Experiments on the Heat Transfer and Natural Circulation Characteristics of the Passive Residual Heat Removal System for an Advanced Integral Type Reactor

Experiments on the heat transfer characteristics and natural circulation performance of the passive residual heat removal system (PRHRS) for the SMART-P have been performed by using the high temperature/high pressure thermal-hydraulic test facility (VISTA). The VISTA facility consists of the primary loop, the secondary loop, the PRHRS loop, and the auxiliary systems to simulate the SMART-P, a pilot plant of the SMART. The primary loop is composed of the steam generator (SG) primary side, a simulated core, a main coolant pump, and the loop piping, and the PRHRS loop consists of the SG secondary side, a PRHRS heat exchanger, and the loop piping. The natural circulation performance of the PRHRS, the heat transfer characteristics of the PRHRS heat exchangers and the emergency cooldown tank (ECT), and the thermal-hydraulic behavior of the primary loop are intensively investigated. The experimental results show that the coolant flows steadily into the PRHRS loop and that the heat transfers through the PRHRS heat exchanger and the emergency cooldown tank are sufficient enough to enable a natural circulation of the coolant. The results also show that the core decay heat can be sufficiently removed from the primary loop with an operation of the PRHRS.     

直流蒸汽发生器传热管破裂事故分析

通过对直流蒸汽发生器传热管破裂（SGTR）事故的分析,可看出RELAP5瞬态分析程序能较好地模拟一体化反应堆在SGTR事故后的事件响应序列及主要热工水力现象,例如环路的不对称效应、主回路的自然循环等。一体化反应堆在发生SGTR事故后,可通过一系列安全与保护系统的动作得到有效缓解,并最终能应用非能动余热排出系统（PRHRS）的自然循环导出堆芯余热,使反应堆处于安全状态。同时,受事故影响蒸汽发生器压力在PRHRS投入运行后会快速升高,最终与一回路压力相平衡,此后,破口处的泄漏也会终止。此外,本文还研究了破口处临界流量及其积分流量结果不确定性的影响因素,其中主要考虑了采用不同的临界流模型和破口建模方式等两个方面。     

Two phase natural circulation and the heat transfer in the passive residual heat removal system of an integral type reactor

An investigation of the thermal hydraulic characteristics and the natural circulation performance in the passive residual heat removal system (PRHRS) for an integral type reactor have been carried out using the VISTA facility and the calculated results using the MARS code, which is a best estimate system analysis code have been compared with the experimental results. The VISTA facility consists of the primary, secondary, and the PRHRS circuits, to simulate the SMART design verification program. The experimental results show that the fluid is well stabilized in the PRHRS loop and the PRHRS heat exchanger accomplishes well its functions in removing the transferred heat from the primary side in the steam generator as long as the heat exchanger is submerged in the water in the emergency cooldown tank (ECT). The decay heat and the sensible heat can be sufficiently removed from the primary loop with the operation of the PRHRS. The MARS code predicts reasonably well the characteristics of the natural circulation in the PRHRS. From the calculation results, most of the heat transferred from the primary system is removed at the PRHRS heat exchanger by a condensation heat transfer.     

二次侧非能动余热排出系统设计及验证分析

提出了一种新型非能动余热排出系统(PRHRS)设计方案,该方案以高位水箱为最终热阱,采用在蒸汽发生器二次侧建立自然循环的方式间接地带走堆芯余热。以大亚湾核电站主冷却剂系统为载体,用RELAP5/MOD3.2程序分析了全厂断电事故下,PRHRS的运行特性。结果表明:事故发生后,余热排出系统内可较快地建立起循环流动,带走蒸汽发生器二次侧热量,在一段时间内保证反应堆安全,证明系统设计合理、有效。并分析了换热器布置高度、系统投入时间及换热面积对余热排出系统运行特性的影响。     

