A study on the minimum steam cooling pressure of EOP for BWR power plants

The minimum steam cooling pressure (MSCP) is an important parameter for safe operation of boiling water reactor (BWR)-type nuclear power plant for the anticipated transient without scram (ATWS) scenario with reactor pressure vessel (RPV) water level unknown. Under such situation, the operator is requested to open the safety/relief valves (SRVs) and control the RPV pressure slightly above the MSCP so that adequate core cooling can be maintained. It is derived based on steam cooling strategy.The MSCP, defined to be the lowest RPV pressure at which the covered portion of the core, is capable of generating sufficient steam to preclude peak cladding temperature (PCT) in the uncovered portion of the core from exceeding 1088 K (1500 °F). It is calculated by two parameters – (1) the minimum bundle steam flow (Wg-1500) to maintain PCT < 1088 K (1500 °F) and (2) the number of SRVs available for opening.For current emergency operating procedure (EOP), only one set of MSCP derived based on one value of Wg-1500 for the ATWS condition. Furthermore, it is derived based on decay power of 2.2% rated power. Thus, the current MSCP used for the ATWS accident scenarios was deemed inadequate. The purpose of this paper (work) is to study the MSCP used in the ATWS conditions. For case of ATWS of 13% full power, controlling RPV pressure at MSCP of current approach ends up with core melt. The Wg-1500 is suggested to be replaced by the steam generation rate at minimum steam cooling RPV water level (MSCRWL), which is a function of power level. Simulation result indicates controlling RPV pressure at MSCP is equivalent to controlling the RPV water level at MSCRWL. The revised MSCP is dependent on the ATWS power level.

► Only one set of MSCP derived based on one value of Wg-1500 for the ATWS condition in current EOP.
► The current MSCP used for the ATWS accident scenarios was deemed inadequate.
► The purpose of this study is to study the MSCP used in the ATWS conditions.
► The Wg-1500 is suggested to be replaced by the steam generation rate at MSCRWL.
► Simulation result indicates controlling RPV pressure at MSCP is equivalent to controlling the RPV water level at MSCRWL.