Uncertainty analysis of vessel failure mode and melt release in station blackout scenario in Nordic BWR using MELCOR code
2019 (English)In: 18th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, NURETH 2019, American Nuclear Society , 2019, p. 1944-1956Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]
Nordic Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) employ containment pressure relief and filtered venting and ex-vessel debris coolability in the deep pool located under the reactor pressure vessel as a severe accident management (SAM) strategy. Effectiveness of this strategy depends on melt release conditions from the vessel which is the major source of uncertainty in risk quantification of containment failure in Nordic BWRs in ROAAM+ Framework. In this work we focus on uncertainty analysis of vessel failure mode and melt release conditions in unmitigated station blackout accident in Nordic BWR. The timing and mode of vessel failure and melt release conditions are predicted by MELCOR code. We demonstrate the effect of MELCOR code uncertain modelling parameters and modelling options on the resultant uncertainty in vessel failure mode and melt release conditions. Results of analysis show that penetration failure is predicted to occur before creep-rupture failure of the vessel lower head, however it does not preclude eventual creep-rupture failure of the vessel lower head. The mode of debris ejection from the vessel has the dominant effect on the likelihood of creep-rupture failure of the vessel lower head and debris ejection rate from the vessel.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
American Nuclear Society , 2019. p. 1944-1956
Keywords [en]
Severe Accident MELCOR Uncertainty Analysis, Boiling water reactors, Codes (symbols), Creep, Debris, Failure modes, Hydraulics, Nuclear reactor accidents, Pressure vessels, Uncertainty analysis, Creep rupture failure, Debris coolability, Pressure relief, Reactor Pressure Vessel, Risk quantification, Severe accident, Severe accident management, Station blackout, Failure (mechanical)
National Category
Energy Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-301578Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85071386535OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-301578DiVA, id: diva2:1593500
Conference
18th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, NURETH 2019, 18 August 2019 through 23 August 2019
Note
QC 20210913
2021-09-132021-09-132022-06-25Bibliographically approved