Design criteria and concepts for vented containment systems

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6884468

Walling, H. C.; Benjamin, A. S.; Cybulskis, P.

Accident sequences from WASH-1400 were selected and analyzed with the MARCH/CORRAL code to provide an envelope of design conditions. The time-dependent pressures and temperatures in containment were calculated as were the concentrations of steam, noncondensible gases, and airborne fission products in the containment atmosphere. The phenomenon found to be most challenging to containment integrity was a pressure spike resulting from rapid steam generation and/or hydrogen burning. The peak pressures in some sequences exceed the likely failure pressure. Conceptual designs were developed for preserving containment integrity. These include containment pressure relief or depressurization with various venting rates. Anticipatory venting, venting to the atmosphere, venting to a separate building, and venting followed by recirculation back into containment are considered. The effects of these schemes on the important system parameters were identified. The advantages and disadvantages of alternative schemes and their implications for the design of filtration equipment are discussed. For each venting strategy several levels of filtering effectiveness were considered. The simplest option developed is a once-through gravel-filled suppression pool. More sophisticated options involved sand filters, molecular sieves, charcoal adsorbers and HEPA filters. Results of accident consequence calculations using the CRAC code indicate the relatively simple options can provide substantial reductions in consequences of certain accident sequences. 12 figures.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA); Battelle Columbus Labs., OH (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6884468
• Report Number(s): SAND-80-2396C; CONF-801038-8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ACCIDENTS
AIR CLEANING
AIR FILTERS
BWR TYPE REACTORS
CLEANING
CONTAINMENT
CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DESIGN
ENGINEERED SAFETY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FILTERS
FILTRATION
FLOW REGULATORS
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
PRESSURE RELEASE
PWR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTORS
RELIEF VALVES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
VALVES
VENTS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS