Maximum Cladding Surface Temperature Research Articles

Development of Statistical Thermal Design Procedure to Evaluate Engineering Uncertainty of Super LWR

The thermal performance of a nuclear reactor core contains various engineering uncertainties. These uncertainties often arise from calculation, measurement, instrumentation, manufacture, fabrication and data processing. Statistical techniques are useful to evaluate and combine these uncertainties in the thermal design of nuclear reactors. In this paper, a statistical method is developed and employed in the thermal design of the supercritical pressure light water reactor (Super LWR) to evaluate the statistical engineering uncertainties. This method is referred as the Monte Carlo Statistical Thermal Design Procedure for Super LWR (MCSTDP). This method uses the maximum cladding surface temperature (MCST) as a crucial criterion and a sub-channel code is utilized to perform the core thermal hydraulic analysis. The engineering uncertainties are considered with strict respect to the 95/95 limit of Super LWR. The main purpose of this paper is to establish the statistical evaluation methodology. The engineering uncertain for the thermal design of Super LWR is evaluated by using this method to get an approximate quantification. The results are compared with those of the Revised Thermal Design Procedure (RTDP) of Super LWR.

Thermal and Stability Considerations of Super LWR during Sliding Pressure Startup

The feasibility of the sliding pressure startup of a high-temperature supercritical-pressure light water reactor (super LWR, SCLWR-H) is assessed from both thermal and stability considerations. In the sliding pressure startup, nuclear heating starts at subcritical pressure and the reactor is pressurized to supercritical pressure at a low power and high enough flow rate. The reactor power and flow rate are then raised gradually to the rated normal values at constant supercritical operating pressure. During startup, the maximum cladding surface temperature must not exceed 620°C. For two-phase flow at subcritical pressures, the homogeneous equilibrium model is used. The thermal-hydraulic and coupled neutronic thermal-hydraulic stabilities during pressurization and power-raising are investigated by a frequency-domain linear analysis for both supercritical-pressure and subcritical-pressure operating conditions. The same stability criteria as those of BWRs are used. From the analysis results, a sliding pressure startup procedure is proposed for super LWR. The thermal criteria are satisfied by keeping the core power between the maximum allowable limit and minimum limit required for turbine startup and operation. The thermal-hydraulic stability and coupled neutronic thermal-hydraulic stability can be maintained by applying an orifice pressure drop coefficient at the inlet of fuel assembly and by controlling the power and flow rate during startup.

Startup Thermal Analysis of a High-Temperature Supercritical-Pressure Light Water Reactor

The startup systems of a high-temperature supercritical-pressure light-water-cooled thermal reactor (SCLWR-H), in which the core outlet temperature is 500°C and downward-flowing water rods are used as moderators, are studied by thermal-hydraulic analysis. The thermal analyses are carried out for various startup phases and detailed procedures for these phases are investigated. In constant pressure startup system, the reactor starts at supercritical pressure. A flash tank and pressure-reducing valves are necessary. The flash tank is designed so that the moisture content in the steam is less than 0.1%. In sliding pressure startup system, the reactor starts at subcritical pressure. A steam-water separator and a drain tank are required. The separator is designed by referring to those of supercritical fossil-fired power plants (FPPs). The maximum cladding surface temperature is restricted not to exceed the rated value of 620°C. The minimum flow rate is 25% for constant pressure startup and 35% for sliding pressure startup. Both constant pressure and sliding pressure startup systems are found feasible from thermal analysis. Because of lower flow rate than SCFR, of which the core outlet temperature is about 430°C, the component weight required is reduced in SCLWR-H. The sliding pressure startup system should be used to reduce the component weight and to simplify the plant system.

Startup Thermal Analysis of a High-Temperature Supercritical-Pressure Light Water Reactor

The startup systems of a high-temperature supercritical-pressure light-water-cooled thermal reactor (SCLWR-H), in which the core outlet temperature is 500°C and downward-flowing water rods are used as moderators, are studied by thermal-hydraulic analysis. The thermal analyses are carried out for various startup phases and detailed procedures for these phases are investigated. In constant pressure startup system, the reactor starts at supercritical pressure. A flash tank and pressure-reducing valves are necessary. The flash tank is designed so that the moisture content in the steam is less than 0.1%. In sliding pressure startup system, the reactor starts at subcritical pressure. A steam-water separator and a drain tank are required. The separator is designed by referring to those of supercritical fossil-fired power plants (FPPs). The maximum cladding surface temperature is restricted not to exceed the rated value of 620°C. The minimum flow rate is 25% for constant pressure startup and 35% for sliding pressure startup. Both constant pressure and sliding pressure startup systems are found feasible from thermal analysis. Because of lower flow rate than SCFR, of which the core outlet temperature is about 430°C, the component weight required is reduced in SCLWR-H. The sliding pressure startup system should be used to reduce the component weight and to simplify the plant system.