Analysis of Design Extension Conditions with Core Melt

Anuj Kumar Deo, P. K. Baburajan, R. S. Rao, S. P. Lakshmanan, U. K. Paul

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
Niyamak Bhavan, Anushakti Nagar
Mumbai – 400094
India

In Indian PHWRs, the sequence of LOCA initiated DECs with core melt is postulated with
large LOCA followed by Loss of ECCS (Emergency core cooling system) and moderator
cooling system. This may result in the core disassembly and debris formation at the calandria
vessel bottom. It is imperative to study the coolability/retention of the debris/corium in the
calandria vessel in the presence of the vault water as the only available heat sink. Various cases
are analysed with different initial debris temperature and initial time of the transient (decay
power).The effect of porosity, Zr oxidation and presence of gap between debris and inner
calandria vessel wall (gap conductance) are also analysed. Figure 1 shows the debris and vessel
temperature and Figure 2 shows the heat flux variation with time.
During a severe accident in a NPP involving core melt and vessel-failure, the molten
corium may fall in the cavity where it can react with the concrete basemat leading to the
phenomena known as Molten Corium Concrete Interaction (MCCI). Due to the decay heat of
the fission products, the un-cooled hot corium can cause ablation and decomposition of the
concrete and thus penetrate the wall of the basemat which may result in loss of containment
integrity. This may offer a potential route for release of radioactive materials to the soil and
into the environment. A simplified ASTEC model of a typical BWR containment has been
developed to study the effect of MCCI on containment. The mass, physical composition and
condition of the corium (debris introduced in ASTEC model) have been computed using the
RELAP/SCDAP code. Rate of generation of hydrogen and non-condensable gases are obtained
using ASTEC for postulated initiating event of LOCA with failure of ECCS. Figure 3 and 4
show the evolution of H2 and CO respectively.

Fig: 1 Debris and vessel temperature Fig: 2 Heat flux

 Dry well 1000 Dry well
Cavity Cavity
200 Suppression Pool Suppression Pool
Common Chamber 800 Common Chamber

Mass of CO (Kg)
Mass of H2 (Kg)

150
600

100
400

50
200

0 0
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 0 5000 10000 15000 20000
Time (s) Time (s)

Fig: 3 Evolution of Mass of H2 Fig: 4 Evolution of Mass of CO