Safety evaluation of self actuated shutdown system for Gen-IV SFR

Saito, Hiroyuki*; Yamada, Yumi*; Oyama, Kazuhiro*; Matsunaga, Shoko*; Yamano, Hidemasa   ; Kubo, Shigenobu 

A self-actuated shutdown system (SASS) is a passive device, which can detach a control rod for reactor shutdown in response to excessive increase in coolant temperature. Since a detachment temperature, which triggers release of a control rod, and a response time are identified as important parameters for validity analyses, this study focused on investigation of the response time and the detachment temperature, and safety analysis to see feasibility of the SASS in low power. For this purpose, design modifications were made to shorten the response time and three-dimensional thermal-hydraulic analysis in a low power operation was carried out in order to confirm the response time. The resulting detachment temperature level is lower than previous studies, leading to improved safety parameters. Based on improved parameters, a safety analysis to see feasibility of the SASS in low power was carried out. From this safety evaluation, it was confirmed that core damage can be prevented by the SASS with flow collector in the case of LOF type ATWS event.