Calculation of local boron dilution accidents with the Hextran code
- VTT Energy (Finland)
Possibilities of Reactivity Initiated Accidents (RIA) due to local boron dilution slugs entering the core of PWRs have been widely studied in recent years. In Finland the main analysis tool for reactor dynamics RIA calculations has been the three dimensional HEXTRAN code which also includes full circuit models. Reliable calculation of propagating boron fronts is very difficult with standard numerical algorithms because numerical diffusion tends to smoothen the front. Thus the reactivity effect of the boron dilution can be significantly lowered and conservatism of the analyses cannot be guaranteed. In normal flow conditions this problem has been avoided in HEXTRAN analyses by simulating the dilution front directly to the core inlet. In natural circulation conditions there occurs significant numerical diffusion even during the propagation of boron front inside the core. Therefore a new hydraulics solution method PLIM (Piecewise Linear Interpolation Method) has been applied to HEXTRAN. Examples are given of analyses made with HEXTRAN in both flow conditions.
- OSTI ID:
- 459163
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950420--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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