Concept of transfer functions for a nuclear reactor; Notion de fonction de transfert pour un reacteur nucleaire

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dalfes, Abdi [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires. Departement d' Electronique Generale, Service d' Electronique des Reacteurs

1966-07-01

The solution to the correlation equations are expressed in terms of the eigenvalues and Eigen-matrices of the transport operator, for a subcritical zero power reactor. This allows to define, for each point of the reactor and for detectors detecting neutrons of given velocities, correlation and transfer functions driven by the same white-noise source. A precise meaning is also given to the importance operator, which is the adjoin of the transport operator. (author) [French] La solution des equations regissant les matrices de correlation est exprimee en fonction des valeurs et matrices propres de l'operateur de transport pour un reacteur sous-critique et de puissance nulle. Ceci permet de definir, en chaque point du reacteur et pour des detecteurs repondant a des neutrons de vitesse definie, des fonctions de correlation et de transfert dont les entrees sont attaquees par une meme source de bruit blanc. Le role joue par l'operateur importance, adjoint de l'operateur de transport, est aussi precise. (auteur)

Economic aspects of electricity and industrial heat generating reactors; Aspect economique des reacteurs produisant de l'electricite et de la chaleur industrielle

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gaussens, J; Moulle, N; Dutheil, F [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Aldebert, J [Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucleaires (INSTN), CEA Saclay, 91 - Gif sur Yvette (France)

1964-07-01

The economic advantage of electricity-generating nuclear stations decreases when their size decreases. However, when a counter-pressure turbine is joined on to a reactor and the residual heat can be properly used, it can be shown that fairly low capacity nuclear equipment may compete with conventional equipment under certain realistic enough conditions. The aim of this paper is to define these special conditions under which nuclear energy can be profitable. They are connected with the location and the general economic environment of the station, the pattern of the electricity and heat demands it must meet, the level of fuel and specific capital costs, nuclear and conventional. These conditions entail certain technical and economic specifications for the reactors used in this way otherwise they are unlikely to be competitive. In addition, these results are referred to the potential steam and electricity market, which leads us to examine certain uses for the heat generated by double purpose power stations; for example, to supply combined industrial plants, various types of town heating and for removal of salt from sea water. (authors) [French] L'interet economique de centrales nucleaires productrices d'electricite decroit lorsque la puissance decroit. Cependant, lorsqu'on associe une turbine a contrepression a un reacteur et qu'il est possible d'utiliser dans de bonnes conditions la chaleur residuelle, on peut montrer que dans certaines conditions assez realistes, des equipements nucleaires d'une puissance unitaire peu elevee peuvent etre competitifs avec des equipements conventionnels. Cette communication a donc pour but de mettre en evidence quelles sont ces conditions particulieres de rentabilite de l'energie nucleaire. Elles sont liees a la localisation de la centrale et a son contexte economique general, a la structure de la demande d'energie electrique et thermique a laquelle elle doit satisfaire, au niveau des couts des combustibles et des investissements

Possibilities and limitations of analogue methods for studying the dynamics of nuclear power stations; Possibilites et limitations du calcul analogique pour les etudes dynamiques de centrales nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Caillet, C; Deat, M [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1958-07-01

1. Introduction: the present paper is devoted to analog simulation of problems related to nuclear reactors other than the simulation of the kinetic equations which is well known. 2. Thermodynamic problems: various problems relative to temperature evolution in a reactor, in a pipe, in an exchanger, in a turbine, are studied, and simulation techniques used by earlier authors are critically reviewed. 3. Pipe simulators: it is shown that this problem can be solved by the use of specialized simulators which will be described and analysed. 4. Rotating machine simulators: the particular aspect of rotating machine calculations introducing frequent use of diagrams is emphasized. A simulator requiring both digital and analogue methods is described. 5. The study of a nuclear power station: as an example it is proposed to discuss problems a rising in connection with the preceding elements (a, b, c, d) when simulating the behaviour of large nuclear plants. The part played by ordinary computing elements for the simulation of the different servomechanism transfer functions is considered and process of regulation is outlined. 6. Conclusion: the necessity of the use of high quality simulators and computers is underlined and the accuracy of the solutions is discussed. (author)Fren. [French] 1. Cinetique des reacteurs: la simulation des equations cinetiques d'un reacteur nucleaire ne pose desormais plus de probleme. II est donc possible de faire le point des differentes applications de la technique analogique dans ce domaine. 2. Les problemes thermodynamiques: on discute les differents problemes poses par l'evolution des temperatures dans un reacteur, dans une tuyauterie, dans un echangeur, dans une turbine, et on passe en revue les techniques de simulation proposees jusqu'a ce jour. 3s simulateurs de tuyauteries: on montre comment les differents problemes poses ci-dessus peuvent etre resolus, pour une classe tres vaste de reacteurs par l'emploi de simulateurs speciaux que l

The Pegase reactor loops; Les boucles du reacteur Pegase

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1968-07-01

After 4 years operation, experimentation and maintenance of the gas loops built especially for the nuclear fuel testing reactor Pegase, it appears desirable not only to gather together in a single document the essential characteristics and particularities of these devices and of their associated equipment, but also to give the reasons for the technical modifications and the way in which they were carried out; this is done here by the persons themselves who were responsible, day after day, for operating these loops. This essentially practically experience thus complements the careful research and preliminary testing carried out on these loops or on their prototypes. It should be of interest to those who deal with problems concerned with the design or operation of irradiation loops in experimental reactors or of similar equipment. (authors) [French] Apres 4 annees de fonctionnement, d'experimentation et d'entretien sur les boucles a gaz, construites specialement pour le reacteur d'essai des combustibles nucleaires Pegase, il a paru souhaitable non seulement de rassembler dans un meme document les caracteristiques et les particularites essentielles de ces dispositifs et des appareillages qui leur sont associes, mais aussi d'y preciser les raisons et les modalites des mises au point techniques, apportees par ceux qui, jour apres jour pendant cette periode, ont eu la charge de mettre en oeuvre ces boucles. Cette experience essentiellement pratique complete donc les etudes minutieuses et les essais preliminaires de ces boucles ou de leurs prototypes. Elle doit etre de quelque interet pour ceux qui sont confrontes aux problemes de conception ou d'exploitation de boucles d'irradiation dans des reacteurs experimentaux ou des dispositifs analogues. (auteurs)

Economic aspects of electricity and industrial heat generating reactors; Aspect economique des reacteurs produisant de l'electricite et de la chaleur industrielle

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gaussens, J.; Moulle, N.; Dutheil, F. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Aldebert, J. [Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucleaires (INSTN), CEA Saclay, 91 - Gif sur Yvette (France)

1964-07-01

The economic advantage of electricity-generating nuclear stations decreases when their size decreases. However, when a counter-pressure turbine is joined on to a reactor and the residual heat can be properly used, it can be shown that fairly low capacity nuclear equipment may compete with conventional equipment under certain realistic enough conditions. The aim of this paper is to define these special conditions under which nuclear energy can be profitable. They are connected with the location and the general economic environment of the station, the pattern of the electricity and heat demands it must meet, the level of fuel and specific capital costs, nuclear and conventional. These conditions entail certain technical and economic specifications for the reactors used in this way otherwise they are unlikely to be competitive. In addition, these results are referred to the potential steam and electricity market, which leads us to examine certain uses for the heat generated by double purpose power stations; for example, to supply combined industrial plants, various types of town heating and for removal of salt from sea water. (authors) [French] L'interet economique de centrales nucleaires productrices d'electricite decroit lorsque la puissance decroit. Cependant, lorsqu'on associe une turbine a contrepression a un reacteur et qu'il est possible d'utiliser dans de bonnes conditions la chaleur residuelle, on peut montrer que dans certaines conditions assez realistes, des equipements nucleaires d'une puissance unitaire peu elevee peuvent etre competitifs avec des equipements conventionnels. Cette communication a donc pour but de mettre en evidence quelles sont ces conditions particulieres de rentabilite de l'energie nucleaire. Elles sont liees a la localisation de la centrale et a son contexte economique general, a la structure de la demande d'energie electrique et thermique a laquelle elle doit satisfaire, au niveau des couts des

Problems related with the power regulation of reactors by physico-chemical methods, and the behaviour of water and heavy water in nuclear reactors; Comportement de l'eau et de l'eau lourde dans les reacteurs nucleaires et problemes de la regulation de puissance par voie physico-chimique

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dolle, L; Conan, D; Dirian, G [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

Experience of the CEA heavy water reactors and a systematic study of the radiolytic decomposition of water in the core of swimming-pool reactors are described. Setting up of reactivity control by physico-chemical methods. Reactivity control by homogeneous poisoning of the reactor A comparison of the evolution of xenon poisoning with the residual anti reactivity of the poison in solution during its nuclear consumption establishes the programme which must govern the variation in its concentration if the exact compensation is to be produced The behaviour of the poison towards the reactor materials under the particular operational conditions must be taken into account. Radiolytic decomposition of water in the reactors in the presence of soluble poisons: A study of the effect of certain chemically inert salts, present in small concentrations in the water, on its radiolytic decomposition rate, has led to some new results which are discussed. The choice of a soluble poison is justified on the basis of the above results. Reactivity control by the use of a gaseous absorbent The use of a gas control rod circuit for compensation purposes, in place of solid control rods is described. The use of soluble poisons in the moderator to compensate the xenon effect, and of a gaseous absorbent in a circuit known as a gas control rod form original aspects of the reactivity control in the reactor EL 4. (authors) [French] L'observation du comportement de l'eau et de l'eau lourde dans les reacteurs en exploitation, contribue au fonctionnement sur de ceux-ci et oriente certaines etudes relatives aux techniques de controle de la reactivite par mise en oeuvre de poisons solubles. L'utilisation de poisons nucleaires dissous dans l'eau du reacteur entraine une pollution chimique de celle-ci. Les conditions d'emploi permettant d'eviter les effets indesirables de cette pollution sont etudiees. Les problemes analytiques - bien qu'importants - ne sont pas abordes dans le cadre de la communication

Considerations concerning the reliability of reactor safety equipment; Considerations sur la fiabilite des ensembles de securite de reacteurs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Furet, J; Guyot, Ch [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1967-07-01

A review is made of the circumstances which favor a good collection of maintenance data at the C.E.A. The large amount of data to be treated has made necessary the use of a computer for analyzing automatically the results collected. Here, only particular aspects of the reliability from the point of view of the electronics used for nuclear reactor control will be dealt with: sale and unsafe failures; probability of survival (in the case of reactor safety); availability. The general diagrams of the safety assemblies which have been drawn up for two types of reactor (power reactor and low power experimental reactor) are given. Results are presented of reliability analysis which could be applied to the use of functional modular elements, developed industrially in France. Improvement of this reliability appears to be fairly limited by an increase in the redundancy; on the other hand it is shown how it may be very markedly improved by the use of automatic tests with different frequencies for detecting unsafe failures rates of measurements for the sub-assemblies and for the logic sub-assemblies. Finally examples are given to show the incidence of the complexity and of the use of different technologies in reactor safety equipment on the reliability. (authors) [French] On rappelle les circonstances qui favorisent au C.E.A. la collecte d'une information valable des resultats de la maintenance. L'importance des donnees a traiter a rendu necessaire l'utilisation d'une calculatrice poux l'analyse automatique des resultats recueillis. On se limitera ici aux aspects particuliers de la fiabilite du point de vue de l'electronique pour le controle et la commande de reacteurs nucleaires: pannes sures et pannes non sures; probabilite de survie dans le cas de la securite des reacteurs; facteur de disponibilite. Les schemas de principe des ensembles de securite definis pour deux types de reacteurs (reacteur de puissance et reacteur experimental de faible puissance) sont indiques. On

Fluctuations in a system depending on several random parameters. Application to reactors (1962); Fluctuations d'un systeme dependant de plusieurs parametres aleatoires. Application aux reacteurs nucleaires (1962)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Blaquiere, A [Faculte des Sciences de Paris, 75 (France); Pachowska, R [Universite Technique de Varsovie (Poland)

1962-07-01

We have previously developed a method for studying neutronic fluctuations in nuclear reactors using the analogy between the behaviour of a reactor and that of certain common radioelectric circuits. The fluctuations may then be calculated by introducing into the circuit a suitable noise source. By this method we have been able to consider the overall fluctuations in a particularly simple form and we have provided a physical significance for certain results obtained more laboriously by other methods. The object of the present report is to generalise this method and in particular to extend it to the case of a reactor having a cellular structure and to apply it to fluctuations within a cell. It is thus shown that the fluctuations in a cell are the resultant of two terms: - a rapidly evolving Poissonian noise, not related to the overall fluctuations; - a slowly evolving noise, when the reactor is not too far from criticality, which is related to the overall fluctuations. The first term arises from a rapid 'ordering' of the system, during which time the cells come mutually into equilibrium. The second term is due to the coordinated evolution of all the cells, after the end of the first transitory phase. The conclusions reached show that it would be useful to complete the study with an analysis of non-linear phenomena which can considerably influence the transitory behaviour of the cells during the initial pre-equilibrium phase. This report also Stresses the relationship of the new method to the old methods. It tends also to place pile fluctuation theory in a more general framework, that of the fluctuations of a system depending on several random parameters; from this point of view, the method could easily be transposed and adapted to the study of other physical problems of this type. (authors) [French] Nous avons precedemment developpe une methode d'etude des fluctuations neutroniques des reacteurs nucleaires mettant a profit l'analogie entre le comportement d

G2 - G3 inventive properties, the first french nuclear plants; Caracteristiques generales et aspects originaux des reacteurs G2 et G3

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pascal,; Horowitz,; Bussac,; Joatton,; de Meux, De Lagge; Martin, [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1958-07-01

This paper points out the inventive properties of the frenchctors G2 and G3. These are dual purpose reactors, i.e. designed for the production of both plutonium and energy (30 electrical MW); in this respect, they can be considered as the start point of the french electrical energy produced from nuclear fuel. The following points are specially discussed in this paper: the choice of the prestressed concrete pressure vessel, the horizontal arrangement of the channels, the interest of neutron flux flattening, the advantages of the charging and discharging device working during pile operation. (author)Fren. [French] Les caracteres originaux des reacteurs fran is G2 et G3 sont decrits dans ce rapport. Ce sont des reacteurs a double fin, plutonigenes et aussi producteurs d'energie (30 MW electriques); ils constituent a ce titre le point de depart de la production fran ise d'electricite d'origine nucleaire. Sont discutes, en particulier, dans ce rapport: le choix du caisson en beton precontraint pour tenir la pression, la disposition horizontale des canaux, l'interet de l'aplatissement du flux neutronique, les avantages de l'appareil permettant le chargement et le dechargement du combustible sans arreter la pile. (auteur)

Evolution of nuclear chemical industry in France; Evolution de l'industrie chimique nucleaire en France

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fould, M H [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France).Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1959-07-01

'impulsion du CEA, mais aussi de maitres d'oeuvres tels qu'Electricite de France et la Marine Marchande, l'effort nucleaire fran is atteint pour les annees 1957-1961, environ 600 milliards de francs: plus de la moitie de cette somme sera depensee par l'industrie chimique en recherches, installations pilotes, constructions d'usines et livraisons. Faire bien, vite et rentable sont les buts recherches. Ces objectifs sont atteints grace a une collaboration intime des grands services de l'etat et de l'industrie privee. Ce gros effort s'exerce principalement dans les voies suivantes: - Un traitement chimique pousse de tonnages croissants des minerais de l'Union fran ise, visant a produire un uranium pur, abondant et bon marche. - Une preparation soigneuse de combustibles nucleaires economiques et parfaitement adaptes aux divers types de reacteurs en fonctionnement ou en construction. - Un retraitement des combustibles irradies pour en extraire le plutonium de facon complete ainsi que l'uranium et certains produits de fission. - Une fabrication industrielle des materiaux nucleairement purs ou resistants a la corrosion exiges par la technologie des reacteurs producteurs d'energie et de recherches. - La fourniture aux multiples utilisateurs etrangers et fran is d'isotopes et de traceurs radioactifs reclames par la medecine, l'industrie et l'agriculture en nombre toujours croissant. - Un traitement chimique meticuleux des effluents gazeux ou liquides dans des stations au controle rigoureux afin de rendre les reacteurs et leurs annexes parfaitement surs d'emploi. Cet expose aura montre l'ampleur de l'effort deploye par une industrie chimique nucleaire jeune, dynamique et en plein essor. Ayant assure ses techniques, realise de nombreuses installations, elle est largement en etat de faire face au programme atomique fran is. En outre, elle est capable et desireuse d'etre associee aux developpements de l'industrie atomique etrangere notamment dans te cadre de l'Euratom et d

Development of a power-period calculation unit for nuclear reactor Control; Etude et realisation d'un ensemble de calcul puissance periode pour le controle d'un reacteur nucleaire

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Martin, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay, 91 - Gif-sur-Yvette (France)

1966-10-01

The apparatus studied is a digital calculating assembly which makes it possible to prepare and to present numerically the period and power of a nuclear reactor during operation, from start-up to nominal power. The pulses from a fission chamber are analyzed continuously, using real time. A small number of elements is required because of the systematic use of a calculation technique comprising the determination of a base 2 logarithm by a linear approximation. The accuracy obtained for the period is of the order of 14%; the response time of the order of the calculated period value. An approximate value of the power (30%) is given at each calculation cycle together with the power thresholds required for the control. (author) [French] L'appareil etudie est un ensemble de calcul digital permettant d'elaborer et d'afficher numeriquement la periode et la puissance, d'un reacteur nucleaire lors de son fonctionnement depuis le demarrage jusqu'a la puissance nominale. Il traite en temps reel, de facon continue, les impulsions en provenance d'une chambre de fission. Grace a l'utilisation systematique d'une technique de calcul, la determination d'un logarithme a base 2 par approximation lineaire, un nombre reduit d'elements est utilise. La precision obtenue sur la periode est de l'ordre de 14 pour cent, le temps de reponse de l'ordre de la valeur de la periode calculee. Un ordre de grandeur de la puissance (30 pour cent) est donne a chaque cycle de calcul ainsi que des seuils de puissance necessaires au controle. (auteur)

Contribution to the study and use of ionisation chambers for nuclear reactor control (1965); Contribution a l'etude et a l'utilisation des chambres d'ionisation pour le controle des reacteurs nucleaires (1965)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Duchene, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-02-15

high-power reactors. (author) [French] Les chambres d'ionisation sont actuellement les detecteurs les mieux adaptes au controle des reacteurs nucleaires par des mesures neutroniques. Nous avons cru bon de rappeler quelques generalites concernant la dynamique des reacteurs, les differents procedes de detection des neutrons, le fonctionnement des chambres d'ionisation et les methodes de mesure utilisees. Notre contribution aux techniques de controle des reacteurs consiste d'une part en une tentative de synthese des facteurs intervenant dans le fonctionnement des chambres d'ionisation, l'etude de ces facteurs, et d'autre part l'elaboration de chambres d'ionisation a fission et a bore permettant de suivre la marche d'un reacteur du demarrage jusqu'a la puissance maximale. Dans le domaine des chambres a fission, nous avons en particulier ameliore les techniques de depot d'oxyde d'uranium sur l'aluminium et realise la mise au point de depots par electrolyse sur d'autres metaux: acier inoxydable, cuivre, molybdene, nickel, tantale, titane, kovar, tungstene et beryllium. Nous avons elabore plusieurs types de chambres a fission servant au demarrage des reacteurs: un type de performances moyennes actuellement utilise dans les piles francaises un type a haute sensibilite un type a haute temperature qui a fonctionne jusqu'a 600 deg. C. En ce qui concerne les chambres a bore, nous avons etudie les perturbations apportees dans les mesures par l'exposition des chambres a d'importants flux de neutrons et a un rayonnement {gamma} intense. Cette exposition produit une modification des proprietes des materiaux constitutifs et la production dans les chambres d'un bruit de fond qui peut gener considerablement les mesures neutroniques. Nous avons montre que la technique de compensation permettait de limiter l'importance de ce bruit de fond et d'augmenter ainsi la plage de fonctionnement des chambres d'ionisation classiques destinees aux mesures de puissance. Enfin, nous avons realise deux

Detection and location of can rupture in reactors cooled by a flow of water; Detection et localisation des ruptures de gaines sur les reacteurs refroidis par circulation d'eau

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Le Meur, R [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1968-07-01

This report brings together the principal methods of fission-product detection used for water reactors. The position, type and method of adjustment is given for each detector. The methods for localizing the defective elements are explained, in particular those using water sampling or decreases in the flux. A few installations are briefly described. They correspond to particular types of reactors using boiling, pressurized or cold water. Amongst the many methods used, it can be noted that when the fuel is resistant, the installations are fairly compact. In nuclear super-heated reactors on the other hand, the study of fuel behaviour calls for larger installations. An identification of defective elements exists when the reactor structure allows it. If this is not possible, a localization in a group of elements is obtained by a flux depression. (author) [French] Ce rapport rassemble les principales methodes de detection de produits de fission utilisees pour des reacteurs a eau. On indique pour les detecteurs leurs emplacements, leurs types, leurs reglages. On explique quelles sont les methodes de localisation des elements defectueux, en particulier celles utilisant des prelevements d'eau ou des depressions de flux. Quelques installations sont decrites sommairement. Elles correspondent a des types particuliers de reacteurs a eau bouillante, pressurisee ou froide. Parmi les nombreuses methodes utilisees, on constate que les installations sont peu importantes, lorsque le combustible est resistant. Par contre dans les reacteurs a surchauffe nucleaire l'etude du comportement du combustible necessite des installations plus importantes. Une identification d'elements defectueux existe lorsque la structure du reacteur le permet. A defaut une localisation dans un groupe d'elements est obtenue par depression de flux. (auteur)

Nuclear study of Melusine; Etude nucleaire de Melusine

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cherot, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France).Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1959-07-01

In this report are reviewed - with respect to starting of experiments - the main nuclear characteristics of a 20 per cent enriched uranium lattice, with light water as moderator and reflector. The reactor is to operate at 1 MW. 1) Study of various critical masses. 2) Control. Effectiveness of cadmium. Control rods and of a stainless steel regulating rod. 3) Study of the effect on reactivity of disturbances in the core center. 4) Study of xenon and samarium poisoning. 5) Temperature factor. 6) Heat exchanges in a fuel element. (author) [French] On etudie, dans ce rapport, les principales proprietes nucleaires d'un reseau a uranium enrichi (20 pour cent), dont le moderateur et le reflecteur sont l'eau legere en vue des experiences de demarrage. Ce reacteur devra fonctionner a 1 MW. 1) Etude de diverses masses critiques. 2) Controle. Efficacite des barres de controle en cadmium et d'une barre de reglage en acier inoxydable. 3) Etude de l'effet sur la reactivite de perturbation au centre du coeur. 4) Etude de l'empoisonnement xenon et samarium. 5) Coefficient de temperature. 6) Echanges thermiques dans un element. (auteur)

Handbook for the calculation of reactor protections; Formulaire sur le calcul de la protection des reacteurs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1963-07-01

This note constitutes the first edition of a Handbook for the calculation of reactor protections. This handbook makes it possible to calculate simply the different neutron and gamma fluxes and consequently, to fix the minimum quantities of materials necessary under general safety conditions both for the personnel and for the installations. It contains a certain amount of nuclear data, calculation methods, and constants corresponding to the present state of our knowledge. (authors) [French] Cette note constitue la premiere edition du 'Formulaire sur le calcul de la protection des reacteurs'. Ce formulaire permet de calculer de facon simple les difterents flux de neutrons et de gamma et, par suite, de fixer les quantites minima de materiaux a utiliser pour que les conditions generales de securite soient respectees, tant pour le personnel que pour les installations. Il contient un certain nombre de donnees nucleaires, de methodes de calcul et de constantes correspondant a l'etat actuel de nos connaissances. (auteurs)

Safety of VVER-440 reactors

CERN Document Server

Slugen, Vladimir

2011-01-01

Safety of VVER-440 Reactors endeavours to promote an increase in the safety of VVER-440 nuclear reactors via the improvement of fission products limitation systems and the implementation of special non-destructive spectroscopic methods for materials testing. All theoretical and experimental studies performed the by author over the last 25 years have been undertaken with the aim of improving VVER-440 defence in depth, which is one of the most important principle for ensuring safety in nuclear power plants. Safety of VVER-440 Reactors is focused on the barrier system through which the safety pri

Advanced designs of VVER reactor plant

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mokhov, V.A.

2010-01-01

The history of VVER reactors, current challenges and approaches to the challenges are highlighted. The VVER-1200 reactor of 3+ generation for AES-2006 units are under construction at the Leningrad 2 nuclear power plant (LNPP-2). The main parameters are listed and details are presented of the vessel, steam generator, and improved fuel. The issue of the NPP safety is discussed. Additional topics include the MIR-1200 reactor unit, VVER-600, and VVER-SCP (Generation 4). (P.A.)

The FARC fuel archive of VVER

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zizin, M.N.; Parfenova, N.A.; Proselkov, V.N.; Shishkov, L.K.

1998-01-01

The principles of organisation are explained and the structure of the FARC fuel archive for VVER reactors is described. The objective of the archive is accumulation of fuel data, data storage and obtaining the fuel using characteristics. The working version of fuel archive on 01.07.98 is realised, in which the data tables for fuel assemblies for 169 VVER-440 cycles and 35 VVER-1000 cycles are stored. There are two different versions of fuel archive - for VVER-440 (FARC) and for VVER-1000 (FARC1000). A structure of some tables and the texts of programs for them differ. The algorithms and codes for checking integrity, reasonableness and reliability of fuel archive data are developed. (author)

Production of nuclear graphite in France; Production de graphite nucleaire en France

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Legendre, P; Mondet, L [Societe Pechiney, 74 - Chedde (France); Arragon, Ph; Cornuault, P; Gueron, J; Hering, H [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1955-07-01

The graphite intended for the construction of the reactors is obtained by the usual process: confection of a cake from coke of oil and tar, cooked (in a electric oven) then the product of cook is graphitized, also by electric heating. The use of the air transportation and the control of conditions cooking and graphitization have permitted to increase the nuclear graphite production as well as to better control their physical and mechanical properties and to reduce to the minimum the unwanted stains. (M.B.) [French] Le graphite destine a la construction des reacteurs est obtenu par le procede usuel: confection d'une pate a partir de coke de petrole et de brai, cuisson de cette pate (au four electrique) puis graphitation du produit cuit, egalement par chauffage electrique. L'usage du transport pneumatique et le controle des conditions cuisson et de graphitation ont permit d'augmenter la production de graphite nucleaire ainsi que de mieux controler ses proprietes physiques et mecaniques et de reduire au minimum les souillures accidentelles. (M.B.)

The control equipment of the Melusine II reactor; L'equipement de controle du reacteur Melusine II

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cordelle, M; Delcroix, V; Denis, P; Gariod, R

1963-07-01

Melusine II, low-power reactor, used for the study of Siloe core has diverged at the CEA Grenoble, the 23. May 1962; its monitoring board studied and carried out in this center is the first in France to be entirely transistorized. The first months of running have justified the hope put in the new electronics to improve the stability and the safety of running. The article describes the design of the control and gives the main characteristics of the measurement chains and of the actions on reactivity. (O.M.) [French] Melusine II, reacteur de faible puissance destine a l'etude du coeur de Siloe a diverge au Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Grenoble, le 23 mai 1962, son tableau de controle etudie et realise dans ce Centre est le premier en France a etre entierement transistorise. Les premiers mois de fonctionnement ont justifie l'espoir mis dans la nouvelle electronique pour ameliorer la stabilite et la surete de fonctionnement. L'article decrit la conception du controle et donne les principales caracteristiques des chaines de mesure et des actions sur la reactivite. (auteurs)

VVER-specific features regarding core degradation - Status Report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hozer, Z.; Trambauer, K.; Duspiva, J.

1999-01-01

The objective of this report is to compare VVER reactors to pressurised water reactors (PWRs) of Western design from the point of view of core degradation phenomena using the terminology which was applied to the systematisation of severe accident phenomena in earlier CSNI reports. In the following the acronym 'PWR' is used for a PWR of Western design. The basic design features are described and the most important parameters are summarised in order to identify the differences between the two reactor types. In some specific cases the comparison shows more similarities with boiling water reactors (BWRs) than with PWRs. The known VVER experimental support is also summarised. RBMKs are not included in this report, as this reactor type is not operated in OECD countries, furthermore its design is completely different from those of VVERs and PWRs. The scope of this report is limited to in-vessel severe fuel damage phenomena. Neither thermal hydraulic processes involving no core degradation, nor containment phenomena, are discussed in detail. The VVER (water-cooled water-moderated power reactor) is a pressurised light water reactor of Soviet design. It operates on the same principles as a Western PWR reactor and uses similar technological systems. The primary coolant is pressurised water, which heats up in the reactor core and steam is produced on the secondary side of steam generators. The comparison of basic geometrical and technological parameters pointed out some differences between a PWR and a VVER, but it should be noted that differences exist even between two Western PWRs of different design. The VVER reactors are special types of PWRs, the most important design features of which are the horizontal steam generators and the hexagonal core structure. Similarity between PWR and VVER reactors was found in the comparison of dominant accidents sequences leading to core melt. The accident progression sequence consists of the same steps for VVERs and PWRs. The larger water

Enhancement of Training Capabilities in VVER Technology Through Establishment of VVER Training Academy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ilieva, M.; Miteva, R.

2015-01-01

Education and training (E&T) have always been key factor to the sustainability of the nuclear industry. With regard to E&T it is still the challenge to raise the interest of qualified young people of studies and professions related to nuclear technologies. CORONA Project is established to provide a special purpose structure for training and for gathering the existing and generating new knowledge in the VVER area as well as to contribute to transnational mobility and lifelong learning amongst VVER operating countries. CORONA Project consists of two parts: CORONA I (2011–2014) “Establishment of a regional centre of competence for VVER technology and Nuclear Applications”, co-financed by the EC Framework Programme 7 and CORONA II “Enhancement of training capabilities in VVER technology through establishment of VVER training academy”, co-financed by the EURATOM 2014-2015 Working programme of HORIZON 2020. The project is focused on development of training schemes for VVER nuclear professionals, subcontractors, students and for non-nuclear specialists working in support of nuclear applications as civil engineers, physical protection employees, government employees, secondary school teachers, journalists. Safety culture and soft skills training are incorporated as an integral part of all training schemes because they require continuous consideration. It is vital for the acceptance of nuclear energy by the public and for the safe performance of the nuclear installations. CORONA II project is to proceed with the development of state-of-the-art virtual training centre — CORONA Academy. This objective will be realised through networking between universities, research organizations, regulatory bodies, industry and any other organizations involved in the application of nuclear science, ionising radiation and nuclear safety. It will bring together the most experienced trainers and will allow trainees from different locations to access the needed knowledge on demand

Validation of Advanced Computer Codes for VVER Technology: LB-LOCA Transient in PSB-VVER Facility

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

A. Del Nevo

2012-01-01

Full Text Available The OECD/NEA PSB-VVER project provided unique and useful experimental data for code validation from PSB-VVER test facility. This facility represents the scaled-down layout of the Russian-designed pressurized water reactor, namely, VVER-1000. Five experiments were executed, dealing with loss of coolant scenarios (small, intermediate, and large break loss of coolant accidents, a primary-to-secondary leak, and a parametric study (natural circulation test aimed at characterizing the VVER system at reduced mass inventory conditions. The comparative analysis, presented in the paper, regards the large break loss of coolant accident experiment. Four participants from three different institutions were involved in the benchmark and applied their own models and set up for four different thermal-hydraulic system codes. The benchmark demonstrated the performances of such codes in predicting phenomena relevant for safety on the basis of fixed criteria.

CRN: 1986 progress report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1987-01-01

Departments activities in high energy physics, nuclear physics, radiation physics and chemistry are reported. Collaboration with university led to creation of SRNU (Service du Reacteur Nucleaire). Vivitron studies are presented [fr

Upper plenum break LOCA investigation in the ISB-VVER and PSB-VVER facilities

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Blinkov, V. N.; Melikhov, O. I.; Lipatov, I. A.; Nikonov, S. M.; Dremin, G. I.; Galchanskaya, S. A.; Gashenko, M. P.; Rovnov, A. A.; Kapustin, A. V.; Elkin, I. V. [EREC, Moscow (Russian Federation)

2003-07-01

The capability to define the actual NPP transient/accident scenario depends to a great extent on facilities' scaling and reliability of the system thermalhydraulic codes which, in turn, are assessed against the experimental data taken in the same facilities. At the present time, it is received fact that the rigorous modeling of the cumulative set of all thermalhydraulic processes in the plant primary and secondary sides during accident is unfeasible. Therefore, the extrapolation of the facilities loops behavior to the actual systems constitutes a fundamental problem in this area. In the paper, some aspects for the problem have been discussed in the course of comparative analysis of the data derived from the 11 % upper plenum break LOCA tests performed in the PSB-VVER and ISB-VVER integral test facilities under the close scenarios. Both facilities, PSB-VVER and ISB-VVER, are modeled the same VVER-1000 reactor in different scales. The thermalhydraulic behavior of the primary systems in both facilities has been discussed in the paper, and shown to be similar. Also, the attention has been focused upon the discrepancies in the significant variables trends. The discrepancies are shown to be caused by influence of peculiarities of the facilities hardware and due to the scale factor. The scaling study is an important aspect of the thermalhydraulic codes verification procedure. Being qualified against the experimentally simulated accident sequence in two test facilities of different scales, the thermalhydraulic codes will be capable of evaluation of the prototype behavior to greater accuracy.

Indium-Gallium Radiation Contour of the IRT Nuclear Reactor; Circuit d'activation d'indium-gallium dans le reacteur nucleaire IRT; Indij-gallievyj radiatsionnyj kontur yadernogo reaktora IRT; Circuito de radiaciones de indio-galio del reactor IRT

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Breger, A K; Ryabukin, Y S; Tulkes, S G; Volkov, E N

1960-07-15

Following on theoretical work already published, an indium-gallium radiation contour of the IRT nuclear reactor has been prepared, and represents a powerful new source of gamma-radiation. The first contour of this type ''RK-1'' was prepared on the IRT reactor at the Physics Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Georgian SSR. The paper gives the activation calculations for indium-gallium alloy; the structural components of RK-1 and their arrangement in the reactor tank and the hot cell; the devise for feeding liquid and gaseous substances into the irradiation zone; and the conveyor for solid substances to be irradiated. When the IRT reactor is at a power of 2000 kW, the radiation strength of the contour is equivalent to that of a gamma-emitter having an activity of 20,000 g. Ra equivalent. The prospects for the use of the indium-gallium radiation contour for research and semi-industrial purposes are discussed. (author) [French] A la suite de la publication d'un ouvrage theorique, on a etabli autour du reacteur nucleaire IRT un circuit d'activation d'indium-gallium qui represente une nouvelle source de rayonnements gamma de grande intensite. Le premier circuit de ce type ''RK-1'' a ete etabli sur le reacteur IRT a l'Institut de physique de l'Academie des sciences de la RSS de Georgie. Les auteurs donnent les calculs de l'activation pour l'alliage indium-gallium; ils indiquent les elements structurels du RK-1 et leur disposition dans le reservoir et dans la cellule de haute activite du reacteur; ils decrivent le dispositif permettant d'introduire des substances liquides et gazeuses dans la zone d'irradiation et le systeme qui transporte les substances solides a irradier. Lorsque le reacteur IRT fonctionne a 2 000 kW, la puissance de rayonnement du circuit equivaut a celle d'un emetteur gamma ayant une activite equivalente a 20 000 grammes de radium. Les auteurs examinent les perspectives d'emploi de ce processus pour la recherche et a des fins semi

Determination of local boiling in light water reactors by correlation of the neutron noise; Determination de l'ebullition locale dans les reacteurs a eau legere par correlation du bruit neutronique

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zwingelstein, G [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1968-07-01

The power limit of swimming-pool type reactors depends on the phenomenon of the appearance of burn-out. In order to determine this limit we have attempted to detect the local boiling which usually occurs before the burn out. Local boiling has been simulated by an electrically heated plate placed in the core of the reactor Siloette. The study of local boiling, which is based on the properties of the correlation functions for the neutron noise of detectors placed in the core, shows that a privileged frequency occurs in the power spectrum of the noise. It is intended in the future to determine the influence of various parameters on this characteristic frequency. (author) [French] La limitation de la puissance des reacteurs nucleaires de type piscine est due au phenomene d'apparition de 'burn out'. Pour determiner cette limitation, nous nous sommes proposes dans ce rapport de detecter l'ebullition locale qui apparait generalement avant le 'burn out'. L'ebullition locale a ete simulee par une plaque chauffee electriquement et placee dans le coeur du reacteur SILOETTE. L'etude de l'ebullition locale, qui est basee sur les proprietes des fonctions de correlation du bruit neutronique de detecteurs places clans le coeur, fait apparaitre une frequence privilegiee dans le spectre de puissance du bruit. On envisage dans l'avenir, de determiner l'influence des divers parametres sur cette frequence caracteristique. (auteur)

CORONA project -contribution to VVER nuclear education and training

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ilieva, M.; Miteva, R.; Takov, T.

2016-01-01

CORONA Project is established to stimulate the transnational mobility and lifelong learning amongst VVER end users. The project aims to provide a special purpose structure for training of specialists and to maintain the nuclear expertise by gathering the existing and generating new knowledge in the VVER area. CORONA Project consists of two parts: CORONA I (2011-2014) ''Establishment of a regional center of competence for VVER technology and Nuclear Applications'', co-financed by the Framework Program 7 of the European Union (EU) and CORONA II (2015-2018) ''Enhancement of training capabilities in VVER technology through establishment of VVER training academy'', co-financed by HORIZON 2020, EURATOM 2014-2015. The selected form of the CORONA Academy, together with the online availability of the training opportunities will allow trainees from different locations to access the needed knowledge on demand. The project will target also new-comers in VVER community like Vietnam, Turkey, Belarus, etc. (authors)

Nuclear fuel for VVER reactors. Actual state and trends

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Molchanov, V.

2011-01-01

The main tasks concerning development of FA design, development and modernization of structural materials, improvement of technology of structural materials manufacturing and FA fabrication and development of methods and codes are discussed in this paper. The main features and expected benefit of implementation of second generation and third generation fuel assembly for VVER-440 Nuclear Fuel are given. A brief review of VVER-440 and VVER-1000 Nuclear Fuel development before 1997 since 2010 is shown. A summary of VVER-440 and VVER-1000 Nuclear Fuel Today, including details about TVSA-PLUS, TVSA-ALFA, TVSA-12 and NPP-2006 Phase 2 tasks (2010-2012) is presented. In conclusion, as a result of large scope of R and D performed by leading enterprises of nuclear industry modern nuclear fuel for VVER reactors is developed, implemented and successfully operated. Fuel performance (burnup, lifetime, fuel cycles, operating reliability, etc.) meets the level of world's producers of nuclear fuel for commercial reactors

Overview of VVER water chemistry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ganesh, S.; Selvaraj, S.; Balasubramanian, M.R.; Selvavinayagam, P.; Sundar, R.S.

