Predicting High Energy Arcing Fault Zones of Influence for Aluminum Using an Arc Flash Modeling Approach: Evaluation of a model bias, uncertainty, parameter sensitivity and zone of influence estimation

Technical Report · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/2432170· OSTI ID:2432170

Taylor, G. ^[1]; LaFleur, Chris Bensdotter ^[2]

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1. US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Washington, DC (United States)
2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

This report documents the development of an arc flash hazard model to calculate the incident energy and zone of influence from high energy arcing faults involving aluminum. The NRC has identified the potential for (HEAFs) involving aluminum to increase the damage zone beyond what is currently postulated in fire probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) methodologies. To estimate the hazard from HEAFs involving aluminum an arc flash model was developed. Differences between the initial model and nuclear power plant (NPP) fire PRA scenarios were identified. Modification of the initial model established from existing literature and test data was used to minimize these differences. The developed model was evaluated against NRC datasets to understand the model prediction and relative uncertainties. Finally, a range of fire PRA zone of influences (ZOI) were developed based on the developed model, target fragility estimates and update HEAF PRA methodology. The results were developed to support an NRC LIC-504 evaluation in tandem with other modeling efforts. The report documents the effort and provides a reference for any future advancements in arc flash modeling.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USNRC
• DOE Contract Number: NA0003525
• OSTI ID: 2432170
• Report Number(s): SAND--2023-11422
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
42 ENGINEERING
Arc Flash
Electrical Enclosure
Fire Probabilistic Risk Assessment
High Energy Arcing Fault
Zone of Influence