Subchannel analysis of a boiloff experiment by a system thermalhydraulic code

This paper presents the results of system thermalhydraulic code using the sub-channel analysis approach in predicting the Neptun boil off experiments. This approach will be suitable for further works in view of coupling the system code with a 3D neutron kinetic one. The boil off tests were conducted in order to simulate the consequences of loss of coolant inventory leading to uncovery and heat up of fuel elements of a nuclear reactor core. In this framework, the Neptun low pressure test No5002, which is a good repeat experiment, is considered. The calculations were carried out using the system transient analysis code Relap5/Mod3.2. A detailed nodalization of the Neptun test section was developed. A reference case was run, and the overall data comparison shows good agreement between calculated and experimental thermalhydraulic parameters. A series of sensitivity analyses were also performed in order to assess the code prediction capabilities. The obtained results were almost satisfactory, this demonstrates, as well, the reasonable success of the subchannel analysis approach adopted in the present context for a system thermalhydraulic code.(author)