Validation of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 for predicting steady-state single-phase natural circulation

Zhang, Taiyang; Smith, Erik R.; Brooks, Caleb S.; Fanning, Thomas H.

doi:10.1016/j.nucengdes.2021.111149

Validation of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 for predicting steady-state single-phase natural circulation

Journal Article · Thu Mar 18 00:00:00 EDT 2021 · Nuclear Engineering and Design

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2021.111149· OSTI ID:1798462

Zhang, Taiyang ^[1]; Smith, Erik R. ^[2]; Brooks, Caleb S. ^[1]; Fanning, Thomas H. ^[3]

Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)
Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States); Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

The validation of system analysis codes for nuclear reactor systems is required for the development and application of these computational tools. Designed as a comprehensive system analysis code for advanced nuclear reactors, SAS4A/SASSYS-1 requires validation of its physics model for capturing single-phase natural circulation behavior. To support the validation of SAS4A/SASSYS-1, high-precision experiments are performed capturing steady-state single-phase natural circulation on a scaled facility with comprehensive instrumentation. In this work, dedicated tests are performed quantifying the critical modeling parameters, and a single-phase natural circulation benchmark dataset is obtained with well-documented uncertainty and comprehensive facility description. The validation is then performed against the dataset examining the capability of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 in simulating steady-state single-phase natural circulation. The experimental facility is modeled in the candidate code. Solution verification is performed using Richardson-extrapolation-based estimators which quantify and restrict numerical errors from discretization. Input uncertainty provided by the benchmark dataset is forward propagated through the candidate code, quantifying the output uncertainty in a Monte Carlo approach. The composition of the output uncertainty is also quantified through a variance-based sensitivity analysis. With the uncertainty quantified for each individual condition, a detailed comparison between the simulation results and experimental data is performed covering the whole dataset. The results show consistent agreement for all primary parameters. The current validation activity provides a valuable benchmark dataset for the validation of system analysis codes in capturing single-phase natural circulation and demonstrates satisfactory prediction capability of SAS4A/SASSYS1 for steady-state single-phase natural circulation.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1798462

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1815057

Journal Information:: Nuclear Engineering and Design, Journal Name: Nuclear Engineering and Design Vol. 377; ISSN 0029-5493

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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