Natural circulation cooling in US pressurized water reactors

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6959131

Berta, V T; Wilson, G E ^[1]; Boyack, B E ^[2]

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1. EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (USA)
2. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)

The research into the modes of, and heat removed by, natural circulation in PWR systems is reviewed for the purpose of determining the status of this method for off-nominal recovery procedures. The referenced information comes from all facets of the nuclear industry, both domestic and international. The information focuses on recent research (1986--1988); however, pre-1986 research is summarized and referenced. Particular attention is paid to the role of scaling in the experimental facilities and analytical tools. Three modes of natural-circulation cooling are covered: condensation. The conclusion of the review is that the new research reconfirms the pre-1986 conclusion that natural circulation is a viable means of decay heat removal. In addition, the new research sufficiently completes the acquisition of an appropriate experimental data base and the development of system codes to permit the design of valid plant recovery procedures incorporating all three modes of natural circulation. 48 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.

• Research Organization: EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: NRC
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570; W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6959131
• Report Number(s): EGG-M-89008; CONF-891208--30; ON: DE90009763
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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