scholarly journals Experimental investigation of PWR accident scenarios at the PKL test facility

2019 ◽  
Vol 137 ◽  
pp. 01016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafał Bryk ◽  
Lars Dennhardt ◽  
Simon Schollenberger
Keyword(s):  
Severe Accident ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Accident Scenarios ◽  
Accident Conditions ◽  
Core Cooling ◽  
Safety Systems ◽  
Reactor Pressure ◽  
Additional Loss

PKL is the only test facility in Europe that replicates the entire primary side and the most important parts of the secondary side of western-type Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) in the scale of 1:1 in heights. It is also worldwide the only test facility with 4 identical reactor coolant loops arranged symmetrically around the Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) for simulation of nonsymmetrical boundary conditions between the reactor loops. Thermal-hydraulic phenomena observed in PWRs are simulated in the PKL test facility for over 40 years. The analyses carried out in these years encompass a large spectrum of accident scenario simulations and corresponding cool-down procedures. The overall goal of the PKL experiments is to show that under accident conditions - even for extreme and highly unlikely assumptions as additional loss of safety systems - the core cooling can be maintained or re-established by automatic or operator- performed procedures and that a severe accident e.g. a core melt-down can be avoided under all circumstances. Another goal of the tests performed in the PKL facility is the provision of data for validation of thermal-hydraulic system codes. This paper presents recent modifications of the PKL facility, applied in order to adapt the facility to the latest western-type designs currently built in the world. The paper discusses also important results obtained in the last years.

scholarly journals Integral Test Facility PKL: Experimental PWR Accident Investigation

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Umminger ◽  
Lars Dennhardt ◽  
Simon Schollenberger ◽  
Bernhard Schoen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Pressurized Water Reactor ◽  
Integral Test ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Height Scale ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Accident Conditions ◽  
Secondary Side ◽  
Reactor Pressure

Investigations of the thermal-hydraulic behavior of pressurized water reactors under accident conditions have been carried out in the PKL test facility at AREVA NP in Erlangen, Germany for many years. The PKL facility models the entire primary side and significant parts of the secondary side of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) at a height scale of 1 : 1. Volumes, power ratings and mass flows are scaled with a ratio of 1 : 145. The experimental facility consists of 4 primary loops with circulation pumps and steam generators (SGs) arranged symmetrically around the reactor pressure vessel (RPV). The investigations carried out encompass a very broad spectrum from accident scenario simulations with large, medium, and small breaks, over the investigation of shutdown procedures after a wide variety of accidents, to the systematic investigation of complex thermal-hydraulic phenomena. This paper presents a survey of test objectives and programs carried out to date. It also describes the test facility in its present state. Some important results obtained over the years with focus on investigations carried out since the beginning of the international cooperation are exemplarily discussed.

Break Size Effects on CET Response in an Upper Head SBLOCA Transient

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gallardo ◽  
A. Querol ◽  
G. Verdú
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Vessel ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Injection System ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Energy Agency ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
The Core ◽  
Upward Direction ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Accident Conditions

In the transients produced during Small Break Loss-Of-Coolant Accidents (SBLOCA), the maximum Peak Cladding Temperature (PCT) in the core could suffer rapid excursions which might strongly affect the core integrity. Most Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) have Core Exit Thermocouples (CETs) to detect core overheating by considering that superheated steam flows in the upward direction when core uncovery occurs during SBLOCAs. Operators may start Accident Management (AM) actions to mitigate such accident conditions when the CET temperature exceeds a certain value. However, in a Vessel Upper Head SBLOCA, a significant delay in time and temperature rise of CETs from core heat-up can be produced. This work is developed in the frame of OECD/NEA ROSA Project Test 6-1 (SB-PV-9 in JAEA) handled in the Large Scale Test Facility (LSTF) of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). Test 6-1 simulated a PWR pressure vessel Upper-Head SBLOCA with a break size equivalent to 1.9% of the cold leg break under the assumption of total failure of High Pressure Injection System (HPIS). The paper shows several analyses about the geometry variables (size, location, flow paths and Upper Head nodalization) which can influence on the pressure vessel Upper Head SBLOCA model performed using the thermal-hydraulic code TRACE5.

