A Study of air ingress and its prevention in HTGR

Yan, X.; Takeda, Tetsuaki; Nishihara, Tetsuo ; Ohashi, Kazutaka; Kunitomi, Kazuhiko ; Tsuji, Nobumasa*

A rupture of primary piping in HTGR represents a design basis event. In such a loss of coolant event a safety issue remains graphite oxidation damage to fuel and core should major air ingress take place through the breached primary boundary. The present study deals with the two most probable cases of air ingress. The first results from rupture of a standpipe. A design change proposed in the vessel top structure intends to rule out any probability of a standpipe rupture. The feasibility of the modified structure is evaluated. The second case results from rupture of a main coolant pipe. Experiment and analysis are performed to gain understanding of the multi-phased air ingress phenomena and accordingly a new mechanism of sustained counter-air diffusion is proposed that is fully passive and effective in preventing major air ingress in the event of main coolant pipe rupture. The results of the present study may lead to improved safety and economic design of the HTGR.