2007-01-01

Kudankulam Nuclear Power project is having twin units of 1000MWe of VVER type. This paper highlights the different analytical techniques that are followed to maintain the system chemistry within the technical specifications. This paper also briefs the different chemicals that are added to the systems and how they are monitored. Basic differences with respect to chemistry between a PHWR and VVER are also highlighted in this paper. (author)

France's nuclear power programme; Le programme nucleaire francais

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cabanius, J [Electricite de France (EDF), 75 - Paris (France); Horowitz, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

-increasing importance, by using the country's resources of natural uranium, and later plutonium, to the best ends. (authors) [French] Les perspectives d'evolution de la consommation d'energie electrique francaise confirment l'aggravation du deficit des ressources energetiques metropolitaines. Les centrales nucleaires doivent permettre de diminuer ce deficit si un certain nombre d'incertitudes actuelles sont levees. Le premier programme presente par MM AILLERET et TARANGER a la Conference de Geneve en 1955 visait la mise en service pour 1965 de 850 MWe; il a ete consacre au developpement de la filiere uranium naturel - graphite - gaz et s'acheve avec la realisation d'EDF 3, premiere unite capable de 500 MWe engagee dans le monde. Avant de passer du stade des prototypes a celui des duplications, ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE a decide, en accord avec le COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE, la realisation d'EDF 4 qui, en reprenant la partie reacteur d'EDF 3 ainsi que l'appareil de chargement et de dechargement, l'ensemble de controle et divers materiels, apporte une innovation importante en incorporant les echangeurs et les soufflantes a l'interieur du caisson en beton precontraint contenant le coeur. En meme temps, les etudes se poursuivent dans cette meme filiere et laissent entrevoir les possibilites d'utiliser un nouvel element combustible annulaire dont l'emploi ameliorerait notablement les performances d'EDF 5. Dans la filiere eau lourde, la realisation d'EL 4 a Brennilis par le COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE et ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE se poursuit. Les etudes d'un reacteur de 500 MWe de cette filiere ont deja commence. Dans la filiere a eau pressurisee, la centrale de CHOOZ est realisee en association par ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE et les Producteurs Belges. Enfin, le COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE poursuit a Cadarache la realisation du surgenerateur 'Rapsodie' et les etudes d'un reacteur de puissance plus important. Ainsi, les connaissances techniques et economiques acquises dans ces diverses

The CO{sub 2} cooling gas for the reactors G2/G3 (leaking, analysis, activity); Le CO{sub 2} de refroidissement des reacteurs G2/G3 (fuites, analyse, activite)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Meiffren, J; Dupay, F [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Centre de Production de Plutonium, Marcoule (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1965-07-01

The main objective of this study is to publicise the data obtained during five years operation of the reactor G2 and G3 at Marcoule as far as the cooling gas is concerned, from storage of reserves up to its slow escape into the atmosphere, and including all the stages of its practical use, its chemical examination, its nuclear behaviour and its possible physicochemical transformation. This work can not only yield information about the operations carried out at Marcoule but can also provide useful suggestions for improving the sealing and for decreasing the activity of the pressurized gas circuits in reactors similar to G2/G3. (authors) [French] Le but principal de cette etude est de diffuser les connaissances acquises au cours de cinq annees d'exploitation des reacteurs G2 et G3 de Marcoule en ce qui concerne le gaz de refroidissement, depuis son stockage d'appoint jusqu'a son echappement lent dans l'atmosphere, en passant par tous les stades de son utilisation pratique, de son etude chimique, de son comportement nucleaire, eventuellement de ses transformations physico-chimiques. Cette etude peut, non seulement renseigner sur les operations effectuees couramment a Marcoule, mais egalement donner des suggestions interessantes pour l'amelioration de l'etancheite et la diminution de l'activite des circuits de gaz en pression dans des reacteurs analogues a G2/G3. (auteurs)

Present status and recent improvements of water chemistry at Russian VVER plants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mamet, V.; Yurmanov, V.

2001-01-01

Water chemistry is an important contributor to reliable plant operation, safety barrier integrity, plant component lifetime, radiation safety, environmental impact. Primary and secondary water chemistry guidelines of Russian VVER plants have been modified to meet the new safety standards. At present 14 VVER units of different generation are in operation at 5 Russian NPPs. There are eight 4-loop pressurised water reactors VVER-1000 (1000 MWe) and six 6-loop pressurised water reactors VVER-440 (440 MWe). Generally, water chemistry at East European VVER plants (about 40 VVER-440 and VVER-1000 units in Ukraine, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Finland and Armenia) is similar to water chemistry at Russian VVER plants. Due to similar design and structural materials some water chemistry improvements were introduced at East European plants after they has been successfully implemented at Russian plants and vice versa. Some water chemistry improvements will be implemented at modern VVER plants under construction in Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Iran, China, India. (R.P.)

Preliminary studies leading to a conceptual design of a 1000 MWe fast neutron reactor; Etudes preliminaires conduisant a un concept de reacteur a neutrons rapides de 1000 MWe

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vendryes, G.; Zaleski, C.P. [Association Euratom-CEA Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

projets de reacteurs futurs. - Il presente un concept de reacteur a neutrons rapides de 1000 MWe, pour la realisation duquel aucune impossibilite technologique de realisation n'apparait. - Il indique que le comportement dynamique appatait satisfaisant, bien que le coefficient de reactivite isotherme du au sodium soit positif. - Il essaie de situer le developpement des reacteurs a neutrons rapides dans le cadre de l'expansion de l'energie nucleaire. L'approvisionnement en matieres fissiles ne semble pas devoir freiner en France le developpement des reacteurs a neutrons rapides. Celui - ci dependra essentiellement a moyen terme de leur competitivite economique. (auteurs)

Preliminary studies leading to a conceptual design of a 1000 MWe fast neutron reactor; Etudes preliminaires conduisant a un concept de reacteur a neutrons rapides de 1000 MWe

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vendryes, G; Zaleski, C P [Association Euratom-CEA Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

. - Il presente un concept de reacteur a neutrons rapides de 1000 MWe, pour la realisation duquel aucune impossibilite technologique de realisation n'apparait. - Il indique que le comportement dynamique appatait satisfaisant, bien que le coefficient de reactivite isotherme du au sodium soit positif. - Il essaie de situer le developpement des reacteurs a neutrons rapides dans le cadre de l'expansion de l'energie nucleaire. L'approvisionnement en matieres fissiles ne semble pas devoir freiner en France le developpement des reacteurs a neutrons rapides. Celui - ci dependra essentiellement a moyen terme de leur competitivite economique. (auteurs)

Diversification of the VVER fuel market in Eastern Europe and Ukraine

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kirst, Michael [Westinghouse EMEA, Brussels (Belgium); Benjaminsson, Ulf; Oenneby, Carina [Westinghouse Electric Sweden AB, Vaesteraes (Sweden)

2015-03-15

There are a total of 33 VVER active reactors in the EU and Ukraine, accounting for the largest percentage of the total electricity supply in the countries operating these. The responsible governments and utilities operating these units want too see an increased diversification of the nuclear fuel supply. Westinghouse is the only nuclear fuel producer outside Russia, which has taken the major steps to develop, qualify and manufacture VVER fuel designs - both for VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactors. The company has delivered reloads of VVER-440 fuel to Loviisa 2 in Finland, VVER-1000 fuel for both the initial core and follow-on regions to Temelin 1-2 in the Czech Republic and more recently reloads of VVER-1000 fuel to South Ukraine 2-3. Technical challenges in form of mechanical interference with the resident fuel have been encountered in Ukraine, but innovative solutions have been developed and successfully implemented and today Ukraine has, for the first time in its history, a viable VVER-1000 fuel design alternative, representing a tremendous lever in energy security for the country.

Contribution to the study on the flow rate adjustment for gas cooled power reactors (1964); Contributiom a l'etude de reglage du debit pour les reacteurs industriels refroidis par gaz (1964)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Milliot, B [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Fontenay-aux-Roses (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-06-15

1. This original study firstly defines the problem of the adjustment of the coolant flow rate in a reactor channel as a function of the corresponding heat transfer equations and of the local and temporal neutron flux. The necessity of such an adjustment is pointed out and the modifying parameters are studied. An adjustment study using the envelope of the possible flux curves is developed. A short study on the technology and the economical advantage of this adjustment is presented. Some measurements, made on G-1 and G-2, show the precision one can obtain from adjustment apparatus itself as well as from the complete reactor adjustment system. 2. Evolution of nuclear properties of fuel in an heterogeneous thermal reactor. In the first port of this paper, the phenomena of fuel evolution have been mainly pointed out. Now a bibliographical study more qualitatively than quantitatively has been done. This survey specifies the present theories and relates to a real effective cross section and also yields to the bases of such a nuclear calculation. (author) [French] 1. Cette etude originale definit d'abord le probleme du reglage du debit de refrigerant dans un canal de reacteur en fonction de la formulation du calcul des performances thermodynamiques de ce canal et des variations du flux neutronique dans l'espace et le temps. La necessite du reglage est ensuite mise en evidence et les parametres le modifiant sont etudies. Une methode de reglage, basee sur l'emploi d 'une courbe enveloppe des courbes de flux possibles, est donnee. Une breve etude de la technologie et des incidences economiques du reglage est presentee. Des mesures effectuees sur les reacteurs G-1 et G-2 montrent la precision que l'on peut attendre des dispositifs de reglage comme du reglage d'ensemble du reacteur lui-meme. 2. Evolution des proprietes nucleaires du combustible dans un reacteur heterogene a neutrons thermiques. Les phenomenes d'evolution du combustible tiennent une place importante dans l

Response of Soviet VVER-440 accident localization systems to overpressurization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kulak, R.F.; Fiala, C.; Sienicki, J.J.

1989-01-01

The Soviet designed VVER-440 model V230 and VVER-440 model V213 reactors do not use full containments to mitigate the effects of accidents. Instead, these VVER-440 units employ a sealed set of interconnected compartments, collectively called the accident localization system (ALS), to reduce the release of radionuclides to the atmosphere during accidents. Descriptions of the VVER accident localization structures may be found in the report DOE NE-0084. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the structural integrity of the VVER-440 ALS at the Soviet design pressure, and to determine their response to pressure loadings beyond the design value. Complex, three-dimensional, nonlinear, finite element models were developed to represent the major structural components of the localization systems of the VVER-440 models V230 and V213. The interior boundary of the localization system was incrementally pressurized in the calculations until the prediction of gross failure. 6 refs., 9 figs

Estimation of material degradation of VVER-1000 baffle

Science.gov (United States)

Harutyunyan, Davit; Koš'ál, Michal; Vandlík, Stanislav; Hojná, Anna; Schulc, Martin; Flibor, Stanislav

2017-09-01

The planned lifetime of the first commercial VVER-1000 units were designed for 30 to 35 years. Most of the early VVER plants are now reaching and/or passing the 35-year mark. Service life extension for another 10 to 30 years is now under investigation. Life extension requires the evaluation of pressure vessel internals degradation under long-term irradiation. One of the possible limiting factors for the service life of VVERs is a void swelling of the Russian type titanium stabilized stainless 08Ch18N10T steel used to construct the baffle surrounding the core. This article aims to show first steps towards deeper analysis of the baffle degradation process and to demonstrate the possibilities of precise calculation and measurements on the VVER-1000 mock-up in LR-0 reactor.

Study of isotopic exchange reactors (1961); Etude des reacteurs d'echange isotopique (1961)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Grandcollot, P; Dirian, G [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-07-01

A study is made of the general case of the theory of first-order isotopic chemical exchange between a gaseous and a liquid phase in a reactor, starting from fundamental reaction kinetics data, and without making any limiting hypothesis concerning the value of the separation factor. The cases of counter-current reactors and of co-current reactors are considered successively. The general deuterium conservation equation requires the definition of the quotient of the reactor; the performances of this reactor are characterised by its overall efficiency. The idea of the ratio is introduced because it represents a convenient intermediary in the calculations. The search for an additive value for reactors in series leads logically to the defining of an exchange capacity, and a total efficiency, or number of theoretical reactors. This method of expressing the performances of a reactor is more general than the efficiency due to Murphee which only has a physical significance in the particular case of homogeneous liquid reactors. The relationships between these various quantities are established, and the representation due to Mc Cabe and Thiele is generalized. The reactor performances are linked to the first - order reaction kinetics by the transfer number. The relationships are given for a certain number of concrete cases. Finally the application of these calculations is given, together with the approximations necessary in the case where, because of the presence of several components in each phase, the exchange reaction no longer obeys a single kinetic law. (authors) [French] On examine dans le cas general la theorie d'un reacteur quelconque pour l'echange chimique isotopique du premier ordre entre une phase gazeuse et une phase liquide, a partir des donnees fondamentales sur la cinetique de la reaction, sans faire aucune hypothese limitative sur le cas des reacteurs a contre ourant, puis celui des reacteurs a co-courant. L'equation generale de conservation du deuterium

SCORPIO-VVER core monitoring and surveillance system with advanced capabilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Molnar, J.; Vocka, R.

2010-01-01

In this work authors present 12 years of operation experience of core monitoring and surveillance system with advanced capabilities on nuclear power plants on 6 unit of VVER-440 type of reactors at two different NPPs. The original version of the SCORPIO (Surveillance of reactor CORe by PIcture On-line display) system was developed for the western type of PWR reactors. The first version of the SCORPIO-VVER Core Monitoring System for Dukovany NPP (VVER-440 type of reactor, Czech Republic) was developed in 1998. For SCORPIO-VVER implementation at Bohunice NPP in Slovakia (2001) the system was enhanced with startup module KRITEX.

Oklo: The fossil nuclear reactors. Physics study - Translation of chapters 6, 13 and conclusions

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Naudet, R [CEA, Paris (France)

1996-09-01

Three parts of the 1991 book `Oklo: reacteurs nucleaires fossiles. Etude physique` have been translated in this report. The chapters bear the titles `Study of criticality`(45 p.), `Some problems with the overall functioning of the reactor zones`(45 p.) and `Conclusions` (15 p.), respectively.

Oklo: The fossil nuclear reactors. Physics study - Translation of chapters 6, 13 and conclusions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Naudet, R.

1996-09-01

Three parts of the 1991 book 'Oklo: reacteurs nucleaires fossiles. Etude physique' have been translated in this report. The chapters bear the titles 'Study of criticality'(45 p.), 'Some problems with the overall functioning of the reactor zones'(45 p.) and 'Conclusions' (15 p.), respectively

FP 6 EU - COVERS. Coordination action - VVER safety research

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vasa, I.

2008-01-01

In this work research program of the European Union FP 6 - COVERS coordinated by the NRI Rez is presented. COVERS is designed to improve professional and communication environment in the specific area covering all aspects of safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants with VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactors. Project Consortium is composed of 26 research and development, engineering and technical support organisations of European VVER-operating and other EU and non-EU countries.

Severe accident management development program for VVER-1000 and VVER-440/213 based on the westinghouse owners group approach

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Felix, E.; Dessars, N.

2003-01-01

The development of the Westinghouse Owners Group Severe Accident Management Guidelines (WOG SAMG) between 1991 and 1994 was initiated in response to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirement for addressing the regulatory severe accident concerns. Hence, the WOG SAMG is designed to interface with other existing procedures at the plant and is used in accident sequences that have progressed to the point where these other procedures are not applicable any longer, i.e. following core damage. The primary purpose of the WOG SAMG is to reach a controlled stable state, which can be declared when fission product releases are controlled, challenges to the confinement fission product boundary have been mitigated, and adequate heat removal is provided to the core and the containment. Although the WOG SAMG is a generic severe accident management guidance developed for use by the entirety of the operating Westinghouse PWR plants, provisions have been made in their development to address specific features of individual plants such as confinement type and the feasibility of reactor cavity flooding. Similarly, the generic SAMG does not address unique plant features and equipment, but rather allows for consideration of plant specific features and strategies. This adaptable approach has led to several SAMG development programs for VVER-1000 and VVER-440 type of power plants, under Westinghouse' s lead. The first of these programs carried out to completion was for Temelin NPP - VVER-1000 - in the first quarter of 2003. Other ongoing programs aim at providing a similar work for VVER-440 design, namely Dukovany, Mochovce and Bohunice NPPs. The challenge of adapting the existing generic WOG material to plants other than PWRs mainly arises for VVER-440 because of important differences in confinement design, making it more vulnerable to ex-vessel phenomena such as hydrogen burn. Also, for both eastern designs, cavity flooding strategy requires special consideration and

SCORPIO - VVER core surveillance system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hornaes, A.; Bodal, T.; Sunde, S.

1998-01-01

The Institutt for energiteknikk has developed the core surveillance system SCORPIO, which has two parallel modes of operation: the Core Follow Mode and the Predictive Mode. The main motivation behind the development of SCORPIO is to make a practical tool for reactor operators, which can increase the quality and quantity of information presented on core status and dynamic behavior. This can first of all improve plant safety, as undesired core conditions are detected and prevented. Secondly, more flexible and efficient plant operation is made possible. The system has been implemented on western PWRs, but the basic concept is applicable to a wide range of reactors including VVERs. The main differences between VVERs and typical western PWRs with respect to core surveillance requirements are outlined. The development of a VVER version of SCORPIO has been done in co-operation with the Nuclear Research Institute Rez, and industry partners in the Czech Republic. The first system is installed at Dukovany NPP, where the Site Acceptance Test was completed 6. March 1998.(author)

Containment leak-tightness enhancement at VVER 440 NPPs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Prandorfy, M.

2001-01-01

The hermetic compartments of VVER 440 NPPs fulfil the function of the containment used at NPPs all over the word. The purpose of the containment is to protect the NPP personal against radioactive impact as well as to prevent radioactive leakage to the environment during a lost of coolant accident. Leak-tightness enhancement in NPPs with VVER 440/213 and VVER 440/230 reactors is an important safety issue. New procedures, measures and methods were adopted at NPPs in Mochovce, J. Bohunice, Dukovany and Paks for leak identification and sealing works performed by VUEZ Levice. (authors)

ASTEC applications to VVER-440/V213 reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Matejovic, Peter, E-mail: ivstt@nextra.sk; Barnak, Miroslav; Bachraty, Milan; Vranka, Lubomir

2014-06-01

Since the beginning of ASTEC development by IRSN and GRS the code was widely applied to VVER reactors. In this paper, at first specific features of VVER-440/V213 reactor design that are important from the modelling point of view are briefly described. Then the validation of ASTEC code with focus on its applicability to VVER reactors is briefly summarised and the results obtained with the ASTEC V2.0-rev1 version for the ISP-33 PACTEL natural circulation experiment are presented. In the next section the application of ASTEC V2.0-rev1 code in upgrade of VVER-440/V213 NPPs to cope with consequences of severe accidents is described. This upgrade includes adoption of in-vessel retention via external reactor vessel cooling and installation of large capacity passive autocatalytic recombiners. Results of analysis with focus on corium localisation and stabilisation inside reactor vessel, hydrogen control in confinement and prevention of long-term confinement pressurisation are presented.

Innovative instrumentation for VVERs based in non-invasive techniques

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jeanneau, H.; Favennec, J.M.; Tournu, E.; Germain, J.L.

2000-01-01

Nuclear power plants such as VVERs can greatly benefit from innovative instrumentation to improve plant safety and efficiency. In recent years innovative instrumentation has been developed for PWRs with the aim of providing additional measurements of physical parameters on the primary and secondary circuits: the addition of new instrumentation is made possible by using non-invasive techniques such as ultrasonics and radiation detection. These innovations can be adapted for upgrading VVERs presently in operation and also in future VVERs. The following innovative instrumentation for the control, monitoring or testing at VVERs is described: 1. instrumentation for more accurate primary side direct measurements (for a better monitoring of the primary circuit); 2. instrumentation to monitor radioactivity leaks (for a safer plant); 3. instrumentation-related systems to improve the plant efficiency (for a cheaper kWh)

Plutonium, nuclear fuel; Le plutonium, combustible nucleaire

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Grison, E [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Fontenay aux Roses (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires, Saclay

1960-07-01

A review of the physical properties of metallic plutonium, its preparation, and the alloys which it forms with the main nuclear metals. Appreciation of its future as a nuclear fuel. (author) [French] Apercu sur les proprietes physiques du plutonium metallique, sa preparation, ses alliages avec les principaux metaux nucleaires. Consideration sur son avenir en tant que combustible nucleaire. (auteur)

Contributions of Modranska potrubni a.s. to the safety improvement of piping systems and valves of NPS type VVER 440 and VVER 1000

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Slach, J.

2004-01-01

The following activities are described: (i) Installation of pipe whip restraints on piping for high pressure and temperature steam and feed piping; (ii) Installation of air receivers for quick-acting valves with air actuator on VVER 440 units at the Jaslovske Bohunice V2 NPP; (iii) Replacement of the technical water distribution system material in the reactor hall of the Temelin VVER 1000 units; Installation of measuring nozzles on main steam piping DN 600 at the Temelin VVER 1000 units. (P.A.)

PSB-VVER counterpart experiment simulating a small cold leg break LOCA

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Blinkov, V.N.; Melikhov, O.I.; Kapustin, A.V.; Lipatov, I.A.; Dremin, G.I.; Nikonov, S.M.; Rovnov, A.A.; Elkin, I.V.; Pylev, S.S.

2005-01-01

Full text of publication follows: An experiment simulating a small break LOCA has been performed in PSB-VVER facility, under PSB-VVER OECD Project. The test is intended to be a counterpart one to an experiment performed in the LOBI integral test facility. The objectives of the PSB-VVER small cold leg break test are: to study VVER-1000 thermal hydraulic response following a small break in the cold leg, to provide data for code assessment regarding phenomena indicated in the VVER-1000 code validation matrix and to study the scaling effect. The scenario for the PSB-VVER experiment has been designed taking the LOBI BL-34 test as reference. The ratio of primary system volumes (without volume of the pressurizer and the surge line) has been chosen to scale the reference experiment conditions and to generate the conditions of PSB-VVER cold leg break experiment. The resulting conditions are compared with the LOBI cold leg break test conditions by means of different counterpart test criteria. Comparing the two experiments in terms of the criteria shows that basic requirements to the counterpart test are fulfilled. A pretest analysis with RELAP5/MOD3.2 code has shown that the PSBVVER small break experiment is expected to show the same relevant phenomena and main events as the LOBI BL-34 test. The predicted PSB-VVER primary pressure is very close to that measured in the LOBI facility. The measured pressure in the PSB-VVER primary system has turned out to be very close to that registered in LOBI BL-34 test. This verifies the approach used for developing the conditions of the PSB-VVER counterpart test. The experiment results and the RELAP5/MOD3.2 pretest calculation are in good agreement. A posttest calculation of the experiment with RELAP5/MOD3.2 code has been performed in order to assess the codes capability to simulate the phenomena relevant to the test. The code has shown a reasonable prediction of the phenomena measured in the experiment. (authors)

PSB-VVER counterpart experiment simulating a small cold leg break LOCA

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Blinkov, V.N.; Melikhov, O.I.; Kapustin, A.V.; Lipatov, I.A.; Dremin, G.I.; Nikonov, S.M.; Rovnov, A.A. [Elektrogorsk Research and Engineering Center, EREC, Bezymiannaja Street, 6, Elektrogorsk, Moscow Region, 142530 (Russian Federation); Elkin, I.V.; Pylev, S.S. [NSI RRC ' Kurchatov Institute' , Kurchatov Sq., 1, Moscow, 123182 (Russian Federation)

2005-07-01

Full text of publication follows: An experiment simulating a small break LOCA has been performed in PSB-VVER facility, under PSB-VVER OECD Project. The test is intended to be a counterpart one to an experiment performed in the LOBI integral test facility. The objectives of the PSB-VVER small cold leg break test are: to study VVER-1000 thermal hydraulic response following a small break in the cold leg, to provide data for code assessment regarding phenomena indicated in the VVER-1000 code validation matrix and to study the scaling effect. The scenario for the PSB-VVER experiment has been designed taking the LOBI BL-34 test as reference. The ratio of primary system volumes (without volume of the pressurizer and the surge line) has been chosen to scale the reference experiment conditions and to generate the conditions of PSB-VVER cold leg break experiment. The resulting conditions are compared with the LOBI cold leg break test conditions by means of different counterpart test criteria. Comparing the two experiments in terms of the criteria shows that basic requirements to the counterpart test are fulfilled. A pretest analysis with RELAP5/MOD3.2 code has shown that the PSBVVER small break experiment is expected to show the same relevant phenomena and main events as the LOBI BL-34 test. The predicted PSB-VVER primary pressure is very close to that measured in the LOBI facility. The measured pressure in the PSB-VVER primary system has turned out to be very close to that registered in LOBI BL-34 test. This verifies the approach used for developing the conditions of the PSB-VVER counterpart test. The experiment results and the RELAP5/MOD3.2 pretest calculation are in good agreement. A posttest calculation of the experiment with RELAP5/MOD3.2 code has been performed in order to assess the codes capability to simulate the phenomena relevant to the test. The code has shown a reasonable prediction of the phenomena measured in the experiment. (authors)

Detection of burst cans in the reactors cooled by gaseous phase; Detection des ruptures de gaine dans les reacteurs refroidis par phase gazeuse

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Labeyrie, J; Roguin, A [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1955-07-01

In a nuclear reactor including the bars or plates cooled by a gaseous fluid, burst risks to occur in the sheath assuring the tightness separation between the cooling gas and the fissile materials. It is necessary to be able to detect the formation of these cracks as possible in order to avoid all risk of fission products release or any reaction of uranium to the contact of the refrigerating gas. It is however the increase of the radioactivity in the cooling gas due to the scattering of the fission products that permits to signal the apparition of a crack or to follow its evolution. It is possible to detect cracks of the order of the square millimeter. In this report, we will detail the principle and the realization of a device used for the surveillance of a natural uranium reactor cooled by air circulation. (M.B.) [French] Dans un reacteur nucleaire comportant des barres ou des plaques refroidies par un fluide gazeux des fissures risquent de se produire dans les gaines assurant la separation etanche entre le gaz de refroidissement et les materiaux fissiles. II est necessaire de pouvoir detecter la formation de ces fissures des que possible afin d'eviter tout risque de liberation de produits de fission ou de reaction de l'uranium au contact du gaz refrigerant. C'est cependant l'augmentation de la radioactivite du gaz de refroidissement due a la dispersion des produits de fission qui permet de signaler l'apparition d'une fissure ou de suivre son evolution. On peut ainsi detecter des fissures de l'ordre du millimetre carre. Dans ce rapport, nous detaillerons le principe et la realisation d'un appareil utilise pour la surveillance d'un reacteur a uranium naturel refroidi par circulation d'air. (M.B.)

An experimental investigation of 1% SBLOCA on PSB-VVER test facility

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lipatov, I.A.; Dremin, G.I.; Galtchanskaia, S.A.; Gorbunov, Yu.S. [Electrogorsk Research and Engineering Center, EREC, Electrogorsk (Russian Federation); Elkin, I.V. [Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Inst., Moscow (Russian Federation)

2001-07-01

The paper presents the results of the three tests carried out in the PSB-VVER large-scale integral test facility. The PSB-VVER test facility is a four loop, full pressure scaled down model bearing structural similarities to the primary system of the NRP with VVER-1000 Russian design reactor. Volume-power scale is 1/300 while elevation scale is 1/1. (orig.)

A 25% double-ended LOCA in the PSB-VVER facility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Blinkov, V.N.; Lipatov, I.A.; Dremin, G.I.

2003-01-01

The paper presents the results of the experimental investigation in the PSB-VVER facility and post-test analysis with RELAP5/MOD3.3 of the thermal-hydraulic response of the PSB-VVER to a 25% double-ended Hot Leg Break (HLB). The test scenario included loss of off-site power concurrently with the scram-signal and the safety system operation as described in the reference VVER-1000 operational manual in the case of this type of accident assuming one diesel-generator failure. The key transient parameter trends as well as sequence of events and phenomena are given in the paper. RELAP5/MOD3.3 a post-test analysis has been performed using the experimental data gained as a base. The reasonable qualitative agreement between the key calculated and measured variables has been shown. The quantitative code accuracy evaluation has shown that the total average amplitude of the main parameters' deviations AA tot tot < 0.28 that corresponds to satisfactory quality of the VVER-1000 hot leg guillotine break LOCA modeling in the PSB-VVER. (author)

Professional Nuclear Materials Management; Gestion Industrielle des Matieres Nucleaires; Obrashchenie s yadernymi materialami na professional'nom urovne; Administracion Eficiente de Materiales Nucleares

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Forcella, A. A.; O' Leary, W. J. [Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Bethesda, MD (United States)

1966-02-15

. (author) [French] Le memoire expose en quoi consiste la gestion des matieres nucleaires dans une centrale nucleaire type, aux Etats-Unis. Comme le reacteur en question est partiellement finance a l'aide de capitaux prives, l'une des principales obligations de l'exploitant est d'assurer la protection et la rentabilite des investissements. Etant donne que les matieres nucleaires sont d'une valeur intrinseque elevee, il faut constamment proceder a des controles appropries allant au-dela des mesures de securite et de la comptabilite interessant les matieresnucleaires proprement dites afin de reduire les pertes au minimum. Il faut faire preuve de clairvoyance et planifier judicieusement pour prevenir toute perte supplementaire de capital provenant de frais inutiles ou d'un manque a gagner dans divers secteurs de l'exploitation. C'est ainsi que le gestionnaire de matieres nucleaires doit prendre des dispositions pour garantir la bonne marche des operations et assurer le respect des plans d'execution par une liaison et un controle constants, dans les domaines suivants? a) acquisition du combustible et des elements combustibles, b) utilisation des elements combustibles dans le reacteur et c) recuperation, dans le combustible irradie, des produits et matieres presentant de l'interet. Pendant la periode qui precede l'utilisation du reacteur, il faut faire une place importante dans la planification et les travaux preparatoires aux considerations d'economie dans la conception des elements combustibles, en ce qui concerne leur fabrication, leur manutention, leur transport et leur remplacement. Les differentes etapes de la fabrication doivent etre planifiees de facon a reduire au minimum le manque a gagner du a des periodes improductives d'entreposage de matieres tres couteuses. Pendant la marche du reacteur, il faut assurer une combustion maximale de la matiere fissile par des redistributions appropriees du combustible dans le coeur du reacteur. Parallelement, les temps morts dus a

NNSA / IAEA VVER reactor safety workshops. May 2002 - April 2003. Executive summary

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Evans, M.; Petri, M. C.

2003-01-01

Over the past year, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has sponsored four workshops to compare the probabilistic risk assessments (PRAs) of Soviet-designed VVER power plants. The ''International Workshop on Safety of First-Generation VVER-440 Nuclear Power Plants'' was held on May 20-25, 2002, in Piestany, Slovakia. A short follow-on workshop was held in Bratislava, Slovakia, on November 5-6, 2002, to complete the work begun in May. Piestany was the location also for the ''International Workshop on Safety of Second-Generation VVER-440 Nuclear Power Plants'' (September 9-14, 2002) and the ''International Workshop on Safety of VVER-1000 Nuclear Power Plants'' (April 7-12, 2003). The four workshops were held in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Slovakia (UJD), the Center for Nuclear Safety in Central and Eastern Europe (CENS), and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). The objectives of the workshops were to identify the impact of the improvements on the core damage frequency; the contribution to the PRA results of different assumptions about events that can occur at the plants; and to understand, identify, and prioritize potential improvements in hardware and plant operation of VVER nuclear power plants. These objectives were achieved based on insights gained from recent PRAs completed by the plants and their technical support organizations. Nine first-generation VVER-440 plants (nominally of the VVER-440/230 design) are currently operating in Armenia, Bulgaria, Russia, and Slovakia. Sixteen VVER-440/213 plants are currently operating in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Twenty-three VVER-1000 plants are currently operating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Russia, and Ukraine. Eleven addition plants are in the advanced stages of construction in various parts of the world. The workshops reviewed the current configuration and safety status of each plant

Contribution to the study on the flow rate adjustment for gas cooled power reactors (1964); Contributiom a l'etude de reglage du debit pour les reacteurs industriels refroidis par gaz (1964)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Milliot, B. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Fontenay-aux-Roses (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-06-15

1. This original study firstly defines the problem of the adjustment of the coolant flow rate in a reactor channel as a function of the corresponding heat transfer equations and of the local and temporal neutron flux. The necessity of such an adjustment is pointed out and the modifying parameters are studied. An adjustment study using the envelope of the possible flux curves is developed. A short study on the technology and the economical advantage of this adjustment is presented. Some measurements, made on G-1 and G-2, show the precision one can obtain from adjustment apparatus itself as well as from the complete reactor adjustment system. 2. Evolution of nuclear properties of fuel in an heterogeneous thermal reactor. In the first port of this paper, the phenomena of fuel evolution have been mainly pointed out. Now a bibliographical study more qualitatively than quantitatively has been done. This survey specifies the present theories and relates to a real effective cross section and also yields to the bases of such a nuclear calculation. (author) [French] 1. Cette etude originale definit d'abord le probleme du reglage du debit de refrigerant dans un canal de reacteur en fonction de la formulation du calcul des performances thermodynamiques de ce canal et des variations du flux neutronique dans l'espace et le temps. La necessite du reglage est ensuite mise en evidence et les parametres le modifiant sont etudies. Une methode de reglage, basee sur l'emploi d 'une courbe enveloppe des courbes de flux possibles, est donnee. Une breve etude de la technologie et des incidences economiques du reglage est presentee. Des mesures effectuees sur les reacteurs G-1 et G-2 montrent la precision que l'on peut attendre des dispositifs de reglage comme du reglage d'ensemble du reacteur lui-meme. 2. Evolution des proprietes nucleaires du combustible dans un reacteur heterogene a neutrons thermiques. Les phenomenes d'evolution du combustible

Feasibility of VVER-440 type SFAT

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kaartinen, J.; Tarvainen, M.

1995-05-01

Spent fuel attribute tester, SFAT, has been constructed and tested for gross defect verification of VVER-440 type spent fuel assemblies. Based on earlier optimisation studies, the VVER-440 SFAT is kept hanging from the mast of the fuel handling machine moved by the operator. The device tested includes a standard 2' x 2' NaI(T1) detector connected to a commercial MCA. The results achieved with normal VVER-440 spent fuel assemblies at the Loviisa npp in Finland in November 1994 show that the method is feasible. The design of the so-called fuel follower assemblies, however, prevents SFAT verification, at least with moderate measurement times. Verification of the presence of the assemblies based on the detection of the fission product 137 Cs (662 keV) is possible even in 10-30 seconds. Measurement times of the order of 1-2 minutes make it possible to draw also semi-quantitative conclusions of the burnup and cooling time of the operator declared data (consistency check). (orig.) (7 refs., 11 figs., 3 tabs.)

Fuel designs for VVER reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Simonov, K.V.; Carbon, P.; Silberstein, A.

1995-01-01

That progresses in efficiency and safety through progresses in technology and better prediction with fully benchmarked upgraded computer codes is a common goal for on the one hand the original designer of the VVER reactors and their respective fuels and on the other hand for EVF a western company resulting from a combined force with highly diversified and complementary talents in reactor and fuel design and manufacturing. It can be expected that this new challenge and dialogue between the two Russian and European industrial ventures will be mutually beneficial and yield innovative and high quality products and as a consequence strong return will be produced for the best interest of utilities operating VVER reactors. (orig./HP)

Corrosion products behaviour under VVER primary coolant conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Grygar, T.; Zmitko, M.

2002-01-01

The aim of this work was to collect data on thermodynamic stability of Cr, Fe, and Ni oxides, mechanisms of hydrothermal corrosion of stainless steels and to compare the real observation with the theory. We found that the electrochemical potential and pH in PWR and VVER are close to the thermodynamic boundary between two fields of stable spinel type oxides. The ways of degradation of the passivating layers due to changes in water chemistry were considered and PWR and VVER systems were found to be potentially endangered by reductive attack. In certain VVER systems the characteristics of the passivating layer on steels and also concentration of soluble corrosion products seem to be in contradiction with the theoretical expectations. (author)

Special features of embrittlement of welded joints in shells of VVER-type reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kasatkin, O.G.

1999-01-01

At present, the atomic power engineering of Russia and Ukraine is based on water-water energy reactors of the VVER-440 and VVER-1000 type, with the electric power of 440 and 1000 MW, respectively. The majority of the VVER-440 reactors are installed in Russia, and VVER-1000 reactors operate in Ukraine. The reactors' shell (RS) is produced from cylindrical shells and a dished end welded together by circular joints under a flux. The RS of the VVER-440 reactor is produced from 15Kh3MFA steel, and the VVER-1000 reactors are produced from 15Kh2NMFA steel. The shell of the VVER-1000 reactor has an internal austenite coating. The condition of the RS metal is determined mainly by the critical brittleness temperature T b at which the impact toughness of specimens with a sharp notch reaches 60 J/cm 2 . The energy reactors, working in western countries, are characterised by a service life of 40 years and discussion is being carried out to extend this lifetime to 60 years. The design service life of the domestic reactors varies from 30 (RS VVER-440) to 40 (RS VVER-1000) years. According to investigations, the service life of the shells of these reactors is restricted by the properties of welded joints which are characterised by higher susceptibility to embrittlement than that of the parent metal, especially due to a higher content in the weld of phosphorus (RS VVER-440) or nickel (RS VVER-1000). Therefore, some experts believe that the actual service life of the RS is shorter than the design life. The accurate evaluation of the service life of welded joints in the RS is very important for the safety of service and also in the economic aspects, because the unjustified decrease of the permissible service life and premature shutdown of units of the nuclear power station result in huge losses

Detailed modeling of KALININ-3 NPP VVER-1000 reactor pressure vessel by the coupled system code ATHLET/BIPR-VVER

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nikonov, S.P.; Velkov, K.; Pautz, A.

2011-01-01

The paper gives an overview of the recent developments of a new reactor pressure vessel (RPV) model of VVER-1000 for the coupled system code ATHLET/BIPR-VVER. Based on the previous experience a methodology is worked out for modeling the RPV in a pseudo-3D way with the help of a multiple parallel thermal-hydraulic channel scheme that follows the hexagonal fuel assembly structure from the bottom to the top of the reactor. The results of the first application of the new modeling are discussed on the base of the OECD/NEA coupled code benchmark for Kalinin-3 NPP transient. Coolant mass flow distributions in reactor volume of VVER 1000 reactor are presented and discussed. It is shown that along the core height a mass flow re-distribution of the coolant takes place starting approximately at an axial layer located 1 meter below the core outlet. (author)

SCORPIO-VVER core monitoring and surveillance system with advanced capabilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Molnar, J.; Vocka, R.

2009-01-01

The SCORPIO-VVER system includes following features: 1) Validation of plant measurements and identification of sensor failures. 2) Optimum combination of measurements and calculations to obtain precise values of important parameters. 3) On-line 3D power distribution calculation with pin power reconstruction. 4) Limit checking and thermal margin calculation allowing for surveillance of VVER core limits such as DNBR, Sub-cooling margin, FdH and FQ peeking factors. 5) Integrated modules for monitoring fuel performance and coolant activity for identification of fuel failures. 6) Predictive capabilities and strategy planning, offering the possibility to check the consequences of operational manoeuvres in advance, prediction of critical parameters, etc. 7) Convenient monitoring of approach to criticality during reactor start-up. 8) Automated transition between cycles (fuel reload). The SCORPIO-VVER core monitoring system with its flexible and modular framework successfully responses to the plant operating needs and advances in nuclear fuel cycle strategies and fuel design. Modular framework allows for easy modifications of the system and implementation of new methods in physical modules. Even if the system is installed only on VVER-440 reactors, it could be adapted for VVER-1000 needs

APROS multifunctional simulator applications for VVER-440

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Porkholm, K.; Kantee, H.; Tiihonen, O.

