SIMMER-III and SIMMER-IV; Computer codes for LMFR core disruptive accident analysis

近藤 悟; 飛田 吉春*; 守田 幸路*; 神山 健司; 山野 秀将; 鈴木 徹*; 田上 浩孝; 曽我部 丞司; 石田 真也

JAEA-Research 2024-008, 235 Pages, 2024/10

JAEA-Research-2024-008.pdf:4.77MB

日本原子力研究開発機構が開発したSIMMER-III及びSIMMER-IVは、2次元/3次元、多速度場、多成分流体力学モデルを空間・時間依存の核動特性モデルと結合した計算コードであり、液体金属高速炉の炉心崩壊事故の解析に広く利用されている。従来コードに対して次のような高度化したモデルが採用されている。すなわち、安定かつ頑健な流体力学アルゴリズム、最大8までの多速度場モデル、構造材及び多相流幾何形状の取扱いの改善、熱及び質量移行過程の包括的取扱い、高精度の状態方程式、高精度かつ高効率の中性子束計算モデル、崩壊熱モデルなどである。本報告書ではSIMMER-III及びSIMMER-IVのモデル及び解法の詳細を記述する。別途詳細が報告されている個別モデルについてはその概要をまとめる。なお、コードの検証及び妥当性確認についてはすでに報告済みである。

Study on heat transfer behavior of a rectangular particle bed with volumetric heating

Wen, J.*; 鎌田 悠斗*; 横山 貢成*; 松元 達也*; Liu, W.*; 守田 幸路*; 今泉 悠也; 田上 浩孝; 松場 賢一; 神山 健司

Proceedings of 31st International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE31) (Internet), 8 Pages, 2024/08

To investigate the coolability of fuel debris bed immersed in molten steel, a rectangular experimental system was built in which the particle bed was volumetrically heated via direct current heating. The experimental apparatus consists of a particle bed immersed in water and a water pool above it, which simulate disrupted solid fuel and molten steel, respectively. Computer code simulations with reactor safety analysis code SIMMER-IV were performed to help understanding the heat transfer characteristics and to validate the applicability of the newly embedded momentum exchange function (MXF) models. Under the current experimental conditions, some key parameters like the particle bed average temperature, water pool average temperature, and temperature difference between the bed and the pool were evaluated to compare with the simulation results. The comparison results showed the most applicable MXF model under the current experimental conditions, and the analysis with it well reproduced the phenomena which was observed in the experiments.

SIMMER-IV application to safety assessment of severe accident in a small SFR

田上 浩孝; 飛田 吉春

Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 56(3), p.873 - 879, 2024/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2023.10.021

SFR炉心はsevere accidentを仮定した場合、炉心物質分布の変化を通じて、結果として発生するエネルギーが安全上重要となる。本論文では、3次元の時空間依存核計算と混相の熱流動計算をカップリングしたSIMMER-IVコードを用いて小型SFRのULOFの安全解析を実施した。このカップリングにより、SIMMER-IVコードは、ULOFの遷移過程における炉心損傷の拡大挙動と反応度への影響の計算に適用可能である。SIMMER-IVによる遷移過程解析ではいくつかの保守的な想定を行った。燃料挙動による反応度上昇の重要なメカニズムの一つは燃料と冷却材の接触(FCI)で発生するナトリウム蒸気圧であり、FCIに関わる不確かさを非常に保守的に想定した感度解析も実施した。この研究から、小型SFRのULOFの特徴が理解された。保守的な想定のもとでは臨界の発生はもっともらしい現象ではあるが、この時に発生するエネルギーは限定的である。

SIMMER-Vコードの詳細燃料ピンモデルの開発と検証

石田 真也; 田上 浩孝; 飛田 吉春; 岡野 靖; 山野 秀将; 久保 重信

第27回動力・エネルギー技術シンポジウム講演論文集(インターネット), 5 Pages, 2023/09

ナトリウム冷却高速炉の炉心損傷事故(CDA)の評価に際し、CDAの起因過程から遷移過程までの一貫解析を可能とするとともに多様な炉心にも適用できるようにするため、日仏協力のもとでSIMMER-Vの開発を進めている。本研究ではこの開発の中心となる詳細燃料ピンモデルを開発し、一貫解析に必要な事故の開始から燃料ピンの破損までの燃料ピンの挙動の模擬を可能とした。加えて、詳細燃料ピンモデルを構成する各種モデルの検証を行い、高速炉の安全評価ツールとしての信頼性を向上させた。