Use of PRA in the Design of the Westinghouse AP1000 Plant

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Lutz ◽  
James H. Scobel ◽  
Richard G. Anderson ◽  
Terry Schulz
Keyword(s):  
Cooling Water ◽  
Heat Removal ◽  
Accident Prevention ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Core Damage ◽  
Service Water ◽  
Containment Shell ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Accident Scenarios

Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) has been an integral part of the Westinghouse AP1000, and the former AP600, development programs from its inception. The design of the AP1000 plant is based on engineering solutions to reduce or eliminate many of the dominant risk contributors found in the existing generation of Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs). Additional risk reduction features were identified from insights gained from the AP1000 PRA as it evolved with the design of the plant. These engineered solutions include severe accident prevention features that resulted in a significant reduction in the predicted core damage frequency. Examples include the removal of dependencies on electric power (both offsite power and diesel generators) and cooling water (service water and component cooling water), removal of common cause dependencies by using diverse components on parallel trains and reducing dependence on operator actions for key accident scenarios. Engineered solutions to severe accident consequence mitigation were also used in the AP1000 design based on PRA insights. Examples include in-vessel retention of molten core debris to eliminate the potential for ex-vessel phenomena challenges to containment integrity and passive containment heat removal through the containment shell to eliminate the potential for containment failure due to steam overpressure. Additionally, because the accident prevention and mitigation features of the AP1000 are engineered solutions, the traditional uncertainties associated with the core damage and release frequency are directly addressed.

A Comparative Study on Severe Accident Phenomena Related to Melt Progression in Sodium Fast Reactors and Pressurized Water Reactors

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Bachrata ◽  
Fréderic Bertrand ◽  
Nathalie Marie ◽  
Fréderic Serre
Keyword(s):  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
Pressurized Water Reactors ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Fast Reactors ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
The Core ◽  
Sodium Fast Reactors ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Accident Scenarios

Abstract The nuclear safety approach has to cover accident sequences involving core degradation in order to develop reliable mitigation strategies for both existing and future reactors. In particular, the long-term stabilization of the degraded core materials and their coolability has to be ensured after a severe accident. This paper focuses on severe accident phenomena in pressurized water reactors (PWR) compared to those potentially occurring in future GenIV-type sodium fast reactors (SFR). First, the two considered reactor concepts are introduced by focusing on safety aspects. The severe accident scenarios leading to core melting are presented and the initiating events are highlighted. This paper focuses on in-vessel severe accident phenomena, including the chronology of core damage, major changes in the core configuration and molten core progression. Regarding the mitigation means, the in-vessel retention phenomena and the core catcher characteristics are reviewed for these different nuclear generation concepts (II, III, and IV). A comparison between the PWR and SFR severe accident evolution is provided as well as the relation between governing physical parameters and the adopted mitigation provisions for each reactor concept. Finally, it is highlighted how the robustness of the safety demonstration is established by means of a combined probabilistic and deterministic approach.

Emergency Response Guidance for Reactor Vessel Pressurized Thermal Shock Events

1986 ◽  
Vol 108 (3) ◽  
pp. 346-351
Author(s):  
W. T. Kaiser ◽  
B. S. Monty
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Shock ◽  
Temperature Limit ◽  
Reactor Vessel ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Plant Safety ◽  
Pressurized Thermal Shock ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Accident Conditions ◽  
Core Cooling ◽  
Emergency Operating

The operational concern of pressurized thermal shock (PTS) can be minimized by proper operator guidance. This paper presents a method for calculating a pressure temperature limit curve for reactor vessel integrity which can be used to identify an ongoing potential PTS event. This method has been developed for use and is applicable to all pressurized water reactors. The curve is used in emergency operating procedures developed to prioritize various plant safety concerns including PTS and core cooling to ensure proper operator action during accident conditions. This paper emphasizes the development of the pressure-temperature limit and how it is used within the emergency operating procedures.

Modeling and Phenomenological Aspects of Severe Accidents in Integral Pressurized Water Reactors

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. K. Madni ◽  
M. Khatib-Rahbar
Keyword(s):  
Computer Code ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
Pressurized Water Reactors ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Product Release ◽  
Severe Accidents ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Accident Conditions ◽  
Coolant System

This paper focuses on modeling and phenomenological issues relevant to analysis of severe accidents in integral Pressurized Water Reactors (iPWRs). It identifies relevant thermal-hydraulics, melt progression and fission product release and transport phenomena, and discusses the applicability of the MELCOR computer code to modeling of severe accidents in iPWRs. Areas where the current MELCOR severe accident modeling framework has limitations in the representation of phenomenological processes are identified and examples of possible modeling remedies are discussed. The paper identifies modeling and phenomenological issues that contribute to differences in the calculated reactor coolant system and containment response for iPWRs as compared to traditional PWRs under severe accident conditions.