2000-01-01

Fortum Engineering Ltd and the Technical Research Centre of Finland have developed APROS simulation software since 1986. APROS is a multifunctional simulator, which is used for process and automation design, safety analysis and training simulator applications. APROS has unique features and models developed especially for VVER-440 reactors. At first the paper gives a short overview of APROS multifunctional simulator. The rest of the paper deals with different kind of applications of APROS in VVER-440 reactors' improvement and operation development. (author)

Treatment of effluent at the Saclay Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires (1960); Le traitement des effluents du Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay (1960)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wormser, G [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France).Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1960-07-01

The Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires at Saclay possesses several installations from which liquid radioactive effluent is rejected, and it has thus been found necessary to construct a station for the purification of radioactive liquids and to settle various chemical, analytical and technological problems. This report describes, in the following order: - the disposal possibilities at the Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires, Saclay, - the effluents produced at the centre, - the set-up for collecting effluent, - treatment of the effluent, - results of these treatments. (author) [French] La presence, au Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay, de plusieurs installations susceptibles de rejeter des effluents liquides radioactifs a necessite la construction d'une station d'epuration d'eaux radioactives et la mise au point de differents problemes chimiques, analytiques et technologiques. Dans ce rapport, nous exposerons successivement: - les possibilites de rejet du Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay, - les effluents du centre, - le dispositif de collecte des effluents, - le traitement de ces effluents, - les resultats de ces traitements. (auteur)

PSB-VVER experimental and analytical investigation of station blackout accident in VVER-1000

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lipatov, I.A.; Kapustin, A.V.; Nikonov, S.M.; Rovnov, A.A.; Basov, A.V. [Electrogorsk Research and Engineering Centre (EREC), Moscow Region (Russian Federation); Elkin, I.V. [NSI RRC, Kurchatov Institute, Moscow (Russian Federation)

2007-07-01

In November 2003, an experiment simulating station blackout accident was carried out in the PSB-VVER integral test facility at the Electrogorsk Research and Engineering Centre (Russia). The purpose of the experiment was to provide missing data for code validation as well as to investigate the VVER thermohydraulics in the blackout conditions. The experiment covers a wide range of phenomena relating not only to transients but also to small break loss-of-coolant accidents. The data gained in the test has been used to assess the RELAP5/MOD3.3 code. In this paper, a special attention has been paid to the code assessment regarding the mixture level and entrainment in steam generator secondary side. The analysis of the recorded transient has shown that the calculation of the heat transfer on the secondary side of steam generators is very sensitive to the steam generator nodalization. (authors)

Information about AER WG a on improvement, extension and validation of parametrized few-group libraries for VVER 440 and VVER 1000

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mikolas, P.

2009-01-01

Joint AER Working Group A on 'Improvement, extension and validation of parameterized few-group libraries for VVER-440 and VVER-1000' and AER Working group B on 'Core design' eighteenth meeting was hosted by Skoda JS a.s. in Plzen (Czech Republic) during the period of 4 to 6 May 2009. There were present altogether 16 participants from 6 member organizations and 13 presentations were read. Objectives of the meeting of WG A are: Issues connected with spectral calculations and few-groups libraries preparation, their accuracy and validation. Presentations were devoted to some aspects of few group libraries preparations and to the benchmark dealing with VVER-440 follower modeling in calculations. Gy. Hegyi gave some new information about NURESIM-NURISP EU project (ZR-6), R. Zajac spoke about the development of data libraries for codes BIPR-7 and PERMAK, P. Darilek compared FA's with Gd during burning process and Yu. Bilodid described further development of plutonium-based burnup history modeling in DYN3D burnup calculations. G. Hordosy presented results of control rod follower induced local power peaking computational benchmark and J. Svarny described Monte Carlo VVER-440 control rod follower benchmark computations. Future activities are also shortly described in the end of the paper. (author)

Security report on Siloe - the descriptive part. (1963); Rapport de surete de Siloe - partie descriptive (1963)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ageron, P; Chatoux, J; Denielou, G; Jacquemain, M; Mitault, G; Robien, E de; Rossillon, F [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1963-07-01

This report is a full description of the site, the reactor, the building and the experimental facilities. It gives the nuclear, thermodynamic and hydrodynamic characteristics of the core. (authors) [French] Ce rapport decrit completement le site, le reacteur, les batiments et les installations experimentales. Il donne les caracteristiques nucleaires, thermodynamiques et hydrodynamiques du coeur. (auteurs)

VVER-1000 backfitting programs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zabka, H.; Milhem, J.L.

1998-01-01

Russia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria have nineteen nuclear generating units of the VVER-1000/V-320 (1000 MWe PWR) type in operation. Most of these plants were built in the eighties. Their design is based on Soviet standards of the seventies. In the early eighties and, in particular, after the Chernobyl accident, new safety principles and supplementary specific standards were introduced. However, they were taken into account only to a limited extent in the design and construction of the VVER-1000/V-320 plants. A number of nuclear power plants, whose construction was stopped after the political changes in the countries of the former USSR, now are to be completed with the financial assistance of the Commission of the European Union and other Western organizations, respectively. This Western support is dependent on the condition that these plants attain a level of engineered safeguards comparable to that of PWR plants currently in operation in Western Europe. (orig.) [de

Primary water chemistry for NPP with VVER-TOI

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Susakin, S.N.; Brykov, S.I.; Zadonsky, N.V.; Bystrova, O.S.

2012-09-01

Nowadays within the framework of development of the nuclear power industry in Russia the VVER-TOI reactor is under designing (Standard optimized design). The given design provides for improvement of operation safety level, of technical-economic, operational and load-follow characteristics, and for the raise of competitive capacity of reactor plant and NPP as a whole. In VVER-TOI reactor plant design the primary water chemistry has been improved considering operation experience of VVER reactor plants and a possibility of RP operation under load-follow modes from the viewpoint of meeting the following requirements: - suppression of generation of oxidizing radiolytic products under power operation; - assurance of corrosion resistance of structural materials of equipment and pipelines throughout the NPP design service life; - minimization of deposits on surfaces of the reactor core fuel rods and on heat exchange surface of steam generators; - minimization of accumulation of activated corrosion products; - minimization of the amount of radioactive processing waste. In meeting these requirements an important role is devoted to suppression of generation of oxidizing radiolytic products owing to accumulation of hydrogen in the primary coolant. At NPP with VVER-1000 reactor the ammonia-potassium water chemistry is used wherein the hydrogen accumulation is provided at the expense of ammonia proportioning. Usage of ammonia leads to generation of additional amount of radioactive processing waste and to increased irregularity of maintaining the water chemistry under the daily load-follow modes. In VVER TOI design the primary water chemistry is improved by replacing the proportioning of ammonia with the proportioning of gaseous hydrogen. Different process schemes were considered that provide for a possibility of hydrogen accumulation and maintaining owing to direct proportioning of gaseous hydrogen. The obtained results showed that transition to the potassium water chemistry

[Present conceptions of the C.E.A. concerning] the development of fast neutron reactors in France; [Les conceptions actuelles du C.E.A. concernant] la filiere des reacteurs a neutrons rapides en France

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vendryes, G; Gaussens, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Pasquer, R [Electricite de France (EDF), 75 - Paris (France)

1964-07-01

. (authors) [French] 1 - Situation des reacteurs a neutrons rapides dans le programme d'energie nucleaire francais. En developpant un programme base sur l'uranium naturel, la France se trouvera dotee d'un stock important de plutonium riche on isotopes superieurs. L'existence de ce plutonium et de l'uranium appauvri provenant des memes reacteurs a pour consequence logique leur emploi dans des reacteurs a neutrons rapides. Justifiee par cet interet a court terme, la mise au point de reacteurs a neutrons rapides repond par ailleurs a une necessite pour l'avenir. 2 - Enonce des caracteristiques d'une centrale a neutrons rapides de 1000 MW el. Nous indiquons les caracteristiques d'une future centrale a neutrons rapides chargee au plutonium et refroidie au sodium. Si incertaines qu'elles soient, elles constituent un guide necessaire a l'orientation de nos travaux. 3 - Etudes effectuees a ce jour: Nous donnons un apercu des etudes souvent tres preliminaires qui ont permis de retenir les caracteristiques citees plus haut. Les principaux domaines techniques abordes sont les suivants: - Neutronique (masses critiques, taux de regeneration, enrichissements, aplatissement du flux de neutrons, coefficients de reactivite, evolution de la reactivite en fonction de l'irradiation), - Dynamique, controle et surete, - Combustible, - Technologie (conception du bloc-pile, des circuits de sodium, des dispositifs pour la manutention des assemblages). Ces etudes techniques se completent de considerations economiques. Le choix de caracteristiques optimales est lie a l'existence de programmes de production d'electricite et, dans ces programmes, a celle des reacteurs a neutrons thermiques producteurs de plutonium. On montre comment il y a lieu de tenir compte de l'existence du plutonium dans ce contexte, et quels sont les mecanismes qui rattachent l'economie de ce plutonium au choix des parametres essentiels des reacteurs surgenerateurs. 4 - Reacteur prototype: On justifie l'interet d'une etape

Contribution to the study of nuclear fuel materials with a metallic uranium base; Contribution a l'etude des materiaux combustibles nucleaires a base d'uranium metallique

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Englander, M [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1957-11-15

In a power reactor destined to supply industrially recoverable thermal energy, the most economical source of heat still consists of natural metallic uranium. However, the nuclear fuel material, most often employed in the form of rods of 20 to 40 mm diameter, is subjected to a series of stresses which lead to irreversible distortions usually incompatible with the substructure of the reactor. As a result the fuel material must possess at the outset a certain number of qualities which must be determined. Investigations have therefore been carried out, first on the technological characters peculiar to each of the three allotropic phases of pure uranium metal, and on their interactions on the stabilisation of the material which consists of either cast uranium or uranium pile-treated in the {gamma} phase. (author) [French] Dans un reacteur de puissance destine a fournir de l'energie thermique industriellement recuperable, la source de chaleur la plus economique reste constituee par de l'uranium metallique naturel. Or, le materiau combustible nucleaire, employe le plus souvent sous forme de barreaux de 20 a 40 mm de diametre, se trouve soumis a un ensemble de contraintes qui provoque des deformations irreversibles, le plus souvent incompatibles avec l'infrastructure du reacteur. Par consequent, le materiau combustible doit presenter a l'origine un certain nombre de qualites qu'il est necessaire de determiner. Aussi a-t-on d'abord etudie les caracteres technologiques propres a chacune des trois phases allotropiques de l'uranium-metal pur et leurs interactions sur la stabilisation du materiau constitue soit par de l'uranium coule, soit par de l'uranium traite en pile en phase {gamma}. (auteur)

Activity report 1999; Rapport d'activites 1999

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-07-01

The aim of this report is to outline the main developments of the ''Departement des Reacteurs Experimentaux'', (DRE) during the year 1999. DRE is one of the Department of the ''Direction des Reacteurs Nucleaires'', itself depending of the CEA Institution. After a presentation of the year highlights, this report gathers the main research and development programs. The second part concerns the production of radioisotopes, the silicon doping, the neutron radiography, the Orphee experiments and the activation analysis. The installations management, the closed reactors improvement program and the effluents and wastes processing of Grenoble, are presented in the other parts. Data on staff, budget and safety are also provided. (A.L.B.)

Activity report 1998

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1998-01-01

The aim of this report is to outline the main developments of the ''Departement des Reacteurs Experimentaux'', (DRE) during the year 1998. DRE is one of the Department of the ''Direction des Reacteurs Nucleaires'', itself depending of the CEA Institution. After a presentation of the year highlights, this report gathers the main research and development programs. The second part concerns the production of radioisotopes, the silicon doping, the neutron radiography, the Orphee experiments and the activation analysis. The installations management, the closed reactors improvement program and the effluents and wastes processing of Grenoble, are presented in the other parts. Data on staff, budget and safety are also provided. (A.L.B.)

Activity report 1999

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1999-01-01

The aim of this report is to outline the main developments of the ''Departement des Reacteurs Experimentaux'', (DRE) during the year 1999. DRE is one of the Department of the ''Direction des Reacteurs Nucleaires'', itself depending of the CEA Institution. After a presentation of the year highlights, this report gathers the main research and development programs. The second part concerns the production of radioisotopes, the silicon doping, the neutron radiography, the Orphee experiments and the activation analysis. The installations management, the closed reactors improvement program and the effluents and wastes processing of Grenoble, are presented in the other parts. Data on staff, budget and safety are also provided. (A.L.B.)

Research on loading pattern optimization for VVER reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tran Viet Phu; Nguyen Thi Mai Huong; Nguyen Huu Tiep; Ta Duy Long; Tran Vinh Thanh; Tran Hoai Nam

2017-01-01

A study on fuel loading pattern optimization of a VVER reactor was performed. In this study, a core physics simulator was developed based on a multi-group diffusion theory for the use in the problem of fuel loading optimization of VVER reactors. The core simulator could handle the triangular meshes of the core and the computational speed is fast. Verification of the core simulator was confirmed against a benchmark problem of a VVER-1000 reactor. Several optimization methods such as DS, SA, TS and a combination of them were investigated and implemented in coupling with the core simulator. Calculations was performed for optimizing the fuel loading pattern of the core using these methods based on a benchmark core model in comparison with the reference core. Comparison among these methods have shown that a combination of SA+TS is the most effective for the problem of fuel loading pattern optimization. Advanced methods are being researched continuously. (author)

Interactive nuclear plant analyzer for VVER-440 reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shier, W.; Horak, W.; Kennett, R.

1992-05-01

This document discusses an interactive nuclear plant analyzer (NPA) which has been developed for a VVER-440, Model 213 reactor for use in the training of plant personnel, the development and verification of plant operating procedures, and in the analysis of various anticipated operational occurrences and accident scenarios. This NPA is operational on an IBM RISC-6000 workstation and utilizes the RELAP5/MOD2 computer code for the calculation of the VVER-440 reactor response to the interactive commands initiated by the NPA operator

Control of selected VVER components life time SKODA JS a.s. experience

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zdebor, J.; Pribulla, E.

2005-01-01

Experience from the operation of nuclear power plants with type VVER reactors has shown that the life time management of a number of nuclear reactor components is technically as well as with respect to safety substantiated even at the time which exceeds their originally designed life time. To accept such solution it was necessary to develop and implement a number of programs based on which it was possible to evaluate the actual condition of monitored equipment. It is a condition allowing to adopt solution concerning the possibility of their further operation. Experience from the manufacture of 21 sets of reactor equipment for VVER 440 and 3 sets VVER 1000 has been gathered in SKODA JS a.s. which have been completed by experience from service activities performed at operated nuclear power plants. Analyses of manufacturing data and in-service inspection results completed by a lot of laboratory tests have become the basis for the development of selected VVER components life time management programs. The paper focuses on the life time management of those VVER components which SKODA JS a.s. has most experience with. (authors)

Vver-1000 Mox core computational benchmark

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2006-01-01

The NEA Nuclear Science Committee has established an Expert Group that deals with the status and trends of reactor physics, fuel performance and fuel cycle issues related to disposing of weapons-grade plutonium in mixed-oxide fuel. The objectives of the group are to provide NEA member countries with up-to-date information on, and to develop consensus regarding, core and fuel cycle issues associated with burning weapons-grade plutonium in thermal water reactors (PWR, BWR, VVER-1000, CANDU) and fast reactors (BN-600). These issues concern core physics, fuel performance and reliability, and the capability and flexibility of thermal water reactors and fast reactors to dispose of weapons-grade plutonium in standard fuel cycles. The activities of the NEA Expert Group on Reactor-based Plutonium Disposition are carried out in close co-operation (jointly, in most cases) with the NEA Working Party on Scientific Issues in Reactor Systems (WPRS). A prominent part of these activities include benchmark studies. At the time of preparation of this report, the following benchmarks were completed or in progress: VENUS-2 MOX Core Benchmarks: carried out jointly with the WPRS (formerly the WPPR) (completed); VVER-1000 LEU and MOX Benchmark (completed); KRITZ-2 Benchmarks: carried out jointly with the WPRS (formerly the WPPR) (completed); Hollow and Solid MOX Fuel Behaviour Benchmark (completed); PRIMO MOX Fuel Performance Benchmark (ongoing); VENUS-2 MOX-fuelled Reactor Dosimetry Calculation (ongoing); VVER-1000 In-core Self-powered Neutron Detector Calculational Benchmark (started); MOX Fuel Rod Behaviour in Fast Power Pulse Conditions (started); Benchmark on the VENUS Plutonium Recycling Experiments Configuration 7 (started). This report describes the detailed results of the benchmark investigating the physics of a whole VVER-1000 reactor core using two-thirds low-enriched uranium (LEU) and one-third MOX fuel. It contributes to the computer code certification process and to the

Thermal energy of nuclear origin produced in non-fissile materials (1962); Energie calorifique d'origine nucleaire degagee dans les materiaux non fissiles (1962)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Naudet, G [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Millies, P; Berger, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1962-07-01

A first part is devoted to the description of the interaction phenomena between elementary particles and material that may be observed during the irradiation process in a nuclear reactor: nuclear reactions due to neutrons, production of gamma rays and absorption of those gamma rays through various processes. In a second part the phenomena producing calorific energy in irradiated material are quantitatively examined. In the third part results are summed up in a formulary. The fourth part presents tables and figures giving to the reader all the numerical values necessary for practical calculations. (authors) [French] Une premiere partie est consacree a l'examen des principaux phenomenes d'interaction des particules avec la matiere qui interviennent lors d'une irradiation dans un reacteur: reactions nucleaires dues aux neutrons, production des rayons gamma et absorption de ces derniers par les divers processus. Une deuxieme partie etudie quantitativement les phenomenes qui conduisent a l'apparition d'energie calorifique dans le materiau irradie. En troisieme partie, un formulaire resume les resultats etablis. Dans une quatrieme partie, des tableaux et des courbes fournissent a l'experimentateur toutes les valeurs numeriques necessaires aux calculs pratiques. (auteurs)

Three-dimensional reactor dynamics code for VVER type nuclear reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kyrki-Rajamaeki, R. [VTT Energy, Espoo (Finland)

1995-10-01

A three-dimensional reactor dynamics computer code has been developed, validated and applied for transient and accident analyses of VVER type nuclear reactors. This code, HEXTRAN, is a part of the reactor physics and dynamics calculation system of the Technical Research Centre of Finland, VTT. HEXTRAN models accurately the VVER core with hexagonal fuel assemblies. The code uses advanced mathematical methods in spatial and time discretization of neutronics, heat transfer and the two-phase flow equations of hydraulics. It includes all the experience of VTT from 20 years on the accurate three-dimensional static reactor physics as well as on the one-dimensional reactor dynamics. The dynamic coupling with the thermal hydraulic system code SMABRE also allows the VVER circuit-modelling experience to be included in the analyses. (79 refs.).

Three-dimensional reactor dynamics code for VVER type nuclear reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kyrki-Rajamaeki, R.

1995-10-01

A three-dimensional reactor dynamics computer code has been developed, validated and applied for transient and accident analyses of VVER type nuclear reactors. This code, HEXTRAN, is a part of the reactor physics and dynamics calculation system of the Technical Research Centre of Finland, VTT. HEXTRAN models accurately the VVER core with hexagonal fuel assemblies. The code uses advanced mathematical methods in spatial and time discretization of neutronics, heat transfer and the two-phase flow equations of hydraulics. It includes all the experience of VTT from 20 years on the accurate three-dimensional static reactor physics as well as on the one-dimensional reactor dynamics. The dynamic coupling with the thermal hydraulic system code SMABRE also allows the VVER circuit-modelling experience to be included in the analyses. (79 refs.)

VVER fuel cycle development at Slovakia

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Darilek, P.; Chrapiak, V.; Majerik, J.

1995-01-01

Four VVER-440 units are now under exploitation at Bohunice-site in Slovakia. Fuel cycle development of Unit No.3 and No.4 (type 213) is discussed and compared with equilibrium cycles in this paper. (author)

Stresses in transition region of VVER-1000 reactor vessels

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Namgung, I.; Nguye, T.L.

2014-01-01

Most of the western PWR reactor's bottom head is hemi-spherical shape, however for Russian designed VVER family of reactor it is ellipsoidal shape. The transition region from shell side to ellipsoidal head and transition top flange to cylindrical shell develop higher stress concentration than western PWR reactor vessel. This region can be modeled as conical shell with varying thickness. The theoretical derivation of stress in the thick-walled conical cylinder with varying thickness was developed and shown in detail. The results is applied to VVER-1000 reactor vessel of which shell to bottom ellipsoidal shell and shell to upper flange were investigated for stress field. The theoretical calculations were also compared with FEM solutions. An axisymmetric 3D model of VVER-1000 reactor vessel (without closure head) FEM model was created and internal hydrostatic pressure boundary condition was applied. The stress results from FEM and theoretical calculation were compared, and the discrepancies and accuracies of the theoretical results were discussed. (author)

Stresses in transition region of VVER-1000 reactor vessels

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Namgung, I. [KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School, Ulsan (Korea, Republic of); Nguye, T.L. [KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School, Ulsan (Korea, Republic of); National Research Inst. of Mechanical Engineering, Hanoi City, Vietnam (China)

2014-07-01

Most of the western PWR reactor's bottom head is hemi-spherical shape, however for Russian designed VVER family of reactor it is ellipsoidal shape. The transition region from shell side to ellipsoidal head and transition top flange to cylindrical shell develop higher stress concentration than western PWR reactor vessel. This region can be modeled as conical shell with varying thickness. The theoretical derivation of stress in the thick-walled conical cylinder with varying thickness was developed and shown in detail. The results is applied to VVER-1000 reactor vessel of which shell to bottom ellipsoidal shell and shell to upper flange were investigated for stress field. The theoretical calculations were also compared with FEM solutions. An axisymmetric 3D model of VVER-1000 reactor vessel (without closure head) FEM model was created and internal hydrostatic pressure boundary condition was applied. The stress results from FEM and theoretical calculation were compared, and the discrepancies and accuracies of the theoretical results were discussed. (author)

EURATOM's Programme of Participation in Power Reactor Construction; Le programme de participation d'Euratom aux reacteurs de puissance; Programma uchastiya v razrabotke ehnergeticheskikh reaktorov Evratoma; El programa de participacion de la Euratom en la construccion y explotacion de reactores de potencia

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ramadier, R. C.; Parker, E. [Communaute Europoenne de l' Energie Atomique, Bruxelles (Belgium)

1963-10-15

-years during which operating problems will become decisive for the development of atomic power. (author) [French] L'un des moyens mis en oeuvre par la Commission de l'Euratom en vue d'assurer le developpement d'une industrie nucleaire europeenne est un programme dit de ''participation communautaire''. Ce programme permet a la Commission de participer a concurrence de 32 millions d'u.c. AME a des realisations dans le domaine des reacteurs de puissance. La contrepartie est l'acquisition des informations relatives a la conception, la construction, le demarrage et le fonctionnement de ces reacteurs. Jusqu'a present des propositions emanant de trois societes ont donne lieu a la signature de contrats. Il s'agit de: a) la Societa Elettronucleare Nazionale (SENN) qui fait construire en Italie une centrale de 150 MW(e) nets equipee d'un reacteur a eau bouillante a double cycle; b) la Societa Italiana Meridionale Energia Atomica (SIMEA) qui a entrepris en Italie la construction d'une centrale de 200 MW(e) nets equipee d'un reacteur du type uranium naturel-graphite-gaz carbonique; c) la Societe d'Energie Nucleaire Franco-Belge des Ardennes (SENA) qui a entrepris a la frontiere franco-belge la construction d'une centrale equipee d'un reacteur a eau pressurisee d'une puissance qui pourra atteindre et probablement depasser 242 MW(e) nets. En outre, la Commission a e te saisie de demandes de participation a deux autres reacteurs de puissance presentees respectivement par le Groupement Rheinisch-Westfalisches Elektiizitatswerk-Bayernwerke (RWE-BW), et par la N.V. Samenwerkende Electriciteits-Productiebedrijve; la premiere pour un reacteur de 237 MW(e) a eau bouillante a double cycle, la seconde pour un reacteur de 50 MW(e) a eau bouillante a simple cyc le et circulation naturelle. La participation communautaire peut prendre des formes diverses. Elle peut en particulier prendre celle d'une participation au deficit eventuel de la production d'electricite des centrales pendant les premieres

ANDREA 2.2 and 2.3. Advances in modelling of VVER cores

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Havluj, Frantisek; Hejzlar, Jonatan; Vocka, Radim; Vysoudil, Jiri [UJV Rez, Husinec-Rez (Czech Republic)

2017-09-15

In 2016 a new version of code ANDREA for core design and reload safety analysis of VVER reactors has been released. The new code version includes several major improvements. The first of them is a seamless incorporation of short time kinetics calculations (without temperature feedback) into the code. This new feature accompanied by the possibility of excore detector signal predictions enables precise interpretation of dynamic measurements of control assembly weight during the reactor startup. Second important enhancement resides in new flexible format of cross section libraries and in new fuel temperature model based on results of TRANSURANUS fuel performance code. The new code version has been thoroughly tested and validated for both VVER440 and VVER-1000 reactors. Furthermore for the new version 2.3 which is to be released shortly we have implemented the possibility of fluent control assemblies' motion and of non-equidistant axial nodalization schemes in VVER-440 calculations.

Activity report 1999; Rapport d'activites 1999

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-07-01

The aim of this report is to outline the main developments of the ''Departement des Reacteurs Experimentaux'', (DRE) during the year 1999. DRE is one of the Department of the ''Direction des Reacteurs Nucleaires'', itself depending of the CEA Institution. After a presentation of the year highlights, this report gathers the main research and development programs. The second part concerns the production of radioisotopes, the silicon doping, the neutron radiography, the Orphee experiments and the activation analysis. The installations management, the closed reactors improvement program and the effluents and wastes processing of Grenoble, are presented in the other parts. Data on staff, budget and safety are also provided. (A.L.B.)

Seismic verification methods for structures and equipment of VVER-type and RBMK-type NPPs (summary of experiences)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Masopust, R.

2003-01-01

The main verification methods for structures and equipment of already existing VVER-type and RBMK-type NPPs are briefly described. The following aspects are discussed: fundamental seismic safety assessment principles for VVER/RBMK-type NPPs (seismic safety assessment procedure, typical work plan for seismic safety assessment of existing NPPs, SMA (HCLPF) calculations, modified GIP (GIP-VVER) procedure, similarity of VVER/RBMK equipment to that included in the SQUG databases and seismic interactions

Safety enhancement concept for NPP of new generation with VVER reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bezlepkin, V.; Kukhtevich, I.; Semashko, S.; Svetlov, S.; Solodovnikov, A.

2004-01-01

With the present day conditions, in order to successfully promote new NPP designs in the electric power markets, it is necessary to ensure enhanced technical/economic performances provided that international safety requirements are properly adhered to. When compared with high-powered nuclear power plants, NPP VVER-640 design (medium powered) possesses a number of advantages for the regions with undeveloped energy systems. Reduced specific energy intensity of the core adopted in this type of reactor allows to ensure the emergency cooldown of the reactor plant by passive means and to minimize the 'human factor' risk and external effects and provide sound substantiations as to how to retain corium inside RPV in case of severe accidents. At the same time, high-powered NPPs seem to be promising for regions with developed energy systems. Among such designs, NPP VVER-1000 and VVER-1500 designs are the most desirable. Configuration of new generation NPP with VVER-1500 is to be selected based on the gained experience in designing NPPs of previous generations considering the latest safety requirements and situation in the domestic and global energy markets for the time being and in the short run. Recent IAEA publications and latest EUR requirements insist that the following key safety indices should be established for new NPP designs: - aggregated frequency of core melting is 10 -6 (1/year); - frequency of maximum accident release is 10 -7 (1/year). To meet the aforementioned criteria, it is necessary to implement some safety assurance principles recommended by IAEA (in-depth defence, single failure, redundancy, diversity, etc.), application of deterministic and probabilistic methods for selection of safety assurance activities and means and use of reasonable combination of active and passive systems. Application of VVER-640 concept to high-powered NPPs seems to be a formidable task due to a number of reasons, namely, it is quite difficult to carry out cooldown process

Containment for Heavy-Water Gas-Cooled Reactors; Le Confinement des Reacteurs a Eau Lourde Refroidis par Gaz

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Verstraete, P.; Lehmann, D.; Lafitte, R. [Bonard et Gardel, Ingenieurs-Conseils, Lausanne (Switzerland)

1967-09-15

par gaz sont passes en revue dans le but d'etablir les specifications des enceintes de confinement en fonction des conditions des sites disponibles en Suisse pour la construction de centrales nucleaires. Ces specifications sont etablies d'apres les taux de dose consideres comme admissibles pour les populations vivant aux environs de la centrale en cas d 'accident grave du reacteur, en se basant sur des conditions meteorologiques et demographiques representatives de la plupart des sites du pays. Differents modes de construction de l ' enceinte de confinement, prenant en consideration les conditions qui s'etablissent dans l'enceinte a la suite de l'accident maximal concevable du reacteur, sont consideres. Les enceintes etudiees sont les suivantes: beton precontraint; beton precontraint avec coupole d'acier; beton precontraint avec peau d' etancheite interieure en acier; acier avec ecran lateral en beton pour la protection contre les radiations; et double confinement. Le degre d'etancheite des enceintes etudiees a ete considere comme une caracteristique lie e au mode de construction particulier et non comme une valeur prescrite en vue de laquelle la construction devait etre adaptee. Les caracteristiques d'etancheite de chaque enceinte sont estimees et les prix de chaque construction ont ete determines sur la base de plans precis avec le concours de diverses entrepises specialisees. L'estimation de l'efficacite des differentes enceintes, sous l'an gle de la securite, a ete faite en prenant en consideration differentes procedures en cas d' accident parmi lesquelles on citera principalement le rejet atmospherique, au travers de filtres adequats, et la decontamination de l 'atmosphere de l 'enceinte par recyclage dans des batteries de filtres. Une dizaine de cas, correspondant a differentes combinaisons de modes de construction et procedures en cas d'accident, font l 'objet d'une comparaison tres detaillee qui a ete realisee grace a un programme pour ordinateur electronique

Assessment of the recovery annealing efficiency for VVER-1000 materials' structure reset and lifetime extension

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gurovich, B.; Kuleshova, E.; Prikhodko, K.; Fedotova, S.

2011-01-01

The results of the VVER-1000 reactor pressure vessels welds studies based on the surveillance specimens sets have revealed a high embrittlement rate of steel with high nickel content compared with predicted embrittlement determined from the Russian Guide. For these critical vessels further safe operation (even during design service life) is not allowed without additional measures (recovery annealing of the VVER-1000 welds as earlier for VVER- 440). The reason is that the rate of high nickel VVER-1000 welds embrittlement is significantly higher than that is for base metal. In order to solve a problem of VVER-1000 lifetime extension recovery annealing validation and accelerated reirradiation of specimens for prolonged operation period estimation after annealing were necessary. In this work comparison of electron-microscopy fine structure studies and fractographic studies of Charpy specimens fracture surface of the VVER-1000 high nickel welds in different states were carried out. It allows estimation of the recovery annealing effect on steels structure and its behavior at further operation. It is shown that both secondary and primary irradiation causes alike radiation-induced fine structure changes: dislocation loops and nano-size precipitates. Recovery annealing leads to full dislocation loops dissolution and significant nano-size precipitates solution but not to the initial values. The rate of radiation defects and radiation-induced precipitates accumulation at reirradiation weld after recovery annealing is lower than at primary irradiation and determine the lower secondary embrittlement rate of VVER-1000 weld. (authors)

Developing the European Center of Competence on VVER-Type Nuclear Power Reactors

Science.gov (United States)

Geraskin, Nikolay; Pironkov, Lyubomir; Kulikov, Evgeny; Glebov, Vasily

2017-01-01

This paper presents the results of the European educational projects CORONA and CORONA-II which are dedicated to preserving and further developing nuclear knowledge and competencies in the area of VVER-type nuclear power reactors technologies (Water-Water Energetic Reactor, WWER or VVER). The development of the European Center of Competence for…

Water chemistry experiences with VVERs at Kudankulam

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rout, D.; Upadhyaya, T.C.; Ravindranath; Selvinayagam, P.; Sundar, R.S.

2015-01-01

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project - 1 and 2 (Kudankulam NPP - 1 and 2) are pressurised water cooled VVERs of 1000 MWe each. Kudankulam NPP Unit - 1 is presently on its first cycle of operation and Kudankulam NPP Unit - 2 is on the advanced stage of commissioning with the successful completion of hot run related Functional tests. Water Chemistry aspects during various phases of commissioning of Kudankulam NPP Unit - 1 such as Hot Run, Boric acid flushing, initial fuel Loading (IFL), First approach to Criticality (FAC) are discussed. The main objectives of the use of controlled primary water chemistry programme during the hot functional tests are reviewed. The importance of the relevant water chemistry parameters were ensured to have the quality of the passive layer formed on the primary coolant system surfaces. The operational experiences during the 1 st cycle of operation of primary water chemistry, radioactivity transport and build-up are presented. The operational experience of some VVER units in the field of the primary water chemistry, radioactivity transport and build-up are presented as a comparison to VVER at Kudankulam NPP. The effects of the initial passivated layer formed on metal surfaces during hot run, activated corrosion products levels in the primary coolant under controlled water chemistry regime and the contamination/radiation situation are discussed. This report also includes the water chemistry related issues of secondary water systems. (author)

Special Nuclear Material Control by the Power Reactor Operator; Controle des Matieres Nucleaires Speciales par l'Exploitant d'une Centrale Nucleaire; Spetsial'nyj kontrol' nalichiya yadernykh materialov operatorom ehnergeticheskogo reaktora; Control de Materiales Nucleares Especiales por Parte de Quienes Operan el Reactor de Potencia

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cordin, R. A. [Yankee Atomic Electric Company, Boston, MA (United States)

1966-02-15

matieres nucleaires ne se limite pas S de simples travaux d'inventaire mais sert de base a beaucoup d'autres activites qui font partie integrante du programme d'operations de tout reacteur, par exemple les expeditions de combustible irradie, le traitement chimique du combustible epuise et la comptabilite du combustible recupere et des matieres produites au cours du fonctionnement du reacteur, et l'institution et l'application d'un regime d'assurance satisfaisant. (author) [Spanish] Combustible relativamente nuevo y sumamente valioso para la produccion de energia electrica, el uranio requiere un control muy minucioso desde el momento en que la direccion de una central asume la responsabilidad financiera inherente a su posesion hasta que como combustible parcialmente agotado se transfiere a otra instalacion en la que se recupera la parte que no se ha consumido. Antes de que se descubriera la posibilidad de emplear la energia nuclear para producir electricidad, la mayor parte de las empresas que actualmente explotan centrales nucleares explotaban centrales alimentadas con combustibles fosiles y hablan establecido sistemas de control relativamente completos y adecuados para los combustibles de ese tipo. Los responsables de las centrales nucleoelectricas deben disponer de sistemas no menos adecuados para controlar los materiales nucleares especiales que utilizan. La explotacion de los reactores de potencia no es una ciencia antigua, pero durante el tiempo relativamente corto que ha transcurrido desde que se inicio su empleo los ingenieros y hombres de ciencia han mejorado continuamente el diseflo del equipo y los metodos de trabajo con objeto de disminuir los costos de produccion y de lograr que las centrales nucleares puedan competir en el plano economico con las centrales clasicas. La administracion de los materiales nucleares debe efectuarse con metodos modernos y eficientes a fin de que los adelantos tecnologicos que han permitido reducir los costos no resulten inutiles

Analysis of VVER-1000 large and small break LOCA experiments with RELAP5/MOD3.2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rychkov, M.; Chikkanagoudar, U.; Sehgal, B.R.

2004-01-01

A RELAP5 model for the analysis of the PSB-VVER test facility was developed by EREC in Russia. The PSB-VVER is a large-scale integral test facility to model the VVER-1000 type NPP. The volume and power scale in this test facility is 1:300 and the elevation scale is 1:1, which corresponds to the elevation mark of the reactor prototype. At the Division of Nuclear Safety, we have modified the PSB-VVER facility's RELAP5 model in order to analyze two of the transient tests performed on the PSB-VVER facility, which serve as the validation matrix described by NEA/CSNI. The objective of the work conducted was to validate the results obtained from RELAP5's calculation with the supplied experimental data from the PSB-VVER test facility. Two accident scenarios have been calculated and analyzed. After being verified against the '11% UP LOCA' test data, the RELAP5/MOD3.2 model was used for a so-called 'blind' transient calculation of the test '2*25% HL LOCA' and the results obtained were compared with the experimental data provided after the calculation. From the results of the qualitative and quantitative comparison of the 2 test calculations and the experimental data, we can state that the RELAP5/MOD3.2 code gives a satisfactory modeling of the PSB-VVER facility' thermal hydraulic phenomena

Contribution to the study of nuclear fuel materials with a metallic uranium base; Contribution a l'etude des materiaux combustibles nucleaires a base d'uranium metallique

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Englander, M. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1957-11-15

In a power reactor destined to supply industrially recoverable thermal energy, the most economical source of heat still consists of natural metallic uranium. However, the nuclear fuel material, most often employed in the form of rods of 20 to 40 mm diameter, is subjected to a series of stresses which lead to irreversible distortions usually incompatible with the substructure of the reactor. As a result the fuel material must possess at the outset a certain number of qualities which must be determined. Investigations have therefore been carried out, first on the technological characters peculiar to each of the three allotropic phases of pure uranium metal, and on their interactions on the stabilisation of the material which consists of either cast uranium or uranium pile-treated in the {gamma} phase. (author) [French] Dans un reacteur de puissance destine a fournir de l'energie thermique industriellement recuperable, la source de chaleur la plus economique reste constituee par de l'uranium metallique naturel. Or, le materiau combustible nucleaire, employe le plus souvent sous forme de barreaux de 20 a 40 mm de diametre, se trouve soumis a un ensemble de contraintes qui provoque des deformations irreversibles, le plus souvent incompatibles avec l'infrastructure du reacteur. Par consequent, le materiau combustible doit presenter a l'origine un certain nombre de qualites qu'il est necessaire de determiner. Aussi a-t-on d'abord etudie les caracteres technologiques propres a chacune des trois phases allotropiques de l'uranium-metal pur et leurs interactions sur la stabilisation du materiau constitue soit par de l'uranium coule, soit par de l'uranium traite en pile en phase {gamma}. (auteur)

Application of a Russian nuclear reactor simulator VVER-1000; Aplicacion de un simulador de reactor nuclear ruso VVER-1000

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lopez-Peniche S, A. [UNAM, Facultad de Ingenieria, Circuito Interior, Ciudad Universitaria, 04360 Mexico D. F. (Mexico); Salazar S, E., E-mail: alpsordo@hotmail.com [UNAM, Facultad de Ingenieria, Departamento de Sistemas Energeticos, Laboratorio de Analisis en Ingenieria de Reactores Nucleares, 62250 Jiutepec, Morelos (Mexico)

2012-10-15

The objective of the present work is to give to know the most important characteristics in the Russian nuclear reactor of pressurized light water VVER-1000, doing emphasis in the differences that has with the western equivalent the reactor PWR in the design and the safety systems. Therefore, a description of the computerized simulation of the reactor VVER-1000 developed by the company Eniko TSO that the International Atomic of Energy Agency distributes to the states members with academic purposes will take place. The simulator includes mathematical models that represent to the essential systems in the real nuclear power plant, for what is possible to reproduce common faults and transitory characteristic of the nuclear industry with a behavior sufficiently attached to the reality. In this work is analyzed the response of the system before a turbine shot. After the accident in the nuclear power plant of Three Mile Island (US) they have been carried out improvements in the design of the reactor PWR and their safety systems. To know the reach and the limitations of the program, the events that gave place to this accident will be reproduced in the simulator VVER-1000. With base to the results of the simulation we will conclude that so reliable is the response of the safety system of this reactor. (Author)

VVER fuel. Results of post irradiation examination

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Smirnov, V.P.; Markov, D.V.; Smirnov, A.V.; Polenok, V.S.; Perepelkin, S.O.; Ivashchenko, A.A.

