Dynamic simulation of accidental closure of intermediate heat exchanger isolation valve in a pool type LMFBR

In a pool type liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor (LMFBR), core and other internals such as pumps, heat exchangers are immersed in a pool of sodium. Heat exchange from primary sodium circuit (pool) to secondary sodium circuit (loop) is through four intermediate heat exchangers (IHX) immersed in primary sodium pool. Each IHX is provided with a sleeve valve at its primary sodium inlet window for the purpose of isolating the shell side of IHX from the sodium pool. With such a provision, an inadvertent partial or complete closure of a sleeve valve of one of the IHX during normal operation of the reactor has been considered as a design basis event for the reactor. One dimensional transient thermal hydraulic models of the primary and secondary sodium circuits have been developed to study the thermal hydraulic consequences of such an event. The main areas of concern in the plant and the availability of safety parameters for the detection of the event have been evaluated.

Research highlights► Thermal hydraulic analysis closure of sleeve valve in the primary circuit of FBR is discussed. ► Numerical modeling of hydraulics in the primary and secondary sodium circuits is presented. ► Aspects related to event management are discussed.