Passive cooldown performance of a 65 MW integral reactor

Advanced integral-type pressurized water reactor with a maximum thermal power of 65 MW is under development at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI). This 65 MW integral reactor incorporates a number of innovative design features. In the case of a transient, the passive residual heat removal system (PRHRS) is designed to cool the reactor coolant system (RCS) from a normal operation condition to a hot shutdown condition by a natural circulation, and the shutdown cooling system (SCS) is designed to cool the primary system from a hot shutdown condition to a refueling condition by a forced circulation. A realistic calculation has been carried out by using the TASS/SMR code and a sensitivity analysis has been performed to evaluate a passive cooldown capability for various system conditions such as natural and forced circulation conditions for the reactor coolant system or the passive residual heat removal system, and number of active PRHRS trains. The reactor coolant system and the passive residual heat removal system adequately remove the core decay heat by a natural circulation and the 65 MW integral reactor can cool the coolant to the SCS entry condition in the primary system for all the possible operational conditions.     

非能动余热排出系统数学模型研究与运行特性分析

利用某型核动力装置非能动余热排出系统1:10原理性试验的8个稳态工况、6个启动工况的试验数据,验证RELAP5/MOD3.2程序对本类型非能动余热排出系统的适用性。结果表明:垂直管内蒸汽凝结换热系数对两相流自然循环的流动与传热影响大;RELAP5/MOD3.2程序过低估算了垂直管内蒸汽流速对蒸汽凝结换热系数的影响,计算结果与试验结果偏差大。对RELAP5/MOD3.2程序垂直管内的蒸汽凝结换热模型进行修正,修正后的计算结果与试验值基本吻合;采用RELAP5程序对垂直管内两相流自然循环传热进行计算,须选择热前沿跟踪模型。对非能动余热排出系统的稳态与瞬态运行特性进行分析,理论计算与试验结果均表明:稳态工况下,系统可以实现稳定的两相流自然循环,系统排热能力受蒸汽发生器水位的影响大,冷却水入口温度与系统压力的影响相对较小;系统的启动特性良好,可快速地建立环路的自然循环,带走反应堆的衰变热。     

全厂断电事故下AP1000非能动余热排出系统瞬态特性数值分析

在一维质量、动量和能量守恒方程基础上建立了AP1000反应堆主冷却剂系统及非能动余热排出系统数学模型,并编制了用于该系统瞬态特性分析的动态仿真程序PRHRSDSC。模拟了非能动余热排出系统在全厂断电事故下的瞬态响应过程,并将计算结果与西屋公司的LOFTRAN程序结果进行对比。结果表明：系统可依靠自然循环有效导出堆芯余热,一回路冷却剂温度维持在过冷状态,峰值压力未超过运行压力限值,各参数的变化趋势符合良好,证明了建模的合理性。     

非能动余热排出系统敏感性分析

以中国改进型压水堆核电站CPR1000为研究对象,在其蒸汽发生器二次侧设计了一套非能动余热排出系统（PRHRS）,该系统采用在蒸汽发生器二次侧建立自然循环的方式间接带走堆芯余热,确保事故条件下堆芯安全。用RELAP5/MOD3.2程序对系统进行了合理的简化并建模,在全场断电（SBO）事故条件下模拟了PRHRS的瞬态响应过程,并对高位水箱的容积、PRHRS换热器的换热面积、冷热中心高度差以及PRHRS的投入时间等影响PRHRS工作特性的相关参数进行了敏感性分析。计算结果表明：增加高位水箱的容积和增大换热面积均有助于二次侧余热排出系统带走一回路的堆芯余热;降低冷热中心高度差对PRHRS的自然循环能力影响不大;余热排出系统投入时间越早,蒸汽发生器二次侧水位越高,越有利于一次侧余热的排出。     

Development of the analysis tool for the water cooling type passive residual heat removal system of Chinese pressurized reactor

