Comparison of MSLB transient results using the 3D coupled code TRACEv5p05/PARCS and the system thermal hydraulic code RELAP5

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the Main Steam Line Break (MSLB) in a VVER-1000 reactor simulated with RELAP5 using Point Kinetics and the coupled code TRACE5-P05/PARCS using 3D kinetics. In the MSLB-scenario, it is assumed that the main steam line break of 580 mm inner diameter is located between the steam generator (SG) and the steam isolation valve (SIV), outside the containment. In a MSLB, a non-symmetric overcooling of the primary coolant takes place leading to a positive reactivity insertion. Hence, the main safety concern is to assess if the core may become critical despite SCRAM and it there is a considerable power increase (return-to-power). This paper will discuss the capabilities of different computational approaches to simulate the VVER-1000 plant behaviour during a MSLB; one approach based on 1D thermal hydraulics and Point Kinetics while the other one based on 3D thermal hydraulics of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) and 1D thermal hydraulics for the remaining plant components based on a 3D neutron kinetics model. The analyses are performed for Beginning of Cycle (BOC) conditions i.e., with a fresh core loading when the plant is operated at nominal power. The neutron kinetic parameters for the RELAP5 Point Kinetics model were generated PARCS for the BOC assuming a boron concentration of 1630 ppm. The respective 2 energy group homogenized cross section libraries in PMAXS-format were generated by KIT using the SERPENT2 code.The investigations were performed in the frame of CAMIVVER-project, which focus was the assessment and development of reliable neutron physical and system thermal hydraulic models for safety evaluations of VVER-1000 reactors. The comparative analysis for the MSLB has shown that both applied codes are able to qualitatively predicts the plant behaviour under MSLB-conditions in similar manner. Differences are caused by the different approach to represent the core and RPV followed by RELAP5 and TRACE5.05/PARCS as expected.