2005-01-01

The present paper presents the main results of post-irradiation examination of more than 40 different fuel assemblies (FA) operated in the cores of VVER-1000 and VVER-440-type power reactors in a wide range of fuel burnup. The condition of fuel assembly components from the viewpoint of deformation, corrosion resistance and mechanical properties is described here. A serviceability of the FA design as a whole and interaction between individual FA components under vibration condition and mechanical load received primary emphasis. The reasons of FA damage fuel element failure in a wide range of fuel burnup are also analyzed. A possibility and ways of fuel burnup increase have been proved experimentally for the case of high-level serviceability maintenance of fuel elements to provide for advanced fuel cycles. (author)

Structural mechanisms of the flux effect for VVER-1000 reactor pressure vessel materials

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gurovich, B.; Kuleshova, E.; Fedotova, S.; Maltsev, D.; Zabusov, O.; Frolov, A.; Erak, D.; Zhurko, D.

2015-01-01

To justify the lifetime extension of VVER-1000 reactor pressure vessels (RPV) up to 60 years and more it is necessary to expand the existing surveillance samples database to beyond design fluence by means of accelerated irradiation in a research reactor. Herewith since the changes in mechanical properties of materials under irradiation are due to occurring structural changes, correct analysis of the data obtained at accelerated irradiation of VVER-1000 RPV materials requires a clear understanding of the structural mechanisms that are responsible for the flux effect in VVER-1000 RPV steels. Two mechanisms are responsible for radiation embrittlement of VVER-1000 RPV steels: the hardening one (radiation hardening due to formation of radiation-induced Ni-based precipitates and radiation defects) and non-hardening one (due to formation of impurities segregations at grain boundaries - reversible temper brittleness). In this context for an adequate interpretation of the mechanical tests results when justifying the lifetime extension of existing units a complex of comparative structural studies (TEM, SEM and AES) of VVER-1000 RPV materials irradiated in different conditions (in research reactor IR-8 and within surveillance samples) was performed. It is shown that the flux effect is observed for materials with high nickel content (weld metals with Ni content > 1.35%) and it is mostly due to the contribution of non-hardening mechanism of radiation embrittlement (the difference in the accumulation kinetics of grain boundary phosphorus segregation) and somewhat contribution of the hardening mechanism (the difference in density of radiation-induced precipitates). Therefore when analyzing the results obtained from the accelerated irradiation of VVER-1000 WM the correction for the flux effect should be made. (authors)

Core designs of modern VVER projects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vasilchenko, I.; Kushmanov, S.; Vjalitsyn, V.; Vasilchenko, R.

2015-01-01

The presented operational experience of TVS - 2M (pilot-commercial operation started in 2006 at Balakovo NPP -1) enables to use it as reference for new projects because of similarity in designs and operational conditions. In the paper main parameters of fuel cycles, stability to impact of damaging factors, pilot operation of MG, new alloys, ADF and NTMC, upgrade of FA - 2M for the further power uprating, profiling of Gd-fuel rods for 18-month Fuel Cycle (FC) and perfection of absorber element design are the discussed issues. At the end author concluded that: 1) Core designs of new projects AES-2006 and VVER-TOI are based on extensive successful operational experience of the close prototype of TVS - 2M. 2) All improvements both of technical and economic parameters of fuel are subjected to representative examination by pilot operation at the power units with VVER-1000 being close prototypes of new designs

Some particular aspects of control in nuclear power reactors; Conception de la surete en france et influence des imperatifs de surete sur la conception des reacteurs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vathaire, F de; Vernier, Ph; Pascouet, A [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

This paper reviews the experience acquired in France on the question, of reactor safety. Since a special paper is being presented on reactors of the graphite gas type, the safety of the other types studied in France is discussed here: - heavy water-gas reactors, - fast neutron reactors, - water research reactors of the swimming-pool and tank types. The safety rules peculiar to the different types are explained, with emphasis on their influence on the reactor designs and on the power limits they impose. The corresponding safety studies are presented, particular stress being placed on the original work developed in these fields. Special mention is made of the experimental systems constructed for these studies: the reactor CABRI, pile loop for depressurization tests, loops outside the pile, mock-ups etc. (authors) [French] La presente communication propose une synthese de l'experience acquise en France en matiere de surete des reacteurs. Les reacteurs de la filiere graphite-gaz faisant l'objet d'une communication particuliere, on examine ici la surete des autres types de reacteurs etudies en France: - reacteurs eau lourde-gaz, - reacteurs a neutrons rapides, - reacteurs de recherche a eau des types piscines et tank. Les imperatifs de surete propres aux differentes filieres sont developpes, en mettant l'accent sur leur influence sur la conception des reacteurs et sur les limitations de puissance qu'ils entrainent. Les etudes de surete correspondantes sont presentees, en insistant plus particulierement sur les travaux originaux developpes dans ces domaines. On indique notamment les moyens d'essais qui ont ete construits pour ces etudes: le reacteur CABRI, boucle en pile pour essais de depressurisation, boucles hors pile, maquettes, etc. (auteurs)

Tightening unit EZ 250 for VVER 1000 type reactor pressure vessel head flange joints

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ruchar, Miloslav; Nadenik, Tomas; Kroj, Ludek

2010-01-01

The programme of flange joints tightening by seals made of expanded graphite for VVER 440 and VVER 1000 reactor head flange joints is highlighted, and tightening units of row EZ 650 and EZ 650 TK and KNI for VVER 440 reactor head flange joints and EZ 250 tightening unit for VVER 1000 reactor head flange joints are described in detail. The main advantages of electronically controlled tightening units include: Precise and uniform compression of the gasket during the tightening procedure; Automated solution to the graphite relaxing problem during tightening; Possibility of diagnosis of the thread status of the joints being tightened; Alleviation of operator's tough work; Shorter time of tensioning associated with a lower collective doses; Quick preparation of tightening procedure report from the data measured; Calibration renewal is possible in advance at time of unit storage without the need to place it on a real joint. (P.A.)

Hextran-Smabre calculation of the VVER-1000 coolant transient benchmark

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Elina Syrjaelahti; Anitta Haemaelaeinen [VTT Processes, P.O.Box 1604, FIN-02044 VTT (Finland)

2005-07-01

Full text of publication follows: The VVER-1000 Coolant Transient benchmark is intended for validation of couplings of the thermal hydraulic codes and three dimensional neutron kinetic core models. It concerns a switching on a main coolant pump when the other three main coolant pumps are in operation. Problem is based on experiment performed in Kozloduy NPP in Bulgaria. In addition to the real plant transient, two extreme scenarios concerning control rod ejection after switching on a main coolant pump were calculated. In VTT the three-dimensional advanced nodal code HEXTRAN is used for the core kinetics and dynamics, and thermohydraulic system code SMABRE as a thermal hydraulic model for the primary and secondary loop. Parallelly coupled HEXTRAN-SMABRE code has been in production use since early 90's, and it has been extensively used for analysis of VVER NPPs. The SMABRE input model is based on the standard VVER-1000 input used in VTT. Last plant specific modifications to the input model have been made in EU projects. The whole core calculation is performed in the core with HEXTRAN. Also the core model is based on earlier VVER-1000 models. Nuclear data for the calculation was specified in the benchmark. The paper outlines the input models used for both codes. Calculated results are introduced both for the coupled core system with inlet and outlet boundary conditions and for the whole plant model. Sensitivity studies have been performed for selected parameters. (authors)

Hextran-Smabre calculation of the VVER-1000 coolant transient benchmark

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Elina Syrjaelahti; Anitta Haemaelaeinen

2005-01-01

Full text of publication follows: The VVER-1000 Coolant Transient benchmark is intended for validation of couplings of the thermal hydraulic codes and three dimensional neutron kinetic core models. It concerns a switching on a main coolant pump when the other three main coolant pumps are in operation. Problem is based on experiment performed in Kozloduy NPP in Bulgaria. In addition to the real plant transient, two extreme scenarios concerning control rod ejection after switching on a main coolant pump were calculated. In VTT the three-dimensional advanced nodal code HEXTRAN is used for the core kinetics and dynamics, and thermohydraulic system code SMABRE as a thermal hydraulic model for the primary and secondary loop. Parallelly coupled HEXTRAN-SMABRE code has been in production use since early 90's, and it has been extensively used for analysis of VVER NPPs. The SMABRE input model is based on the standard VVER-1000 input used in VTT. Last plant specific modifications to the input model have been made in EU projects. The whole core calculation is performed in the core with HEXTRAN. Also the core model is based on earlier VVER-1000 models. Nuclear data for the calculation was specified in the benchmark. The paper outlines the input models used for both codes. Calculated results are introduced both for the coupled core system with inlet and outlet boundary conditions and for the whole plant model. Sensitivity studies have been performed for selected parameters. (authors)

Dosimetry of VVER-1000 Reactor Pressure Vessel and Surveillance Specimens as a part of PLiM at Ukrainian NPPs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bukanov, V.N.; Diemokhin, V.L.; Grytsenko, O.V.; Ilkovych, V.V.; Pugach, A.M.; Pugach, S.M.; Vasylieva, O.G.; Vyshnevskyi, I.M.; Kasatkin, O.G.

2012-01-01

A regular surveillance program for VVER-1000 and its shortages are described. The Methodology for determination of neutron flux functionals on surveillance specimens of VVER-1000 pressure vessel is presented. The radiation exposure monitoring system for VVER-1000 pressure vessel is described. The main principles of an additional surveillance program for VVER-1000 are presented. The Dosimetry Experiment, which is already carrying out at Unit 3 of Rivne NPP, is described. (author)

VVER-1000: considering its strengths and weaknesses

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Laaksonen, J.

1994-01-01

The safety of currently operating VVER-1000 reactors is examined. The factors considered are deviations in operation, inherent safety, safety system design, protection against internal and external hazards, equipment quality, the approach to plant operations and the safety culture. On the basis of this evaluation it is concluded that the overall safety of a VVER-1000 cannot be at the level of a modern Western PWR though there is no sound basis to make a quantitative comparison. Many of the concerns raised are being adequately addressed in the Czech Temelin which is currently under construction and in new designs which are still at the drawing board stage. Extensive back fitting programmes are planned or underway in operating plants. The creation of independent responsible operating organizations, powerful regulation and an improved economic situation are advanced as necessary criteria for real improvements in safety. (UK)

Natural circulation in a VVER reactor geometry: Experiments with the PACTEL facility and Cathare simulations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Raussi, P.; Kainulainen, S. [Lappeenranta Univ. of Technology, Lappeenranta (Finland); Kouhia, J. [VTT Energy, Lappeenranta (Finland)

1995-09-01

There are some 40 reactors based on the VVER design in use. Database available for computer code assessment for VVER reactors is rather limited. Experiments were conducted to study natural circulation behaviour in the PACTEL facility, a medium-scale integral test loop patterned after VVER pressurized water reactors. Flow behaviour over a range of coolant inventories was studied with a small-break experiment. In the small-break experiments, flow stagnation and system repressurization were observed when the water level in the upper plenum fell below the entrances to the hot legs. The cause was attributed to the hot leg loop seals, which are a unique feature of the VVER geometry. At low primary inventories, core cooling was achieved through the boiler-condenser mode. The experiment was simulated using French thermalhydraulic system code CATHARE.

Typical design/qualification acceptance criteria for newly installed pipelines and equipment components of VVER-type NPPs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Masopust, R.

2003-01-01

This paper describes in general the typical design/qualification acceptance criteria and seismic acceptance criteria in particular that are applicable for important to safety newly installed pipelines and equipment components of VVER-type already existing NPPs, specifically during the design verification phase of this newly installed equipment. These criteria are currently used for VVER 440-213 and VVER 1000 NPPs in Czech Republic and in Slovakia. The similar criteria are also used in Hungary. (author)

Validation of containment thermal hydraulic computer codes for VVER reactor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jiri Macek; Lubomir Denk [Nuclear Research Institute Rez plc Thermal-Hydraulic Analyses Department CZ 250 68 Husinec-Rez (Czech Republic)

2005-07-01

Full text of publication follows: The Czech Republic operates 4 VVER-440 units, two VVER-1000 units are being finalized (one of them is undergoing commissioning). Thermal-hydraulics Department of the Nuclear Research Institute Rez performs accident analyses for these plants using a number of computer codes. To model the primary and secondary circuits behaviour the system codes ATHLET, CATHARE, RELAP, TRAC are applied. Containment and pressure-suppression system are modelled with COCOSYS and MELCOR codes, the reactor power calculations (point and space-neutron kinetics) are made with DYN3D, NESTLE and CDF codes (FLUENT, TRIO) are used for some specific problems.An integral part of the current Czech project 'New Energy Sources' is selection of a new nuclear source. Within this and the preceding projects financed by the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade and the EU PHARE, the Department carries and has carried out the systematic validation of thermal-hydraulic and reactor physics computer codes applying data obtained on several experimental facilities as well as the real operational data. One of the important components of the VVER 440/213 NPP is its containment with pressure suppression system (bubble condenser). For safety analyses of this system, computer codes of the type MELCOR and COCOSYS are used in the Czech Republic. These codes were developed for containments of classic PWRs or BWRs. In order to apply these codes for VVER 440 systems, their validation on experimental facilities must be performed.The paper provides concise information on these activities of the NRI and its Thermal-hydraulics Department. The containment system of the VVER 440/213, its functions and approaches to solution of its safety is described with definition of acceptance criteria. A detailed example of the containment code validation on EREC Test facility (LOCA and MSLB) and the consequent utilisation of the results for a real NPP purposes is included. An approach to

Verification of the Korsar code on results of experiments executed on the PSB-VVER facility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Roginskaya, V.L.; Pylev, S.S.; Elkin, I.V.

2005-01-01

Full text of publication follows: Paper represents some results of computational research executed within the framework of verification of the KORSAR thermal hydraulic code. This code was designed in the NITI by A.P. Aleksandrov (Russia). The general purpose of the work was development of a nodding scheme of the PSB-VVER integral facility, scheme testing and computational modelling of the experiment 'The PSB-VVER Natural Circulation Test With Stepwise Reduction of the Primary Inventory'. The NC test has been performed within the framework of the OECD PSB-VVER Project (task no. 3). This Project is focused upon the provision of experimental data for codes assessment with regard to VVER analysis. Paper presents a nodding scheme of the PSB-VVER facility and results of pre- and post-test calculations of the specified experiment, obtained with the KORSAR code. The experiment data and the KORSAR pre-test calculation results are in good agreement. A post-test calculation of the experiment with KORSAR code has been performed in order to assess the code capability to simulate the phenomena relevant to the test. The code showed a reasonable prediction of the phenomena measured in the experiment. (authors)

Verification of the Korsar code on results of experiments executed on the PSB-VVER facility

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Roginskaya, V.L.; Pylev, S.S.; Elkin, I.V. [NSI RRC ' Kurchatov Institute' , Kurchatov Sq., 1, Moscow, 123182 (Russian Federation)

2005-07-01

Full text of publication follows: Paper represents some results of computational research executed within the framework of verification of the KORSAR thermal hydraulic code. This code was designed in the NITI by A.P. Aleksandrov (Russia). The general purpose of the work was development of a nodding scheme of the PSB-VVER integral facility, scheme testing and computational modelling of the experiment 'The PSB-VVER Natural Circulation Test With Stepwise Reduction of the Primary Inventory'. The NC test has been performed within the framework of the OECD PSB-VVER Project (task no. 3). This Project is focused upon the provision of experimental data for codes assessment with regard to VVER analysis. Paper presents a nodding scheme of the PSB-VVER facility and results of pre- and post-test calculations of the specified experiment, obtained with the KORSAR code. The experiment data and the KORSAR pre-test calculation results are in good agreement. A post-test calculation of the experiment with KORSAR code has been performed in order to assess the code capability to simulate the phenomena relevant to the test. The code showed a reasonable prediction of the phenomena measured in the experiment. (authors)

Investigation of station blackout scenario in VVER440/v230 with RELAP5 computer code

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gencheva, Rositsa Veselinova, E-mail: roseh@mail.bg; Stefanova, Antoaneta Emilova, E-mail: antoanet@inrne.bas.bg; Groudev, Pavlin Petkov, E-mail: pavlinpg@inrne.bas.bg

2015-12-15

Highlights: • We have modeled SBO in VVER440. • RELAP5/MOD3 computer code has been used. • Base case calculation has been done. • Fail case calculation has been done. • Operator and alternative operator actions have been investigated. - Abstract: During the development of symptom-based emergency operating procedures (SB-EOPs) for VVER440/v230 units at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) a number of analyses have been performed using the RELAP5/MOD3 (Carlson et al., 1990). Some of them investigate the response of VVER440/v230 during the station blackout (SBO). The main purpose of the analyses presented in this paper is to identify the behavior of important VVER440 parameters in case of total station blackout. The RELAP5/MOD3 has been used to simulate the SBO in VVER440 NPP model (Fletcher and Schultz, 1995). This model was developed at the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (INRNE-BAS), Sofia, for analyses of operational occurrences, abnormal events and design based scenarios. The model provides a significant analytical capability for specialists working in the field of NPP safety.

Hydrogen mixing analyses for a VVER containment.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sienicki, J.J.; Kostka, P.; Techy, Z.

2002-02-25

Hydrogen combustion may represent a threat to containment integrity in a VVER-440/213 plant owing to the combination of high pressure and high temperature. A study has been carried out using the GASFLOW 2.1 three-dimensional CFD code to evaluate the hydrogen distribution in the containment during a beyond design basis accident. The VVER-440/213 containment input model consists of two 3D blocks connected via one-dimensional (1D) ducts. One 3D block contains the reactor building and the accident localization tower with the suppression pools. Another 3D block models the air traps. 1D ducts represent the check valves connecting the accident localization tower with the air traps. The VVER pressure suppression system, called ''bubbler condenser,'' was modeled as a distributed heat sink with water thermodynamic properties. This model accounts for the energy balance. However, it is not currently possible to model dynamic phenomena associated with the water pools (e.g., vent clearing, level change). The GASFLOW 2.1 calculation gave detailed results for the spatial distribution of thermal-hydraulic parameters and gas concentrations. The range and trend of the parameters are reasonable and valuable. There are particularly interesting circulation patterns around the steam generators, in the bubbler tower and other primary system compartments. In case of the bubbler tower, concentration and temperature contour plots show an inhomogeneous distribution along the height and width, changing during the accident. Hydrogen concentrations also vary within primary system compartments displaying lower as well as higher (up to 13-20% and higher) values in some nodes. Prediction of such concentration distributions was not previously possible with lumped parameter codes. GASFLOW 2.1 calculations were compared with CONTAIN 1.2 (lumped parameter code) results. Apart from the qualitatively similar trends, there are, for the time being, quantitative differences between the

Improving the VVER-440 fuel design and technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aksenov, P.; Bondar, Y.; Kolosovsky, Y.; Kochergin, V.; Luzan, Y.; Malakhov, A.; Krapivtsev, V.; Bauman, N.; Shumeev, A.; Filippov, V.

2009-01-01

Operational performance of VVER-440 fuel has long been demonstrating good reliability of the fuel. However, assembly failures occur, and fuel suppliers should always take measures to maintain its reliability. For several years, OAO MSZ has been fabricating working assemblies with detachable shrouds and removable fuel rods. The next step is the supply of demountable assemblies to allow inspection or repair of fuel rods after removal of the shroud. With the help of corresponding program the Russian organizations have carried out research and development work to advance and study operational features of demountable VVER-440 CFAs. The main engineering solutions are consistent with the working assemblies. The pilot demountable CFAs are running in the Kola-4 core. The obtained results can be used when deciding on the demountable CFAs delivery issues. The experiment-calculated research results of coolant mixing in the present design VVER-440 have been analysed. It has been found out that coolant mixing in the WA head is incomplete and that is why leading to conservatism when determining the reactor operational limits. The proposed WA head design includes an upgraded bumper grid with additional planes intensifying coolant mixing in the head. The bumper grid drawing and a pilot model is available. The thermohydraulics and rigidity features of the proposed design have been studied by experiment-calculated methods

Assessment of Automated Data Analysis Application on VVER Steam Generator Tubing

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Picek, E.; Barilar, D.

2006-01-01

INETEC - Institute for Nuclear Technology has developed software package named EddyOne having an option of automated analysis of bobbin coil eddy current data. During its development and site use some features were noticed preventing the wide use automatic analysis on VVER SG data. This article discuss these specific problems as well evaluates possible solutions. With regards to current state of automated analysis technology an overview of advantaged and disadvantages of automated analysis on VVER SG is summarized as well.(author)

Test facility of the VVER-440 condensation-type pressure suppression system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wolff, H.; Arndt, S.

2004-01-01

Since the early nineties, GRS has supported regulatory authorities in Central and Eastern Europe in performing safety assessments of nuclear power plants. Especially studies of the condensation-type pressure suppression system of VVER-440/V-213-type plants have been important in this respect. Major steps in demonstrating complete functioning of the condensation-type pressure suppression system under accident conditions by experiments run in the Russian large scale test facility, BC V-213, have been completed in the past two years within the framework of various international experimental programs. The test results were used to validate specifically for power plants with VVER-400/V-213 reactors the COCOSYS GRS computer code, which is used in the safety assessments. The results of recalculations of the C02 EREC test, which simulates a break of a main steam pipe, demonstrate the present state of validation of COCOSYS for VVER condensation-type pressure suppression systems. (orig.) [de

Modernizing the VVER-440/230

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mink, F.J.

1991-01-01

The modernization of the VVER-440/230s is not fundamentally different from backfit projects on older pressurized water reactors which Westinghouse has completed elsewhere. However, carrying out such programmes only makes sense if the plants are expected to continue operation for their projected life or beyond. This clearly requires some licensing and political stability; both are essential if investors in the upgrading project are to be found. (author)

Review of Development Status of Nuclear Superheat; Expose sur l'etat actuel des travaux concernant la surchauffe nucleaire; Obzor razrabotki voprosa o yadernykh peregrevatelyakh; Estudio de los progresos realizados en niateria de sobrecalentamiento nuclear

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Imhoff, D. H.; Pennington, R. T. [General Electric Company, San Jose, CA (United States)

1963-10-15

fuel irradiation performance, in-pile and out-of-pile uniform and localized corrosion evaluations, results from thermal superheat critical experiments, results from experimental heat-transfer testing and a brief appraisal of the economic incentives of the separate superheat reactor, integral superheat reactor, and mixed-spectrum superheat reactor design studies. (b) A brief description is given of the USAEC-Sponsored ESADA-VESR nuclear superheat fuel development programme. The development tasks, the initial core superheat fuel-element design, the range of experimental variables, and the expected results for the three-year fuel development programme are discussed. (author [French] Depuis 1959, la Societe General Electric s'occupe activement de mettre au point la surchauffe nucleaire dans les reacteurs ralentis a l'eau ordinaire. A cette epoque, le ''Superheat Advance Demonstration Experiment'' (SADE), finance par la societe, a permis d'obtenir, pour la premiere fois aux Etats-Unis, de la vapeur surchauffee par un dispositif nucleaire. Les auteurs du memoire font le point de la situation actuelle concernant la surchauffe nucleaire. Ils decrivent, dans une premiere partie, les trois principales installations de surchauffe nucleaire utilisees par la General Electric et, dans la seconde, les deux principaux programmes de recherches sur la surchauffe ainsi que les resultats les plus importants obtenus jusqu'ici dans ce domaine. 1. Principales installations pour les experiences de surchauffe: a) Breve description du SADE utilise dans le reacteur a eau bouillante de Vallecitos (VBWR), avec tableaux des conditions dans lesquelles se deroulent les experiences, et des elements combustibles irradies pendant la periode comprise entre mai 1959 et juin 1962; puis examen critique des resultats les plus importants ainsi obtenus. b) Breve description de l' ''Expanded Superheat Advance Demonstration Experiment'' (E-SADE) installe dans le reacteur de Vallecitos, avec tableaux des

Validation matrix for the assessment of thermal-hydraulic codes for VVER LOCA and transients. A report by the OECD support group on the VVER thermal-hydraulic code validation matrix

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2001-06-01

This report deals with an internationally agreed experimental test facility matrix for the validation of best estimate thermal-hydraulic computer codes applied for the analysis of VVER reactor primary systems in accident and transient conditions. Firstly, the main physical phenomena that occur during the considered accidents are identified, test types are specified, and test facilities that supplement the CSNI CCVMs and are suitable for reproducing these aspects are selected. Secondly, a list of selected experiments carried out in these facilities has been set down. The criteria to achieve the objectives are outlined. The construction of VVER Thermal-Hydraulic Code Validation Matrix follows the logic of the CSNI Code Validation Matrices (CCVM). Similar to the CCVM it is an attempt to collect together in a systematic way the best sets of available test data for VVER specific code validation, assessment and improvement, including quantitative assessment of uncertainties in the modelling of phenomena by the codes. In addition to this objective, it is an attempt to record information which has been generated in countries operating VVER reactors over the last 20 years so that it is more accessible to present and future workers in that field than would otherwise be the case. (authors)

Innovated feed water distributing system of VVER steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matal, O.; Sousek, P.; Simo, T.; Lehota, M.; Lipka, J.; Slugen, V.

2000-01-01

Defects in feed water distributing system due to corrosion-erosion effects have been observed at many VVER 440 steam generators (SG). Therefore analysis of defects origin and consequently design development and testing of a new feed water distributing system were performed. System tests in-situ supported by calculations and comparison of measured and calculated data were focused on demonstration of long term reliable operation, definition of water flow and water chemical characteristics at the SG secondary side and their measurements and study of dynamic characteristics needed for the innovated feed water distributing system seismic features approval. The innovated feed water distributing system was installed in the SGs of two VVER units already. (author)

VVER-1000 RPV Head Examination Control System

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Erak, Z.; Gortan, K.

2006-01-01

This article presents the electronic system used for automated NDT examination of VVER-1000 Reactor Pressure Vessel Head (RPVH). The control system drives the inspection tool with end-effectors to needed position. When the final position is reached, the eddy current and ultra sound acquisition system performs the data acquisition. The system is composed of 3 layers. The first layer is the hardware layer consisting of motors driving the tool and end-effectors along with sensors needed to obtain the positioning data. The second layer is the MAC-8 control system performing basic monitoring and control routines as an interconnection between first and third layer. The third layer is the control software, running on PC, which is used as a human-machine-interface. Presentation contains details of examination techniques with focus on eddy current examination as well as details on manipulator and end effectors developed by Inetec for VVER-1000 RPVH examination.(author)

Investigation of primary-to-secondary leakage accident on the PSB-VVER integral test facility

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lipatov, I.A.; Dremin, G.I.; Galtchanskaya, S.A.; Chmal, I.I.; Moloshnikov, A.S.; Gorbunov, Y.S.; Antonova, A.I.; Elkin, I.V.

2001-01-01

The full text follows. The paper presents the main results from the test on primary-to-secondary leakage of 100 mm in equivalent diameter. The test was performed on the PSB-VVER integral test facility. PSB-VVER is a 4-loops scaled down model of primary system of NPP with VVER-1000 Russian type reactor. Volume - power scale is about 1/300 while elevation scale is 1/1. All components of the primary system of the reference NPP are modeled on PSB-VVER. Both passive (accumulators) and active (high and low pressure) ECCSs, pressurizer spray and relief circuits, feed water system and atmospheric dumping system (ADS) as well as the primary circuit gas remove emergency system are also simulated. The primary-to-secondary leakage was simulated using an external break line which connects the upper part of the hot header to SG water volume. The break line included a break nozzle (a cylindrical channel d = 5.8 mm, l/d = 10 with sharp inlet edge), quick-acting valve and two-phase mass flow rate measurement system. In addition loss of off-site power at the moment when a scram-signal is generated was assumed in the experiment. Thus the accident is to be considered as a beyond-design-basic one. The loss of off-site power results in the following: -main circulation pump shutdown; -pressurizer heaters switching off; -HPIS water cooling flow rate and number of points of water injection are reduced The study focuses on the adequacy of the associated accident management (AM) procedure developed by EDO ''GIDROPRESS'' as a General Designer of VVER-type reactors. The AM-procedure was adopted to the PSB-VVER test facility conditions using CATHARE (France) and DINAMIKA (Russia) codes analysis. The AM-procedure in PSB-VVER is as follows: after about 30 min of the onset of the accident, when the accident type and the localization of the SG affected become evident for the operator, he closes all the main steam isolation valves, inhibits the ADS actuation in the affected SG and begins to remove

The noise-time of response compromise in d.c. period meters. A new type of circuit (1961); Le compromis bruit-temps de reponse dans les periodemetres a courant continu. un nouveau type de circuit (1961)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Friedling, G [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-07-01

The report compares the characteristics of three period meter circuits: - a linear circuit - a circuit which is non-linear according to the nuclear reactor period - a circuit which is non-linear according to the period and the power of the reactor. This last type of reactor has a fast time of response if the power is high or if the period is short, and it has a slow time of response when the power is low and the period long; this system makes it possible to maintain the noise at an acceptable level under all normal working conditions of the reactor. (author) [French] Le rapport compare les caracteristiques de trois circuits de periodemetres: - un circuit lineaire; - un circuit non lineaire selon la periode du reacteur nucleaire; - un circuit non lineaire selon la periode et la puissance du reacteur. Ce dernier type de circuit a un court temps de reponse si la puissance est faible et la periode grande; ce systeme permet de limiter le bruit a des niveaux acceptables dans toutes les conditions normales de fonctionnement du reacteur. (auteur)

VIPRE modeling of VVER-1000 reactor core for DNB analyses

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sung, Y.; Nguyen, Q. [Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA (United States); Cizek, J. [Nuclear Research Institute, Prague, (Czech Republic)

1995-09-01

Based on the one-pass modeling approach, the hot channels and the VVER-1000 reactor core can be modeled in 30 channels for DNB analyses using the VIPRE-01/MOD02 (VIPRE) code (VIPRE is owned by Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, California). The VIPRE one-pass model does not compromise any accuracy in the hot channel local fluid conditions. Extensive qualifications include sensitivity studies of radial noding and crossflow parameters and comparisons with the results from THINC and CALOPEA subchannel codes. The qualifications confirm that the VIPRE code with the Westinghouse modeling method provides good computational performance and accuracy for VVER-1000 DNB analyses.

VVANTAGE 6 - an advanced fuel assembly design for VVER reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Doshi, P.K.; DeMario, E.E.; Knott, R.P.

1993-01-01

Over the last 25 years, Westinghouse fuel assemblies for pressurized water reactors (PWR's) have undergone significant changes to the current VANTAGE 5. VANTAGE 5 PWR fuel includes features such as removable top nozzles, debris filter bottom nozzles, low-pressure-drop zircaloy grids, zircaloy intermediate flow mixing grids, optimized fuel rods, in-fuel burnable absorbers, and increased burnup capability to region average values of 48000 MWD/MTU. These features have now been adopted to the VVER reactors. Westinghouse has completed conceptual designs for an advanced fuel assembly and other core components for VVER-1000 reactors known as VANTAGE 6. This report describes the VVANTAGE 6 fuel assembly design

The formation of scientists and technicians at the 'Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires' at Saclay; Formation des scientifiques et des techniciens au Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Debiesse, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1958-07-01

The considerable needs in research workers and scientists which are asked by the nuclear energy obliged the Commissariat a l'Energie atomique to deal with a particular effort to increase the quantitative and qualitative formation of scientists. Most various ways have been used. 1- A National Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Nuclear Techniques was created, by a joint decree of the Prime Minister and the Minister for National Education (june 18, 1957). This Institute of Higher Teaching (250 students) indulges in the following matters: atomic engineering, quantum mechanics, theory and technic of particle accelerators, special metallurgy, radiobiology, thermic and mechanics of fluids. 2- An associated centre of the 'Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers' waeated (200 students) for technical assistants, drawers, etc. 3- In contribution with both electronic industry and Ministry of Work, the Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires contributes to an accelerated formation of technical assistants into Professional Centres. Conclusion: Training of scientists and research workers is one of the most important activities of the Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay. Without losing its technical efficiency, it has supplied and varied means adapted to the various purposes that we shall reach. (author)Fren. [French] Les besoins considerables actuels et previsibles en chercheurs et scientifiques necessites par l'avevement de l'energie nucleaire imposaient au Commissariat a I'Energie atomique un effort particulier pour augmenter la formation quantitative et qualitative des scientifiques. Les moyens les plus divers ont ete mis en oeuvre: 1- Creation de l'Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucleaires par decret de la Presidence du Conseil et de l'Education Nationale en date du 18.6.57. Cet Institut d'Enseignement Superieur (250 etudiants) donne des cours en: genie atomique, mecanique quantique, theorie et technique des Accelerateurs de particules, metallurgie speciale, radiobiologie

CORONA ACADEMY, Opportunities for Enhancement of Training Capabilities in VVER Technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ilieva, M.; Dieguez Porras, P.; Klepakova, A.

2016-01-01

Full text: The general objective of the project CORONA II is to enhance the safety of nuclear installations through further improvement of the training capabilities for providing the necessary personnel competencies in VVER area. More specific objective of the project is to continue the development of a state-of-the-art regional training network for VVER competence called CORONA Academia. The project aims at continuation of the European cooperation and support in this area for preservation and further development of expertise in the nuclear field by improvement of higher education and training. The consortium is focusing its effort on using the most advanced ways of providing training to the trainees, saving cost and time–distance learning and e-learning approaches which will be tested in CORONA II Project. The knowledge management portal will integrate the information on VVER web into a single communication system and develop and implement a semantic web structure to achieve mutual recognition of authentication information with other databases. That will enable the partners to share the materials available in each specific training center. (author

Thermal aging effects of VVER-1000 weld metal under operation temperature

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chernobaeva, A.A.; Kuleshova, E.A.; Gurovich, B.A.; Erak, D.Y.; Zabusov, O.O.; Maltsev, D.A.; Zhurko, D.A.; Papina, V.B.; Skundin, M.A.

2015-01-01

The VVER-1000 thermal aging surveillance specimen sets are located in the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) under real operation conditions. Thermal aging surveillance specimens data are the most reliable source of the information about changing of VVER-1000 RPV materials properties because of long-term (hundred thousand hours) exposure at operation temperature. A revision of database of VVER-1000 weld metal thermal aging surveillance specimens has been done. The reassessment of transition temperature (T t ) for all tested groups of specimens has been performed. The duration of thermal exposure and phosphorus contents have been defined more precisely. The analysis of thermal aging effects has been done. The yield strength data, study of carbides evolution show absence of hardening effects due to thermal aging under 310-320 C degrees. Measurements of phosphorus content in grain boundaries segregation in different states have been performed. The correlation between intergranular fracture mode in Charpy specimens and transition temperature shift under thermal aging at temperature 310-320 C degrees has been revealed. All these data allow developing the model of thermal aging. (authors)

Transient regimes in a heavy water reactor; Regimes transitoires dans un reacteur a eau lourde

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Raievski, V [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay(France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1953-07-01

We studied the variations of power and reactivity of a reactor when we raise in a continuous way the starting plates. During the subcritical regime (negative reactivity), the power is determined by reactivity and by the intensity of the sources of photo neutrons, produced during the previous work of the reactor. When, during the rise of the plates, the reactor, pass by the critical regime (zero reactivity), one notes that the reached power is independent of the initial reactivity. During the sur-critical regime (positive reactivity), the elevation of temperature of the uranium bars slows down the growth of reactivity due to the movements of the plates. The power stretches then toward a value that depends only on the regime of cooling of the reactor and the excess of the available reactivity. This survey permits to choose such a rise speed, that reactivity remains constantly lower to a value beyond which the piloting of the reactor becomes difficult. This result is not more valid, if the intensity of the sources is insufficient, what takes place during the first divergences and after a stop of long length. (author) [French] On etudie les variations de puissance et de reactivite d'un reacteur quand on leve d'une facon continue les plaques de demarrage. Pendant le regime subcritique (reactivite negative), la puissance est determinee par la reactivite et par l'intensite des sources de photoneutrons, produites pendant la marche anterieure du reacteur. Quand, au cours de la montee des plaques, le reacteur passe par le regime critique (reactivite nulle), on constate que la puissance atteinte est independante de la reactivite initiale. Pendant le regime surcritique (reactivite positive), l'elevation de temperature des barres d'uranium ralentit l'accroissement de reactivite due aux mouvements des plaques. La puissance tend alors vers une valeur qui ne depend plus que du regime de refroidissement du reacteur et de l'exces de la reactivite disponible. Cette etude permet de

The fast breeder reactor Rapsodie (1962); Le reacteur rapide surregenerateur rapsodie (1962)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vautrey, L; Zaleski, C P [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1962-07-01

In this report, the authors describe the Rapsodie project, the French fast breeder reactor, as it stands at construction actual start-up. The paper provides informations about: the principal neutronic and thermal characteristics, the reactor and its cooling circuits, the main handling devices of radioactive or contaminated assemblies, the principles and means governing reactor operation, the purposes and locations of miscellaneous buildings. Rapsodie is expected to be critical by 1964. (authors) [French] Dans ce rapport, les auteurs font le point du projet RAPSODIE (reacteur francais surregenerateur a neutrons rapides), au moment du debut effectif de sa construction. On y trouvera decrits: les principales caracteristiques neutroniques et thermiques, le bloc pile et les circuits de refroidissement, les principaux moyens de manutention des ensembles actifs ou contamines, les principes et les moyens qui regissent la conduite du reacteur, les fonctions et l'implantation des divers batiments. La divergence de RAPSODIE est prevue pour 1964. (auteurs)

Some fundamental aspects of boiling in nuclear reactors; Quelques aspects fondamentaux de l'ebullition dans les reacteurs nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mondin, H; Lavigne, P; Semeria, R [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

oscillation, the conditions of burnout are compared with those obtained under steady conditions. The burn-out flux following uniform 'stopped' heating has been studied in a channel containing still water. The flux shows a maximum as a function of unsaturation. The influence of the geometry and the nature of the metal was investigated. 4 - Output Oscillations: Using a low pressure (8 atm) loop, the influence of various parameters on the periods of output oscillations in a boiling channel on the thresholds at which they appear, was studied. Some new aspects of this complex phenomena were observed and are reported. (authors) [French] On indique les principaux resultats obtenus a Grenoble depuis quatre ans dans le domaine des mecanismes de l'ebullition et des phenomenes connexes dans les reacteurs nucleaires. 1 - OBSERVATION DE L'EBULLITION: Par photographie et cinematographie ultrarapide (8000 images par seconde maximum) on a observe l'ebullition en vase ou en canal jusqu'a 140 kg/cm{sup 2}. On a denombre les populations de germes (sites) generateurs de bulles et obtenu une correlation donnant leur nombre par unite de surface en fonction du flux thermique et de la pression. Le diametre des bulles se detachant de la paroi a ete etudie jusqu'a 140 kg/cm{sup 2}. On a mis en evidence trois types de bulles: - Les bulles en equilibre dont le diametre suit la formule de Fritz et Ende, - Les bulles d'ebullition dont le diametre diminue rapidement avec la pression (1/100 mm a 140 kg/cm{sup 2}), - Les coalescences apparaissant en liquide sature au-dessus de 15 W/cm{sup 2} et dont la proportion est independante de la pression. Par visualisation en strioscopie on observe les mouvements du film thermique associes a l'amorcage des germes, au depart et a la condensation des bulles; les mecanismes responsables de l'excellent transfert de chaleur ont pu ainsi etre precises. 2 - PERTES DE PRESSION EN ECOULEMENT DIPHASE: On a etabli un modele de variation continue du taux de vide dans un canal

Application of a Russian nuclear reactor simulator VVER-1000

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lopez-Peniche S, A.; Salazar S, E.

