The effects of break location on PWR small break LOCA: Experimental study at the ROSA-IV LSTF

Abstract

This paper discusses the effect of break location on the break flow rate and break flow quality transitions during a small-break loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) in a pressurized water reactor (PWR). Results from five experiments conducted at the ROSA-IV Large Scale Test Facility (LSTF) are compared for this purpose. These experiments simulated a 2-inch break at the lower plenum, upper head, pressurizer top, cold leg, and hot leg, respectively. The controlling phenomena for the break flow quality transitions in cold-leg and hot-leg break experiments are described.