Numerical simulation on self-leveling behavior of mixed particle beds using multi-fluid model coupled with DEM

Phan, L. H. S.*; 大原 陽平*; 河田 凌*; Liu, X.*; Liu, W.*; 守田 幸路*; Guo, L.*; 神山 健司; 田上 浩孝

Proceedings of 12th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal-Hydraulics, Operation and Safety (NUTHOS-12) (USB Flash Drive), 12 Pages, 2018/10

燃料デブリベッドの自己平坦化挙動は、ナトリウム冷却高速炉(SFR)での炉心崩壊事故(CDA)の安全評価における主要現象の1つである。SIMMERコードはSFRのCDA解析のために開発され、安全評価のみならずCDA時の主要な伝熱流動現象の数値解析に適切に適用されてきた。しかしながら、SIMMERの流体モデルは、個々の粒子特性のみならず、粒子間の強い相互作用を表現することは困難である。この問題を解決するため、SIMMERの多流体モデルと粒子に対する個別要素法(DEM)とを結合させた新しい手法を開発し、多相流における流体と粒子との相互作用および粒子挙動を適切に評価することを試みてきた。本研究では、DEMと結合したSIMMERコードの多流体モデルを検証するため、円筒状の粒子ベッドにガスを吹き込んだ自己平坦化試験シリーズの数値シミュレーションを行った。さらに検証を進める必要があるが、シミュレーション結果と試験結果とは適切に一致し、デブリベッドの自己平坦化を評価する手法としての潜在的な可能性を示した。DEMと結合したSIMMERコードは、SFRで粒子ベッドに関する安全評価のための次世代の計算手法として期待される。

Experimental study on debris bed characteristics for the sedimentation behavior of solid particles used as simulant debris

Shamsuzzaman, M.*; 堀江 達郎*; 浮池 亮太*; 神山 基紀*; 森岡 徹*; 松元 達也*; 守田 幸路*; 田上 浩孝; 鈴木 徹*; 飛田 吉春

Annals of Nuclear Energy, 111, p.474 - 486, 2018/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2017.09.011

Particle bed characteristics are experimentally investigated for the sedimentation and subsequent bed formation of solid particles, related to the coolability aspects in core-disruptive accidents. Presently a series of experiments with gravity driven discharge of solid particles into a quiescent water pool was performed to evaluate bed formation characteristic in the course of particle sedimentation. We evaluated the effects of the crucial factors: nozzle diameter, particle density, particle diameter and nozzle height on four key quantitative parameters of bed shape: mound dimple area, mound dimple volume, repose angle and mound height to illustrate the role of the crucial factors on forming the particle bed shape. The investigated crucial factors exhibit a significant role that diversifies the particle bed formation process. Based on the data obtained in the experimental observations, we developed an empirical correlation to compare the predicted results with the experimental bed heights. The proposed empirical correlation can reasonably demonstrate the general trend of the experimental bed height. This correlation could be useful to assess the particle bed elevation, and to identify the governing parameters.

A Preliminary evaluation of unprotected loss-of-flow accident for a prototype fast-breeder reactor

鈴木 徹; 飛田 吉春; 川田 賢一; 田上 浩孝; 曽我部 丞司; 松場 賢一; 伊藤 啓; 大島 宏之

Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 47(3), p.240 - 252, 2015/04

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.net.2015.03.001

In the original licensing application for the prototype fast-breeder reactor, MONJU, the event progression during an unprotected loss-of-flow (ULOF), which is one of the technically inconceivable events postulated beyond design basis, was evaluated. Through this evaluation, it was confirmed that radiological consequences could be suitably limited even if mechanical energy was released. Following the Fukushima-Daiichi accident, a new nuclear safety regulation has become effective in Japan. The conformity of MONJU to this new regulation should hence be investigated. The objectives of the present study are to conduct a preliminary evaluation of ULOF for MONJU, reflecting the knowledge obtained after the original licensing application through CABRI experiments and EAGLE projects, and to gain the prospect of In-Vessel Retention (IVR) for the conformity of MONJU to the new regulation. The preliminary evaluation in the present study showed that no significant mechanical energy release would take place, and that thermal failure of the reactor vessel could be avoided by the stable cooling of disrupted-core materials. This result suggests that the prospect of IVR against ULOF, which lies within the bounds of the original licensing evaluation and conforms to the new nuclear safety regulation, will be gained.

