MITR RELAP5 Model Validations at Steady States and Transients

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor (MITR-II) is a 6 MW university research reactor designed primarily for experiments using neuron beams and in-core irradiation facilities, and education. The objective of this study is to validate the MITR RELAP5 model, which includes the reactor core, primary coolant loop, secondary coolant loop and heat exchanger models. Two sets of operational data were collected for validation. Steady-state data for 1 MW, 3 MW, 5.5 MW was obtained in the first test. The continuous startup transient data and the cooling tower outlet coolant temperature reduction obtained during the second test. The five steady-state conditions and two transient conditions were calculated by the RELAP5. The reactor power and cooling tower outlet temperature were used as boundary conditions while the reactor core inlet temperature and outlet temperature were calculated. A comparison was made between the modeling results and the temperature measurements. The results show that the MITR RELAP5 modeling results are in good agreement with measurement data for both steady-state and transient conditions