Simulation of nuclear power plant pressurizers with application to an inherently safe reactor

Abstract

Pressurizer modeling for predicting the dynamic pressure of the PIUS system is presented. The transient behavior of this model for the PIUS system was investigated. The validity of this model for the PIUS system is limited to transients that are neither too large nor too long in duration. For example, the model is not capable of describing events following a complete loss of liquid for the pressurizer. However, the model can be used for qualitative prediction of the PIUS system behavior for a wide variety of severe transients. A review of pressurizer modeling indicates that the neglecting of the change in the internal energy of the subcooled water during transients is an acceptable assumption. The inherently safe feature of the PIUS system was confirmed through the self-shutdown of the reactor or, in some cases, through reactor power reduction as a result of the ingress of the pool boric acid solution into the primary system. This dynamic model was constructed of three major components: (1) The primary loop, (2) The secondary loop, and (3) The natural convection loop through the pool. A lumped parameter model, uniform heat transfer, and point kinetics have been the main approximations in this model. Other approximations are mentioned during the modeling of each component of the model. The dynamic model was simulated using the DARE-P continuous system simulation language which was developed in the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Arizona.