Study on in-vessel retention (IVR) of unprotected accident for fast reactor. (1) Overview of IVR evaluation in anticipated transient without scram (ATWS)

The achievement of In-Vessel Retention (IVR) against Anticipated Transient without Scram (ATWS) is an effective and rational approach in enhancing the safety characteristics of sodium-cooled fast reactors. Based on the Probabilistic Risk Assessment (Level 1 PRA) for a prototype fast-breeder reactor, Unprotected Loss of Flow (ULOF), which is one of the technically inconceivable events postulated beyond design basis, can be selected as a representative event of ATWS. The objective of the present study is to show that no significant mechanical energy release would take place during core disruption caused by ULOF, and that thermal failure of the reactor vessel could be avoided by the stable cooling of disrupted-core materials. As a result of the present evaluation with computational codes and physical models reflecting the knowledge on relevant experimental studies, the prospect of IVR against ULOF was obtained. (author)