2012-10-01

The objective of the present work is to give to know the most important characteristics in the Russian nuclear reactor of pressurized light water VVER-1000, doing emphasis in the differences that has with the western equivalent the reactor PWR in the design and the safety systems. Therefore, a description of the computerized simulation of the reactor VVER-1000 developed by the company Eniko TSO that the International Atomic of Energy Agency distributes to the states members with academic purposes will take place. The simulator includes mathematical models that represent to the essential systems in the real nuclear power plant, for what is possible to reproduce common faults and transitory characteristic of the nuclear industry with a behavior sufficiently attached to the reality. In this work is analyzed the response of the system before a turbine shot. After the accident in the nuclear power plant of Three Mile Island (US) they have been carried out improvements in the design of the reactor PWR and their safety systems. To know the reach and the limitations of the program, the events that gave place to this accident will be reproduced in the simulator VVER-1000. With base to the results of the simulation we will conclude that so reliable is the response of the safety system of this reactor. (Author)

Results of operation of VVER-1000 FAs manufactured at PJSC NCCP

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Davidov, D.; Brovkin, O.; Bezborodov, Y.

2015-01-01

Fuel Assemblies manufactured at PJSC NCCP are in operation at 27 VVER-1000 power units at 11 NPPs in Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, China, Iran and India. Basic results of operation of PJSC NCCP VVER-1000 FAs during 2007-2014 are presented. The operation results confirm the design characteristics of fuel, i.e.: average fuel burnup up to 55 MW*day/kgU in FAs; safe and reliable FA operation, with low leaking rate (in the order of 10-6). The achieved operation characteristics of TVSA and TVS-2M Fuel Assemblies prove the quality, reliability and competitiveness of FAs manufactured at PJSC NCCP

Codification of LMFBR rules and comparison of codes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Faure, O.; Debaene, J.P.

1993-01-01

The first part of this report presents the basic RCC-MR (regles de conception et de construction des materiels mecaniques des ilots nucleaires, reacteurs a neutrons rapides) design rules and their purpose. The second part is a qualitative comparison between RCC-MR, Code case N47 (ASME) and ETSDG Guide (MONJU Guide), made on the following topics: negligible creep test, ratcheting, creep fatigue, buckling, piping rules. An outline is given on improvements to RCC-MR rules now in progress

Development of TVSA VVER-1000 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Samoilov, O.; Kaydalov, V.; Romanov, A.; Falkov, A.; Morozkin, O.; Sholin, E.

2013-01-01

The TVSA fuel assemblies with a rigid angle-piece skeleton operate at 21 VVER-1000 units of Kalinin NPP, and Ukrainian, and Czech and Bulgarian NPPs. The total of more than 6,000 TVSA fuel assemblies have been fabricated. High lifetime performance has been achieved, namely, the maximum FA burnup is 65 MW∙day/kgU; maximum fuel rod burnup is 72 MW∙day/kgU; the lifetime is 50,000 EFPH. The TVSA fuel assembly is being improved to enhance its technical and economic performance and competitiveness of the Russian fuel for the VVER-1000 reactor: 1) Reliability and safety are being enhanced; repairability is being ensured. 2) High burnup levels in fuel are being ensured. 3) The uranium content in FAs is being increased. 4) The operational life is being extended. 5) Thermal-technical characteristics of FAs are being improved. The basic TVSA fuel assembly design evolved into the TVSA-PLUS with the fuel column elongated by 150 mm. The TVSA-PLUS fuel assembly has been in operation since 2010 at Kalinin NPP power units; an eighteen-month cycle is implemented at the uprated power of 104%. The TVSA-12PLUS fuel assembly has been developed with an elongated fuel column, optimized spacer grid positions (the spacer grid pitch is 340 mm) and with ensuring higher rigidity for the skeleton. It is provided for that fuel rods with the elevated uranium content and mixing intensifier grids will be used. The TVSA-T is developed for VVER-1000 reactor cores at the Temelin NPP. The TVSA-T is characterized by a load-carrying skeleton formed with angle-pieces and combined spacer grids that incorporate mixer grids. The TVSA-T design won the international tender to supply fuel to the Temelin NPP in the Czech Republic, and currently Temelin NPP Unit 1 and 2 are operating with the cores fully loaded with TVSA-Ts

Experimental studies of resistance fretting-wear of fuel rods for VVER-1000 and TVS-KVADRAT fuel assemblies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Makarov, V.; Afanasiev, A.; Egorov, Yu.; Matvienko, I.

2015-01-01

The paper covers the results of the studies performed to justify the wear resistance of fuel rods in contact with the spacer grids of TVS VVER-1000 fuel assembly and TVS-KVADRAT square fuel assembly of Russian design for PWR-900 reactor. The presented results of three testing stages comprise: Testing of mockup fuel rods of VVER TVS fuel assembly for fretting wear under the conditions of the water chemistry of VVER reactor; Testing models of different design embodiments of the fuel rods for VVER TVS fuel assembly for fretting wear in still cold water; Testing mockup fuel rods of TVS-KVADRAT square fuel assembly for PWR reactor for frettingwear under the conditions of PWR water chemistry. The effect of structural and operational factors was determined (amplitudes, fuel rod vibration frequencies, values of cladding-to-spacer grid cell gap for the depth of fuel rod cladding wear etc.), an assessment was made of the threshold values of fuel rod vibration parameters, which, if not exceeded, provide the absence of the fuel rod cladding fretting wear in the fuel rod-to spacer grid contact area. Key words: fretting wear, fuel rod, spacer grid, VVER, PWR (author)

Inspection qualification as a tool to risk based ET ISI of VVER type SG tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Horacek, L.

2002-01-01

A Pilot study on Eddy current inspection qualification of VVER 440 steam generator tubes, discussed in this paper, followed the ENIQ methodology principles and covered briefly the assumed scope of ET qualification, relevant elaborated qualification documents, known ISI limitations and a review of input information on component and defects determined for Eddy current inspection qualification of VVER 440 steam generator tubes. The information includes the fabrication of the test blocks with SG tube segments provided by intended defect simulations of realistic SCC type and basic data on the realistic SCC type defects manufacturing technology. Lessons learned from the development of manufacturing technology of SSC type of defects, regional blind tests, elaboration of the preliminary technical justification for Eddy current automated inspections, potential optimisation of inspection procedures, laboratory and practical open trials are summarised in the paper. The results of the Pilot study also especially in relation to POD curve being determined seem to be useful for practical operational ISI programme and Risk informed ISI decisions and the establishment of plugging criteria of VVER 440 and VVER 1000 type steam generator tubes. (orig.)

Investigation of primary-to-secondary leakage accident on the PSB-VVER integral test facility

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lipatov, I.A.; Dremin, G.I.; Galtchanskaya, S.A.; Chmal, I.I.; Moloshnikov, A.S.; Gorbunov, Y.S.; Antonova, A.I. [Electrogorsk Research and Engineering Center, EREC, Moscow (Russian Federation); Elkin, I.V. [RRC ' ' Kurchatov Institute, Moscow (Russian Federation)

2001-07-01

The full text follows. The paper presents the main results from the test on primary-to-secondary leakage of 100 mm in equivalent diameter. The test was performed on the PSB-VVER integral test facility. PSB-VVER is a 4-loops scaled down model of primary system of NPP with VVER-1000 Russian type reactor. Volume - power scale is about 1/300 while elevation scale is 1/1. All components of the primary system of the reference NPP are modeled on PSB-VVER. Both passive (accumulators) and active (high and low pressure) ECCSs, pressurizer spray and relief circuits, feed water system and atmospheric dumping system (ADS) as well as the primary circuit gas remove emergency system are also simulated. The primary-to-secondary leakage was simulated using an external break line which connects the upper part of the hot header to SG water volume. The break line included a break nozzle (a cylindrical channel d = 5.8 mm, l/d = 10 with sharp inlet edge), quick-acting valve and two-phase mass flow rate measurement system. In addition loss of off-site power at the moment when a scram-signal is generated was assumed in the experiment. Thus the accident is to be considered as a beyond-design-basic one. The loss of off-site power results in the following: -main circulation pump shutdown; -pressurizer heaters switching off; -HPIS water cooling flow rate and number of points of water injection are reduced The study focuses on the adequacy of the associated accident management (AM) procedure developed by EDO ''GIDROPRESS'' as a General Designer of VVER-type reactors. The AM-procedure was adopted to the PSB-VVER test facility conditions using CATHARE (France) and DINAMIKA (Russia) codes analysis. The AM-procedure in PSB-VVER is as follows: after about 30 min of the onset of the accident, when the accident type and the localization of the SG affected become evident for the operator, he closes all the main steam isolation valves, inhibits the ADS actuation in the affected SG

Sensitivity study applied to the CB4 VVER-440 benchmark on burnup credit

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Markova, Ludmila

2003-01-01

A brief overview of four completed portions (CB1, CB2, CB3, CB3+, CB4) of the international VVER-440 benchmark focused on burnup credit and a sensitivity study as one of the final views of the benchmark results are presented in the paper. Finally, the influence of real and conservative VVER-440 fuel assembly models taken for the isotopics calculation by SCALE sas2 on the system k eff is shown in the paper. (author)

VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactor dosimetry benchmark - BUGLE-96 versus ALPAN VII.0

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Duo, J. I.

2011-01-01

Document available in abstract form only, full text of document follows: Analytical results of the vodo-vodyanoi energetichesky reactor-(VVER-) 440 and VVER-1000 reactor dosimetry benchmarks developed from engineering mockups at the Nuclear Research Inst. Rez LR-0 reactor are discussed. These benchmarks provide accurate determination of radiation field parameters in the vicinity and over the thickness of the reactor pressure vessel. Measurements are compared to calculated results with two sets of tools: TORT discrete ordinates code and BUGLE-96 cross-section library versus the newly Westinghouse-developed RAPTOR-M3G and ALPAN VII.0. The parallel code RAPTOR-M3G enables detailed neutron distributions in energy and space in reduced computational time. ALPAN VII.0 cross-section library is based on ENDF/B-VII.0 and is designed for reactor dosimetry applications. It uses a unique broad group structure to enhance resolution in thermal-neutron-energy range compared to other analogous libraries. The comparison of fast neutron (E > 0.5 MeV) results shows good agreement (within 10%) between BUGLE-96 and ALPAN VII.O libraries. Furthermore, the results compare well with analogous results of participants of the REDOS program (2005). Finally, the analytical results for fast neutrons agree within 15% with the measurements, for most locations in all three mockups. In general, however, the analytical results underestimate the attenuation through the reactor pressure vessel thickness compared to the measurements. (authors)

Qualification of UT methods and systems used for in-service inspections of VVER 440 vessels

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Skala, Z.; Vit, J.

2003-01-01

SKODA JS has been performing automated in-service inspections VVER reactor pressure vessels for more than twenty years. All of these inspections were performed by ultrasonic pulse echo method, combined from 1996 with eddy current testing. The Time of Flight Diffraction Method (TOFD) is one of modern methods of ultrasonic testing. The accuracy of sizing the through wall extent of a flaw by TOFD is much better than the accuracy achievable by the pulse echo method. A series of laboratory tests were performed by SKODA JS and confirmed the suitability of TOFD method for VVER reactor parts testing. The Czech Atomic law demands the qualification of systems and methods used for the in-service inspections of nuclear reactors. The qualification is done in accordance with ENIQ methodology and consists of preparation of the Technical Justification and practical tests made under the surveillance of Qualification Body. SKODA JS intends to qualify systems and methods used for the automated ultrasonic testing of VVER 440 and VVER 1000 reactor components from the inner as well as from the outer surface. The accuracy of the flaw through wall extent sizing by TOFD was confirmed by the qualification of methods and systems used for the testing of VVER 440 vessel circumferential weld and so the TOFD method shall be used routinely by SKODA JS for the inspection of vessel circumferential welds root area and for sizing of flaws exceeding the acceptance level. (author)

Transient thermal-hydraulic/neutronic analysis in a VVER-1000 reactor core

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Seyed khalil Mousavian; Mohammad Mohsen Ertejaei; Majid Shahabfar

2005-01-01

Full text of publication follows: Nowadays, coupled thermal-hydraulic and three-dimensional neutronic codes in order to consider different feedback effects is state of the art subject in nuclear engineering researches. In this study, RELAP5/COBRA and WIMS/CITATION codes are implemented to investigate the VVER-1000 reactor core parameters during Large Break Loss of Coolant Accident (LB-LOCA). In a LB-LOCA, the primary side pressure, coolant density and fuel temperature strongly decrease but the cladding temperature experiences a strong peak. For this purpose, the RELAP5 Best Estimate (BE) system code is used to simulate the LB-LOCA analysis in VVER-1000 nuclear thermal-hydraulic loops. Also, the modified COBRA-IIIc software as a sub-channel analysis code is applied for modeling of VVER-1000 reactor core. Moreover, WIMS and CITATION as a cross section and 3-D neutron flux codes are coupled with thermal-hydraulic codes with the aim of consider the spatial effects through the reactor core. For this reason, suitable software is developed to link and speed up the coupled thermalhydraulic and three-dimensional neutronic calculations. This software utilizes of external coupling concept in order to integrate thermal-hydraulic and neutronic calculations. (authors)

Numerical investigation of the coolant mixing during fast deboration transients for VVER-440 type reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hoehne, T.; Rhode, U.

2000-01-01

The VVER-440 (440 MW) V-230 was considered for analyzing the flow field and mixing processes. The V-230 has no elliptical sieve plate in the lower plenum. Previously, the 3D flow distribution in the downcomer and the lower plenum of the VVER-440 reactor have been calculated by means of the CFD code CFX-4 for operational conditions. The CFX-calculations were compared with the experimental data and the analytical mixing model. In this paper, CFD calculations for the start-up of the first main coolant pump in a VVER-440 type reactor are reported about. This scenario is important in case that there is a plug of lower borated water in one of the primary coolant loops. (orig.)

Corrosion by cooling gases in nuclear reactors; la corrosion par les gaz caloporteurs dans les reacteurs nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Darras, R. [Commissariat a l' energie atomique et aux energies alternatives - CEA, Centre de Saclay, Section d' etude de la corrosion par gaz et metaux liquides (France)

1960-07-01

This article begins with a review of the various materials which can be used and the cooling gases in which they may be heated, emphasis being placed on the importance of reaching temperatures as high as possible. This is followed by a few general remarks on the dry oxidation of metals and alloys, particularly with regard to diffusion phenomena and their various possible mechanisms, and also the methods of investigation employed. Finally, the behaviour of the chief nuclear materials heated in the various gases is studied successively. Materials used for fuel (metallic uranium, uranium oxide, carbides and silicides), canning materials (magnesium, aluminium, zirconium, beryllium, stainless and refractory steels), structural materials (ordinary or slightly alloyed steels), and finally moderators (graphite, beryllium oxide) are deal with in this way. This account is backed up both by the results obtained at the CEA and by work published outside or abroad up to the present day. In conclusion, every effort has been made to direct future research on the basis of the foregoing. Reprint of a paper published in Industries Atomiques - no. 9/10, 1959, p. 3-23 [French] Dans cet article, on passe tout d'abord en revue les divers materiaux utilisables et les gaz de refroidissement dans lesquels ils peuvent etre chauffes, en insistant sur l'interet d'atteindre des temperatures aussi elevees que possible. On rappelle ensuite quelques generalites sur l'oxydation seche des metaux et alliages, notamment en ce qui concerne les phenomenes de diffusion et leurs divers mecanismes possibles ainsi que les methodes d'etude. Enfin, le comportement des principaux materiaux nucleaires chauffes dans les divers gaz est etudie successivement. On traita ainsi des materiaux combustibles (uranium metallique, oxyde, carbures et siliciures d'uranium), des materiaux de gainage (magnesium, aluminium, zirconium, beryllium, aciers inoxydables et refractaires), des materiaux de structure (aciers ordinaires

VVER operational safety improvements: lessons learnt from European co-operation and future research needs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pazdera, F.; Vasa, I.; Zd'arek, J.

2003-01-01

The paper summarises involvement of Nuclear Research Institute Rez (NRI) in the areas which are directly related to Reactor Operational Safety and Plant Life Management, it also gives an idea how results of the research projects can be used to enhance safety of VVER reactors. These issues are for many years subject of a wide international co-operation effort, covered by such programmes as PHARE, OECD/NEA TACIS, 5th Framework Programme. Nuclear Research Institute participated in the majority of these programmes and projects, which allowed us to evaluate benefits (especially for VVER reactors) of the projects already finalised or running, as well as to formulate so-called 'future research needs', which possibly may be pursued within 6th Framework Programme. The paper highlights the main features of some projects our Institute was and is involved in, emphasising the most important results, expectations and future needs. It also very briefly, deals with some general and particular lessons learnt within these projects and their application to VVER reactors, especially as to their safety improvement. The paper also mentions VVER-focused projects and activities, co-ordinated by the OECD, which should enable to extend multilateral contacts already existing between organisations of the EU countries to include organisations from Russia, USA, Japan and possibly some other countries

Optimal sizes and siting of nuclear fuel reprocessing plants; Tailles et localisations optimales des usines de retraitement des combustibles nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thiriet, L; Deledicq, A [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Siege (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1967-07-01

traite le probleme des usines de traitement de l'uranium naturel irradie associees a des centrales nucleaires a uranium naturel-graphite CO{sub 2}. La localisation et la production annuelle des reacteurs, les sites possibles d'usines et les fonctions de cout (transport et retraitement) sont supposes connus. La methode consiste a traiter d'abord le probleme des usines de traitement comme un probleme de programmation dynamique, des tranches croissantes de programmes (production totale des reacteurs) etant explorees sequentiellement. Lorsque les quantites d'uranium naturel irradie a retraiter sont fixees, la minimisation du cout de transport est alors effectuee, elle aussi comme un probleme de programmation dynamique. On explore le voisinage de l'optimum du cout de traitement pour trouver le minimum de la somme d'un cout de traitement sous-optimal et du cout de transport optimal correspondant. Le probleme de retraitement etant representable sur un graphe sequentiel, l'algorithme utilise pour calculer les sous-optima est 'l'algorithme a reflexion' que nous avons elabore. La methode s'interprete comme un mecanisme general de determination de l'optimum lorsque, a un probleme dynamique sequentiel (par exemple un programme d'equipement), se superpose un probleme complementaire (par exemple de transport). Elle permet en outre d'evaluer les pertes resultant du choix, pour des raisons autres qu'economiques, d'une politique non optimale. (auteur)

Multiple recycle of REMIX fuel at VVER-1000 operation in closed fuel cycle

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alekseev, P. N.; Bobrov, E. A., E-mail: evgeniybobrov89@rambler.ru; Chibinyaev, A. V.; Teplov, P. S.; Dudnikov, A. A. [National Research Center Kurchatov Institute (Russian Federation)

2015-12-15

The basic features of loading the VVER-1000 core with a new variant of REMIX fuel (REgenerated MIXture of U–Pu oxides) are considered during its multiple recycle in a closed nuclear fuel cycle. The fuel composition is produced on the basis of the uranium–plutonium regenerate extracted at processing the spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from a VVER-1000, depleted uranium, and the fissionable material: {sup 235}U as a part of highly enriched uranium (HEU) from warheads superfluous for defense purposes or {sup 233}U accumulated in thorium blankets of fusion (electronuclear) neutron sources or fast reactors. Production of such a fuel assumes no use of natural uranium in addition. When converting a part of the VVER-1000 reactors to the closed fuel cycle based on the REMIX technology, the consumption of natural uranium decreases considerably, and there is no substantial degradation of the isotopic composition of plutonium or change in the reactor-safety characteristics at the passage from recycle to recycle.

Results of VVER fuel rods tests in the MIR.M1 reactor under power cycling conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Burukin, A.; Izhutov, A.; Ovchinnikov, V.; Kalygin, V.; Markov, D.; Pimenov, Y.; Novikov, V.; Medvedev, A.; Nesterov, B.

2011-01-01

The paper presents the main results of the 50 ... 60 MWd/kgU burnup VVER fuel rods tests performed in the MIR.M1 reactor loop facilities under power cycling. The non-destructive PIE results are presented as well. A series of experiments was performed, including overall measurement of fuel rod parameters test, in one of which 300 cycles were done. Irradiation under power cycling conditions and PIE of high-burnup VVER fuel rods showed the following: 1) all fuel rods claddings preserved their integrity under irradiation at linear heat rate (LHR) higher than the NPP operating one; 2) experimental data were obtained on the axial and radial cladding strain and fission gas release (FGR) from 50 ... 60 MWd/kgU burnup VVER-440 and VVER-1000 fuel rods as well as on the kinetics of the change in these parameters and fuel temperature under the power cycling; 3) non-destructive PIE results are in a satisfactory correlation with the data obtained by means of in-pile measurement gages during irradiation. (authors)

Greifswald and Rheinsberg: East European VVERs with a new mission

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sterner, H.; Leushacke, D.; Rittscher, D.

1995-01-01

Plans for the decommissioning of the VVER reactors at Greifswald and Rheinsberg in the former German Democratic Republic are described. The decision to decommission the eight VVER-440s (two of which are still under construction) at Greifswald and the Russian prototype PWR, VVER-2, at Rheinsberg, was taken because of a lack of public acceptance and financial considerations. Three main phases are scheduled for the project. The first, the post-operation phase, has already commenced at both sites. It involves: the operation of all systems needed safely to store fuel elements, to remove them and to condition operational waste; dismantling of mainly inactive, systems not needed for fuel handling; and system decontamination. The second phase comprises the dismantling of contaminated systems, remote dismantling and conditioning of the dismantled material. Finally, in the site restoration phase, following the dismantling of remaining systems and building decontamination and demolition, the site will be adapted for other uses. Three projects for new site use at Greifswald being pursued. As a first step, an international Technology Centre is to be created to collect and evaluate information on decommissioning experience. The centre will require international financial support and co-ordination. New facilities are already being constructed to deal with decontamination of dismantled materials and the interim storage of radioactive waste and reactor fuel. (UK)

Simulation of a nuclear accident by an academic simulator of a VVER-1000 reactor; Simulacion de un accidente nuclear, mediante un simulador academico de un reactor VVER-1000

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hernandez G, L. [UNAM, Facultad de Ingenieria, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Mexico D. F. (Mexico); Salazar S, E., E-mail: laurahg42@gmail.com [UNAM, Facultad de Ingenieria, Laboratorio de Analisis en Ingenieria de Reactores Nucleares, 62250 Jiutepec, Morelos (Mexico)

2014-10-15

This work is planned to simulate a scenario in which the same conditions that caused the accident at the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant are present, using a simulator of a nuclear power plant with VVER-1000 reactor, a different type of technology to the NPP where the accident occurred, which used BWR reactors. The software where it will take place the simulation was created and distributed by the IAEA for academic purposes, which contains the essential systems that characterize this type of NPP. The simulator has tools for the analysis of the characteristic phenomena of a VVER-1000 reactor in the different systems together and planned training tasks. This makes possible to identify the function of each component and how connects to other systems, thus facilitating the visualization of possible failures and the consequences that they have on the general behavior of the reactor. To program the conditions in the simulator, is necessary to know and synthesize a series of events occurred in Fukushima in 2011 and the realized maneuvers to reduce the effects of the system failures. Being different technologies interpretation of the changes that would suffer the VVER systems in the scenario in question will be developed. The Fukushima accident was characterized by the power loss of regular supply and emergency of the cooling systems which resulted in an increase in reactor temperature and subsequent fusion of their nuclei. Is interesting to reproduce this type of failure in a VVER, and extrapolate the lack of power supply in the systems that comprise, as well as pumping systems for cooling, has a pressure regulating system which involves more variables in the balance of the system. (Author)

Evaluation of reliability of EC inspection of VVER SG tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stanic, D.

2001-01-01

Evaluation of eddy current data collected during inspection of VVER steam generators is very complex task because of numerous parameters which have affect on eddy current signals. That was the reason that recently ago INETEC has started related scientific project in order to evaluate the reliability of eddy current (EC) inspection of VVER steam generator (SG) tubing. In the scope of project the following objectives will be investigated: 1. Determination of POD (Probability of detection) of various types degradation cracks, where their basic parameters are variables (basic parameters are depth, length, width, orientation, number) on three different sets of tubes (clean ideal tubes, tubes with pilgering, tubes electroplated with copper) 2. Sizing quality (accuracy, repeatability) (same data sets as defined in 1.) 3. Effect of fill factor on POD and sizing quality. 4. Effect of tube bends on POD and sizing quality. 5. Effect of other tube geometry variations on POD and sizing quality (tube ovality, transition zone region, expanded (rolled) part of tube, dents, dings). Investigation will start with bobbin probe technique which is the most used technique for general purpose VVER tube examination. Since INETEC is the only world company which successfully developed and applied rotating probe technique for VVER SG tubes, scope of the project will be extended on rotating probe technique utilizing 'pancake' and 'point' coil. Method reliability will be investigated first on the huge set of EDM notches representing various defect morphologies and simulating different factors, and the second part will be investigated on sets of degradation defects obtained by artificial corrosion. In the scope of the project the measures for enhancing the method reliability have to be determined. This considers the proper definition of parameters of examination system, as well as establishment of the suitable analysis procedures. This article presents the temporary results of the first part of

Results of 15 years experiments in the PMK-2 integral-type facility for VVERs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Szabados, L.; Ezsoel, G.; Perneczky, L. [KFKI Atomic Energy Research Institute, Budapest (Hungary)

2001-07-01

Due to the specific features of the VVER-440/213-type reactors the transient behaviour of such a reactor system is different from the usual PWR system behaviour. To provide an experimental database for the transient behaviour of VVER systems the PMK integral-type facility, the scaled down model of the Paks NPP was designed and constructed in the early 1980's. Since the start-up of the facility 48 experiments have been performed. It was confirmed through the experiments that the facility is a suitable tool for the computer code validation experiments and to the identification of basic thermal-hydraulic phenomena occurring during plant accidents. High international interest was shown by the four Standard Problem Exercises of the IAEA and by the projects financed by the EU-PHARE. A wide range of small- and medium-size LOCA sequences have been studied to know the performance and effectiveness of ECC systems and to evaluate the thermal-hydraulic safety of the core. Extensive studies have been performed to investigate the one- and two-phase natural circulation, the effect of disturbances coming from the secondary circuit and to validate the effectiveness of accident management measures like bleed and feed. The VVER-specific case, the opening of the SG collector cover was also extensively investigated. Examples given in the report show a few results of experiments and the results of calculation analyses performed for validation purposes of codes like RELAP5, ATHLET and CATHARE. There are some other white spots in Cross Reference Matrices for VVER reactors and, therefore, further experiments are planned to perform tests primarily in further support of accident management measures at low power states of plants to facilitate the improved safety management of VVER-440-type reactors. (authors)

Results of 15 years experiments in the PMK-2 integral-type facility for VVERs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Szabados, L.; Ezsoel, G.; Perneczky, L.

2001-01-01

Due to the specific features of the VVER-440/213-type reactors the transient behaviour of such a reactor system is different from the usual PWR system behaviour. To provide an experimental database for the transient behaviour of VVER systems the PMK integral-type facility, the scaled down model of the Paks NPP was designed and constructed in the early 1980's. Since the start-up of the facility 48 experiments have been performed. It was confirmed through the experiments that the facility is a suitable tool for the computer code validation experiments and to the identification of basic thermal-hydraulic phenomena occurring during plant accidents. High international interest was shown by the four Standard Problem Exercises of the IAEA and by the projects financed by the EU-PHARE. A wide range of small- and medium-size LOCA sequences have been studied to know the performance and effectiveness of ECC systems and to evaluate the thermal-hydraulic safety of the core. Extensive studies have been performed to investigate the one- and two-phase natural circulation, the effect of disturbances coming from the secondary circuit and to validate the effectiveness of accident management measures like bleed and feed. The VVER-specific case, the opening of the SG collector cover was also extensively investigated. Examples given in the report show a few results of experiments and the results of calculation analyses performed for validation purposes of codes like RELAP5, ATHLET and CATHARE. There are some other white spots in Cross Reference Matrices for VVER reactors and, therefore, further experiments are planned to perform tests primarily in further support of accident management measures at low power states of plants to facilitate the improved safety management of VVER-440-type reactors. (authors)

Interactive nuclear plant analyzer for the VVER-440 reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shier, W.; Kennett, R.

1993-01-01

An interactive nuclear plant analyzer (NPA) has been developed for a VVER-440 model 213 reactor for use in the training of plant personnel, the development and verification of plant operating procedures, and in the analysis of various anticipated operational occurrences and accident scenarios. This NPA is operational on an IBM RISC-6000 workstation and utilizes the RELAP5/MOD2 computer code for the calculation of the VVER-440 reactor response to the interactive commands initiated by the NPA operator. Results of the interactive calculation can be through the user-defined, digital display of various plant parameters and through color changes that reflect changes in primary system fluid temperatures, fuel and clad temperatures, and the temperatures of other metal structures. In addition, changes in the status of various components and system can be initiated and/or displayed both numerically and graphically on the mask

PSB-VVER simulation of Kozloduy NPP 'loss of feed water transient'

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Groudev, P.P. [Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Tzarigradsko Shaussee 72, Sofia 1784 (Bulgaria)]. E-mail: pavlinpg@inrne.bas.bg; Stefanova, A.E. [Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Tzarigradsko Shaussee 72, Sofia 1784 (Bulgaria)]. E-mail: antoanet@inrne.bas.bg; Gencheva, R.V. [Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Tzarigradsko Shaussee 72, Sofia 1784 (Bulgaria)]. E-mail: roseh@inrne.bas.bg; Pavlova, M.P. [Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Tzarigradsko Shaussee 72, Sofia 1784 (Bulgaria)]. E-mail: pavlova@inrne.bas.bg

2005-04-01

This paper provides a comparison between the PSB test facility experimental results obtained during the simulation of loss of feed water transient (LOFW) and the calculation results received by INRNE computer model of the same test facility. Integral thermal-hydraulic PSB-VVER test facility located at Electrogorsk Research and Engineering Center on NPPs Safety (EREC) was put in operation in 1998. The structure of the test facility allows experimental studies under steady state, transient and accident conditions. RELAP5/MOD3.2 computer code has been used to simulate the loss of feed water transient in a PSB-VVER model. This model was developed at the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy for simulation of loss of feed water transient. The objective of the experiment 'loss of feed water', which has been performed at PSB-VVER test facility is simulation of Kozloduy NPP LOFW transient. One of the main requirements to the experiment scenario has been to reproduce all main events and phenomena that occurred in Kozloduy NPP during the LOFW transient. Analyzing the PSB-VVER test with a RELAP5/MOD3.2 computer code as a standard problem allows investigating the phenomena included in the VVER code validation matrix as 'integral system effects' and 'natural circulation'. For assessment of the RELAP5 capability to predict the 'Integral system effect' phenomenon the following RELAP5 quantities are compared with external trends: the primary pressure and the hot and cold leg temperatures. In order to assess the RELAP5 capability to predict the 'Natural circulation' phenomenon the hot and cold leg temperatures behavior have been investigated. This report was possible through the participation of leading specialists from Kozloduy NPP and with the support of Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), under the International Nuclear Safety Program (INSP) of the United States Department of Energy.

The corrosion and corrosion mechanical properties evaluation for the LBB concept in VVERs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ruscak, M.; Chvatal, P.; Karnik, D.

1997-04-01

One of the conditions required for Leak Before Break application is the verification that the influence of corrosion environment on the material of the component can be neglected. Both the general corrosion and/or the initiation and, growth of corrosion-mechanical cracks must not cause the degradation. The primary piping in the VVER nuclear power plant is made from austenitic steels (VVER 440) and low alloy steels protected with the austenitic cladding (VVER 1000). Inspection of the base metal and heterogeneous weldments from the VVER 440 showed that the crack growth rates are below 10 m/s if a low oxygen level is kept in the primary environment. No intergranular cracking was observed in low and high oxygen water after any type of testing, with constant or periodic loading. In the framework of the LBB assessment of the VVER 1000, the corrosion and corrosion mechanical properties were also evaluated. The corrosion and corrosion mechanical testing was oriented predominantly to three types of tests: stress corrosion cracking tests corrosion fatigue tests evaluation of the resistance against corrosion damage. In this paper, the methods used for these tests are described and the materials are compared from the point of view of response on static and periodic mechanical stress on the low alloyed steel 10GN2WA and weld metal exposed in the primary circuit environment. The slow strain rate tests and static loading of both C-rings and CT specimens were performed in order to assess the stress corrosion cracking characteristics. Cyclic loading of CT specimens was done to evaluate the kinetics of the crack growth under periodical loading. Results are shown to illustrate the approaches used. The data obtained were evaluated also from the point of view of comparison of the influence of different structure on the stress corrosion cracking appearance. The results obtained for the base metal and weld metal of the piping are presented here.

Reactor Radiation Loops as Large Gamma Sources; Boucles d'irradiation des reacteurs nucleaires utilisees comme sources gamma intenses; Radiatsionnye kontury yadernykh reaktorov kak moshchnye gamma-istochniki; Empleo de circuitos de irradiacion de los reactores como fuentes gamma de gran intensidad

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ryabukhina, Yu. S.

1963-11-15

. On a etudie le comportement de deux alliages eutectiques de l'indium en presence de certains materiaux de construction; la premiere installation a ndium-gallium est entree en service au debut de 1960. Des travaux ulterieurs ont permis d'equiper le reacteur IRT de l'Academie des sciences de Georgie d'une boucle modele permettant d'obtenir dans le.canal d'irradiation une activite maximum equivalent a environ 100 g de radium, et d'installer une boucle d'essai a indium-gallium-etain dans le canal du reacteur IRT appartenant a l'Institut de l'energie atomique de l'Academie des sciences de l'URSS. Enfin, en 1962, une boucle a indium - gallium - etain a ete mise en service dans le reacteur IRT de l'Academie des sciences de Lituanie, en vue d'executer des irradiations a une echelle semi-industrielle. Son activite maximum atteignait, dans le dispositif d'irradiation, un niveau equivalent a 30 000 g de radium. Le memoire se compose des quatre parties suivantes: 1. ''Calcul des boucles d'irradiation''; les auteurs generalisent les resultats des travaux sur les methodes de calcul des boucles d'irradiation. 2. ''Modele d'une boucle d'irradiation a indium-gallium pour le reacteur IRT-2000 de Tbilisi''; les auteurs decrivent le fonctionnement de la boucle. 3. ''Boucle d'irradiation a indium-gallium-etain du reacteur nucleaire IRT de l'Academie des sciences de Lituanie''; les auteurs decrivent le fonctionnement de la boucle. 4.

Investigation of accident management procedures related to loss of feedwater and station blackout in PSB-VVER integral test facility

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bucalossi, A. [EC JRC, (JRC F.5) PO Box 2, 1755 ZG Petten (Netherlands); Del Nevo, A., E-mail: alessandro.delnevo@enea.it [ENEA, C.R. Brasimone, 40032 Camugnano (Italy); Moretti, F.; D' Auria, F. [GRNSPG, Universita di Pisa, via Diotisalvi 2, 56100 Pisa (Italy); Elkin, I.V.; Melikhov, O.I. [Electrogorsk Research and Engineering Centre, Electrogorsk, Moscow Region (Russian Federation)

2012-09-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Four integral test facility experiments related to VVER-1000 reactor. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer TH response of the VVER-1000 primary system following total loss of feedwater and station blackout scenarios. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Accident management procedures in case of total loss of feedwater and station blackout. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Experimental data represent an improvement of existing database for TH code validation. - Abstract: VVER 1000 reactors have some unique and specific features (e.g. large primary and secondary side fluid inventory, horizontal steam generators, core design) that require dedicated experimental and analytical analyses in order to assess the performance of safety systems and the effectiveness of possible accident management strategies. The European Commission funded project 'TACIS 2.03/97', Part A, provided valuable experimental data from the large-scale (1:300) PSB-VVER test facility, investigating accident management procedures in VVER-1000 reactor. A test matrix was developed at University of Pisa (responsible of the project) with the objective of obtaining the experimental data not covered by the OECD VVER validation matrix and with main focus on accident management procedures. Scenarios related to total loss of feed water and station blackout are investigated by means of four experiments accounting for different countermeasures, based on secondary cooling strategies and primary feed and bleed procedures. The transients are analyzed thoroughly focusing on the identification of phenomena that will challenge the code models during the simulations.

PMK-2, the First Integral Thermal-Hydraulics Tests for the Safety Evaluation of VVER-440/213 Nuclear Power Plants

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gy. Ézsöl

2012-01-01

Full Text Available The PMK-2 facility is a full-pressure thermal-hydraulic model of the primary and partly the secondary circuit of the VVER-type units of Paks NPP. The facility was the first integral-type facility for VVERs. The PMK-2 was followed later by the PACTEL (for VVER-440, the ISB, and PSB for VVER-1000. Since the startup of the facility in 1985, 55 experiments have been performed primarily in international frameworks with the participation of experts from 29 European and overseas countries forming a scientific school to better understand VVER system behaviour and reach a high level of modelling of accident sequences. The ATHLET, CATHARE, and RELAP5 codes have been validated including both qualitative and quantitative assessments. The former was almost exclusively applied to the early phase of validation by integral experiments, while the quantitative assessments have been performed by the Fast Fourier Transform Based Method. Paper gives comprehensive information on the design features of PMK-2 facility with a special respect to the representativeness of phenomena, the experiments performed, and the results of the validation of ATHLET, CATHARE, and RELAP5 codes. Safety significance of the PMK-2 projects is also discussed.

PMK-2, the First Integral Thermal-Hydraulics Tests for the Safety Evaluation of VVER-440/213 Nuclear Power Plants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ezsol, G.; Perneczky, L.; Szabados, L.; Toth, I.

