Optimization of external cooling on PWR-1000 containment model using analytical estimation method

Reactor containment is the last barrier in avoiding the release of radioactive substances into the environment in the event of a reactor accident. Therefore, its integrity must always be maintained, among others, performed in a manner to prevent the exceeding of pressure and temperature design limit that could occur in an accident, through adequate containment cooling. In generation III + reactors which passive cooling concepts are applied such as the AP1000, the containment is externally cooled by natural convection in the air gap and a splash of cooling water in the outer surface. External cooling characteristics will be investigated experimentally through PWR1000 containment models of 1/40 scale. The purpose of this research is to determine the optimal flow of cooling required in the model before confirming experimentally performed. The method used is to perform analytical modeling and programming based on Matlab which is able to estimate the values of external cooling parameters such as flow rate, temperature and heat power evacuated. Implementation of the program on the AP1000 containment is also performed to be compared with the design data. The results shows the conformity with the AP1000 containment design data with optimal flow of 9.5 liters/sec that is able to evacuate the heat of 21.6 MW While for the containment model, the optimal flow obtained at 22 cc / sec which is capable of evacuating the heat by 37 KW This study concluded that the characteristics of the external cooling of PWR containment could be estimated and in conjunction, the optimal cooling flow required can be determined. (author)