scholarly journals Development of a criterion for assessment of fuel washout during operation of WWER power units

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 307-312
Author(s):  
Igor A. Evdokimov ◽  
Andrey G. Khromov ◽  
Petr M. Kalinichev ◽  
Vladimir V. Likhanskii ◽  
Aleksey A. Kovalishin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Fission Products ◽  
Reactor Operation ◽  
Fuel Rod ◽  
The Core ◽  
Fuel Assemblies ◽  
Reliable Detection ◽  
Coolant Activity

Fuel failures may occur during operation of nuclear power plants. One of the possible and most severe consequences of a fuel failure is that fuel may be washed out from the leaking fuel rod into the coolant. Reliable detection of fuel washout is important for handling of leaking fuel assemblies after irradiation is over. Detection of fuel washout is achievable in the framework of coolant activity evaluation during reactor operation. For this purpose, 134I activity is historically used in WWER power units. However, observed 134I activity may increase during operation even if leaking fuel in the core is absent, and fuel deposits are the only source of the fission products release. The paper describes a criterion which enables to reveal the cases when the increase in 134I activity results from the fuel washout from the leaking fuel rods during operation of the WWER-type reactor. Some examples of applications at nuclear power plants are discussed.

Investigation of the Fission Product Release From Molten Pools Under Oxidizing Conditions With the Code RELOS

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingo D. Kleinhietpaß ◽  
Hermann Unger ◽  
Hermann-Josef Wagner ◽  
Marco K. Koch
Keyword(s):  
Phase Boundary ◽  
Molten Pool ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Fission Products ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
The Core ◽  
Gas Atmosphere ◽  
Upper Pool

With the purpose of modeling and calculating the core behavior during severe accidents in nuclear power plants system codes are under development worldwide. Modeling of radionuclide release and transport in the case of beyond design basis accidents is an integrated feature of the deterministic safety analysis of nuclear power plants. Following a hypothetical, uncontrolled temperature escalation in the core of light water reactors, significant parts of the core structures may degrade and melt down under formation of molten pools, leading to an accumulation of large amounts of radioactive materials. The possible release of radionuclides from the molten pool provides a potential contribution to the aerosol source term in the late phase of core degradation accidents. The relevance of the amount of transferred oxygen from the gas atmosphere into the molten pool on the specification of a radionuclide and its release depends strongly on the initial oxygen inventory. Particularly for a low oxygen potential in the melt as it is the case for stratification when a metallic phase forms the upper layer and, respectively, when the oxidation has proceeded so far so that zirconium was completely oxidized, a significant influence of atmospheric oxygen on the specification and the release of some radionuclides has to be anticipated. The code RELOS (Release of Low Volatile Fission Products from Molten Surfaces) is under development at the Department of Energy Systems and Energy Economics (formerly Department of Nuclear and New Energy Systems) of the Ruhr-University Bochum. It is based on a mechanistic model to describe the diffusive and convective transport of fission products from the surface of a molten pool into a cooler gas atmosphere. This paper presents the code RELOS, i. e. the features and abilities of the latest code version V2.3 and the new model improvements of V2.4 and the calculated results evaluating the implemented models which deal with the oxygen transfer from the liquid side of the phase boundary to the bulk of the melt by diffusion or by taking into account natural convection. Both models help to estimate the amount of oxygen entering into the liquid upper pool volume and being available for the oxidation reaction. For both models the metallic, the oxidic and a mixture phase can be taken into account when defining the composition of the upper pool volume. The influence of crust formation, i. e. the decrease of the liquid pool surface area is taken care of because it yields the relevant amount of fission products released into the atmosphere. The difference of the partial density between the gas side of the phase boundary and the bulk of the gas phase is the driving force of mass transport.

