Evaluation of the potential for containment bypass in VVER-1000/V320 reactor during extended SBO sequence using SCDAP/RELAP5 code

A severe accident-induced of a Steam Generator (SG) tube releases radioactivity from the Reactor Coolant System (RCS) into the SG secondary coolant system from where it may escape to the environment through the pressure relief valves and an environmental release in this manner is called "Containment Bypass". This study aims to evaluate the potential for "Containment Bypass" in VVER-1000/V-320 reactor during extended Station Blackout (SBO) scenarios that challenge the tubes by primarily involving a natural circulation of superheated steam inside the piping loop and then induce creep rupture tube failure. Assessments are made of SCDAP/RELAP5 code capabilities for predicting the plant behavior during an SBO event and estimations are made of the uncertainties associated with the SCDAP/RELAP5 predictions for key fluid and components condition and for the SG tube failure margins. (author)