Overview and outcomes of the OECD/NEA benchmark study of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Nagase, Fumihisa ; Gauntt, R. O.*; Naito, Masanori*

The OECD/NEA Benchmark Study of the Accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (BSAF) project was established in November 2012. The primary objectives of this benchmark study are to estimate accident progression and status inside the nuclear reactors, including fuel debris distribution, and consequently to contribute to the decommissioning activity at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Fifteen organizations of eight countries calculated thermo-hydraulic behavior inside the three reactors for the time span of about six days from the occurrence of the earthquake with their severe accident integral codes. The submitted results were compared on coolant level change, hydrogen generation, initiation and progression of melt in fuel bundle and control blade, failure of reactor pressure vessel, distribution and composition of molten and solidified materials, and progression of molten core concrete interaction. This issue summarizes the results of the comparison and discussion with still remaining uncertainties and data needs as the output from the project.