An established international expertise in relation to computational tools, procedures for their application including Best Estimate (BE) methods supported by uncertainty evaluation, and comprehensive experimental database exists within the safety technology of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The importance of transferring NPP safety technology tools and methods to RR safety technology has been noted in recent IAEA activities. However, the ranges of parameters of interest to RR are different from those for NPP: this is namely true for fuel composition, system pressure, adopted materials and overall system geometric configuration. The large variety of research reactors prevented so far the achievement of systematic and detailed lists of initiating events based upon qualified Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) studies with results endorsed by the international community. However, bounding and generalized lists of events are available from IAEA documents and can be considered for deeper studies in the area [1]. In the area of acceptance criteria, established standards accepted by the international community are available. Therefore no major effort is needed, but an effort appears worthwhile to check that those standards are adopted and that the related thresholds are fulfilled. The importance of suitable experimental assessment is recognized. A large amount of data exists as the kinetic dynamic core behaviour form SPERT reactors tests [2]. However, not all data are accessible to all institutions and the relationship between the range of parameters of experiments and the range of parameters relevant to RR technology is not always established. However, code-assessment through relevant set of experimental data are recorded and properly stored. An established technology exists for development, qualification and application of system thermal-hydraulics codes suitable to be adopted for accident analysis in research reactors. This derives from NPP technology. The applicability of system codes like RELAP5, COBRA and MARS to the research reactor needs has been confirmed from recent works [3]. Definitely, system codes are mature for application to transient analysis in research reactors. However, code limitations have been found in predicting pressure drops as a function of mass flux at low values of mass flux when nucleate boiling occurs. The importance of the Whittle & Forgan experiments shall be mentioned and therefore furthermore, code validation must be demonstrated for the range of parameters of interest to research reactors.

Application of Best-Estimate thermal-hydraulic codes for the safety analysis of research reactors

D'AURIA, FRANCESCO SAVERIO;
2006-01-01

Abstract

An established international expertise in relation to computational tools, procedures for their application including Best Estimate (BE) methods supported by uncertainty evaluation, and comprehensive experimental database exists within the safety technology of Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The importance of transferring NPP safety technology tools and methods to RR safety technology has been noted in recent IAEA activities. However, the ranges of parameters of interest to RR are different from those for NPP: this is namely true for fuel composition, system pressure, adopted materials and overall system geometric configuration. The large variety of research reactors prevented so far the achievement of systematic and detailed lists of initiating events based upon qualified Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) studies with results endorsed by the international community. However, bounding and generalized lists of events are available from IAEA documents and can be considered for deeper studies in the area [1]. In the area of acceptance criteria, established standards accepted by the international community are available. Therefore no major effort is needed, but an effort appears worthwhile to check that those standards are adopted and that the related thresholds are fulfilled. The importance of suitable experimental assessment is recognized. A large amount of data exists as the kinetic dynamic core behaviour form SPERT reactors tests [2]. However, not all data are accessible to all institutions and the relationship between the range of parameters of experiments and the range of parameters relevant to RR technology is not always established. However, code-assessment through relevant set of experimental data are recorded and properly stored. An established technology exists for development, qualification and application of system thermal-hydraulics codes suitable to be adopted for accident analysis in research reactors. This derives from NPP technology. The applicability of system codes like RELAP5, COBRA and MARS to the research reactor needs has been confirmed from recent works [3]. Definitely, system codes are mature for application to transient analysis in research reactors. However, code limitations have been found in predicting pressure drops as a function of mass flux at low values of mass flux when nucleate boiling occurs. The importance of the Whittle & Forgan experiments shall be mentioned and therefore furthermore, code validation must be demonstrated for the range of parameters of interest to research reactors.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/186339
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