An innovative design for Chinese pressurized reactor is the steam generator (SG) secondary side water cooling passive residual heat removal system (PRHRS). The new design is expected to improve reliability and safety of the Chinese pressurized reactor during the event of feed line break or station blackout (SBO) accident. The new system is comprised of a SG, a cooling water pool, a heat exchanger (HX), an emergency makeup tank (EMT) and corresponding valves and pipes. In order to evaluate the reliability of the water cooling PRHRS, an analysis tool was developed based on the drift flux mixture flow model. The preliminary validation of the analysis tool was made by comparing to the experimental data of ESPRIT facility. Calculation results under both high pressure condition and low pressure condition fitted the experimental data remarkably well. A hypothetical SBO accident was studied by taking the residual power table under SBO accident as the input condition of the analysis tool. The calculation results showed that the EMT could supply the water to the SG shell side successfully during SBO accident. The residual power could be taken away successfully by the two-phase natural circulation established in the water cooling PRHRS loop. Results indicate the analysis tool can be used to study the steady and transient operating characteristics of the water cooling PRHRS during some accidents of the Chinese pressurized reactor. The present work has very important realistic significance to the engineering design and assessment of the water cooling PRHRS for Chinese NPPs.     

全厂断电事故下AP1000非能动余热排出系统分析

利用RELAP5/MOD3.3程序对AP1000反应堆一回路及非能动系统进行建模计算,给出了AP1000非能动余热排出系统（PRHRS）在全厂断电事故下的瞬态响应特性。计算结果表明：情况1,PHRH系统由蒸汽发生器低水位与低启动给水流量符合信号启动,稳压器安全阀的开启导致PRHRS发生倒流现象,并会引起堆芯冷却剂过热沸腾、压力容器进出口温差过大等后果;情况2,由断电信号直接触发PRHRS,触发前安全阀不开启,此时PRHRS正常运行。     

An integral effect test of a complete loss of reactor coolant system flow rate for the SMART design using the VISTA-ITL facility and its simulation with the MARS-KS code

An integral effect test was successfully performed to provide data to assess the capability of the system analysis code to simulate a complete loss of reactor coolant system (RCS) flow rate (CLOF) scenario for the SMART (System-integrated Modular Advanced ReacTor) design. The steady-state conditions were achieved to satisfy initial test conditions presented in the test requirement, its boundary conditions were accurately simulated, and the CLOF scenario in the SMART design was reproduced properly using the VISTA-ITL facility. The natural circulation flow rate in the RCS was about 12.0% of the rated RCS flow rate and the flow rate in the passive residual heat removal system (PRHRS) loop was about 10.6% of its rated value in the early stage of the PRHRS operation. In this paper, the major experimental results of the CLOF test are discussed. The test results were analyzed using the best-estimate system analysis code, MARS-KS, to assess its capability to simulate a CLOF scenario for the SMART design.     

用于支持PSA成功准则的ATWS敏感性研究

极限的未能紧急停堆的预期瞬态（ATWS）是核电厂二次侧热移出能力减小引起的升温瞬态。为评价AP1000核电厂在发生ATWS事故后的响应,采用LOFTRAN程序对极限的丧失主给水ATWS进行计算分析。对影响电厂系统响应的一些关键因素,如蒸汽旁排的容量、堆芯补水箱（CMT）特性和硼反应性系数、反应堆冷却剂泵（RCP）可用性、启动给水系统（STS）可用性和蒸汽发生器（SG）传热等作了一系列敏感性分析。分析结果表明：为缓解ATWS事故,应隔离蒸汽旁排,并在触发CMT的同时停运RCP。     

静止和摇摆条件下浮动式核电站一二回路PRHRS特性分析

浮动式核电站长期在海洋环境中运行,各系统都会受到海洋运动条件的影响。非能动余热排出系统（PRHRS）可在核电站发生全厂断电事故的情况下带出堆芯衰变余热,防止堆芯熔化,是重要的反应堆辅助系统。本文以一种采用海水作为最终热阱的浮动式核电站作为研究对象,分别设计了一回路和二回路PRHRS,开展了静止和摇摆条件下反应堆系统发生全厂断电事故的计算,对两种PRHRS在静止和摇摆条件下的运行特性进行了分析。研究表明,静止条件二回路PRHRS具有更强的带热能力,摇摆条件下一回路PRHRS的带热能力更加稳定。     