Optimum Channel Inclination for Gas Venting Under Countercurrent Flow Limitations

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Liao ◽  
K. Vierow
Keyword(s):  
Cooling System ◽  
Superficial Velocity ◽  
Countercurrent Flow ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Inclination Angles ◽  
Surge Line ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Optimum Channel ◽  
Accident Conditions ◽  
Core Cooling

Countercurrent flow limitation (CCFL) in the pressurizer surge line of future Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) with passive safety systems is an important phenomenon in reactor safety analysis. The pressurizer surge line is typically comprised of several sections with various inclination angles. Under certain accident conditions, countercurrent flow takes place in the surge line with liquid flowing down from the pressurizer and steam flowing up from the hot leg. The steam venting rate as well as the liquid draining rate may affect the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) actuation. The objective herein is to develop a physics-based model for evaluating the effect of inclination angle on CCFL. For a given liquid superficial velocity in the countercurrent flow system of the pressurizer surge line, the gas superficial velocity should be as large as possible at the onset of flooding, so that the steam can vent as fast as possible without inhibiting the pressurizer drain rate. Thus the system could depressurize in a timely manner to initiate the ECCS actuation. As indicated by CCFL experiments, for a given liquid superficial velocity, the gas superficial velocity attains a greatest value at a certain channel inclination, which is defined as the optimum channel inclination. In the present work, an analytical model is proposed to predict the optimum channel inclination under simplified conditions. The model predictions compare favorably with experimental data.

Analysis of the Quench-14 Bundle Test With M5® Cladding

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan C. Birchley ◽  
Bernd Jaeckel ◽  
Timothy J. Haste ◽  
Martin Steinbrueck ◽  
Juri Stuckert
Keyword(s):  
Severe Accident ◽  
Local Version ◽  
Test Protocol ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Fuel Rod ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Accident Conditions ◽  
Cladding Material

The QUENCH experimental programme at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (FZK) investigates phenomena associated with reflood of a degrading core under postulated severe accident conditions, but where the geometry is still mainly rod-like and degradation is still at an early phase. The QUENCH test bundle is electrically heated and consists of 21 fuel rod simulators with a total length of approximately 2.5 m. The cladding and grid spacers are identical to those used in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) whereas the fuel is represented by ZrO2 pellets. Experiment QUENCH-14 was successfully performed at FZK in July 2008 and is the first in this programme where Zr-Nb alloy M5® is used as the fuel rod simulator cladding. QUENCH-14 was otherwise essentially the same as experiment QUENCH-06, which was the subject of the CSNI ISP-45 exercise. It is also the first of three experiments in the QUENCH-ACM series, recently launched to examine the effect of advanced cladding materials on oxidation and quenching under otherwise similar conditions. Pre- and post-test analyses were performed at PSI using a local version of SCDAP/RELAP5 and MELCOR 1.8.6, using input models which had already been benchmarked against QUENCH-06 data. Preliminary pre-test calculations with both codes and alternative correlations for the oxidation kinetics indicated that the planned test protocol would achieve the desired objective of exhibiting whatever effects might arise from the change in cladding-material in the course of a transient similar to QUENCH-06. Several correlations were implemented in the models, namely Cathcart-Pawel, Urbanic-Heidrick, Leistikow-Schanz and Prater-Courtright for Zircaloy-4 (Zry-4), and additionally a new candidate correlation for M5® based on recent separate-effects tests performed at FZK on M5® cladding samples. Analyses of the QUENCH-14 data demonstrate strengths and limitations of the various models. Some tentative recommendations are made concerning choice of correlation and effect of cladding material.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Technological Evolution of Materials Requirements Included in Reactor Pressure Vessel Manufacturing Codes

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5498
Author(s):  
Alvaro Rodríguez-Prieto ◽  
Mariaenrica Frigione ◽  
John Kickhofel ◽  
Ana M. Camacho
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Pressure Vessel ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Reactor Pressure Vessel ◽  
Technical Literature ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Water Reactors ◽  
Regulatory Commission ◽  
Reactor Pressure

The growth of green energy technologies within the frame of the 7th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) along with the concern about climatic changes make nuclear energy an attractive choice for many countries to ensure energy security and sustainable development as well as to actively address environmental issues. Unlike nuclear equipment (immovable goods), which are often well-catalogued and analyzed, the design and manufacturing codes and their standardized materials specifications can be considered movable and intangible goods that have not been thoroughly studied based on a detailed evaluation of the scientific and technical literature on the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) materials behavior. The aim of this work is the analysis of historical advances in materials properties research and associated standardized design codes requirements. The analysis, based on the consolidated U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.99 Rev.2 model, enables determination of the best materials options, corresponding to some of the most widely used material specifications such as WWER 15Kh2MFAA (used from the 1970s and 1980s; already in operation), ASME SA-533 Grade B Cl.1 (used in pressurized water reactor-PWR 2nd–4th; already in operation), DIN 20MnMoNi55 and DIN 22NiMoCr37 (used in PWR 2nd–4th) as well as ASTM A-336 Grade F22V (current designs). Consequently, in view of the results obtained, it can be concluded that the best options correspond to recently developed or well-established specifications used in the design of pressurized water reactors. These assessments endorse the fact that nuclear technology is continually improving, with safety being its fundamental pillar. In the future, further research related to the technical heritage from the evolution of materials requirements for other clean and sustainable power generation technologies will be performed.

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