Research and Engineering Application of Repaired Fuel Assembly Reusing Technique

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihua Wang ◽  
Qingxiang Yang ◽  
Ping Yang ◽  
Jiazheng Liu ◽  
Libing Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Engineering Application ◽  
Evaluation Technique ◽  
Fuel Rods ◽  
The Core ◽  
Fuel Assemblies

Due to debris in the coolant against clad, fuel clad wear, fuel handling fault and so on, fuel rods maybe be damaged during the operation of nuclear power plants, in order that the fuel assemblies with damaged fuel rods are discharged before scheduled. If the damaged fuel assemblies are not reloaded into the core of the nuclear power plant, the fuel utilization decreases and the economy of the nuclear power plant is partly lost. For retrieving the loss of the economy, the damaged fuel assemblies can be repaired by replacing damaged fuel rods with dummy rods which don’t include fissile nuclides. Then, the repaired fuel assemblies can be reloaded into the core. As the repaired fuel assemblies are different with the normal fuel assemblies, especially the number of the damaged fuel rods is considerable, a whole quantitative analysis is very necessary to evaluate the effects from the reuse of the repaired fuel assemblies. In this paper, a full scope evaluation of reload design are performed including nuclear design, fuel design, thermal hydraulic design and safety evaluation, and some necessary improvements are done for the software system, design methods and progress which have been used in the normal reload design. As results, an integrated evaluation technique is developed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of reusing the repaired fuel assemblies, and the key effects due to the reuse of the repaired fuel assemblies are extracted, and the different effects are studied for the different materials of the dummy rods which can be used to conduct how to choose the proper material of dummy rods. In addition, this technique has been successfully applied in the engineering and the loss of economy due to the damage of fuel assemblies was retrieved partly. Therefore, the integrated evaluation technique has also important directive to other nuclear power plants if the repaired fuel assemblies are planned to reuse.

scholarly journals Determination of 18-month fuel cycle parameters for the purpose of fuel costs minimization at the basis of use constructions of fuel assemblies in VVER-1200 reactors

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
Taha M. Hashlamoun ◽  
Sergey B. Vygovsky ◽  
Sergey T. Leskin ◽  
A. Safa Duman
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Fuel Cycle ◽  
Life Time ◽  
Reactor Vessel ◽  
Reactor Fuel ◽  
The Core ◽  
Fuel Assemblies ◽  
Fuel Costs

This article presents the results of research, that were focused on determining the optimal parameters of the extension of (reactor life-time) reactor fuel cycle in order to reduce the total operating costs of nuclear power plants during the transition from 12-month reactor fuel cycle to 18-month fuel cycle. The relevance of the research is related to the fact that, in recent years, there is a transition at all operating nuclear power plants VVER-1000 (1200) from 12-month reactor fuel cycle to extended 18-month fuel cycle. At the same time, represent the interests to solve the problem of conservation the extension of reactor life-time while reducing the number of loaded fuel assemblies with fresh fuel assemblies, which would reduce the total operating, and fuel costs. Search for solutions of this problem is associated with mandatory implementation of all requirements for the safe operation of the reactor and the reduction of the maximum fast neutron fluence on the reactor vessel in comparison with its value at the operating nuclear power plants. In the present work, with using the program PROSTOR software complex researched the neutron-physical characteristics of the core at the nominal parameters of the VVER-1200 reactor through the implementation of various fuel cycle strategies. The article developed various schemes of fuel-reloading for an 18-month fuel cycle with a different number of fuel assemblies. The article carries out a comparative analysis of the main parameters in the core for fuel-reloading schemes options of an 18- and 12-month fuel cycle with each other. Determine the minimum amount of fuel assemblies and provide the necessary duration of the reactor life-time for 18-month fuel cycle with using the extension of reactor life-time by reducing the power at the end of the reactor cycle to 70% of the nominal power. In the article, the arrangements of fuel assemblies were developed to provide limitations of local power by volume of the core, which reduce the fluence of fast neutrons on the reactor vessel in comparison with the projected value of the fluence. This article shows that the 18-month fuel cycle for the VVER-1200 reactor is more economical than the 12-month fuel cycle. These studies were carried out for the VVER-1200 reactor at the power of 100% of the nominal.