The influence of ocean conditions on thermal-hydraulic characteristics of a passive residual heat removal system

There are many differences between the flow and heat transfer characteristics of nuclear reactors under ocean and land-based conditions for the effects of ocean waves. In this paper, thermal hydraulic characteristics of a passive residual heat removal system (PRHRS) for an integrated pressurized water reactor (IPWR) in ocean environment were investigated theoretically. A series of reasonable theoretical models for a PRHRS in an IPWR were established. These models mainly include the core, once-through steam generator, nitrogen pressurizer, main coolant pump, flow and heat transfer and ocean motion models. The flow and heat transfer models are suitable for the core with plate-type fuel element and the once-through steam generator with annular channel, respectively. A transient analysis code in FORTRAN 90 format has been developed to analyze the thermal–hydraulic characteristics of the PRHRS under ocean conditions. The code was implemented to analyze the effects of different ocean motions on the transient thermal-hydraulic characteristics of PRHRS. It is found that the oscillating amplitudes and periods of the system parameters are determined by those of the ocean motions. The effect of rolling motion is more obvious than that of pitching motion when the amplitudes and periods of rolling and pitching motions are the same. The obtained analysis results are significant to the improvement design of the PRHRS and the safety operation of the IPWR.     

Distribution of coolant flow rate in a steam generator in natural coolant circulation regimes

Conclusions The large hydraulic nonuniformity of steam generator pipes operating in parallel in the natural coolant circulation regime results in a lower efficiency of the heat-transfer surface during emergency cooldown of the reactor plant, and it limits the operational possibilities, specifically, for using this regime at partial power levels. It is obvious that circulation reversal in the pipes of steam generators in the natural circulation regime can have an unfavorable influence on individual structural elements of steam generators as a result of additional temperature stresses appearing in the metal. As one can see from Eq. (6), the conditions of the distribution of the coolant flow rate over pipes in a steam generator can be improved at the design stage. Specifically, they can be realized as an efficient ratio of the “macrogeometric” characteristics of the first loop ΔH and H_sgp as well as by the influence on the ratio of the hydraulic resistance of individual sections of the loop, which determine the numerical value of the parameter m. As m increases, other conditions remaining the same, the character of the distribution of the coolant flow rate in the pipes of a horizontal steam generator improves. Thus, designers of a nuclear power plant have ways to search for optimal solutions. It is obvious that the interrelations of the conditions of operation of a steam generator, examined above, and the natural circulation in the loop require that the distribution of the flow rate in a pipe bundle be taken into account in the physical simulation using special thermohydraulic stands. St. Petersburg State Technical University. Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 83, No. 3, pp. 169–174, September, 1997.     

基于密度锁的非能动余热排出系统设计及验证分析

提出了一种新型非能动余热排出系统设计方案,该方案以密度锁技术作为基础,采用改变压力调节回路流量,并保持循环回路内有高温工质流动的方式,建立密度锁内水力平衡关系,维持主回路和余热排出回路的隔离。以AP1000主冷却剂系统为载体,用RELAP5/MOD32程序分析了正常工况下,非能动余热排出系统的运行特性。结果表明：以密度锁内流体温度作为控制变量对调压泵转速进行调节,可逐渐建立密度锁内水力平衡关系,实现非能动余热排出系统的启动;稳态运行期间,反应堆运行参数改变时,在控制系统反馈作用下,密度锁仍能维持“封闭”状态,保证主回路和余热排出回路隔离。     

