Published 1992 | Version v1
Book

An inherent boron dilution mechanism in pressurized water reactors

  • 1. Finnish Centre for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (STUK), Helsinki (Finland)

Description

The behaviour of boric acid during natural circulation together with Small Break LOCA experimental data shows that in present-day pressurized water reactors (PWR) there exists an inherent mechanism which can accumulate boron- free condensate in the cold leg loop seals. During reflux/boiler condensation, the accumulation rate is typically about 1.6 m3/min for a 1300 MWe UTSG plant. This observation, combined with the results of analyses of externally caused boron dilution transients, suggests that SB LOCA could become a reactivity induced accident (RIA) initiator. The severity of the reactivity accident potential is yet to be quantified. (author). 3 figs., 2 tabs., 30 refs

Part of:
Transient two-phase flow: ''Current issues in system thermal-hydraulics''

Additional details

Publishing Information

Publisher
Centre d'Etudes de Cadarache.
Imprint Place
Saint-Paul-lez-Durance (France)
ISBN
2-72-72-0157-5
Imprint Title
Transient two-phase flow: ''Current issues in system thermal-hydraulics''
Imprint Pagination
609 p.
Journal Page Range
p. 499-515.

Conference

Title
CSNI specialist meeting on transient two-phase flow.
Dates
6-8 Apr 1992.
Place
Aix-en-Provence (France).

Optional Information