A fast running method for predicting the efficiency of core melt spreading for application in ASTEC

The integral Accident Source Term Evaluation Code (ASTEC) is jointly developed by the French Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire (IRSN) and the German Gesellschaft fuer Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) mbH to simulate the complete scenario of a hypothetical severe accident in a nuclear light water reactor, from the initial event until the possible radiological release of fission products out of the containment. In the frame of the new series of ASTEC V2 versions appropriate model extensions to the European Pressurised Water Reactor (EPR) are under development. With view to assessing with ASTEC the proper operation of the ex-vessel melt retention and coolability concept of the EPR with regard to melt spreading an approximation of the area finally covered by the corium and of the distance run by the corium front before freezing is required. A necessary capability of ASTEC is in a first step to identify such boundary cases, for which there is a potential that the melt will freeze before the spreading area is completely filled. This paper presents a fast running method for estimating the final extent of the area covered with melt on which a simplified criterion in ASTEC for detecting such boundary cases will be based. If a boundary case is detected the application of a more-detailed method might be necessary to assess further the consequences for the accident sequence. The major objective here is to provide a reliable method for estimating the final result of the spreading and not to provide highly detailed methods to simulate the dynamics of the transient process. (orig.)