2012-01-01

The PMK-2 facility is a full-pressure thermal-hydraulic model of the primary and partly the secondary circuit of the VVER-type units of Paks NPP. The facility was the first integral-type facility for VVERs. The PMK-2 was followed later by the PACTEL (for VVER-440), the ISB, and PSB for VVER-1000. Since the startup of the facility in 1985, 55 experiments have been performed primarily in international frameworks with the participation of experts from 29 European and overseas countries forming a scientific school to better understand VVER system behaviour and reach a high level of modelling of accident sequences. The ATHLET, CATHARE, and RELAP5 codes have been validated including both qualitative and quantitative assessments. The former was almost exclusively applied to the early phase of validation by integral experiments, while the quantitative assessments have been performed by the Fast Fourier Transform Based Method. Paper gives comprehensive information on the design features of PMK-2 facility with a special respect to the representativeness of phenomena, the experiments performed, and the results of the validation of ATHLET, CATHARE, and RELAP5 codes. Safety significance of the PMK-2 projects is also discussed

The estimation of the control rods absorber burn-up during the VVER-1000 operation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bolshagin, Sergey N.; Gorodkov, Sergey S.; Sukhino-Khomenko, Evgeniya A. [National Research Centre ' Kurchatov Institute' , Moscow (Russian Federation)

2013-09-15

The isotopic composition of the control rods absorber changes under the neutron flux influence, so the control rods efficiency can decrease. In the VVER-1000 control rods boron carbide and dysprosium titanate are used as absorbing materials. In boric part the efficiency decreases due to the {sup 10}B isotope burn-up. Dysprosium isotopes turn into other absorbing isotopes, so the absorbing properties of dysprosium part decrease to a lesser degree. Also the control rod's shells may be deformed as a consequence of boron carbide radiation swelling. This fact should be considered in substantiation of control rods durability. For the estimation of the control rods absorber burn-up two models are developed: VVER-1000 3-D fuel assembly with control rods partially immersed (imitation of the control rods operation in the working group) and VVER-1000 3-D fuel assembly with control rods, located at the upper limit switch (imitation of the control rods operation in groups of the emergency shutdown system). (orig.)

Analysis of the VVER-440 reactor steam generator secondary side with the RELAP5/MOD3 code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tuunanen, J.

1993-01-01

Nuclear Engineering Laboratory of the Technical Research Centre of Finland has widely used RELAP5/MOD2 and -MOD3 codes to simulate horizontal steam generators. Several models have been developed and successfully used in the VVER-safety analysis. Nevertheless, the models developed have included only rather few nodes in the steam generator secondary side. The secondary side has normally been divided into about 10 to 15 nodes. Since the secondary side at the steam generators of VVER-440 type reactors consists of a rather large water pool, these models were only roughly capable to predict secondary side flows. The paper describes an attempt to use RELAP5/MOD3 code to predict secondary side flows in a steam generator of a VVER-440 reactor. A 2D/3D model has been developed using RELAP5/MOD3 codes cross-flow junctions. The model includes 90 volumes on the steam generator secondary side. The model has been used to calculate steady state flow conditions in the secondary side of a VVER-440 reactor steam generator. (orig.) (1 ref., 9 figs., 2 tabs.)

Operational benchmark for VVER-1000, unit 6, Kozloduy NPP

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Apostolov, T.; Petrov, B.

1999-01-01

Benchmark calculations have been carried out using the 3D nodal code TRAPEZ. Global neutron-physics characteristics of the VVER-1000 core, Kozloduy NPP Unit 6, have been determined taking into account the real loading patterns and operational history of the first three cycles. The code TRLOAD has been used to perform the fuel reloading between any two cycles. The reactor and components descriptions as well as material compositions are given. The results presented include the critical boric acid concentration, the radial power distribution, the axial power distribution for the maximum overload assembly, and the burnup distribution at three different moments during each cycle. Calculated values have been compared with measured data. It is shown that the results obtained by the TRAPEZ code are in good agreement with the experimental data. The information presented could serve as a test case for validation of code packages designed for analyzing the steady-state operation of VVERs. (author)

Some Aspects of Diffusion Theory

CERN Document Server

Pignedoli, A

2011-01-01

This title includes: V.C.A. Ferraro: Diffusion of ions in a plasma with applications to the ionosphere; P.C. Kendall: On the diffusion in the atmosphere and ionosphere; F. Henin: Kinetic equations and Brownian motion; T. Kahan: Theorie des reacteurs nucleaires: methodes de resolution perturbationnelles, interactives et variationnelles; C. Cattaneo: Sulla conduzione del calore; C. Agostinelli: Formule di Green per la diffusione del campo magnetico in un fluido elettricamente conduttore; A. Pignedoli: Transformational methods applied to some one-dimensional problems concerning the equations of t

Simulation of VVER MCCI reactor test case with ASTEC V2/MEDICIS computer code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stefanova, A.; Grudev, P.; Gencheva, R.

2011-01-01

This paper presents an application of the ASTEC v2, module MEDICIS for simulation of VVER Molten core concrete interaction test (MCCI) case without water injection. The main purpose of performed calculation is verification and improvement of module MEDICIS/ASTECv2 for better simulation of core concrete interaction processes. The VVER-1000 reference nuclear power plant was chosen as SARNET2 benchmark MCCI test-case. The initial conditions for MCCI test are taken after SBO scenario calculated with ASTEC version 1.3R2 by INRNE. (authors)

Primary LOCA in VVER-1000 by pressurizer PORV failure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sabotinov, L.; Lutsanych, S.; Kadenko, I.

2013-01-01

The paper presents the calculations and analysis of the design basis accident of a standard VVER-1000/V320 reactor with inadvertent opening and stuck in open position of the pressurizer pilot operated relief valve (PORV). The objective is the independent assessment of this accident applying the French best estimate thermal-hydraulic computer code CATHARE 2 and verification to meet the safety criteria for such kind of the accident. The 'Inadvertent opening and stuck in open position of PORV' is a design basis accident classified as Medium Break Loss of Coolant Accident (MB LOCA) with the equivalent diameter of the break D- 68 mm. This accident is particularly interesting to be calculated and analyzed, because it took place at operating NPP with VVER-1000 reactors (Rovno NPP) in 2009. The calculations have been carried out with conservative conditions as usual for DBA analysis. The NPP model corresponds to a real VVER-1000/V320 configuration and comprises all safety systems, adopted for one of the latest CATHARE 2 versions. The results of CATHARE 2 calculations are compared with available results of RELAP5 calculations. There is similarity of the thermal-hydraulic parameters behavior, but also some differences can be observed basically due to the break flow prediction, which causes differences in primary pressure evaluation. Both calculations show that there is no boiling crisis in the reactor core and reliable cooldown is achieved. The calculations performed with CATHARE2 code demonstrate the ability of the code to predict reasonably the break flow, pressures, temperatures etc. for considered LOCA scenario and to be applied for safety studies

OECD/DOE/CEA VVER-1000 coolant transient (V1000CT) benchmark for assessing coupled neutronics/thermal-hydraulics system codes for VVER-1000 RIA analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ivanov, B.; Ivanov, K.; Aniel, S.; Royer, E.; Kolev, N.; Groudev, P.

2004-01-01

The present paper describes the two phases of the OECD/DOE/CEA VVER-1000 coolant transient benchmark labeled as V1000CT. This benchmark is based on a data from the Bulgarian Kozloduy NPP Unit 6. The first phase of the benchmark was designed for the purpose of assessing neutron kinetics and thermal-hydraulic modeling for a VVER-1000 reactor, and specifically for their use in analyzing reactivity transients in a VVER-1000 reactor. Most of the results of Phase 1 will be compared against experimental data and the rest of the results will be used for code-to-code comparison. The second phase of the benchmark is planned for evaluation and improvement of the mixing computational models. Code-to-code and code-to-data comparisons will be done based on data of a mixing experiment conducted at Kozloduy-6. Main steam line break will be also analyzed in the second phase of the V1000CT benchmark. The results from it will be used for code-to-code comparison. The benchmark team has been involved in analyzing different aspects and performing sensitivity studies of the different benchmark exercises. The paper presents a comparison of selected results, obtained with two different system thermal-hydraulics codes, with the plant data for the Exercise 1 of Phase 1 of the benchmark as well as some results for Exercises 2 and 3. Overall, this benchmark has been well accepted internationally, with many organizations representing 11 countries participating in the first phase of the benchmark. (authors)

Primary water chemistry of VVERs-operating experience

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kysela, Jan; Zmitko, Milan; Petrecky, Igor

1998-01-01

VVER units are operated in mixed boron-potassium-ammonia water chemistry. Several modifications of the water chemistry, differing in boron-potassium co-ordination and in the way how hydrogen concentration is produced and maintain in the coolant, is used. From the operational experience point of view VVER units do not show any significant problems connected with the primary coolant chemistry. The latest results indicate that dose rate levels are slowly returning to the former ones. An improvement of the radiation situation observed last two years is supported by the surface activity measurements. However, the final conclusion on the radiation situation can be made only after evaluation of the several following cycles. Further investigation is also needed to clarify a possible effect of modified water chemistry and shut-down chemistry on radioactivity build-up and dose rate level at Dukovany units. Structure materials composition has a significant effect on radiation situation in the units. It concerns mainly of cobalt content in SG material. There is no clear evidence of possible effect of the SG shut-down regimes on the radiation situation in the units even if the dose rate and surface activity data show wide spread for the individual reactor loops. (S.Y.)

Experience on KKNPP VVER 1000 MWe water chemistry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ganesh, S.; Selvaraj, S.; Balasubramanian, M.R.; Selvavinayagam, P.; Pillai, Suresh Kumar

2015-01-01

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project consists of pressurized water reactor (VVER) 2 x 1000 MWe constructed in collaboration with Russian Federation at Kudankulam in Tirunelveli District, Tamilnadu. Unit - 1 attained criticality on July 13 th 2013 and the unit was synchronized to grid on 22 nd October 2013. This paper highlights experience gained on water chemistry regime for primary and secondary circuit. (author)

Isothermal and thermal–mechanical fatigue of VVER-440 reactor pressure vessel steels

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fekete, Balazs, E-mail: fekete.mm.bme@gmail.com [College of Dunaujvaros, Tancsics 1A, Dunaujvaros H-2400 (Hungary); Department of Applied Mechanics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Muegyetem 5, Budapest H-1111 (Hungary); Trampus, Peter [College of Dunaujvaros, Tancsics 1A, Dunaujvaros H-2400 (Hungary)

2015-09-15

Highlights: • We aimed to determine the thermomechanical behaviour of VVER reactor steels. • Material tests were developed and performed on GLEEBLE 3800 physical simulator. • Coffin–Manson curves and parameters were derived. • High accuracy of the strain energy based evaluation was found. • The observed dislocation evolution correlates with the mechanical behaviour. - Abstract: The fatigue life of the structural materials 15Ch2MFA (CrMoV-alloyed ferritic steel) and 08Ch18N10T (CrNi-alloyed austenitic steel) of VVER-440 reactor pressure vessel under completely reserved total strain controlled low cycle fatigue tests were investigated. An advanced test facility was developed for GLEEBLE-3800 physical simulator which was able to perform thermomechanical fatigue experiments under in-service conditions of VVER nuclear reactors. The low cycle fatigue results were evaluated with the plastic strain based Coffin–Manson law, and plastic strain energy based model as well. It was shown that both methods are able to predict the fatigue life of reactor pressure vessel steels accurately. Interrupted fatigue tests were also carried out to investigate the kinetic of the fatigue evolution of the materials. On these samples microstructural evaluation by TEM was performed. The investigated low cycle fatigue behavior can provide reference for remaining life assessment and lifetime extension analysis.

Modernization of Cross Section Library for VVER-1000 Type Reactors Internals and Pressure Vessel Dosimetry

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Voloschenko Andrey

2016-01-01

Full Text Available The broad-group library BGL1000_B7 for neutron and gamma transport calculations in VVER-1000 internals, RPV and shielding was carried out on a base of fine-group library v7-200n47g from SCALE-6 system. The comparison of the library BGL1000_B7 with the library v7-200n47g and the library BGL1000 (the latter is using for VVER-1000 calculations is demonstrated on several calculation and experimental tests.

Reflooding and boil-off experiments in a VVER-440 like rod bundle and analyses with the CATHARE code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Korteniemi, V.; Haapalehto, T.; Puustinen, M.

1995-01-01

Several experiments were performed with the VEERA facility to simulate reflooding and boil-off phenomena in a VVER-440 like rod bundle. The objective of these experiments was to get experience of a full-scale bundle behavior and to create a database for verification of VVER type core models used with modern thermal-hydraulic codes. The VEERA facility used in the experiments is a scaled-down model of the Russian VVER-440 type pressurized water reactors used in Loviisa, Finland. The test section of the facility consists of one full-scale copy of a VVER-440 reactor rod bundle with 126 full-length electrically heated rod simulators. Bottom and top-down reflooding, different modes of emergency core cooling (ECC) injection and the effect of heating power on the heat-up of the rods was studied. In this paper the results of calculations simulating two reflood and one boil-off experiment with the French CATHARE2 thermal-hydraulic code are also presented. Especially the performance of the recently implemented top-down reflood model of the code was studied

Multi codes and multi-scale analysis for void fraction prediction in hot channel for VVER-1000/V392

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hoang Minh Giang; Hoang Tan Hung; Nguyen Huu Tiep

2015-01-01

Recently, an approach of multi codes and multi-scale analysis is widely applied to study core thermal hydraulic behavior such as void fraction prediction. Better results are achieved by using multi codes or coupling codes such as PARCS and RELAP5. The advantage of multi-scale analysis is zooming of the interested part in the simulated domain for detail investigation. Therefore, in this study, the multi codes between MCNP5, RELAP5, CTF and also the multi-scale analysis based RELAP5 and CTF are applied to investigate void fraction in hot channel of VVER-1000/V392 reactor. Since VVER-1000/V392 reactor is a typical advanced reactor that can be considered as the base to develop later VVER-1200 reactor, then understanding core behavior in transient conditions is necessary in order to investigate VVER technology. It is shown that the item of near wall boiling, Γ w in RELAP5 proposed by Lahey mechanistic method may not give enough accuracy of void fraction prediction as smaller scale code as CTF. (author)

Reflooding and boil-off experiments in a VVER-440 like rod bundle and analyses with the CATHARE code

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Korteniemi, V.; Haapalehto, T. [Lappeenranta Univ. of Technology (Finland); Puustinen, M. [VTT Energy, Lappeenranta (Finland)

1995-09-01

Several experiments were performed with the VEERA facility to simulate reflooding and boil-off phenomena in a VVER-440 like rod bundle. The objective of these experiments was to get experience of a full-scale bundle behavior and to create a database for verification of VVER type core models used with modern thermal-hydraulic codes. The VEERA facility used in the experiments is a scaled-down model of the Russian VVER-440 type pressurized water reactors used in Loviisa, Finland. The test section of the facility consists of one full-scale copy of a VVER-440 reactor rod bundle with 126 full-length electrically heated rod simulators. Bottom and top-down reflooding, different modes of emergency core cooling (ECC) injection and the effect of heating power on the heat-up of the rods was studied. In this paper the results of calculations simulating two reflood and one boil-off experiment with the French CATHARE2 thermal-hydraulic code are also presented. Especially the performance of the recently implemented top-down reflood model of the code was studied.

Implementation of the SCDAP/RELAP5 Mod. 3.3 and MAAP/VVER codes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Duspiva, J.; Vokac, P.; Dienstbier, J.

2001-05-01

The SR5 code was installed on a Hewlett/Packard workstation, and test problems, supplied with the software, were solved. Finally, the tool for graphical processing of the calculation results was prepared and tested. The MAAP/VVER code was installed on a HP J210 workstation and, in particular, on PC. The code was tested on two problems, supplied with the software. The transformation of the output from MAAP/VVER to the graphical format was carried out by using the support tools obtained as well as by using tools that have been in use at the Institute for other codes to analyze severe accidents. (P.A.)

Pressure loadings of Soviet-designed VVER [Water-Cooled, Water-Moderated Energy Reactor] reactor release mitigation structures from large-break LOCAs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sienicki, J.J.; Horak, W.C.

1989-01-01

Analyses have been carried out of the pressurization of the accident release mitigation structures of Soviet-designed VVER (Water-Cooled, Water-Moderated Energy Reactor) pressurized water reactors following large-break loss-of-coolant accidents. Specific VVER systems for which calculations were performed are the VVER-440 model V230, VVER-440 model V213, and VVER-1000 model V320. Descriptions of the designs of these and other VVER models are contained in the report DOE/NE-0084. The principal objective of the current analyses is to calculate the time dependent pressure loadings inside the accident localization or containment structures immediately following the double-ended guillotine rupture of a primary coolant pipe. In addition, the pressures are compared with the results of calculations of the response of the structures to overpressure. Primary coolant system thermal hydraulic conditions and the fluid conditions at the break location were calculated with the RETRAN-02 Mod2 computer code (Agee, 1984). Pressures and temperatures inside the building accident release mitigation structures were obtained from the PACER (Pressurization Accompanying Coolant Escape from Ruptures) multicompartment containment analysis code developed at Argonne National Laboratory. The analyses were carried out using best estimate models and conditions rather than conservative, bounding-type assumptions. In particular, condensation upon structure and equipment was calculated using correlations based upon analyses of the HDR, Marviken, and Battelle Frankfurt containment loading experiments. The intercompartment flow rates incorporate an effective discharge coefficient and liquid droplet carryover fraction given by expressions of Schwan determined from analyses of the Battelle Frankfurt and Marviken tests. 5 refs., 4 figs

Production of artificial radioelements; Production des radioelements artificiels

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fisher, C [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France).Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1960-07-01

The techniques used in the production of artificial radioelements are described, with special emphasis on the following points: - nuclear reactions and use of reactors; - chemical separation methods and methods for enriching the activity of preparations; - protection of personnel and handling methods. (author) [French] On decrit l'ensemble des techniques utilisees dans la fabrication des radioelements artificiels en insistant notamment sur les points suivants: - reactions nucleaires et utilisation des reacteurs; - methodes de separations chimiques et methodes d'enrichissement d'activite des preparations; - protection du personnel et methodes de manipulation. (auteur)

Conservative ground of qualification BRU-A VVER-1000 in modes of instability of diphasic environment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Skalozubov, V.I.; Klyuchnikov, A.A.; Haj Farajallah Dabbach

2010-01-01

The article first presents grounds and conditions of origin of hydraulic shocks in the VVER system of safety relief valves, caused interchannel heat hydrodynamic instability of biphasic medium. It is supposed conservatively that origin of hydraulic shocks caused instability of biphasic stream determines the unavailability to close of safety relief valves. It is established that the modes of hydraulic shocks in safety relief valves of VVER 1000 (B-320) at the fully opened valves are not typical for the conditions of accidents with intercontour leakages.

Recuperation of the energy released in the G-1, an air-cooled graphite reactor core; Recuperation de l'energie degagee dans G 1 pile a graphite refroidie a l'air

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chambadal, P [Electricite de France (EDF), 75 - Paris (France); Pascal, M [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1955-07-01

The CEA (in his five-year setting plan) has objective among others, the realization of the two first french reactors moderated with graphite. The construction of the G-1 reactor in Marcoule, first french plutonic core, is achieved so that it will diverge in the beginning of 1956 and reach its full power in the beginning of the second semester of the same year. In this report we will detail the specificities of the reactor and in particular its cooling and energy recuperation system. The G-1 reactor being essentially intended to allow the french technicians to study the behavior of an energy installation supply taking its heat in a nuclear source as early as possible. (M.B.) [French] Le Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (dans le cadre du plan quinquennal) a entre autres objectifs, la realisation des deux premiers reacteurs francais moderes au graphite. La construction du reacteur G-1 a Marcoule, premiere pile plutonigene francaise, est realise afin qu'il puisse diverger au debut de 1956 et atteindre sa pleine puissance au debut du second semestre de la meme annee. Dans ce rapport nous detaillerons les specificites du reacteur et en particulier son systeme de refroidissement et de recuperation d'energie. Le reacteur G-1 etant essentielement destine a permettre aux techniciens francais d'etudier le plus tot possible le comportement d'une installation productrice d'energie empruntant sa chaleur a une source nucleaire. (M.B.)

Investigations of SPND noise signals in VVER-440 reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kiss, S.; Lipcsei, S.; Hazi, G.

2001-01-01

This paper describes and characterises SPND noise measurements of an operating VVER-440 nuclear reactor. Characteristics of the signal can be radically influenced by the geometrical properties of the detector and the cable and by the measuring arrangement. Structure of phase spectra showing propagating perturbations measured on uncompensated SPN detectors is studied through models.(author)

Core designs for new VVER reactors and operational experience of immediate prototypes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vasilchenko, I.; Mokhov, V.; Ryzhov, S.

2011-01-01

The paper covers the recent improvements analyzed in order to implement the enhanced core performances. AES-2006 reactor core design is considered from the point of view of its application and improvement in the planned VVER-TOI project and of the possibilities of using the basic engineering solutions for the cores with spectral control. The discussion of several types of mixing grids considered in the paper involves a preliminary assessment of their efficiency and the information on their introduction into pilot operation at the VVER-1000 Units. Special attention is given to the results of the operation of immediate prototypes (TVS-2 and TVS-2M) that corroborate the reliability of the design both with regard for the core geometrical stability and fuel cladding tightness

Purification by molecular sieve of helium used as inert cover gas in nuclear reactors; Epuration de l'helium de couverture des reacteurs nucleaires par adsorption sur tamis moleculaire

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rozenberg, J; Kahan, H [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1967-07-01

A method carried out at fairly low temperatures (between -50 and -80 deg. C) has been studied for the purification of the helium used as cover gas for heavy water in reactors. The use of the 5A molecular sieve has been adopted because of its superiority over other adsorbents in this temperature range. The particular problems connected with adsorption under dynamic conditions have been dealt with separately. The nitrogen adsorption isotherms have been plotted and the heat of adsorption calculated. (authors) [French] Une methode d'epuration, a temperature moderement basse (comprise entre -50 et -80 deg. C) de l'helium servant de couverture inerte a l'eau lourde des reacteurs a ete etudiee. L'emploi au tamis moleculaire 5A a ete retenu pour la superiorite de celui-ci sur d'autres adsorbants dans ce domaine de temperatures. Les problemes particuliers a l'adsorption en regime dynamique ont ete separement traites. Les isothermes d'adsorption d'azote ont ete tracees et la chaleur d'adsorp. tion calculee. (auteurs)

Status and prospects of the core surveillance system SCORPIO-VVER in Czech Republic and Slovakia

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Molnar, J.; Vocka, R.

2011-01-01

The SCORPIO-VVER core monitoring system has proved since the first installation at Dukovany NPP in 1999 to be a valuable tool for the reactor operators and reactor physicists. It is now installed on four units of Dukovany NPP (Czech Republic) and two units of Bohunice NPP (Slovak Republic) replacing the original Russian VK3 system. By both Czech and Slovak nuclear regulatory bodies it was licensed as a Technical Specification Surveillance tool. Since it's first installation, the development of SCORPIO-VVER system continues along with the changes in WWER reactors operation. The system is being adapted according the utility needs and several notable improvements in physical modules of the system were introduced. The latest most significant changes were done in connection with implementation of a new digital I and C system, loading of the optimized gadolinium bearing Gd2 fuel assemblies, improvements in the area of core design (neutron physics, core thermal hydraulics and fuel thermal mechanics), adaptation of the system to up-rated unit conditions, in design and methodology of the limit and technical specifications checking (implementation of the on-line shutdown margin calculation to the system) and improvements in the predictive part of the system (Strategy Generator). After the currently finished upgrades (Upgrade 2 at EBO Slovakia in 2009, Upgrade 5 at EDU Czech Republic in 2010) the SCORPIO-VVER is still in focus of Central European nuclear power plants with the road map of modification and implementation up to 2015. In April 2011 the Upgrade 3 at EBO Slovakia has been contracted to support the changed reactor technical specification and for support of the new type of fuel planned to load in 2012. During the summer of 2011 the discussions started with EDU NPP in Czech Republic regarding to the future development of the SCORPIO-VVER system up to 2015. Parallel with the support of current installations at NPPs the project of new installations is ongoing. During

Application of the Defense-in-Depth Concept in the Projects of New-Generation NPPs Equipped with VVER Reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shvyryaev, Yu. V.; Morozov, V. B.; Kuchumov, A.Yu., E-mail: morozov@aep.ru [JSC Atomenergoproekt, Moscow (Russian Federation)

2014-10-15

The projects of new-generation NPPs equipped with VVER reactors are developed as projects the safety level of which is superior to that of NPPs that are currently in operation. The main design solutions adopted for implementing the defence-in-depth (DiD) concept in the projects of new-generation NPPs equipped with VVER reactors are briefly characterized in the paper. (author)

Fusion of eastern and western technology in VVER 1000 NPP upgrade

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ubra, O.; Fleischhans, J.; Kveton, M.

1997-01-01

An extensive modernization program upgrading two units of VVER 1000 type of the Czech nuclear power plant (NPP) Temelin to meet the latest international standards is presented. The program is based primarily on combination of eastern and western technology and it has been implemented during plant construction. The NPP Temelin was originally designed according to the standards of the former Soviet Union. After a series of reviews in the 1990s, a decision was made by the Temelin management of upgrade the design of the plant, including the supply of fuel and instrumentation and control system by a western company. The adoption of western technology and practices has helped to solve a large number of IAEA safety issues related to design and operation of VVER 1000 NPP. Details on the current Temelin design and other related safety matters are presented

Inspection qualification programme for VVER reactors and review of round robin test results

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Horacek, L.; Zdarek, J.

1998-01-01

Experience obtained, especially from in-service inspections of VVER 440-type reactor pressure vessels and from the Czech round test trials with international participation of ultrasonic teams, has highlighted the need for an in-service inspection qualification programme in the Czech Republic focused on NDT procedures, equipment and personnel. Recently, several national and international regional projects included in the PHARE programme (projects 4.1.2/93 and 1.02/94), briefly described, have been initiated. These projects are to cover step by step the programme of the in-service inspection qualification in view of technical justification as well as of practical assessment-performance demonstration-for all the main VVER-type primary circuit components. (orig.)

New modelling method for fast reactor neutronic behaviours analysis; Nouvelles methodes de modelisation neutronique des reacteurs rapides de quatrieme Generation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jacquet, P.

2011-05-23

Due to safety rules running on fourth generation reactors' core development, neutronics simulation tools have to be as accurate as never before. First part of this report enumerates every step of fast reactor's neutronics simulation implemented in current reference code: ECCO. Considering the field of fast reactors that meet criteria of fourth generation, ability of models to describe self-shielding phenomenon, to simulate neutrons leakage in a lattice of fuel assemblies and to produce representative macroscopic sections is evaluated. The second part of this thesis is dedicated to the simulation of fast reactors' core with steel reflector. These require the development of advanced methods of condensation and homogenization. Several methods are proposed and compared on a typical case: the ZONA2B core of MASURCA reactor. (author) [French] Les criteres de surete qui regissent le developpement de coeurs de reacteurs de quatrieme generation implique l'usage d'outils de calcul neutronique performants. Une premiere partie de la these reprend toutes les etapes de modelisation neutronique des reacteurs rapides actuellement d'usage dans le code de reference ECCO. La capacite des modeles a decrire le phenomene d'autoprotection, a representer les fuites neutroniques au niveau d'un reseau d'assemblages combustibles et a generer des sections macroscopiques representatives est appreciee sur le domaine des reacteurs rapides innovants respectant les criteres de quatrieme generation. La deuxieme partie de ce memoire se consacre a la modelisation des coeurs rapides avec reflecteur acier. Ces derniers necessitent le developpement de methodes avancees de condensation et d'homogenisation. Plusieurs methodes sont proposees et confrontees sur un probleme de modelisation typique: le coeur ZONA2B du reacteur maquette MASURCA

Simulation of a nuclear accident by an academic simulator of a VVER-1000 reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hernandez G, L.; Salazar S, E.

2014-10-01

This work is planned to simulate a scenario in which the same conditions that caused the accident at the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant are present, using a simulator of a nuclear power plant with VVER-1000 reactor, a different type of technology to the NPP where the accident occurred, which used BWR reactors. The software where it will take place the simulation was created and distributed by the IAEA for academic purposes, which contains the essential systems that characterize this type of NPP. The simulator has tools for the analysis of the characteristic phenomena of a VVER-1000 reactor in the different systems together and planned training tasks. This makes possible to identify the function of each component and how connects to other systems, thus facilitating the visualization of possible failures and the consequences that they have on the general behavior of the reactor. To program the conditions in the simulator, is necessary to know and synthesize a series of events occurred in Fukushima in 2011 and the realized maneuvers to reduce the effects of the system failures. Being different technologies interpretation of the changes that would suffer the VVER systems in the scenario in question will be developed. The Fukushima accident was characterized by the power loss of regular supply and emergency of the cooling systems which resulted in an increase in reactor temperature and subsequent fusion of their nuclei. Is interesting to reproduce this type of failure in a VVER, and extrapolate the lack of power supply in the systems that comprise, as well as pumping systems for cooling, has a pressure regulating system which involves more variables in the balance of the system. (Author)

Validation of coupled neutronic / thermal-hydraulic codes for VVER reactors. Final report

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mittag, S.; Grundmann, U.; Kliem, S.; Kozmenkov, Y.; Rindelhardt, U.; Rohde, U.; Weiss, F.-P.; Langenbuch, S.; Krzykacz-Hausmann, B.; Schmidt, K.-D.; Vanttola, T.; Haemaelaeinen, A.; Kaloinen, E.; Kereszturi, A.; Hegyi, G.; Panka, I.; Hadek, J.; Strmensky, C.; Darilek, P.; Petkov, P.; Stefanova, S.; Kuchin, A.; Khalimonchuk, V.; Hlbocky, P.; Sico, D.; Danilin, S.; Ionov, V.; Nikonov, S.; Powney, D.

2004-08-01

In recent years, the simulation methods for the safety analysis of nuclear power plants have been continuously improved to perform realistic calculations. Therefore in VALCO work package 2 (WP 2), the usual application of coupled neutron-kinetic / thermal-hydraulic codes to VVER has been supplemented by systematic uncertainty and sensitivity analyses. A comprehensive uncertainty analysis has been carried out. The GRS uncertainty and sensitivity method based on the statistical code package SUSA was applied to the two transients studied earlier in SRR-1/95: A load drop of one turbo-generator in Loviisa-1 (VVER-440), and a switch-off of one feed water pump in Balakovo-4 (VVER-1000). The main steps of these analyses and the results obtained by applying different coupled code systems (SMABRE - HEXTRAN, ATHLET - DYN3D, ATHLET - KIKO3D, ATHLET - BIPR-8) are described in this report. The application of this method is only based on variations of input parameter values. No internal code adjustments are needed. An essential result of the analysis using the GRS SUSA methodology is the identification of the input parameters, such as the secondary-circuit pressure, the control-assembly position (as a function of time), and the control-assembly efficiency, that most sensitively affect safety-relevant output parameters, like reactor power, coolant heat-up, and primary pressure. Uncertainty bands for these output parameters have been derived. The variation of potentially uncertain input parameter values as a consequence of uncertain knowledge can activate system actions causing quite different transient evolutions. This gives indications about possible plant conditions that might be reached from the initiating event assuming only small disturbances. In this way, the uncertainty and sensitivity analysis reveals the spectrum of possible transient evolutions. Deviations of SRR-1/95 coupled code calculations from measurements also led to the objective to separate neutron kinetics from

VVER operational experience - effect of preconditioning and primary water chemistry on radioactivity build-up

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zmitko, M.; Kysela, J.; Dudjakova, K.; Martykan, M.; Janesik, J.; Hanus, V.; Marcinsky, P.

2004-01-01

The primary coolant technology approaches currently used in VVER units are reviewed and compared with those used in PWR units. Standard and modified water chemistries differing in boron-potassium control are discussed. Preparation of the VVER Primary Water Chemistry Guidelines in the Czech Republic is noted. Operational experience of some VVER units, operated in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, in the field of the primary water chemistry, and radioactivity transport and build-up are presented. In Mochovce and Temelin units, a surface preconditioning (passivation) procedure has been applied during hot functional tests. The main principles of the controlled primary water chemistry applied during the hot functional tests are reviewed and importance of the water chemistry, technological and other relevant parameters is stressed regarding to the quality of the passive layer formed on the primary system surfaces. The first operational experience obtained in the course of beginning of these units operation is presented mainly with respect to the corrosion products coolant and surface activities. Effect of the initial passivation performed during hot functional tests and the primary water chemistry on corrosion products radioactivity level and radiation situation is discussed. (author)

Irradiation and development of the nuclear emulsions exposed to intense fluxes of thermal neutrons with {gamma} rays; Irradiation et developpement des emulsions nucleaires exposees a des flux intenses de neutrons thermiques, accompagnes de rayons {gamma}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Faraggi, H; Bonnet, A; Cohen, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Lab. du Fort de Chatillon, Fontenay-aux-Roses (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1952-07-01

The thermal neutron fluxes provided by nuclear reactors permit the survey of relatively rare phenomenons, and dosage of very weak quantities of some elements. One of the most favorable detection technique are constituted by the use of the nuclear emulsions. one can mention: - the dosage of uranium by counting in the emulsion the number of traces due to fission fragments after irradiation. - The dosage of the lithium and the boron as trace amounts with the help of nuclear reactions (n, {alpha}) and thermal neutrons. - The research of reactions (n, {alpha}) or (n, p) of very weak cross section for middle or heavy elements. These different applications require however important neutrons fluxes. It had therefore obliged us to search for the most favorable irradiation and development of the emulsions conditions, to get the best visibility of the trajectories and decrease the phenomena of fog on the emulsion, which prevents any observation. (M.B.) [French] Les flux de neutrons thermiques fournis par les reacteurs nucleaires permettent l'etude de phenomenes relativement rares, et le dosage de tres faibles quantites de certains elements. Un des moyens de detection les plus favorables est constitue par l'utilisation des emulsions nucleaires. on peut citer: - le dosage de l'uranium par comptage dans l'emulsion du nombre de traces dues aux fragments de fission apres irradiation. - Le dosage du lithium et du bore a l'etat de traces a l'aide des reactions (n, {alpha}) sous l'action des neutrons thermiques. - La recherche de reactions (n,{alpha}) ou (n,p) de tres faible section efficace pour des elements moyens ou lourds. Ces differentes applications necessite cependant des flux de neutrons important. On a donc ete amene a rechercher les conditions les plus favorables d'irradiation et de developpement des emulsions, de maniere a obtenir la meilleure visibilite des trajectoires et diminuer les phenomenes de voile de l'emulsion, qui empeche toute observation. (M.B.)

Irradiation and development of the nuclear emulsions exposed to intense fluxes of thermal neutrons with {gamma} rays; Irradiation et developpement des emulsions nucleaires exposees a des flux intenses de neutrons thermiques, accompagnes de rayons {gamma}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Faraggi, H.; Bonnet, A.; Cohen, J. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Lab. du Fort de Chatillon, Fontenay-aux-Roses (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1952-07-01

The thermal neutron fluxes provided by nuclear reactors permit the survey of relatively rare phenomenons, and dosage of very weak quantities of some elements. One of the most favorable detection technique are constituted by the use of the nuclear emulsions. one can mention: - the dosage of uranium by counting in the emulsion the number of traces due to fission fragments after irradiation. - The dosage of the lithium and the boron as trace amounts with the help of nuclear reactions (n, {alpha}) and thermal neutrons. - The research of reactions (n, {alpha}) or (n, p) of very weak cross section for middle or heavy elements. These different applications require however important neutrons fluxes. It had therefore obliged us to search for the most favorable irradiation and development of the emulsions conditions, to get the best visibility of the trajectories and decrease the phenomena of fog on the emulsion, which prevents any observation. (M.B.) [French] Les flux de neutrons thermiques fournis par les reacteurs nucleaires permettent l'etude de phenomenes relativement rares, et le dosage de tres faibles quantites de certains elements. Un des moyens de detection les plus favorables est constitue par l'utilisation des emulsions nucleaires. on peut citer: - le dosage de l'uranium par comptage dans l'emulsion du nombre de traces dues aux fragments de fission apres irradiation. - Le dosage du lithium et du bore a l'etat de traces a l'aide des reactions (n, {alpha}) sous l'action des neutrons thermiques. - La recherche de reactions (n,{alpha}) ou (n,p) de tres faible section efficace pour des elements moyens ou lourds. Ces differentes applications necessite cependant des flux de neutrons important. On a donc ete amene a rechercher les conditions les plus favorables d'irradiation et de developpement des emulsions, de maniere a obtenir la meilleure visibilite des trajectoires et diminuer les phenomenes de voile de l'emulsion, qui

G2 and G3 reactors design; Description des reacteurs G2 et G3

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Herreng,; Ertaud,; Pasquet, [Societe Alsacienne de Constructions Mecaniques (France)

1958-07-01

operating power levels of reactor. The regulating system has brought about difficult problems; experimental examination, while operating, will solve them. Special meetings will be held concerning the burst slug system and fuel elements. (author) [French] La construction des reacteurs G2 et G3, dans le cadre du premier plan quinquennal francais, a ete confiee par le C.E.A. au groupement d'industriels FRANCE-ATOME. Bien que ces reacteurs restent essentiellement plutonigenes, on a accole a chacun d'eux une centrale electrique devant fournir 40 MW, dont la responsabilite a ete assumee par l'E.D.F. Le coeur du reacteur adopte la plupart des solutions du reacteur G1 (excepte la fente centrale): canaux horizontaux, empilement de briques parallelepipediques de graphite, protection thermique en acier. Le refroidissement est assure par du gaz carbonique sous 15 atmospheres. Cette pression est tenue par un caisson en beton precontraint, ayant la forme d'un cylindre horizontal. Des cables d'acier sous tension entourent le cylindre de beton, dont ils sont isoles par des patins. Les fonds du cylindre ont pose des problemes particuliers qui ont conduit a la forme hemispherique adoptee. L'etancheite du caisson est assuree par une tole de 30 mm liee a la face interne du beton. Un des aspects les plus originaux de ces reacteurs est la possibilite de charger et decharger en marche. Cote chargement, des sas a barillets, pesant chacun 50 tonnes; permettent de faire passer les cartouches neuves sous la pression de 15 atmospheres. Ces cartouches progressent de facon quasi continue dans le canal pour tomber finalement par des goulottes inclinees et des toboggans helicoidaux dans un nouveau sas. La circulation du gaz carbonique est assuree par trois turbo-soufflantes, actionnees elles-memes par la vapeur moyenne pression obtenue dans echangeurs, chaque reacteur alimente quatre echangeurs ayant pose de difficiles problemes de construction et de mise en place. Le cycle secondaire est un cycle

Heavy water reactors physics; Physique des reacteurs a eau lourde

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Girard, Y; Lourme, P; Naudet, R [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

An important research programme on heavy water reactor physics has been carried out in France for quite a few years. The decision to build the EL 4 prototype and so to choose the heavy water gas cooled type has renewed the interest in this programme and at the same time given to it a more specific orientation A summary of the results gained in this field is presented in this paper. In the first part are described the experimental investigations, most of them were carried out in the criticality facility AQUILON II. The experiments are grouped in four parts - Systematic studies of lattices Buckling measurements. - Specific studies of gas-cooled lattices. - Fine structure, spectral indices measurements etc... - Measurements on lattices or samples containing Uranium of various enrichment or Plutonium. The second part is devoted to a summary of the theoretical studies. The whole results have allowed an improvement of the calculation methods, have led to a better understanding of the neutron balance in lattices, and have permitted the establishment of a set of formula to predict not only the clean fuel conditions but also the evolution of the nuclear properties with irradiation. Some specific studies on power reactor are quoted. (authors) [French] Un important programme d'etudes sur la physique des reacteurs a eau lourde est mene en France depuis assez longtemps. La decision de construire le prototype EL 4 et de s'engager ainsi dans la filiere des reacteurs a eau lourde refroidis par gaz a redonne un nouvel interet a ce programme et l'a en meme temps oriente dans une direction plus particuliere. La presente communication, rassemble les resultats des etudes faites dans ce domaine depuis la derniere conference de Geneve. Dans la premiere partie on decrit les etudes experimentales dont la plupart ont ete effectuees dans la pile d'experiences critiques Aquilon II. Les experiences sont groupees en quatre ensembles: etude systematique de reseaux (mesures de laplaciens) etudes

New reactor concepts; Nieuwe rectorconcepten - nouveaux reacteurs nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Meskens, G.; Govaerts, P.; Baugnet, J.-M.; Delbrassine, A

1998-11-01

The document gives a summary of new nuclear reactor concepts from a technological point of view. Belgium supports the development of the European Pressurized-Water Reactor, which is an evolutionary concept based on the European experience in Pressurized-Water Reactors. A reorientation of the Belgian choice for this evolutionary concept may be required in case that a decision is taken to burn plutonium, when the need for flexible nuclear power plants arises or when new reactor concepts can demonstrate proved benefits in terms of safety and cost.

