Supercritical water cooled reactor during LBLOCA

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the behavior of Supercritical Water Cooled Reactors (SCWR) during a Large Break Loss of Coolant Accident (LBLOCA). It highlights the rapid depressurization and the expected transition to two-phase flow, similar to a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR). The conversation identifies the lack of simulation tools, noting that TRACE and RELAP do not support SC correlations, while ATHLET uses the less precise Mokry correlation. The need for appropriate system codes like RELAP or VIPRE/RETRAN for accurate simulation is emphasized, along with references to relevant literature and resources.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor (SCWR) design principles
  • Familiarity with Large Break Loss of Coolant Accident (LBLOCA) scenarios
  • Knowledge of thermal-hydraulic simulation tools such as TRACE, RELAP, and ATHLET
  • Awareness of thermophysical properties of water at critical and supercritical conditions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the "Safety analysis code SCTRAN development for SCWR" for insights on SCWR safety analysis
  • Explore the Gen4 forum for published studies on SCWR simulations during LBLOCA
  • Investigate the thermophysical properties of water at supercritical conditions through academic resources
  • Learn about the capabilities and limitations of thermal-hydraulic codes like VIPRE and RETRAN
USEFUL FOR

Nuclear engineers, safety analysts, and researchers involved in the design and simulation of Supercritical Water Cooled Reactors, particularly those focused on safety analysis during LBLOCA scenarios.

Jock Flannigan
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Hello,

I was wondering, how would SCWR react during LB LOCA, mainly at the time of a break. There is fast depressurization of cource, but what will happen to reactivity in first few seconds after the break? I would expect to get a two-phase flow fairly soon and then it should be like a normal BWR.

The problem is, there not many tools that can simulate it (TRACE and RELAP do not have SC correlations and only ATHLET has Mokry correlation, which is not very precise).

Or if anyone has any good online materials on SCW, I would really appreciate it (old lectures from Unis etc).

Thanks!
 
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Ostensibly, a SCWR is designed to scram on a depressurization signal. To simulate a LBLOCA, one would need a system code like RELAP or VIPRE/RETRAN with the appropriate properties. I would image someone has done that. The question then is, has someone published such study? Perhaps in the Gen4 forum.

Meanwhile here are some properties - Thermophysical Properties at Critical and Supercritical Conditions
http://cdn.intechweb.org/pdfs/13204.pdf

http://www1.lsbu.ac.uk/water/supercritical_water.html

There is a paper "Safety analysis code SCTRAN development for SCWR and its application to CGNPC SCWR" in Annals of Nuclear Energy, but it requires purchase.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306454913000455

http://www.osti.gov/scitech/biblio/22107829