Lumped parameter model for the safety assessment of the IAEA 10MW benchmark reactor during a protected loss of flow accident

Abstract

The loss of flow accident in the IAEA 10Mw benchmark reactor is treated in this study through a coupled solution of the point kinetic and thermal hydraulic models. By employing the lumped parameter technic, a one-dimensional thermal hydraulic model is derived and solved beside the point kinetic model with the continuous reactivity feedback effect of the coolant and fuel temperatures. This coupled solution, allows us, to determine, the transient variation of the maximum fuel and coolant temperatures, furthermore, to the safety criteria (ONBR, OFIR, CHFR and BOR) which must be greater than the imposed safety limits, to avoid any nuclear reactor safety issue. Finally, the obtained results of our simulation were validated after a satisfactory comparison with the results of other codes system and developed computer codes.