中子动力学模型的耦合以及改进研究

引入堆芯物理计算的两群三维时空中子动力学模型,对RELAP5程序的点堆中子动力学模型进行了改进,同时设计了可视化界面,可方便地实现人.机交互操作.计算结果与实际应用表明,改进后的RELAP5程序计算功能和精度得到提高,使用更加方便,在核动力装置的仿真方面有很好的应用前景.     

The SCDAP/RELAP5 3.2 model of AP1000 on SBLOCA

One of innovation design of both the AP600 and AP1000 from conventional Westinghouse PWRs is that they includes passive safety features to prevent or minimize core uncovery during small break loss of coolant accidents (SBLOCAs). This paper uses the best estimate code SCDAP/RELAP5 3.2 to build the numerical model of AP1000. Several SBLOCAs are simulated and analyzed. RELAP5 predictions are also compared to the simulation results of NOTRUMP code. The comparison shows good agreement. The sensitivity analysis of liquid entrainment model of RELAP5 on the pressure-balance-line (PBL), which connecting core makeup tank (CMT) and cold leg in AP1000 is done. Comparisons of the system pressure decreasing, the level of CMT, and actuation time of ADS all indicate that the existing horizontal stratification entrainment model of RELAP5 is very sensitive and important to the short-term of LOCA, and has significant impact on the entire SBLOCA process.     

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。     

RELAP5/MOD3.2竖直管束外大容积沸腾换热模型适用性分析

以浸没在大容积水箱内的非能动余热排出换热器为研究对象,采用实验数据对RELAP5/MOD3.2程序计算竖直管束外大容积沸腾换热适用性进行校核。在充分考虑大容积水箱内流体沿管束轴向的自然对流以及径向的气液间热量交换基础上,合理建立了沸腾换热回路节点划分模型。将计算结果与实验数据进行对比,发现沸腾换热系数的计算值与实验值最大相对偏差在50%以上,且沸腾换热系数随热流密度变化的趋势明显不同。由此判断,Chen关系式并不适合计算竖直管束外大容积沸腾的情况。通过与已有的大容积沸腾换热计算关系式对比,发现Kutateladze “new”公式或Rohsenow公式计算值与实验值符合较好。