Analysis methodologies for the evaluation of ATWS accident on SFR in JAEA; Mechanical consequences during expansion phase of the accident

Onoda, Yuichi ; Tobita, Yoshiharu; Okano, Yasushi

The analysis methodologies for the evaluation of unprotected loss of flow accident on sodium-cooled fast reactor in Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) are briefly explained focusing on the mechanical consequences during expansion phase of the accident. JAEA developed the analysis methodologies for the evaluation of energetics and divided the analysis process into following three: 1) analysis of converting the heat generated into the mechanical energy with SIMMER code, 2) analysis of the structural response of the reactor vessel with AUTODYN code, and 3) analysis of the amount of sodium ejected onto the top shield through the gaps between shield plugs with PLUG code. Pressure-volume relation of the CDA bubble, which is the mixture of gas (fuel, steel vapor and fission gas) and molten core material, obtained by SIMMER calculation is used as the input for structural response analysis with AUTODYN. Pressure history exerted on the lower surface of the top shield obtained by SIMMER calculation is used as the input for PLUG. These analysis codes are validated by simulating the dominant phenomena that significantly affect the results in each calculation. We applied these analysis methodologies developed by JAEA to the reactor case analyses and confirmed their applicability.