Comparison of accelerated and non-accelerated post-LOCA simulation

Abstract

Cables important to safety used in nuclear power plants are required to withstand environmental, operational and system conditions to which they are exposed during their design life. This may include harsh conditions resulting from a design basis event (DBE), such as a Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LOCA). The testing procedure includes accelerated thermal and ionizing radiation ageing which brings the tested samples to their end-of-life condition. Accelerated pre-ageing is then followed by accident simulation (LOCA test). The latter part of accident simulation (post-LOCA), which may take up to 1 year, is commonly accelerated based on the Arrhenius approach, however the adequacy of this approach remains a topic of ongoing discussion, lacking a clear scientific or engineering consensus. While numerous works have focused on testing various conditions during accidental and post-accidental conditions in nuclear power plants, there is notable absence of direct assessment of acceleration effects.The aim of this work was to assess the effects of accelerating post-accident conditions on electrical cables using non-destructive electrical measurements. The cables were subjected to thermal and radiation pre-ageing, LOCA test, and then were divided into two groups for post-LOCA tests: one group was tested for one year in non-accelerated post-accident conditions, while the other was accelerated using the Arrhenius approach. Diagnostic methods, including insulation resistance, capacitance, voltage withstand tests, and high-frequency parameters such as attenuation, characteristic impedance, and relative permittivity, were employed for comparing sample conditions. Results from both accelerated and non-accelerated post-LOCA simulations were consistent, indicating that the acceleration was adequate.