An Investigation on debris bed self-leveling behavior with non-spherical particles

Cheng, S.; 田上 浩孝; 山野 秀将; 鈴木 徹; 飛田 吉春; 竹田 祥平*; 西 津平*; 錦戸 達也*; Zhang, B.*; 松元 達也*; et al.

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 51(9), p.1096 - 1106, 2014/09

AA2013-0303.pdf:1.68MB

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2014.910478

Studies on debris bed self-leveling behavior with non-spherical particles are crucial in the assessment of actual leveling behavior that could occur in core disruptive accident of sodium-cooled fast reactors. Although in our previous publications, a simple empirical model (based model), with its wide applicability confirmed over various experimental conditions, has been successfully advanced to predict the transient leveling behavior, up until now this model is restricted to calculations of debris bed of spherical particles. Focusing on this aspect, in this study a series of experiments using non-spherical particles was performed within a recently-developed comparatively larger-scale experimental facility. Based on the knowledge and data obtained, an extension scheme is suggested with the intention to extend the base model to cover the particle-shape influence. Through detailed analyses, it is found that by coupling this scheme, good agreement between experimental and predicted results can be achieved for both spherical and non-spherical particles given current range of experimental conditions.

Safety evaluation of prototype fast-breeder reactor; Analysis of ULOF accident to demonstrate in-vessel retention

鈴木 徹; 飛田 吉春; 川田 賢一; 田上 浩孝; 曽我部 丞司; 伊藤 啓

Proceedings of 22nd International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-22) (DVD-ROM), 10 Pages, 2014/07

https://doi.org/10.1115/ICONE22-30604

In the original licensing application for the prototype fast-breeder reactor, MONJU, the event progression during an unprotected loss-of-flow (ULOF), which is one of the technically inconceivable events postulated beyond design basis, was evaluated. Through this evaluation, it was confirmed that radiological consequences could be suitably limited even if mechanical energy was released. Following the Fukushima-Daiichi accident, a new nuclear safety regulation has become effective in Japan. The conformity of MONJU to this new regulation, hence, should be investigated. The objectives of the present study are to conduct a preliminary evaluation of ULOF for MONJU reflecting the knowledge newly obtained after the original licensing application, and to gain the prospect of In-Vessel Retention (IVR) for the conformity of MONJU to the new regulation. The preliminary evaluation in the present study showed that no significant mechanical energy release would take place, and that thermal failure of the reactor vessel could be avoided by the stable cooling of disrupted-core materials. This result suggests that the prospect of IVR against ULOF, which lies within the bounds of the original licensing evaluation and conforms to the new nuclear safety regulation, will be gained.

Evaluation of debris bed self-leveling behavior; A Simple empirical approach and its validations

Cheng, S.; 田上 浩孝; 山野 秀将; 鈴木 徹; 飛田 吉春; Zhang, B.*; 松元 達也*; 守田 幸路*

Annals of Nuclear Energy, 63, p.188 - 198, 2014/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2013.07.050

To clarify the mechanisms underlying the debris bed self-leveling behavior, several series of experiments were elaborately designed and conducted in recent years under the constructive collaboration between Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and Kyushu University (Japan). Based on the experimental observations and quantitative data obtained from various conditions, a simple empirical approach to predict the self-leveling development depending on particle size, particle density and gas velocity was proposed. To confirm the rationality and wide applicability of this approach, over the past few years extensive efforts have been made by performing modeling investigations against a large number of experimental data covering various conditions (including difference in bubbling mode, bed geometry and range of experimental parameters). The present contribution synthesizes these efforts and gives detailed comparative analyses of the performed validations, thus, providing some insight for a better understanding of CDAs and improved verifications of computer models developed in advanced fast reactor safety analysis codes.