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Title: An assessment of BWR (boiling water reactor) Mark III containment challenges, failure modes, and potential improvements in performance

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6051208· OSTI ID:6051208

This report describes risk-significant challenges posed to Mark III containment systems by severe accidents as identified for Grand Gulf. Design similarities and differences between the Mark III plants that are important to containment performance are summarized. The accident sequences responsible for the challenges and the postulated containment failure modes associated with each challenge are identified and described. Improvements are discussed that have the potential either to prevent or delay containment failure, or to mitigate the offsite consequences of a fission product release. For each of these potential improvements, a qualitative analysis is provided. A limited quantitative risk analysis is provided for selected potential improvements. 21 refs., 5 figs., 46 tabs.

Research Organization:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (USA). Div. of Safety Issue Resolution; EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USNRC
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-76ID01570
OSTI ID:
6051208
Report Number(s):
NUREG/CR-5529; EGG-2594; ON: TI91007311; TRN: 91-004713
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English