scholarly journals Temperature conditions in the RBMK spent fuel pool in the event of disturbances in its cooling mode

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-13
Author(s):  
David A. Hakobyan ◽  
Victor I. Slobodchuk
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Cooling Mode ◽  
Temperature Conditions ◽  
Fuel Assemblies ◽  
Spent Fuel Pool

The problems of reprocessing and long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) at nuclear power plants with RBMK reactors have not been fully resolved so far. For this reason, nuclear power plants are forced to search for new options for the disposal of spent fuel, which can provide at least temporary SNF storage. One of the possible solutions to this problem is to switch to compacted SNF storage in reactor spent fuel pools (SFPs). As the number of spent fuel assemblies (SFAs) in SFPs increases, a greater amount of heat is released. In addition, no less important is the fact that a place for emergency FA discharging should be provided in SFPs. The paper presents the results of a numerical simulation of the temperature conditions in SFPs both for compacted SNF storage and for emergency FA discharging. Several types of disturbances in normal SFP cooling mode are considered, including partial loss of cooling water and exposure of SFAs. The simulation was performed using the ANSYS CFX software tool. Estimates were made of the time for heating water to the boiling point, as well as the time for heating the cladding of the fuel elements to a temperature of 650 °С. The most critical conditions are observed in the emergency FA discharging compartment. The results obtained make it possible to estimate the time that the personnel have to restore normal cooling mode of the spent fuel pool until the maximum temperature for water and spent fuel assemblies is reached.

scholarly journals Control Experiences Regarding Clearable Materials from Nuclear Power Plants and Nuclear Installations: Scaling Factors Determination and Measurements’ Acceptance Criteria Definition

Environments ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
Luca Albertone ◽  
Massimo Altavilla ◽  
Manuela Marga ◽  
Laura Porzio ◽  
Giuseppe Tozzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Fission Products ◽  
Scaling Factors ◽  
Activation Products ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Nuclear Installation ◽  
Enriched Uranium

Arpa Piemonte has been carrying out, for a long time, controls on clearable materials from nuclear power plants to verify compliance with clearance levels set by ISIN (Ispettorato Nazionale per la Sicurezza Nucleare e la Radioprotezione - National Inspectorate for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection) in the technical prescriptions attached to the Ministerial Decree decommissioning authorization or into category A source authorization (higher level of associated risk, according to the categorization defined in the Italian Legislative Decree No. 230/95). After the experience undertaken at the “FN” (Fabbricazioni Nucleari) Bosco Marengo nuclear installation, some controls have been conducted at the Trino nuclear power plant “E. Fermi,” “LivaNova” nuclear installation based in Saluggia, and “EUREX” (Enriched Uranium Extraction) nuclear installation, also based in Saluggia, according to modalities that envisage, as a final control, the determination of γ-emitting radionuclides through in situ gamma spectrometry measurements. Clearance levels’ compliance verification should be performed for all radionuclides potentially present, including those that are not easily measurable (DTM, Difficult To Measure). It is therefore necessary to carry out upstream, based on a representative number of samples, those radionuclides’ determination in order to estimate scaling factors (SF), defined through the logarithmic average of the ratios between the i-th DTM radionuclide concentration and the related key nuclide. Specific radiochemistry is used for defining DTMs’ concentrations, such as Fe-55, Ni-59, Ni-63, Sr-90, Pu-238, and Pu-239/Pu-240. As a key nuclide, Co-60 was chosen for the activation products (Fe-55, Ni-59, Ni-63) and Cs-137 for fission products (Sr-90) and plutonium (Pu- 238, Pu-239/Pu-240, and Pu-241). The presence of very low radioactivity concentrations, often below the detection limits, can make it difficult to determine the related scaling factors. In this work, the results obtained and measurements’ acceptability criteria are presented, defined with ISIN, that can be used for confirming or excluding a radionuclide presence in the process of verifying clearance levels’ compliance. They are also exposed to evaluations regarding samples’ representativeness chosen for scaling factors’ assessment.

