Evaluation Method of Response Reliability During an Accident and its Applicability to Fast Reactor Plants

Author(s):  
Masaaki Suzuki ◽  
Kazuyuki Demachi ◽  
Shigeru Takaya ◽  
Yoshitaka Chikazawa

In this study, we develop new indices that evaluate the response capability — response margin and response reliability — of a nuclear power plant in case of occurrence of a severe accident by considering the ability of the nuclear power plant to recover system safety functions, which may have been affected by the accident, to the minimum safety values. Further, we demonstrate a specific evaluation procedure for our proposed indices. While performing the evaluation, we consider margins with respect to a minimum safety function level and a time constraint along with their temporal changes. Additionally, for a simplified fast reactor (FR) plant model, we conduct a trial assessment of the recovery capacity of the system to ensure system safety based on the concept of new indices. Further, the applicability of the response reliability evaluation method to FR plants is discussed based on the viewpoints of reflecting the characteristics of each reactor type.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Yuqi ◽  
Sun Qian

Abstract Classification of System, Component and Structure (SSC) is the base as well as high level demand of nuclear power plant. Equipment classification including electric and Instrument and Control (I&C) equipment is the precondition of correct design regulation and standard. Safety function classification is key pass of electric and I&C equipment classification. This paper researches the method of nuclear power plant electric and I&C equipment safety function classification. Firstly from view of function, it explains the importance of function classification. Then function analysis and classification of equipment is implemented by design order. Lastly from view of accident analysis, function classification is validated, and a complete approach of function classification is formed. The purpose of this paper is the NPP electric and I&C equipment safety function classification as an example, to study and summarize the method of the electric and I&C equipment safety function classification, and to provide the basis for specific items design work according to design requirements. At the same time, a practical method is provided for other similar NPP electric and I&C equipment classification work. The electric and I&C equipment function classification of nuclear power plant satisfy the basic principles requirement of relative nuclear power rules and codes. It provides an important basis of equipment classification for next nuclear power plants.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Fernández-Cosials ◽  
Gonzalo Jiménez ◽  
César Serrano ◽  
Luisa Ibáñez ◽  
Ángel Peinado

During a severe accident (SA) in a nuclear power plant (NPP), there are several challenges that need to be faced. To coup with a containment overpressure, the venting action will lower the pressure but it will release radioactivity to the environment. In order to reduce the radioactivity released, a filtered containment venting system (FCVS) can be used to retain iodine and aerosols radioactive releases coming from the containment atmosphere. However, during a SA, large quantities of hydrogen can also be generated. Hydrogen reacts violently with oxygen and its combustion could impair systems, components, or structures. For this reason, to protect the integrity of the FCVS against hydrogen explosions, an inertization system is found necessary. This system should create an inert atmosphere previous to any containment venting that impedes the contact of hydrogen and oxygen. In this paper, the inertization system for Cofrentes NPP is presented. It consists of a nitrogen injection located in three different points. A computational model of the FCVS as well as the inertization system has been created. The results show that if the nitrogen sweeps and the containment venting are properly synchronized, the hydrogen risk could be reduced to a minimum and therefore, the integrity of the FCVS would be preserved.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwame Gyamfi ◽  
Sylvester Attakorah Birikorang ◽  
Emmanuel Ampomah-Amoako ◽  
John Justice Fletcher

Abstract Atmospheric dispersion modeling and radiation dose calculation have been performed for a generic 1000 MW water-water energy reactor (VVER-1000) assuming a hypothetical loss of coolant accident (LOCA). Atmospheric dispersion code, International Radiological Assessment System (InterRAS), was employed to estimate the radiological consequences of a severe accident at a proposed nuclear power plant (NPP) site. The total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) and the ground deposition were calculated for various atmospheric stability classes, A to F, with the site-specific averaged meteorological conditions. From the analysis, 3.7×10−1 Sv was estimated as the maximum TEDE corresponding to a downwind distance of 0.1 km within the dominating atmospheric stability class (class A) of the proposed site. The intervention distance for evacuation (50 mSv) and sheltering (10 mSv) were estimated for different stability classes at different distances. The intervention area for evacuation ended at 0.5 km and that for sheltering at 1.5 km. The results from the study show that designated area for public occupancy will not be affected since the estimated doses were below the annual regulatory limits of 1 mSv.


