Full scope 3D analysis of a VVER-1000 containment pressurization during a LB-LOCA by employing AutoCAD and GOTHIC code

Kanik, Muhammet Enis; Noori-kalkhoran, Omid; Fernández-Cosials, Kevin; Gei, Massimiliano

doi:10.1016/j.pnucene.2022.104376

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…These figures can depict an overall picture of the hydrogen distribution during the LB-LOCA. The selected compartments are namely, control volumes 8, 9, 23, 25, and 28 in these figures (the same as in our previous TH evaluation study [22]). The figures include four data sets of simulation outputs, namely, the GOTHIC model without PAR installation, FSAR without PAR installation, and GOTHIC and FSAR models with PARs installed.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this study, the previously validated VVER-1000/V446 containment model in the investigation of its thermal-hydraulic response during an LB-LOCA [22] was modified to a great extent to simulate hydrogen distribution following the accident by using the 3D capability of GOTHIC code. After assessing the hydrogen concentration throughout the containment, 80 PAR units were installed to evaluate the performance of the hydrogen removal system inside the containment on keeping the hydrogen concentration below the flammability limit during the postulated accident scenario which was assumed as a design basis accident (DBA).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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3D Analysis of Hydrogen Distribution and Its Mitigation Using Passive Autocatalytic Recombiners (PARs) Inside VVER-1000 Containment

Kanik,

Noori-kalkhoran,

Fernández-Cosials

et al. 2023

Energies

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Hydrogen is a flammable gas that can generate thermal and mechanical loads which could jeopardise the containment integrity upon combustion inside nuclear power plants containment. Hydrogen can be generated from various sources and disperses into the containment atmosphere, mixing with steam and air following a loss of coolant accident and its progression. Therefore, the volumetric hydrogen concentration should be examined within the containment to determine whether a flammable mixture is formed or not. Codes with 3D capabilities could serve this examination by providing detailed contours/maps of the hydrogen distribution inside containment in view of the local stratification phenomenon. In this study, a 3D VVER-1000 as-built containment model was sketched in AutoCAD and then processed into GOTHIC nuclear containment analysis code for hydrogen evaluation. The model was modified to a great extent by installing 80 passive autocatalytic recombiners and locating hydrogen sources to evaluate the performance of the hydrogen removal system inside the containment on maintaining the hydrogen concentration below the flammability limit during a large break loss of coolant accident. 2D profiles and 3D contours of volumetric hydrogen concentration with and without PARs are presented as the simulation outcome of this study. The results were validated against the results of the Final Safety Analysis Report, which also demonstrates the effectiveness of the hydrogen removal system as an engineered safety feature to keep the containment within a safe margin. Detailed 3D contours of hydrogen distribution inside containment can be employed to evaluate the local hot spots of hydrogen, rearranging and optimising the number and location of PARs to avoid the hydrogen explosion inside containment.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%