scholarly journals HEALTH IN THE SYSTEM OF VALUES OF THE POPULATION OF THE SURVEILLANCE ZONES NUCLEAR POWER PLANTSS

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 219-234
Author(s):  
V. Prylypko ◽  
◽  
Yu. Ozerova ◽  
I. Bondarenko ◽  
M. Morozova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Life ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nuclear Power Plants ◽  
Sampling Error ◽  
Close Correlation ◽  
The State ◽  
The Core ◽  
Terminal Values ◽  
Happy Family

Objective: to determine the place of health in the system of values of the population of the surveillance zone (SZ) of nuclear power plants (NPPs) and its importance in the perception of emergency risks (ER). Materials and methods. To determine the place of health in the value system, a survey of the able-bodied population of satellite cities of Rivne (RNPP) and South Ukrainian (SUNPP) nuclear power plants was conducted using nonrepetitive sampling, where the sampling error does not exceed 7,0 %. The motivational and behavioral component that determined health in the individual hierarchy of values of the subject according to the questionnaire Berezovskaya R. A. was studied. Statistical and mathematical methods were used in the research process. Results. The array of respondents was conditionally divided into 4 groups according to their attitude to human health. And the group where a person’s life position is focused exclusively on health is the most common – 77,0 %. Group IV, which wants to live without limiting itself, is 8,1 %. The component integrity of values-goals and valuesmeans among the urban population of the SZ of both nuclear power plants is the same: the main goal in life is health, happy family life, and as a means – perseverance, diligence and health. Goal values in groups I and IV have some differences: in the first group of respondents the main goal in life is health, and in the fourth, where a person’s life guidelines exclude any restrictions – a happy family life. Values for these populations have some differences, but in both groups health appears to be the main means to an end. There is a close correlation between the core of terminal values and the average indicators of the state of concern about the risk of emergencies. Conclusions. Identified hierarchy of values: a group of stable dominant values; average status values; group of least significant values. The values of the highest status among the values-goals are – health, happy family life and interesting work. Most respondents plan to achieve them through values such as «health», «perseverance and hard work». There is a close correlation between the core of terminal values and the average indicators of the state of concern about the risk of emergencies. Key words: health, values, population, NPP surveillance zone, perception of emergency risks.

Development of Approaches to Simulate Fuel Rod Destruction With Different Fuel Type

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduard Usov ◽  
Nikolay Pribaturin ◽  
Vladimir Chukhno ◽  
Ilya Klimonov ◽  
Anton Butov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Liquid Metals ◽  
Numerical Algorithms ◽  
Severe Accident ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Detailed Calculation ◽  
Fuel Rods ◽  
Fuel Rod ◽  
The Core

Abstract Due to the revival of interest to the development of fast reactors cooled by liquid metals, the problem of carrying out theoretical research in support of their safety is actual. A detailed calculation of all stages of the accident from the beginning to the end requires knowledge of the laws for modeling physical processes occurring in the reactor in an emergency. The most serious are accidents with the destruction of the core. Simulation of severe accident in nuclear reactor is the key element in safety analysis of nuclear power plants. Destruction of fuel rods is one of the most important processes that should be calculated during core degradation. For different type of fuels the mechanism of the degradation are different too. For example, oxide and metallic fuels usually melt congruently at high temperature, but nitride fuel dissociates. The main objective of the proposed research is developing of models and numerical algorithms for calculation fuel rods destruction with oxide, metallic and nitride fuels. The models of the destruction processes and some calculation results are presented in the paper. The processes are investigated for the first phase of severe accidents covering the period from the onset of fuel-rod melting to the melt escape from the core center.

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