Author(s):  
Frank Kretzschmar

In the case of a severe accident in a nuclear power plant there is a residual risk, that the Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) does not withstand the thermal attack of the molten core material, of which the temperature can be about 3000 K. For the analysis of the processes governing melt dispersal and heating up of the containment atmosphere of a nuclear power plant in the case of such an event, it is important to know the time of the onset of gas blowthrough during the melt expulsion through the hole in the bottom of the RPV. In the test facility DISCO-C (Dispersion of Simulant Corium-Cold) at the FZK /6/, experiments were performed to furnish data for modeling Direct Containment Heating (DCH) processes in computer codes that will be used to extrapolate these results to the reactor case. DISCO-C models the RPV, the Reactor Coolant System (RCS), cavity and the annular subcompartments of a large European reactor in a scale 1:18. The liquid type, the initial liquid mass, the type of the driving gas and the size of the hole were varied in these experiments. We present results for the onset of the gas blowthrough that were reached by numerical analysis with the Multiphase-Code SIMMER. We compare the results with the experimental results from the DISCO-C experiments and with analytical correlations, given by other authors.


Author(s):  
Wang Ziguan ◽  
Lu Fang ◽  
Yang Benlin ◽  
Chen Shi ◽  
Hu Lingsheng

Abstract Risk-informed design approaches are comprehensively implemented in the design and verification process of HPR1000 nuclear power plant. Particularly, Level 2 PSA is applied in the optimization of severe accident prevention and mitigation measures to avoid the extravagant redundancy of system configurations. HPR1000 preliminary level 2 PSA practices consider internal events of the reactor in the context of at-power condition. Severe accidents mitigation and prevention system and its impact on the overall large release frequency (LRF) level are evaluated. The results showed that severe accident prevention and mitigation systems, such as fast depressurization system, the cavity injection system and the passive containment heat removal system perform well in reducing LRF and overall risk level of HPR1000 NPP. Bypass events, reactor rapture events, and the containment bottom melt-through induced by MCCI are among the dominant factors of the LRF. The level 2 PSA analysis results indicate that HPR1000 design is reliable with no major weaknesses.


Author(s):  
Wentao Zhu ◽  
Wenjing Li

After Fukushima nuclear power plant accident, severe accident is getting more and more concerns all over the world. In order to mitigate severe accident and improve the safety of nuclear power plant, two different strategies are applied in different plants. One is in-vessel melt retention strategy, and the other is ex-vessel melt retention strategy. Tianwan nuclear power plant is an improved Gen II nuclear power plant and in-vessel melt retention strategy is adopted in the plant. In order to achieve this strategy, cavity injection system is designed for the plant. Probabilistic Safety Analysis is the most commonly used quantitative risk assessment tool for decision-making in selecting the optimal design among alternative options. For this plant, in order to optimize the design of cavity injection system, improve the safety level of nuclear power plant, and meanwhile, improve the engineering implementation and economization, Level 2 PSA was used for this decision-making process. In this paper, the Level 2 PSA for this plant and the application for the design of cavity injection system are introduced.


Author(s):  
Tamás János Katona ◽  
András Vilimi

Paks Nuclear Power Plant identified the post-Fukushima actions for mitigation and management of severe accidents caused by external events that include updating of some hazard assessments, evaluation of capacity / margins of existing severe accident management facilities, and construction of some mew systems and facilities. In all cases, the basic question was, what level of margin has to be ensured above design basis external hazard effects, and what level of or hazard has to be taken for the design. Paks Nuclear Power Plant developed certain an applicable in the practice concept for the qualification of already implemented and design the new post-Fukushima measures that is outlined in the paper. The concept and practice is presented on several examples.


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