Shut-down margin study for the next generation VVER-1000 reactor including 13 x 13 hexagonal annular assemblies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Faghihi, Farshad; Mirvakili, S. Mohammad

2011-01-01

Highlights: → Shut-Down Margin (SDM) for the next generation annular fuel core of typical VVER-1000, 13 x 13 assemblies are calculated. → The MCNP-5 code is run for many cases with different core burn up at various core temperatures. → There is a substantial drop in SDM in the case of annular fuel for the same power level. → SDM for our proposed VVER-1000 annular pins is calculated for specific average fuel burn up values at the BOC, MOC, and EOC. - Abstract: Shut-Down Margin (SDM) for the next generation annular fuel core of typical VVER-1000, 13 x 13 assemblies are calculated as the main aim of the present research. We have applied the MCNP-5 code for many cases with different values of core burn up at various core temperatures, and therefore their corresponding coolant densities and boric acid concentrations. There is a substantial drop in SDM in the case of annular fuel for the same power level. Specifically, SDM for our proposed VVER-1000 annular pins is calculated when the average fuel burn up values at the BOC, MOC, and EOC are 0.531, 11.5, and 43 MW-days/kg-U, respectively.

Siloette, Siloe mock-up; Siloette, modele nucleaire de siloe

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Delcroix, V; Jeanne, G; Mitault, G; Schulhof, P [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

Siloette is the Siloe mock-up. The main installations are described: various tanks, building, auxiliaries, control systems... Precis ions are given about precautions taken for using spent fuel elements. (authors) [French] Siloette est le modele nucleaire de SILOE. On decrit ses diverses installations: bassins, batiments, auxiliaires, controle... Des precisions sont donnees sur les precautions prises pour y utiliser des elements uses. (auteurs)

Micro manometer and pitot tube for measuring the velocity distribution in a natural convection water stream between two vertical parallel plates (1961); Micromano metre et tube de pitot destines a l'exploration du profil de vitesse dans un ecoulement d'eau de convection naturelle entre deux plaques verticales paralleles (1961)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Santon, L; Vernier, Ph [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-07-01

For heat transfer studies in certain cases of cooling in swimming-pool type nuclear reactors, a knowledge of the distribution of the velocities between two heating elements is of prime importance. A Pitot tube and a micro-manometer have been developed for making these measurements on an experimental model. (authors) [French] Pour l'etude du transfert de chaleur dans certains cas de refroidissement des reacteurs nucleaires du type piscine, la connaissance de la repartition des vitesses entre deux elements chauffants est primordiale. On a mis au point un tube de Pitot et un micromanometre pour effectuer ces mesures sur une maquette experimentale. (auteurs)

Development and qualification of a thermal-hydraulic nodalization for modeling station blackout accident in PSB-VVER test facility

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Saghafi, Mahdi [Department of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Avenue, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Ghofrani, Mohammad Bagher, E-mail: ghofrani@sharif.edu [Department of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Avenue, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); D’Auria, Francesco [San Piero a Grado Nuclear Research Group (GRNSPG), University of Pisa, Via Livornese 1291, San Piero a Grado, Pisa (Italy)

2016-07-15

Highlights: • A thermal-hydraulic nodalization for PSB-VVER test facility has been developed. • Station blackout accident is modeled with the developed nodalization in MELCOR code. • The developed nodalization is qualified at both steady state and transient levels. • MELCOR predictions are qualitatively and quantitatively in acceptable range. • Fast Fourier Transform Base Method is used to quantify accuracy of code predictions. - Abstract: This paper deals with the development of a qualified thermal-hydraulic nodalization for modeling Station Black-Out (SBO) accident in PSB-VVER Integral Test Facility (ITF). This study has been performed in the framework of a research project, aiming to develop an appropriate accident management support tool for Bushehr nuclear power plant. In this regard, a nodalization has been developed for thermal-hydraulic modeling of the PSB-VVER ITF by MELCOR integrated code. The nodalization is qualitatively and quantitatively qualified at both steady-state and transient levels. The accuracy of the MELCOR predictions is quantified in the transient level using the Fast Fourier Transform Base Method (FFTBM). FFTBM provides an integral representation for quantification of the code accuracy in the frequency domain. It was observed that MELCOR predictions are qualitatively and quantitatively in the acceptable range. In addition, the influence of different nodalizations on MELCOR predictions was evaluated and quantified using FFTBM by developing 8 sensitivity cases with different numbers of control volumes and heat structures in the core region and steam generator U-tubes. The most appropriate case, which provided results with minimum deviations from the experimental data, was then considered as the qualified nodalization for analysis of SBO accident in the PSB-VVER ITF. This qualified nodalization can be used for modeling of VVER-1000 nuclear power plants when performing SBO accident analysis by MELCOR code.

Assessment of computer codes for VVER-440/213-type nuclear power plants

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Szabados, L.; Ezsol, Gy.; Perneczky [Atomic Energy Research Institute, Budapest (Hungary)

1995-09-01

Nuclear power plant of VVER-440/213 designed by the former USSR have a number of special features. As a consequence of these features the transient behaviour of such a reactor system should be different from the PWR system behaviour. To study the transient behaviour of the Hungarian Paks Nuclear Power Plant of VVER-440/213-type both analytical and experimental activities have been performed. The experimental basis of the research in the PMK-2 integral-type test facility , which is a scaled down model of the plant. Experiments performed on this facility have been used to assess thermal-hydraulic system codes. Four tests were selected for {open_quotes}Standard Problem Exercises{close_quotes} of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Results of the 4th Exercise, of high international interest, are presented in the paper, focusing on the essential findings of the assessment of computer codes.

Associative memories in nuclear physics; Les memoires associatives en physique nucleaire

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Blanca, E; Carriere, A [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1967-07-01

Experiments in nuclear physics involve the use of large size 'memories'. After showing the difficulties arising from the use of such memories, the authors give the principles of the various programming methods which make it possible to operate the memories associatively thus benefiting from a reduction in size and better operational conditions. They attempt to estimate the shape and dimensions of an associative memory with cable connections which could be designed specially for nuclear research, contrary to those actually in service. (authors) [French] Les experiences de physique nucleaire necessitent l'emploi de 'memoires' de grandes dimensions. Apres avoir montre les inconvenients que presente l'utilisation de telles memoires, les auteurs exposent les principes des diverses methodes de programmation qui permettent d'assurer un fonctionnement des memoires sur le mode associatif donc une reduction de leurs dimensions et un meilleur usage. Ils tentent d'evaluer le format d'une memoire associative cablee qui, contrairement a celles qui existent actuellement, serait prevue specialement pour l'experimentation nucleaire. (auteurs)

The choice of the fuel assembly for VVER-1000 in a closed fuel cycle based on REMIX-technology

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bobrov, E.; Alekseev, P.; Chibinyaev, A.; Teplov, P.; Dudnikov, A.

2016-01-01

REMIX (Regenerated Mixture) fuel is produced directly from a non-separated mix of recycled uranium and plutonium from reprocessed used fuel and the fabrication technology of such fuel is called REMIX-technology. This paper shows basic features of different fuel assembly (FA) application for VVER-1000 in a closed fuel cycle based on REMIX-technology. This investigation shows how the change in the water-fuel ratio in the VVER FA affects the fuel characteristics produced by REMIX technology during multiple recycling. It is shown that for for the traditional REMIX-fuel it does not make sense to change anything in the design of VVER FA, because there are no advantages in the fuel feed consumption. The natural uranium economy by the fifth cycle reached about 29%. In the case of the REMIX fuel based on uranium-plutonium from SNF MOX fuel, it would be appropriate to use fuel assemblies with a water-fuel ratio of 1.5

Study of the flux effect nature for VVER-1000 RPV welds with high nickel content

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kuleshova, E.A., E-mail: evgenia-orm@yandex.ru [National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq.1, 123182, Moscow (Russian Federation); National Research Nuclear University, “MEPhI” (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Kashirskoe Highway 31, 115409, Moscow (Russian Federation); Gurovich, B.A.; Lavrukhina, Z.V.; Maltsev, D.A.; Fedotova, S.V.; Frolov, A.S.; Zhuchkov, G.M. [National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq.1, 123182, Moscow (Russian Federation)

2017-01-15

This work extends the research of the basic regularities of segregation processes in the grain boundaries (GB) of VVER-1000 reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels. The paper considers the influence of irradiation with different fast neutron fluxes on the structure, yield strength and ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (T{sub K}) changes as well as on changes of the share of brittle intergranular fracture and development of segregation processes in the VVER-1000 RPV weld metal (WM). The obtained experimental results allow to separate the contribution of the hardening and non-hardening mechanisms to mechanical properties degradation of material irradiated at the operating temperature. It is shown that the difference in T{sub K} shift in WM irradiated to the same fluence with different fast neutron fluxes is mainly due to the difference in the GB accumulation kinetics of impurities and only to a small extent due to the material hardening. Phosphorus bulk diffusion coefficients were evaluated for the temperature exposure, accelerated irradiation and irradiation within surveillance specimens (SS) using a kinetic model of phosphorus GB accumulation in low-alloyed low-carbon steels under the influence of operational factors. The correlation between the GB segregation level of phosphorus and nickel, and the T{sub K} shift - in WM SS was obtained experimentally and indicates the non-hardening mechanism contribution to the total radiation embrittlement of VVER-1000 RPV steels throughout its extended lifetime. - Highlights: • Structural elements in high Ni welds are studied at different irradiation fluxes. • AES study demonstrated different P GB kinetics at different irradiation fluxes. • Hardening and non-hardening mechanism contributions to the flux effect are assessed. • Correlation between ΔT{sub K} and P and Ni GB content is shown for VVER-1000 RPV welds.

The in-core fuel management code system for VVER reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cada, R.; Krysl, V.; Mikolas, P.; Sustek, J.; Svarny, J.

2004-01-01

The structure and methodology of a fuel management system for NPP VVER 1000 (NPP Temelin) and VVER 440 (NPP Dukovany) is described. It is under development in SKODA JS a.s. and is followed by practical applications. The general objectives of the system are maximization of end of cycle reactivity, the minimization of fresh fuel inventory for the minimization of fed enrichment and minimization of burnable poisons (BPs) inventory. They are also safety related constraints in witch minimization of power peaking plays a dominant role. General structure of the system consists in preparation of input data for macrocode calculation, algorithms (codes) for optimization of fuel loading, calculation of fuel enrichment and BPs assignment. At present core loading can be calculated (optimized) by Tabu search algorithm (code ATHENA), genetic algorithm (code Gen1) and hybrid algorithm - simplex procedure with application of Tabu search algorithm on binary shuffling (code OPAL B ). Enrichment search is realized by the application of simplex algorithm (OPAL B code) and BPs assignment by module BPASS and simplex algorithm in OPAL B code. Calculations of the real core loadings are presented and a comparison of different optimization methods is provided. (author)

VVER Reactor Safety in Eastern Europe and Former Soviet Union

Science.gov (United States)

Papadopoulou, Demetra

2012-02-01

VVER Soviet-designed reactors that operate in Eastern Europe and former Soviet republics have heightened international concern for years due to major safety deficiencies. The governments of countries with VVER reactors have invested millions of dollars toward improving the safety of their nuclear power plants. Most of these reactors will continue to operate for the foreseeable future since they provide urgently-needed electrical power. Given this situation, this paper assesses the radiological consequences of a major nuclear accident in Eastern Europe. The paper also chronicles the efforts launched by the international nuclear community to improve the safety of the reactors and notes the progress made so far through extensive collaborative efforts in Armenia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine to reduce the risks of nuclear accidents. Western scientific and technical staff collaborated with these countries to improve the safety of their reactor operations by strengthening the ability of the regulator to perform its oversight function, installing safety equipment and technologies, investing time in safety training, and working diligently to establish an enduring safety culture. Still, continued safety improvement efforts are necessary to ensure safe operating practices and achieve timely phase-out of older plants.

Proposal of a benchmark for core burnup calculations for a VVER-1000 reactor core

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Loetsch, T.; Khalimonchuk, V.; Kuchin, A.

2009-01-01

In the framework of a project supported by the German BMU the code DYN3D should be further validated and verified. During the work a lack of a benchmark on core burnup calculations for VVER-1000 reactors was noticed. Such a benchmark is useful for validating and verifying the whole package of codes and data libraries for reactor physics calculations including fuel assembly modelling, fuel assembly data preparation, few group data parametrisation and reactor core modelling. The benchmark proposed specifies the core loading patterns of burnup cycles for a VVER-1000 reactor core as well as a set of operational data such as load follow, boron concentration in the coolant, cycle length, measured reactivity coefficients and power density distributions. The reactor core characteristics chosen for comparison and the first results obtained during the work with the reactor physics code DYN3D are presented. This work presents the continuation of efforts of the projects mentioned to estimate the accuracy of calculated characteristics of VVER-1000 reactor cores. In addition, the codes used for reactor physics calculations of safety related reactor core characteristics should be validated and verified for the cases in which they are to be used. This is significant for safety related evaluations and assessments carried out in the framework of licensing and supervision procedures in the field of reactor physics. (authors)

Optimizing a gap conductance model applicable to VVER-1000 thermal–hydraulic model

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rahgoshay, M.; Hashemi-Tilehnoee, M.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► Two known conductance models for application in VVER-1000 thermal–hydraulic code are examined. ► An optimized gap conductance model is developed which can predict the gap conductance in good agreement with FSAR data. ► The licensed thermal–hydraulic code is coupled with the gap conductance model predictor externally. -- Abstract: The modeling of gap conductance for application in VVER-1000 thermal–hydraulic codes is addressed. Two known models, namely CALZA-BINI and RELAP5 gap conductance models, are examined. By externally linking of gap conductance models and COBRA-EN thermal hydraulic code, the acceptable range of each model is specified. The result of each gap conductance model versus linear heat rate has been compared with FSAR data. A linear heat rate of about 9 kW/m is the boundary for optimization process. Since each gap conductance model has its advantages and limitation, the optimized gap conductance model can predict the gap conductance better than each of the two other models individually.

Isothermal and thermal-mechanical fatigue of VVER-440 reactor pressure vessel steels

Science.gov (United States)

Fekete, Balazs; Trampus, Peter

2015-09-01

The fatigue life of the structural materials 15Ch2MFA (CrMoV-alloyed ferritic steel) and 08Ch18N10T (CrNi-alloyed austenitic steel) of VVER-440 reactor pressure vessel under completely reserved total strain controlled low cycle fatigue tests were investigated. An advanced test facility was developed for GLEEBLE-3800 physical simulator which was able to perform thermomechanical fatigue experiments under in-service conditions of VVER nuclear reactors. The low cycle fatigue results were evaluated with the plastic strain based Coffin-Manson law, and plastic strain energy based model as well. It was shown that both methods are able to predict the fatigue life of reactor pressure vessel steels accurately. Interrupted fatigue tests were also carried out to investigate the kinetic of the fatigue evolution of the materials. On these samples microstructural evaluation by TEM was performed. The investigated low cycle fatigue behavior can provide reference for remaining life assessment and lifetime extension analysis.

Comprehensive survey of the Russian nuclear industry; Le panorama nucleaire russe

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2004-03-01

This document presents the organization of nuclear activities in the Russian federation: Minatom and its replacement by the federal agency of atomic energy, personnel, nuclear power plants (VVER, RBMK, fast neutron and mixed reactors), availability and power production, export of activities (construction of nuclear power plants in Slovakia, Iran, China, India, project in Viet Nam), expansion of the nuclear power plants park (improvement of plants safety, increase of service life), completion of uncompleted plants, the construction of which was stopped after the Chernobyl accident and the reorganization of the former-USSR, construction of new generation power plants (VVER-640, -1000 and -1500), fuel cycle facilities (geographical distribution, production of natural uranium, conversion and enrichment), fuel fabrication, reprocessing processes and spent fuel storage, management of radioactive wastes (leasing), R and D activities (organizations and institutes), research programs of the international scientific and technical center, nuclear safety authority (Gosatomnadzor - GAN). (J.S.)

Minimum throttling feedwater control in VVER-1000 and PWR NPPs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Symkin, B.E.; Thaulez, F.

2004-01-01

This paper presents an approach for the design and implementation of advanced digital control systems that use a minimum-throttling algorithm for the feedwater control. The minimum-throttling algorithm for the feedwater control, i.e. for the control of steam generators level and of the feedwater pumps speed, is applicable for NPPs with variable speed feedwater pumps. It operates in such a way that the feedwater control valve in the most loaded loop is wide open, steam generator level in this loop being controlled by the feedwater pumps speed, while the feedwater control valves in the other loops are slightly throttling under the action of their control system, to accommodate the slight loop imbalances. This has the advantage of minimizing the valve pressure losses hence minimizing the feedwater pumps power consumption and increasing the net MWe. The benefit has been evaluated for specific plants as being roughly 0.7 and 2.4 MW. The minimum throttling mode has the further advantages of lowering the actuator efforts with potential positive impact in actuator life and of minimizing the feedwater pipelines vibrations. The minimum throttling mode of operation has been developed by the Ukrainian company LvivORGRES. It has been applied with great deal of success on several VVER-1000 NPPs, six units of Zaporizhzha in Ukraine plus, with participation of Westinghouse, Kozloduy 5 and 6 in Bulgaria and South Ukraine 1 to 3 in Ukraine. The concept operates with both ON-OFF valves and true control valves. A study, jointly conducted by Westinghouse and LvivORGRES, is ongoing to demonstrate the applicability of the concept to PWRs having variable speed feedwater pumps and having, or installing, digital feedwater control, standalone or as part of a global digital control system. The implementation of the algorithm at VVER-1000 plants provided both safety improvement and direct commercial benefits. The minimum-throttling algorithm will similarly increase the performance of PWRs. The

OECD/DOE/CEA VVER-1000 Coolant Transient Benchmark. Summary Record of the First Workshop (V1000-CT1)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2003-01-01

The first workshop for the VVER-1000 Coolant Transient Benchmark TT Benchmark was hosted by the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Centre d'Etudes de Saclay, France. The V1000CT benchmark defines standard problems for validation of coupled three-dimensional (3-D) neutron-kinetics/system thermal-hydraulics codes for application to Soviet-designed VVER-1000 reactors using actual plant data without any scaling. The overall objective is to access computer codes used in the safety analysis of VVER power plants, specifically for their use in reactivity transient simulations in a VVER-1000. The V1000CT benchmark consists of two phases: V1000CT-1 - simulation of the switching on of one main coolant pump (MCP) while the other three MCP are in operation, and V1000CT- 2 - calculation of coolant mixing tests and Main Steam Line Break (MSLB) scenario. Further background information on this benchmark can be found at the OECD/NEA benchmark web site . The purpose of the first workshop was to review the benchmark activities after the Starter Meeting held last year in Dresden, Germany: to discuss the participants' feedback and modifications introduced in the Benchmark Specifications on Phase 1; to present and to discuss modelling issues and preliminary results from the three exercises of Phase 1; to discuss the modelling issues of Exercise 1 of Phase 2; and to define work plan and schedule in order to complete the two phases

A pulsed fast reactor; Un reacteur pulse a neutrons rapides; Impul'snyj reaktor na bystrykh nejtronakh; Reactor rapido pulsado

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Blokhin, G. E.; Blokhintsev, D. I.; Blyumkina, Yu. A.; Bondarenko, I. I.; Deryagin, B. N.; Zajmovskij, A. S.; Zinov' ev, V. P.; Kazachkovskij, O. D.; Krasnoyarov, N. V.; Lejpunskij, A. I.; Malykh, V. A.; Nazarov, P. M.; Nikolaev, S. K.; Stavisskij, Yu. Ya.; Ukraintsev, F. I.; Frank, I. M.; Shapiro, F. Ji.; Yazvitskij, Yu. S. [Akademiya Nauk, Moscow, SSSR (Russian Federation)

1962-03-15

A pulsed fast reactor (IBR) has been operating at rated capacity since December 1960 in the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. This reactor is used as a pulsed neutron source for physical experiments carried out by the time-of-flight method. It is used for total cross-section and intermediate neutron capture cross- section measurements, for studying the interaction between slow neutrons and solids and liquids, and for measuring neutron spectra produced in various media. The paper describes the basic structural features of the reactor and the results of the experiments for which it has been used. The reactor's operating system is based on recurrent pulses. Power pulses are produced when the mobile part of the reactor core moves swiftly through the stationary part of the core. The mobile part of the core is fastened to a rotating disc and travels at a speed of 230 m/s. The frequency of power pulses can be altered by means of an auxiliary mobile zone which has a range of 2.3-88 pulses per second. The mean power of the reactor is 1 kW, and the half-width of the power pulse in 36 {mu}s. The reactor is provided with a control and safety system which ensures automatic maintenance of mean power and swift shutdown in the event of any operational irregularity. It is fitted with a system of evacuated-neutron-flight tubes used in time-of-flight experiments. The main tube is 1000 m in length. In the start-up process and during physical experiments carried out on the reactor, the influence on reactivity of displacing the controls and the mobile parts of the core was studied ; the length of the pulse was measured under various operating conditions, and power pulse amplitude fluctuations were studied. Further measurements were made to establish the lifetime of prompt neutrons, the effective fraction of delayed neutrons, and coefficients of reactivity. (author) [French] L'Institut unifie de recherches nucleaires dispose d'un reacteur puise a neutrons rapides (IBR), qui

Adiabatic calorimeter with static vacuum for the measurement of the heating of in- pile materials; Calorimetre adiabatique a vide statique pour la mesure d'echauffements de materiaux en pile

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Brun, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

After having reviewed the various interaction processes occurring between radiations present in nuclear reactors and matter, the author describes the different calorimetric methods which may be used for measuring the energy absorbed in the materials. He then gives a detailed description of the adiabatic calorimeter, the associated measurement device and the calibration methods which have been chosen. He finally gives values for the heating produced at various experimental positions in the reactors EL-2 and EL-3 for several materials currently used in reactor construction. (author) [French] Apres avoir passe en revue les differents processus d'interaction des rayonnements, existant dans les reacteurs nucleaires, avec la matiere, l'auteur decrit les differentes methodes calorimetriques qui peuvent etre utilisees pour mesurer l'energie absorbee dans les materiaux. II presente ensuite en detail le calorimetre adiabatique, le dispositif de mesure associe et les methodes d'etalonnage qui ont ete retenus. Enfin il donne des valeurs d'echauffement dans divers emplacements experimentaux des piles EL-2 et EL-3 pour differents materiaux d'utilisation courante dans les reacteurs. (auteur)

The physics design of EBR-II; Physique du reacteur EBR-II; Fizicheskij raschet ehksperimental'nogo reaktora - razmnozhitelya EVR-II; Aspectos fisicos del reactor EBR-II

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Loewenstein, W. B. [Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL (United States)

1962-03-15

) [French] L'auteur presente les calculs du comportement d'EBR-II statique, dynamique et sous evolution a long terme de la reactivite ainsi que les resultats et l'analyse des experiences critiques seches faites sur EBR-II et en simulation sur ZPR-III. Il insiste particulieremen t sur les problemes de physique des reacteurs qui, dans l'elaboration du projet, suivent le choix du modele theorique et precedent la construction ou la mise en exploitation. L'auteur presente des analyses de la securite des reacteurs ainsi que diverses considerations sur l'evaluation des risques sous l'angle de leur influence sur le projet de reacteur. Il decrit la simulation d'EBR-II, a partir des renseignements fournis par le ZPR-III ainsi que les mesures critiques seches sur EBR-II. Ces experiences, leur analyse et les previsions des calculs servent de bases pour predire le comportement physique du reacteur. L'auteur approfondit quelque peu la validite intrinseque de l'application des donnees experimentales au fonctionnement du reacteur de puissance. Ceci comprend les donnees precises des dimensions du coeur et/ou de l'enrichissement de l'alliagne combustible, le choix convenable des valeurs de la reactivite prevues en exploitation et pendant l'arret, la determination des coefficients de reactivite a la temperature et a la puissance de fonctionnement, et la distribution precise de la puissance et du flux en fonction de la position dans l'ensemble du reacteur. L'auteur decrit le probleme de l'application des renseignements obtenus a partir d'une geometrie simple, ideale, analytique ou experimentale, a la geometrie reelle hexagonale du reacteur. Il compare le rendement nucleaire, y compris la surgeneration, du reacteur reel par rapport a celui du modele theorique. Il decrit la reactivite a long terme et le comportement energetique de la couche fertile du reacteur dans le cadre de l'etude du cyclage propose du combustible et de l'alliage fertile. L'auteur etudie les questions de securite considerant

Calculus of a reactor VVER-1000 benchmark; Calcul d'un benchmark de reacteur VVER-1000

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dourougie, C

1998-07-01

In the framework of the FMDP (Fissile Materials Disposition Program between the US and Russian, a benchmark was tested. The pin cells contain low enriched uranium (LEU) and mixed oxide fuels (MOX). The calculations are done for a wide range of temperatures and solute boron concentrations, in accidental conditions. (A.L.B.)

CO{sub 2} direct cycles suitable for AGR type reactors; Cycles directs de gaz carbonique applicables aux reacteurs du genre AGR

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maillet, E [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique. Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay, 91 - Gif-sur-Yvette (France)

1967-10-01

The perspectives given by the gas turbines under pressure, to build simple nuclear power plants and acieving significantly high yield, are specified. The CO{sub 2} is characterised by by good efficiency under moderate temperature (500 to 750 Celsius degrees), compactness and the simpleness of machines and the safe exploitation (supply, storage, relief cooling, thermosyphon). The revision of thermal properties of the CO{sub 2} and loss elements show that several direct cycles would fit in particular to the AGR type reactors. Cycles that would diverge a little from classical models and able to lead to power and heat generation can lead by simple means to the best results. Several satisfying solutions present for the starting up, the power regulation and the stopping. The nuclear power plant components and the functioning safety are equally considered in the present report. The conclusions stimulate the studies and realizations of carbon dioxide gas turbines in when approprite. [French] Les perspectives offertes par la turbine a gaz sous pression, pour construire des centrales nucleaires simples et de rendement progressivement eleve, se precisent actuellement. le CO{sub 2} se distingue par sa bonne efficacite a temperature moderee (500 a 750 degres celsius), la compacite et la simplicite des machines, et la surete qu'il apporte a l'exploitation ( approvisionnement, stockage, refroidissement de secours, thermosiphon). La revision des proprietes thermophysiques du CO{sub 2} et des elements de pertes montre que divers cycles directs conviendraient en particulier aux reacteurs agr ou derives. Des cycles s'ecartant peu des modeles classiques, et se pretant ulterieurement a la production simultanee d'electricite et de chaleur, peuvent conduire par des moyens simples aux meilleurs resultats d'ensemble. Plusieurs solutions satisfaisantes se presentent pour le demarrage, le reglage de la puissance et l'arret. Les composants de la centrale et la surete de fonctionnement sont

Neutron flux determinations in the reactors G2 and G3 during operation; Releves du flux neutronique dans les reacteurs G2 et G3 en puissance

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Boulinier, C; Faurot, P; Sagot, M; Teste du Bailler, A [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France).Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-07-01

After demonstrating the sensitivity of the distribution of power in a production reactor to a deformation caused by dissymmetries of reactivity in the reactor, the authors describe the method of neutron flux determination devised for the reactors G2 and G3 under working conditions; the detector used is a tungsten or nickel wire, the {gamma} activity of which is measured with an ionisation chamber. Several flux determinations are given as examples to illustrate the sensitivity of the method. (author) [French] Apres avoir mis en evidence la sensibilite de la repartition de la puissance dans un reacteur de production a une deformation provoquee par de faibles dissymetries de reactivite dans le reacteur, les auteurs decrivent la methode de releve du flux neutronique mise au point pour les reacteurs G2 et G3 en puissance; le detecteur utilise est un fil de tungstene ou de nickel dont l'activite {gamma} est mesuree a l'aide d'une chambre d'ionisation. Quelques releves de flux illustrant la sensibilite de la methode sont donnes a titre d'exemple. (auteur)

Experimental Investigation of Operation of VVER Steam Generator in Condensation Mode in the Event of the Severe Accident

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Morozov, Andrey [Institute for Physics and Power Engineering by A.I. Leypunsky, 1 Bondarenko sq. Obninsk, 249033 (Russian Federation)

2008-07-01

For new Russian nuclear power plants with VVER-1200 reactor in the event of a beyond design basis accident, provision is made for the use of passive safety systems for necessary core cooling. These safety systems include the passive heat removal system (PHRS). In the case of leakage in the primary circuit this system assures the transition of steam generators (SG) to operation in the mode of condensation of the primary circuit steam. As a result, the condensate from SG arrives at the core providing its additional cooling. To investigate the condensation mode of VVER SG operation, a large scale HA2M-SG test facility was constructed. The rig incorporates: buffer tank, SG model with scale is 1:46, PHRS heat exchanger. Experiments at the test facility have been performed to investigate condensation mode of operation of SG model at the pressure 0.4 MPa, correspond to VVER reactor pressure at the last stage of the beyond design basis accident. The report presents the test procedure and the basic obtained test results. (authors)

Economic Effect on the Plutonium Cycle of Employing {sup 235}U in Fast Reactor Start-Up; Incidence Economique du Demarrage des Reacteurs Rapides a l'Aide d'Uranium-235 sur le Cycle du Plutonium

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Van Dievoet, J.; Egleme, M.; Hermans, L. [BELGONUCLEAIRE, Bruxelles (Belgium)

1967-09-15

factors, inventory factors) from one cycle to another, with a comparative study of the use of {sup 235}U in thermal and fast reactors, variations in the discounted fuel cycle costs from one cycle to another, and weight and characteristics of the recycled fuel, of the additional fuel required and of excess fuel. (author) [French] Le memoire presente les premiers resultats d'une etude entreprise dans le cadre d'un contrat d'association Euratom-Belgique et destinee a evaluer l'interet de l'alimentation de reacteurs rapides en uranium-235. Plusieurs possibilites se presentent pour le demarrage d'un reacteur rapide a l'aide d'uranium-235. 1. Le reacteur peut etre alimente en permanence avec de l'uranium enrichi, le plutonium produit servant a demarrer et a alimenter d'autres reacteurs; dans ce cas, l'uranium est recycle dans le reacteur en y ajoutant de l'uranium enrichi. 2. Le plutonium produit dans le reacteur peut etre partiellement recycle dans celui-ci, ainsi que l'uranium; dans ce cas, le reacteur se transforme progressivement en un reacteur au plutonium. Ces deux cas peuvent etre combines pour un reacteur a plusieurs zones d'enrichissement, ou l'on peut appliquer simultanement les deux politiques a des zones differentes, c'est-a-dire: alimenter, par exemple, la zone interne en uranium enrichi et recycler le plutonium dans la zone externe. Le mode de traitement du combustible irradie rend egalement le probleme complexe, selon que l'on traite ensemble ou separement le coeur et les couvertures axiales; de meme, pour un reacteur a plusieurs zones d'enrichissement, celles-ci peuvent etre traitees ensemble ou separement. Les calculs sont effectues a l'aide d'un code de calcul utilisant, pour lavpartie relative aux caracteristiques des reacteurs successifs, les coefficients d'equivalence definis par Baker and Ross et, pour la partie economique, la methode du cout actualise du cycle du combustible. Dans la premiere phase des travaux, une analyse approcheedu phenomene a ete

The nuclear power stations of the French atomic energy programme (1960); Les centrales nucleaires de puissance du programme francais (1960)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Leduc, C [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France).Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Roux, J P [Electricite de France (EDF), 75 - Paris (France)

1960-07-01

After recalling the entry of nuclear energy into energy production in France, the paper emphasizes the evolution of techniques applied in the designing of French nuclear power plants and describes the means employed for reducing costs per kWh of EDF2 and EDF3 compared with EDF1: the electric power per ton of uranium varies from 493 kW/t for EDF1 to 970 kW/t for EDF3. For this purpose the thermal power and electric power of units are changed respectively from 290 MWt for EDF1 to 1200 or 1600 MWt for EDF3 and from 28 to 250 MW. The results are obtained by an improvement in neutronic characteristics, developments in nuclear fuel technology, and simplification of the system of charging the reactor, whose means of maintenance are increased; the EDF2 heat-exchangers have been so designed as to increase the unit power of the elements, which will attain 9 MWt, as against 3 for EDF1. For EDF3 an advance project forecasts a thermodynamic layout with only one pressure stage. The paper ends with a description of the burst-slug detection systems, and an appendix gives a detailed comparative table of EDF1, EDF2 and EDF3 plant characteristics. (author) [French] Apres avoir rappele l'integration de l'energie nucleaire parmi les moyens de production de l'energie en France, les auteurs se penchent surtout sur l'evolution des techniques appliquees dans l'equipement des centrales nucleaires francaises et decrivent les moyens mis en oeuvre pour reduire les prix de revient du kWh d'EDF2 et d'EDF3 par rapport a EDF1: la puissance electrique par tonne d'uranium varie de 493 kW/t pour EDF1 a 970 kW/t pour EDF3. C'est dans ce but que les puissances thermiques et la puissance unitaire des groupes turbo-alternateurs passent respectivement de 290 MWt pour EDF1 a 1200 ou 1600 MWt pour EDF3 et de 82 a 250 MW. Les resultats sont obtenus par une amelioration des caracteristiques neutroniques, des progres realises sur la technologie des elements combustibles, une simplification du systeme de

Notes on a homogeneous reactor project; Idees sur un projet de reacteur homogene

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Benveniste, J; Bernot, J; Eidelman, D; Grenon, M; Portes, L; Raspaud, G; Tachon, J; Vendryes, G [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Berthod, L; Cohen de Lara, G; Delachanal, M; Fontanet, P; Halbronn, G [Societe Grenobloise d' Etudes et d' Applications Hydrauliques, 38 (France)

1958-07-01

An attempt has been made to develop certain ideas concerning homogeneous reactors. The project under consideration is based on the simultaneous use of a suspension of uranium dispersed in heavy or light water and of boiling in the reactor for heat extraction. However, the studies of suspensions and of boiling are relatively independent and can also be developed for reactors of different types using one or the other. Our aim is a minimum investment in fissile material; for this we propose to extract the steam directly from the core and to make use of a cyclone to accelerate this extraction; a cyclone-type circulation creating a field of increasing tangential velocities of the fluid towards the axis causes the droplets of vapour to accelerate towards the axial vortex in which they are collected; the steam output is then evacuated to the external heat utilisation system, for example an exchanger of the condenser-boiler type. The input speed of water into the reactor being one of the important parameters in the running of the pile, a spiral supply input chamber is used, allowing this speed to be regulated in amount and direction. (author)Fren. [French] Nous nous sommes attaches a developper certaines idees relatives aux piles homogenes. Le projet que nous etudions est base sur l'emploi simultane d'une suspension contenant de l'uranium disperse dans l'eau legere ou lourde et de l'ebullition dans le reacteur pour l'extraction de chaleur. Neanmoins, les etudes de suspensions et d'ebullition sont relativement independantes et peuvent egalement etre developpees pour des reacteurs de type different utilisant l'une ou l'autre. Le but que nous cherchons a atteindre est un investissement minimum en matiere fissile; pour cela, nous proposons d'extraire directement la vapeur dans le coeur et de recourir a un dispositif cyclone pour accelerer cette extraction; une circulation type cyclone creant un champ de vitesses tangentielles du fluide croissantes veraxe a pour effet d

Phase and structural transformations in VVER-440 RPV base metal after long-term operation and recovery annealing

Science.gov (United States)

Kuleshova, E. A.; Gurovich, B. A.; Maltsev, D. A.; Frolov, A. S.; Bukina, Z. V.; Fedotova, S. V.; Saltykov, M. A.; Krikun, E. V.; Erak, D. Yu; Zhurko, D. A.; Safonov, D. V.; Zhuchkov, G. M.

2018-04-01

This study was carried out to evaluate the possibility of 1st generation VVER-440 reactors lifetime extension by recovery re-annealing with the respect to base metal (BM). Comprehensive studies of the structure and properties of BM templates (samples cut from the inner surface of the shells in beltline region) of operating VVER-440 reactor (after primary standard recovery annealing 475 °C/150 h and subsequent long-term re-irradiation within reactor pressure vessel (RPV)) were conducted. These templates were also subjected to laboratory re-annealing 475 °C/150 h. TEM, SEM and APT studies of BM after laboratory re-annealing revealed significant recovery of radiation-induced hardening elements (Cu-rich precipitates and dislocation loops). Simultaneously a process of strong phosphorus accumulation at grain boundaries occurs since annealing temperature corresponds to the maximum reversible temper brittleness development. The latter is not observed for VVER-440 weld metal (WM). Comparative assessment of the properties return level for the beltline BM templates after recovery re-annealing 475 °C/150 h showed that it does not reach the one typical for beltline WM after the same annealing.