摇摆条件下海上浮动堆全厂断电事故分析

为研究海洋条件对海上浮动堆全厂断电事故后的事故进程及非能动安全系统运行特性的影响,通过建立海洋条件加速度场模型,基于RELAP5程序开发获得了适用于海上浮动堆的系统分析程序,并对程序进行了实验验证。利用所开发的程序通过建立双环路海上浮动堆及二次侧非能动余热排出系统的计算模型,开展了不同摇摆运动参数下海上浮动堆全厂断电事故的计算分析。计算结果表明,船体的横摇运动可加快全厂断电事故后浮动堆系统压力和温度的下降速度,堆芯余热能够被二次侧非能动余热排出系统有效导出;但横摇运动会造成事故后堆芯自然循环流量的显著降低,引起一回路系统和非能动余热排出系统中自然循环流量的大幅度振荡及周期性倒流。本文计算结果可为海上浮动堆非能动安全系统的设计提供参考。     

Experimental Study on Heat Removal during Cold Leg Small Break LOCAs in PWRs

Experiments which simulated small break loss-of-coolant accidents (SBLOCAs) resulting from 2.1–0.13% break in the cold leg of a PWR were conducted with an apparatus of 1/270 scale in volume. In the large break size case, the decay heat was mainly removed by the break flow and in the case of a small break, the steam generator played an important role. In this case, thermal hydraulic behaviors such as natural circulation and reflux condensation cooling were important during the transient. Depressurization in the secondary system due to bleeding steam from the steam generator by an operator action was so effective to make the accident to come to an end. The operation to depressurize the secondary system was also efficient to rewet the core which had been uncovered due to a loop seal formation in a cross-over leg.

No effects of initial 200 ppm dissolved gas in the coolant were observed on the cooling performance of the steam generator. It was considered that it was because the gas which came from the coolant into the steam during the depressurization transient did not remain in the tubes of the steam generator.     

Steam leak detection in advance reactors via acoustics method

Prediction of LOCA (loss of coolant activity) plays very important role in safety of nuclear reactor. Coolant is responsible for heat transfer from fuel bundles. Loss of coolant is an accidental situation which requires immediate shut down of reactor. Fall in system pressure during LOCA is the trip parameter used for initiating automatic reactor shut down. However, in primary heat transport system operating in two phase regimes, detection of small break LOCA is not simple. Due to very slow leak rates, time for the fall of pressure is significantly slow. From reactor safety point of view, it is extremely important to find reliable and effective alternative for detecting slow pressure drop in case of small break LOCA. One such technique is the acoustic signal caused by LOCA in small breaks. In boiling water reactors whose primary heat transport is to be driven by natural circulation, small break LOCA detection is important. For prompt action on post small break LOCA, steam leak detection system is developed to detect any leak inside the reactor vault. The detection technique is reliable and plays a very important role in ensuring safety of the reactor. Methodology developed for steam leak detection is discussed in present paper. The methods to locate the leak is also developed and discussed in present paper which is based on analysis of the signal.     

A Dewpoint Device for HTGR Coolant

High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) use a gaseous coolant for heat transfer between the nuclear core and two or more steam generators. Leakage of steam or water from the steam generators to the coolant would expose the nuclear core to water vapor. A moisture measuring system is required to determine the moisture content of the coolant gas in the range of 0.1 to 3000 volume parts per million (ppm). Another requirement is the rapid detection of large leaks resulting in 2000 ppm or more and the identification of the leaking steam generator, thus permitting isolation of the faulty coolant loop. An optical dewpoint detector has been developed that can be used either as a dewpoint monitor or as a dewpoint trip device. The response time of the device as a trip instrument is typically 1 sec in the dewpoint range of 27°F to 128°F (100 to 3000 ppm). As a dewpoint monitor, the mirror temperature can be changed at a rate of 1°F/sec, in the range of -87°F to +128°F (0.1 to 3000 ppm). The moisture detector head is designed to operate at the full coolant pressure of 700 psia. In the HTGR application, access to the device is difficult during reactor operation, and will be cumbersome at all times because of gamma radiation environment. Therefore, exhaustive testing of all detector head components, subassemblies, and materials selection from inorganic substances has been performed to reduce maintenance to a minimum.