Developmental assessment of the SCDAP/RELAP5 code
- and others
The development and assessment of the late-phase damage progression models in the current version (designated MOD3.2) of the SCDAP/RELAP5 code are described. The SCDAP/RELAP5 code is being developed at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory under the primary sponsorship of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to provide best-estimate transient simulations of light water reactor coolant systems (RCS) during severe accident conditions. Recent modeling improvements made to the MOD3.2 version of the code include (1) molten pool formation and heat up, including the transient start-up of natural circulation heat transfer, (2) in-core molten pool thermal-mechanical crust failure, (3) the melting and relocation of upper plenum structures, and (4) improvements in the modeling of lower plenum debris behavior and the potential for failure of the lower head. Finally, to eliminate abrupt transitions between core damage states and provide more realistic predictions of late phase accident progression phenomena, a transition smoothing methodology was developed and implemented that results in the calculation of a gradual transition from an intact core geometry through the different core damage states leading to molten pool formation. A wide range of experiments and modeling tools were used to assess the capabilities of MOD3.2. The results of the SCDAP/RELAP5/MOD3.2 assessment indicate that modeling improvements have significantly enhanced the code capabilities and performance in several areas compared to the earlier code version. New models for transition smoothing between core damage states, and modeling improvements/additions for cladding oxide failure, molten pool behavior, and molten pool crust failure have significantly improved the code usability for a wide range of applications and have significantly improved the prediction of hydrogen production, molten pool melt mass and core melt relocation time.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management, Washington, DC (United States); Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-94ID13223
- OSTI ID:
- 585010
- Report Number(s):
- INEEL/CON--97-01187; CONF-9705246--; ON: DE98052571
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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