Plant dynamics evaluation of a MONJU ex-vessel fuel storage system during a station blackout

Mori, Takero ; Sotsu, Masutake ; Honda, Kei; Suzuki, Satoshi*; Ohira, Hiroaki

The prototype fast breeder reactor "MONJU" has an ex-vessel fuel storage system which consists mainly of an ex-vessel fuel storage tank (EVST) and an EVST sodium cooling system. EVST sodium cooling system consists of three independent loops. In this study, an analysis and evaluation of the plant dynamics for the spent fuel and the EVSS structural integrity during an station blackout (SBO) were performed. When the number of cooling loops was not changed and natural circulation occurred in only two loops, the sodium temperature in the EVST increased to approximately 450C. However, the structural integrity of the EVSS was maintained. The analytical results, therefore, help clarify the number of necessary cooling loops for efficient decay heat removal and sodium temperature behavior in an SBO.