Power Reactor Design at Zero Power; Etudes de Reacteurs de Puissance, au Moyen de Machines de Puissance Zero; Konstruktsiya ehnergeticheskogo reaktora nulevoj moshchnosti; Diseno de Reactores Generadores con Ayuda de Reactores de Potencia Nula

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Redman, W. C.; Plumlee, K. E.; Baird, Q. L. [Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL (United States)

1964-02-15

reliance placed in the past on exponential and critical systems for fulfilling Argonne's responsibilities in reactor development. An indication of their future role is provided by a brief summary of the current and planned programmes for the existing members of, and anticipated additions to, Argonne's family of operating zero-power reactors. (author) [French] Avec le reacteur de puissance zero du Laboratoire national d'Argonne, on a procede a des etudes de reacteurs tres divers; reacteurs de recherche, generatrices nucleaires, reacteurs pour la propulsion, pour la production de radioisotopes et reacteurs experimentaux; les ensembles associes - exponentiels et critiques non empoisonnes - ont fourni les donnees debase. Afin de rendre compte d'experiences recentes et de montrer quelle masse de renseignements sur la physique des reacteurs on peut obtenir avec des systemes a bas flux, les auteurs exposent les programmes experimentaux ci-apres: 1. Etude des proprietes des elements combustibles en oxydes d'uranium et de thorium, immerges dans l'eau lourde, en s'attachant particulierement aux donnees necessaires pour l'etude d'un deuxieme coeur pour le reacteur experimental a eau bouillante du Laboratoire d'Argonne; 2. Maquette d'un reacteur de recherche a haut flux, qui permettra de verifier les calculs faits au cours de l'etude, de determiner la geometrie optimale et d'estimer l'effet du taux de combustion; 3. Determination des repartitions energetiques et de l'effet de l'immersion des cartouches sur la reactivite pour un reacteur experimental a ebullition et a surchauffe combinees; 4. Etude d'un coeur de reacteur surgenerateur plutonigene a neutrons rapides, alimente en U{sup 235} et refroidi au sodium qui constituerait la charge initiale du Deuxieme reacteur surgenerateur experimental d'Argonne; 5. Etude des caracteristiques d'un reacteur a deux regions, l'une thermique et l'autre rapide, en interaction. Dans l'expose de ces programmes, les auteurs expliquent pourquoi on a

New code for VVER-440 loading pattern design

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bajgl, J.; Lehmann, M.

1999-01-01

This paper describes the main attributes of a new computer program OPTIMAL used for loading pattern design in Dukovany NPP (4 reactors VVER-440). We have been developed this program in Nuclear Research Institute Rez since 1994 on the base of special contract between Dukovany NPP and Nuclear Research Institute Rez. General information about the optimisation methodology is given in the first part. The organisation of the optimisation process is described in part 2. Construction of the optimisation functional is shown in part 3. Procedures used during one-cycle optimisation are described in part 4. (Authors)

Radionuclide inventory calculation in VVER and BWR reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bouhaddane, A.; Farkas, F.; Slugen, V.; Ackermann, L.; Schienbein, M.

2014-01-01

The paper shows different aspects in the radionuclide inventory determination. Precise determination of the neutron flux distribution, presented for a BRW reactor, is vital for the activation calculations. The precision can be improved utilizing variance reduction methods as importance treatment, weight windows etc. Direct calculation of the radionuclide inventory via Monte Carlo code is presented for a VVER reactor. Burn-up option utilized in this calculation appears to be proper for reactor internal components. However, it will not be probably effective outside the reactor core. Further calculations in this area are required to support the forth-set findings. (authors)

Contribution to the study of several chemical hazards in the Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires of Fontenay-aux-Roses; Contribution a l'etude de quelques nuisances chimiques au centre d'etudes nucleaires de Fontenay-aux-Roses

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Megemont, C; Grau, C [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Fontenay-aux-Roses (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1968-10-01

From the checking of 2750 index cards of hazards, the study relates the distribution of the chemical hazards in the Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires of Fontenay-aux-Roses. Those concerning the greatest number of agents in the Centre are classified according to the categories corresponding to the different conditions of working. Thus, the most important are put forward. Then, the authors rapidly make a review of hazards which may have some special interest because they appear more specific of the nuclear energy or because they are the most frequently noted on the index cards of hazards. The case of the tributylphosphate is studied more precisely. (authors) [French] A partir de l'examen de 2750 fiches de nuisances, l'etude porte sur la repartition des nuisances chimiques au Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Fontenay-aux-Roses. Celles qui concernent le plus grand nombre d'agents du Centre sont classees selon les categories correspondant aux differentes conditions de travail. Les plus importantes d'entre elles sont ainsi mises en evidence. | Les auteurs passent ensuite en revue, rapidement, les nuisances qui peuvent presenter un interet particulier soit parce qu'elles semblent plus specifiques de l'Energie Nucleaire, soit parce qu'on les rencontre le plus frequemment sur les fiches de nuisances. Le cas du tributylphosphate est envisage de facon plus detaillee. (auteurs)

Engineering Margin Factors Used in the Design of the VVER Fuel Cycles

Science.gov (United States)

Lizorkin, M. P.; Shishkov, L. K.

2017-12-01

The article describes methods for determination of the engineering margin factors currently used to estimate the uncertainties of the VVER reactor design parameters calculated via the KASKAD software package developed at the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute. These margin factors ensure the meeting of the operating (design) limits and a number of other restrictions under normal operating conditions.

Validation cases of CATHARE 2 for VVER-1000 main steam line break analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kolev, Nikolay P.; Petrov, Nikolay; Donov, Jordan; Sabotinov, Luben; Nikonov, Sergey

2008-01-01

Recent coupled code benchmarks identified coolant mixing in the reactor vessel as an unresolved issue in the analysis of complex plan transients with reactivity insertion. Thus, Phase 2 of the OECD VVER-1000 Coolant Transient Benchmark (V1000CT-2) was defined. The benchmark includes calculation of vessel mixing tests and main steam line break (MSLB) analysis. The reference plant is Kozloduy-6 in Bulgaria. The general objective is the assessment of system codes for VVER safety analysis and specifically for their use in the analysis of reactivity transients. A specific objective is the testing of different scale mixing models (mixing matrix, multi-1D, coarse-3D and CFD), and analysis of MSLB transients with improved vessel thermal hydraulic models. The benchmark is sponsored by CEA-France and OECD and is jointly prepared by CEA and INRNE, in collaboration with the Kozloduy NPP, IRSN and PSU. This paper summarizes CATHARE2 code assessment calculations using multi-1D vessel thermal hydraulics with cross flow. Test cases are the OECD V1000CT-1 pump start-up benchmark and the V1000CT-2 benchmarks. Emphasis is put on vessel mixing aspects. Separate effects in the lower plenum as well as component and integral system tests are considered. The comparison shows that a six-sector vessel mixing model informed by plant data or validated CFD calculations in the initial state was able to correctly reproduce the channel average temperatures at the core inlet as well as the vessel outlet temperatures. Testing at system level including code-to-experiment and CATHARE-ATHLET comparison shows that the considered CATHARE VVER-1000 system model is capable of MSLB simulation. (author)

Comparison of radioactive doses after the last protection layer insight the reactor structure for Russian VVER-1000 and German PWR-1300 reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rahimi, A.; Mansourshaiflu, N.; Alizadeh, M. R.

2004-01-01

In pressurized reactors (VVER and PWR), various protections layers are used for reducing the output core doses. At any protection layer, some amount of neutron and gamma doses is reduced. In this project the axial flux of neutron and gamma beams have been evaluated at various protection layers in the operation state the German PWR-1300 and Russian VVER-1000 reactors by the MCNP computer code. For the purpose of effective use of the MCNP code and assuring its correct performance about of fluxed beams common and series of scientific answers and bench marks should be considered and the results obtained by the MCNP code, be compared with this answers. Then by using appropriate method, for reducing the flux variants of neutron and gamma beams at various protection layers of German PWR-1300 and Russian VVER-1000 reactors of the operation state of both reactors have been accelerated. In this projects, bench marks are computations and numbers existing in PSAR's present at Bushehr nuclear power plant. At the end, by using the results obtained and the standard doses, the time which a person can have work activity at the reactor wall (after the last protection layer), was compared for the operation status of the German PWR-1300 and Russian VVER-1000 reactors

Main results of post-irradiation examinations of new-generation fuel assemblies VVER-1000

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zvir, E.; Markov, D.; Polenok, V.; Zhitelev, V.; Kobylyansky, G.

2009-01-01

To increase the competitiveness of Russian nuclear fuel at the foreign market and to improve its technical and economic performance in order to provide a necessary level of safety, it is necessary to solve certain important tasks: Increase of fuel burn-up; Extension of operational lifetime of fuel assemblies and operational reliability of nuclear fuel; Introduction of cost-beneficial and flexible fuel cycles. Alternative fuel assemblies TVSA VVER-1000 and TVS-2 are used as a basis to optimize the nuclear fuel and develop advanced fuel cycles for nuclear power plants with VVER-1000 reactor types. Four fuel assemblies TVSA operated during 1 and up to 6 reactor cycles, reference fuel assembly TVS-2 operated during three reactor cycles and achieved an average fuel burnup of 48MW·day/kgU as well as failed fuel assembly TVS-2 operated during one cycle were examined at RIAR in recent years. The main objectives of these examinations were to obtain experimental data in support of operational integrity of products or to find out reasons of their failure. The performed post-irradiation examinations confirmed the operational integrity of alternative fuel assemblies TVSA including their geometrical stability up to the average fuel burnup of 55 MW·day/kgU over the fuel assembly (FA) (up to the maximal fuel burnup of ∼73 MW·day/kgU in fuel rods) and of TVS-2 up to the average fuel burnup of 48 MW·day/kgU over the fuel assembly. The changes introduced in the design of VVER-1000 fuel assembly during the development of alternative fuel assembly TVSA and TVS-2 did not make any negative effect on fuel rods. It was proved that causes of fuel rod failure were not related to design features of fuel assemblies. The design features and operating conditions of fuel assemblies under examinations are briefly described. Post-irradiation examinations proved the geometrical stability of fuel assemblies TVSA and TVS-2 under operation up to the fuel burnup of ∼50 MW day/kgU, as for the

An absolute nuclear magnetic resonance magnetometer; Magnetometre absolu a resonance magnetique nucleaire

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Salvi, A [Commisariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-10-15

After an introduction in which the various work undertaken since the discovery of nuclear magnetic resonance is rapidly reviewed, the author describes briefly In the first chapter three types of NMR magnetometers, giving the advantages and disadvantages of each of them and deducing from this the design of the apparatus having the greatest number of qualities Chapter II is devoted to the crossed coil nuclear oscillator which operates continuously over a wide range (800 gamma). To avoid an error due to a carrying over the frequency, the measurement is carried out using bands of 1000 {gamma}. Chapter III deals with frequency measurements. The author describes an original arrangement which makes possible the frequency-field conversion with an accuracy of {+-} 5 x 10{sup -6}, and the differential measurement between two nuclear oscillators. The report finishes with a conclusion and a few recordings. (author) [French] Apres une introduction rappelant les divers travaux effectues en resonance magnetique nucleaire depuis sa mise en evidence, l'auteur decrit sommairement dans le premier chapitre trois types de magnetometre a R.M.N. enumerant les avantages et les inconvenients de chacun a partir desquels il projet, l'appareillage reunissant le maximum de qualites. Le chapitre II est consacre a l'oscillateur nucleaire a bobines croisees permettant un fonctionnement continu dons une large plage (800 gamma). Pour eviter une erreur due a l'entrainement de frequence, la mesure s'effectue par bandes de 1000 {gamma} chacune. Le chapitre III traite la mesure de frequence. L'auteur expose un montage original permettant la traduction frequence-champ avec une precision egale a {+-} 5.10{sup -6}, et la mesure differentielle entre deux oscillateurs nucleaires. Une conclusion et quelques enregistrements terminent ce travail. (auteur)

Development of a VVER-1000 core loading pattern optimization program based on perturbation theory

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hosseini, Mohammad; Vosoughi, Naser

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► We use perturbation theory to find an optimum fuel loading pattern in a VVER-1000. ► We provide a software for in-core fuel management optimization. ► We consider two objectives for our method (perturbation theory). ► We show that perturbation theory method is very fast and accurate for optimization. - Abstract: In-core nuclear fuel management is one of the most important concerns in the design of nuclear reactors. Two main goals in core fuel loading pattern design optimization are maximizing the core effective multiplication factor in order to extract the maximum energy, and keeping the local power peaking factor lower than a predetermined value to maintain the fuel integrity. Because of the numerous possible patterns of fuel assemblies in the reactor core, finding the best configuration is so important and challenging. Different techniques for optimization of fuel loading pattern in the reactor core have been introduced by now. In this study, a software is programmed in C language to find an order of the fuel loading pattern of a VVER-1000 reactor core using the perturbation theory. Our optimization method is based on minimizing the radial power peaking factor. The optimization process launches by considering an initial loading pattern and the specifications of the fuel assemblies which are given as the input of the software. The results on a typical VVER-1000 reactor reveal that the method could reach to a pattern with an allowed radial power peaking factor and increases the cycle length 1.1 days, as well.

Qualification of coupled 3D neutron kinetic/thermal hydraulic code systems by the calculation of a VVER-440 benchmark. Re-connection of an isolated loop

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kotsarev, Alexander; Lizorkin, Mikhail [National Research Centre ' Kurchatov Institute' , Moscow (Russian Federation); Bencik, Marek; Hadek, Jan [UJV Rez, a.s., Rez (Czech Republic); Kozmenkov, Yaroslav; Kliem, Soeren [Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) e.V., Dresden (Germany)

2016-09-15

The 7th AER dynamic benchmark is a continuation of the efforts to validate the codes systematically for the estimation of the transient behavior of VVER type nuclear power plants. The main part of the benchmark is the simulation of the re-connection of an isolated circulation loop with low temperature in a VVER-440 plant. This benchmark was calculated by the National Research Centre ''Kurchatov Institute'' (with the code ATHLET/BIPR-VVER), UJV Rez (with the code RELAP5-3D {sup copyright}) and HZDR (with the code DYN3D/ATHLET). The paper gives an overview of the behavior of the main thermal hydraulic and neutron kinetic parameters in the provided solutions.

Contribution to the study of nuclear resonance in magnetic media (1963); Contribution a l'etude de la resonance nucleaire dans les milieux magnetique (1963)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hartmann-Boutron, F [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1963-06-15

An attempt is made to interpret the results of nuclear magnetic resonance experiments made by various workers on ferro and ferrimagnetic compounds of the iron group. The problems encountered are the following: effects of the dipolar fields and the hyperfine structure anisotropy; signal intensity; frequency pulling due to the Suhl-Nakamura interaction between nuclear spins ; nuclear relaxation and ferrimagnetic resonance in single domain samples of impure YIG; nuclear relaxation in the Bloch walls of insulators. The results of our calculations are generally in good agreement with experiment. (author) [French] On se propose d'interpreter les resultats d'experiences de resonance magnetique nucleaire fates par divers auteurs sur des composes ferro et ferrimagnetiques du groupe du fer. Les problemes abordes sont les suivants: effets des champs dipolaires et de l'anisotropie de structure hyperfine; intensite des signaux; deplacement de frequence du a l'interaction de Suhl-Nakamura entre spins nucleaires; relaxation nucleaire et resonance ferrimagnetique dans les echantillons monodomaines de grenat de fer et d'yttrium impur; relaxation nucleaire dans les parois de Bloch des isolants. Les resultats des calculs sont generalement en bon accord avec l'experience. (auteur)

The status of the Bubbler Condenser Containment System for the Reactors of the VVER-440/213 Type

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Karwat, H.; Rosinger, H.E.

1998-01-01

VVER-440/213 Pressurized Water Reactors have a pressure-suppression containment structure called a 'Bubbler Condenser' tower which can reduce the design pressure of the entire containment following a design basis accident (DBA), such as a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). The bubbler condenser pressure suppression system provides reduction of the LOCA containment pressure by the condensation of released steam in a water pool. World-wide there are 14 nuclear power plants of the VVER-440/213 type in Eastern Europe and Russia. One of the safety concerns for the VVER-440/213 reactors relates to the ability of the bubbler condenser containment system to function satisfactorily and to maintain its integrity following certain postulated accidents and thus limit the release of radioactive material to the environment. The complicated geometry of the bubbler condenser unit, and the dependence on several moving devices and interlocks are the main doubts expressed by different specialists with regard to the design. General description of the bubbler condenser containment system, the physical processes, concerns and design assessment of the bubbler condenser containment system, presentation of the OECD's Unified Bubbler Condenser Research Project (UBCRP) and the European Commission PHARE/TACIS project. Recent utility investigations are also discussed

Microstructure and embrittlement of VVER 440 reactor pressure vessel steels

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hennion, A.

1999-03-01

27 VVER 440 pressurised water reactors operate in former Soviet Union and in Eastern Europe. The pressure vessel, is made of Cr-Mo-V steel. It contains a circumferential arc weld in front of the nuclear core. This weld undergoes a high neutron flux and contains large amounts of copper and phosphorus, elements well known for their embrittlement potency under irradiation. The embrittlement kinetic of the steel is accelerated, reducing the lifetime of the reactor. In order to get informations on the microstructure and mechanical properties of these steels, base metals, HAZ, and weld metals have been characterized. The high amount of phosphorus in weld metals promotes the reverse temper embrittlement that occurs during post-weld heat treatment. The radiation damage structure has been identified by small angle neutron scattering, atomic probe, and transmission electron microscopy. Nanometer-sized clusters of solute atoms, rich in copper with almost the same characteristics as in western pressure vessels steels, and an evolution of the size distribution of vanadium carbides, which are present on dislocation structure, are observed. These defects disappear during post-irradiation tempering. As in western steels, the embrittlement is due to both hardening and reduction of interphase cohesion. The radiation damage specificity of VVER steels arises from their high amount of phosphorus and from their significant density of fine vanadium carbides. (author)

The behaviour of some polyatomic gases in nuclear reactors; Le comportement de quelques gaz polyatomiques dans les reacteurs nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dolle, L [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1958-07-01

The chemical effect of ionizing radiations on a certain number of gaseous systems is described. Under the influence of radiations from a reactor, NH{sub 3}, is decomposed to nitrogen and hydrogen in stoichiometric proportions. Formation of N{sub 2}H{sub 3}, particularly could not be detected. Under a slow neutron flux the reaction {sup 14}N (n, p) {sup 14}C constitutes the main source of decomposition energy. Direct recombination of H, and N, has been brought about under the influence of radiation. The radiolysis of NH{sub 3}, occurs by a complex mechanism; and the kinetics follow a law of the order of about 2.5 which increases with the decomposition rate. The decomposition of hydrogen sulphide is appreciably faster than that of NH{sub 3}. Hydrogen is the only gaseous product of the reaction. The sulphur, which is deposited on the walls of the ampoules, is clearly visible to the naked eye. Up to the present decompositions up to 84 per cent have been obtained. The influence of the reaction {sup 32}S (n, p) {sup 32}P is considered. Radiochemical decomposition of nitrous oxide N{sub 2}O takes place with high yields. The reaction is complicated from the beginning by the formation of higher oxides of nitrogen which we identify and measure. Radiochemical decomposition of methane gives quantities of higher hydrocarbons. Certain of these gaseous systems could find applications in the measurement of high doses of radiation. This problem is discussed in the conclusion. (author)Fren. [French] L'effet chimique des rayonnements ionisants sur un certain nombre de systemes gazeux est decrit. Sous l'influence des rayonnements d'un reacteur, NH{sub 3} se decompose en azote et hydrogene en proportions stoechiometriques. En particulier aucune formation de N{sub 2}H{sub 4}, n'a pu etre detectee. Sous flux de neutrons lents, la reaction {sup 14}N (n, p){sup 14}C constitue la principale source d'energie de decomposition. La recombinaison directe de H{sub 2} et N{sub 2} a ete realisous l

Mechanics and electronics as auxiliary techniques in nuclear research and exploitation; Mecanique et electronique auxiliaires de la recherche et de l'exploitation nucleaire

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Weill, J. [Commissariat a l' energie atomique et aux energies alternatives - CEA, Centre d' Etudes nucleaires de Saclay, Departement Electronique, Groupe Controle des Reacteurs (France)

1959-07-01

Electronics and mechanics form the basic techniques used in the field of measurement and control in nuclear physics experiments, and in nuclear machine installations. The delegate describes some instruments typical of the use of these techniques in the fields of calculation, detection, amplification and nuclear Installations. Reprint of a paper published in 'Bulletin S.F.M.' n. 25 (3. quarter 1957) [French] L'electronique et la mecanique constituent les techniques de base utilisees clans le domaine des mesures et du controle effectues dans les experiences de physique nucleaire et dans les installations des engins nucleaires. Le Conferencier decrit plusieurs appareils caracteristiques de l'emploi de ces techniques dans les domaines du calcul, des detecteurs, de l'amplification et des lnstallations nucleaires. Reproduction d'un article publie dans le 'Bulletin S.F.M.' n. 25 (3e trimestre 1957)

Physical startup tests for VVER-1200 of Novovoronezh NPP. Advanced technique and some results

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Afanasiev, Dmitry A.; Kraynov, Yury A.; Pinegin, Anatoly A.; Tsyganov, Sergey V. [National Research Centre, Moscow (Russian Federation). Kurchatov Inst.

2017-09-15

The intention of the startup physics tests was to confirm design characteristics of the core loading and their compliance with safety analysis preconditions. The program of startup tests for the leading unit is usually composed in such a way that is is possible to study as much neutron-physical characteristics as possible in the safest condition of zero power. State-of-the-art safety analysis is including computer codes that use three dimensional neutron kinetics and thermohydraulics models. For the substantiation of such models, for its validation and verification there is a need in reactor experiments that implementing spatially distributed transients. We based on such statements when composing hot zero power physical startup program for the new VVER-1200 unit of Novovoronezh NPP. Several tests unconventional for VVER were developed for that program. It includes measuring the worth for each of control rod groups and measuring of single rod worth from the inserted groups - test that models rod ejection event in some sense.

Numerical investigation of passive heat removal system via steam generator in VVER 1200

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dinh Anh Tuan; Duong Thanh Tung; Tran Chi Thanh; Nguyen Van Thai

2015-01-01

Passive heat removal system (PHRS) via Steam Generator is an important part in VVER design. In case of Design Basic Accidents such as blackout, failure of feed water supply to steam generator or coolant leakage with failure of emergency core cooling at high pressure. PHRS is designed to remove the residual heat from reactor core through steam generator to heat exchanger which is placed outside reactor vessel. In order to evaluate the passive system, a numerical investigation using a CFD code is performed. However, PHRS has complex geometry for using CFD simulation. Thus, RELAP5 is applied to provide the wall heat flux of tube in the heat exchanger tank. The natural convection in the heat exchanger tank is investigated in this report. Numerical results show temperature and velocity distribution in the heat exchanger tank are calculated with different wall heat flux corresponding to various transient conditions. The calculated results contribute to the capacity analysis of passive heat removal system and giving valuable information for safe operation of VVER 1200. (author)

Perspectives for practical application of the combined fuel kernels in VVER-type reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Baranov, V.; Ternovykh, M.; Tikhomirov, G.; Khlunov, A.; Tenishev, A.; Kurina, I.

2011-01-01

The paper considers the main physical processes that take place in fuel kernels under real operation conditions of VVER-type reactors. Main attention is given to the effects induced by combinations of layers with different physical properties inside of fuel kernels on these physical processes. Basic neutron-physical characteristics were calculated for some combined fuel kernels in fuel rods of VVER-type reactors. There are many goals in development of the combined fuel kernels, and these goals define selecting the combinations and compositions of radial layers inside of the kernels. For example, the slower formation of the rim-layer on outer surface of the kernels made of enriched uranium dioxide can be achieved by introduction of inner layer made of natural or depleted uranium dioxide. Other potential goals (lower temperature in the kernel center, better conditions for burn-up of neutron poisons, better retention of toxic materials) could be reached by other combinations of fuel compositions in central and peripheral zones of the fuel kernels. Also, the paper presents the results obtained in experimental manufacturing of the combined fuel pellets. (authors)

Practical guide to dosimetry as applied in the research reactors of the Saclay and Grenoble nuclear research centers; Guide pratique de la dosimetrie mise en oeuvre dans les reacteurs de recherche du C.E.N./G et du C.E.N./S

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1968-07-01

Since the problems concerning neutron and gamma flux measurements which arise during irradiation experiments in the reactors in the Grenoble and Saclay Centres are of the same type, and since the solutions found are very often adopted in common, we have attempted to describe the methods we use at the present time. A brief description is given of the production of the detectors, the electronic apparatus; the formulae usually used for the interpretation of the measurements are given. A series of technical data cards give the most commonly used detector characteristics. These cards give the physical characteristics of the detectors, their nuclear constants, if any, the most suitable counting methods and the field of application. (authors) [French] Les problemes de mesures de flux de neutrons et de flux gamma qui se posent pour les experiences irradiees dans les reacteurs des Centres de Grenoble et de Saclay etant du meme type et les solutions trouvees, tres souvent adoptees en commun, nous avons cherche a decrire les methodes que nous pratiquons actuellement. On decrit tres brievement la fabrication des detecteurs, l'appareillage electronique; on rappelle les formules usuelles qui servent dans l'interpretation des mesures. Une serie de fiches techniques rassemble les caracteristiques des detecteurs les plus couramment utilises. Ces fiches indiquent les caracteristiques physiques des detecteurs, leurs constantes nucleaires s'il y a lieu, les methodes de comptage les mieux adaptees et le domaine d'utilisation. (auteurs)

Shaping of the axial power density distribution in the core to minimize the vapor volume fraction at the outlet of the VVER-1200 fuel assemblies

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Savander, V. I.; Shumskiy, B. E., E-mail: borisshumskij@yandex.ru [National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Russian Federation); Pinegin, A. A. [National Research Center Kurchatov Institute (Russian Federation)

2016-12-15

The possibility of decreasing the vapor fraction at the VVER-1200 fuel assembly outlet by shaping the axial power density field is considered. The power density field was shaped by axial redistribution of the concentration of the burnable gadolinium poison in the Gd-containing fuel rods. The mathematical modeling of the VVER-1200 core was performed using the NOSTRA computer code.

Study on safety analysis of VVER-1200/V491 in scenario of Loss of Coolant Accidents along with partly failure of ECCS using RELAP5 code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hoang Minh Giang; Ha Thi Anh Dao; Hoang Tan Hung; Bui Thi Hoa; Nguyen Thi Tu Oanh; Dinh Anh Tuan; Pham Tuan Nam

2017-01-01

The advanced VVER-1200/V491 reactor designed with passive safety systems to deal with design extension conditions is primarily selected as priority candidate for Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant project. So that, in order to enhance competence of nuclear safety and toward participation on review Safety Analysis Report (SAR) of Ninh Thuan nuclear Power project the study on safety analysis of VVER-1200/V491 in scenario of Loss of Coolant Accidents along with partly failure of ECCS is implemented. As requirement of the study, the input deck file of VVER-1200/V491 for RELAP5 and analysis report for some special case of LOCAs along with partly failure of ECCS are issued. (author)

Contribution to the study of nuclear resonance in magnetic media (1963); Contribution a l'etude de la resonance nucleaire dans les milieux magnetique (1963)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hartmann-Boutron, F. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1963-06-15

An attempt is made to interpret the results of nuclear magnetic resonance experiments made by various workers on ferro and ferrimagnetic compounds of the iron group. The problems encountered are the following: effects of the dipolar fields and the hyperfine structure anisotropy; signal intensity; frequency pulling due to the Suhl-Nakamura interaction between nuclear spins ; nuclear relaxation and ferrimagnetic resonance in single domain samples of impure YIG; nuclear relaxation in the Bloch walls of insulators. The results of our calculations are generally in good agreement with experiment. (author) [French] On se propose d'interpreter les resultats d'experiences de resonance magnetique nucleaire fates par divers auteurs sur des composes ferro et ferrimagnetiques du groupe du fer. Les problemes abordes sont les suivants: effets des champs dipolaires et de l'anisotropie de structure hyperfine; intensite des signaux; deplacement de frequence du a l'interaction de Suhl-Nakamura entre spins nucleaires; relaxation nucleaire et resonance ferrimagnetique dans les echantillons monodomaines de grenat de fer et d'yttrium impur; relaxation nucleaire dans les parois de Bloch des isolants. Les resultats des calculs sont generalement en bon accord avec l'experience. (auteur)

The RELAP5-Based NPA of the VVER Type Paks NPP

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Guba, A.; Toth, I.; Mandy, C.; Stubbe, E.

1999-01-01

NPA is a data driven interactive graphical tool for visualisation of different plant conditions. Data generated by the analysis code RELAP5/MOD3.2 are processed and displayed on a computer monitor. The NPA model of Paks NPP Unit 3 was developed with the aim to demonstrate the phenomena occurring in different transient/accident scenarios. This VVER-specific NPA development is a result of a cooperation between BELGATOM and KFKI-AEKI. (author)

Influence of Bypass on Thermo-Hydraulics of VVER 440 Fuel Assembly

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jakubec Jakub

2017-04-01

Full Text Available The paper deals with CFD modelling and simulation of coolant flow within the nuclear reactor VVER 440 fuel assembly. The influence of coolant flow in bypass on the temperature distribution at the outlet of the fuel assembly and pressure drop was investigated. Only steady-state analyses were performed. Boundary conditions are based on operating conditions. ANSYS CFX is chosen as the main CFD software tool, where all analyses are performed.

Radiolysis of the VVER-1000 reactor coolant: An experimental study and mathematical modeling

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Arkhipov, O.P.; Bugaenko, V.L.; Kabakchi, S.A.

1995-01-01

Variations in the composition of the coolant for the primary circuit of a VVER-1000 reactor of the Kalinin nuclear power plant upon transition from power-level operation to shutdown was studied experimentally. The data obtained were used for verification of the MORAVA-H2 program developed earlier for simulation of the coolant state in pressurized-water power reactors

Floor response spectra for seismic qualification of Kozloduy VVER 440-230 NPP

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kostov, M.K.; Prato, C.A.; Stevenson, J.D.

1993-01-01

In this paper the floor response spectra generation methodology for Kozloduy NPP, Unit 1-2 of VVER 440-230 is presented. The 2D coupled soil-structure interaction models are used combined with a simplified correction of the final results for accounting of torsional effects. Both time history and direct approach for in-structure spectra generation are used and discussion of results is made

Floor response spectra for seismic qualification of Kozloduy VVER 440-230 NPP

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kostov, M.K. [Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia (BG). Central Lab. for Seismic Mechanics and Earthquake Engineering; Ma, D.C. [Argonne National Lab., IL (United States); Prato, C.A. [Univ. of Cordoba (AR); Stevenson, J.D. [Stevenson and Associates, Cleveland, OH (US)

1993-08-01

In this paper the floor response spectra generation methodology for Kozloduy NPP, Unit 1-2 of VVER 440-230 is presented. The 2D coupled soil-structure interaction models are used combined with a simplified correction of the final results for accounting of torsional effects. Both time history and direct approach for in-structure spectra generation are used and discussion of results is made.

CATHARE-2 prediction of large primary to secondary leakage (PRISE) at PSB-VVER experimental facility

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sabotinov, L.; Chevrier, P. [Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire, 92 - Fontenay aux Roses (France)

2007-07-01

The large primary to secondary leakage (PRISE) is a specific loss-of-coolant accident in VVER reactors, related to the break of the steam generator collector cover, leading to loss of primary mass inventory and possible direct radioactive release to atmosphere. The best estimate thermal-hydraulic computer code CATHARE-2 Version 2.5-1 was used for post-test analysis of a PRISE experiment, conducted at the large scale test facility PSB-VVER in Russia. The PSB rig is 1:300 scaled model of VVER-1000 NPP. The accident is calculated with a 1.4% break size, which corresponds to 100 mm leak from primary to secondary side in the real NPP. A computer model has been developed for CATHARE-2 V2.5-1, taking into account all important components of the PSB facility: reactor model (lower plenum, core, bypass, upper plenum, downcomer), 4 separate loops, pressurizer, horizontal multi-tube steam generators, break section. The secondary side is presented by recirculation model. A large number of sensitivity calculations has been performed regarding break modeling, reactor pressure vessel modeling, counter current flow modeling, hydraulic losses, heat losses, steam generator level regulation. Comparison between calculated and experimental results shows good prediction of the basic thermal-hydraulic phenomena and parameters such as primary and secondary pressures, temperatures, loop flows, etc. Some discrepancies were observed in the calculations of primary mass inventory and loop seal clearance. Nevertheless the final core heat up, which is one of the most important safety criteria, was correctly predicted. (authors)

Fuel for new Russian reactor VVER-1200

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vasilchenko, Ivan Nikitovich [GRPress, 21, Ordzhonikidze Street, 142103 Podolsk, Moscow region (Russian Federation)

2009-06-15

A great program is accepted in Russia on increasing the nuclear power capacities. The basis of the program is commissioning of VVER-1200 Units of AES-2006 design. This is largely an evolutionary project of VVER-1000 reactor plant. It is referred also to reactor core. The plant electric power is increased due to increase in the reactor thermal power and forcing the main parameters and the efficiency increase. With this, reactor pressure increases from 15,7 to 16,2 MPa. The reactor inlet temperature increases from 290 deg. C to 298 deg. C, and outlet temperature from 319 deg. C to 329 deg. C. In a set of the design for four Units (2 Units at Novovoronezh NPP and 2 Units at Leningrad NPP) two base fuel cycles are developed: 5 year and 3 year. To provide such fuel cycles the fuel loading is increased by 8 tons, as compared to VVER-1000 base design, due to fuel column increase by 200 mm and change of fuel pellet sizes. In the mentioned fuel cycles the average burnup in the unloaded batch will be {approx}57 MW.day/kg U and 52 MW.day/kg U (maximum burnup over FAs is 64,5 MW.day/kg U and 60,3 MW.day/kg U), respectively. Specific consumption of natural uranium will be reduced by 5% as compared to that reached at VVER-1000 reactor. In spite of increase in Unit power the limiting permissible fuel rod linear heat rate is decreased from 448 W/cm to 420 W/cm. Refueling pattern is used with small neutron escape. The safety criteria are used that were established for VVER-1000, except for those that did not comply with EUR. For instance, the number of leaky fuel rods under accident is limited. The more stringent requirements are stated on efficiency margin of CPS rods for reactor shutdown that is ensured by the increased number of CPS rods. The well-proved design of fuel assembly TVS-2 and its close modification TVS-2M, operated at Balakovo NPP and Rostov NPP, is laid down in the basis of the core design. The load-carrying component of this structure is a rigid skeleton formed by

Fast Neutron Transport in the Biological Shielding Model and Other Regions of the VVER-1000 Mock-Up on the LR-0 Research Reactor

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Košťál Michal

2016-01-01

Full Text Available A set of benchmark experiments was carried out in the full scale VVER-1000 mock-up on the reactor LR-0 in order to validate neutron transport calculation methodologies and to perform the optimization of the shape and locations of neutron flux operation monitors channels inside the shielding of the new VVER-1000 type reactors. Compared with previous experiments on the VVER-1000 mock-up on the reactor LR-0, the fast neutron spectra were measured in the extended neutron energy interval (0.1–10 MeV and new calculations were carried out with the MCNPX code using various nuclear data libraries (ENDF/B VII.0, JEFF 3.1, JENDL 3.3, JENDL 4, ROSFOND 2009, and CENDL 3.1. Measurements and calculations were carried out at different points in the mock-up. The calculation and experimental data are compared.

Burnup Estimation of Rhodium Self-Powered Neutron Detector Emitter in VVER Reactor Core Using Monte Carlo Simulations

OpenAIRE

Khrutchinsky, А. А.; Kuten, S. A.; Babichev, L. F.

2011-01-01

Estimation of burn-up in a rhodium-103 emitter of self-powered neutron detector in VVER-1000 reactor core has been performed using Monte Carlo simulations within approximation of a constant neutron flux.

Scientific report 1998; Rapport scientifique 1998

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1998-07-01

The aim of this report is to outline the main developments of the ''Departement des Reacteurs Nucleaires'', (DRN) during the year 1998. DRN is one of the CEA Institution. This report is divided in three main parts: the DRN scientific programs, the scientific and technical publications (with abstracts in english) and economic data on staff, budget and communication. Main results of the Department, for the year 1998, are presented giving information on the reactors technology and safety, the neutronics, the transmutation and the hybrid systems, the dismantling and the sites improvement, the nuclear accidents, the nuclear matter transport, the thermonuclear fusion safety, the fuel cladding materials and radioactive waste control. (A.L.B.)

Scientific report 1998

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1998-01-01

The aim of this report is to outline the main developments of the ''Departement des Reacteurs Nucleaires'', (DRN) during the year 1998. DRN is one of the CEA Institution. This report is divided in three main parts: the DRN scientific programs, the scientific and technical publications (with abstracts in english) and economic data on staff, budget and communication. Main results of the Department, for the year 1998, are presented giving information on the reactors technology and safety, the neutronics, the transmutation and the hybrid systems, the dismantling and the sites improvement, the nuclear accidents, the nuclear matter transport, the thermonuclear fusion safety, the fuel cladding materials and radioactive waste control. (A.L.B.)

Scientific report 1998; Rapport scientifique 1998

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1998-07-01

The aim of this report is to outline the main developments of the ''Departement des Reacteurs Nucleaires'', (DRN) during the year 1998. DRN is one of the CEA Institution. This report is divided in three main parts: the DRN scientific programs, the scientific and technical publications (with abstracts in english) and economic data on staff, budget and communication. Main results of the Department, for the year 1998, are presented giving information on the reactors technology and safety, the neutronics, the transmutation and the hybrid systems, the dismantling and the sites improvement, the nuclear accidents, the nuclear matter transport, the thermonuclear fusion safety, the fuel cladding materials and radioactive waste control. (A.L.B.)

Activity report 1998/1999; Rapport d'activite 1998/1999

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1998-07-01

The aim of this report is to outline the main developments of the ''Departement d'Etudes des Combustibles'' (DEC), during the period 1998-1999: developments in terms of structure, staff, scientific research programs, publications and contracts. DEC is one of the department of the ''Departement des Reacteurs Nucleaires'' (DRN), itself depending of the CEA Institution. This report is divided in three parts. The first part gathers information on staff, budget and management. The part 2 presents the scientific programs in the domains of the nuclear Park competition improvement and renewal, the minor actinides incineration, thermo-mechanical codes and atomic calculations on fuel. The last part is devoted to publications,communication and training. (A.L.B.)

Activity report 1998/1999

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1998-01-01

The aim of this report is to outline the main developments of the ''Departement d'Etudes des Combustibles'' (DEC), during the period 1998-1999: developments in terms of structure, staff, scientific research programs, publications and contracts. DEC is one of the department of the ''Departement des Reacteurs Nucleaires'' (DRN), itself depending of the CEA Institution. This report is divided in three parts. The first part gathers information on staff, budget and management. The part 2 presents the scientific programs in the domains of the nuclear Park competition improvement and renewal, the minor actinides incineration, thermo-mechanical codes and atomic calculations on fuel. The last part is devoted to publications,communication and training. (A.L.B.)

Analytical validation of operator actions in case of primary to secondary leakage for VVER-1000/V320

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Andreeva, M., E-mail: m_andreeva@inrne.bas.bg; Groudev, P., E-mail: pavlinpg@inrne.bas.bg; Pavlova, M., E-mail: pavlova@inrne.bas.bg

2015-12-15

Highlights: • We validate operator actions in case of primary to secondary leakage. • We perform four scenarios related to SGTR accident for VVER-1000/V320. • The reference power plant for the analyses is Unit 6 at Kozloduy NPP. • The RELAP5/MOD 3.2 computer code is used in performing the analyses. • The analyses confirm the effectiveness of operator actions during PRISE. - Abstract: This paper presents the results of analytical validation of operator actions in case of “Steam Generator Tube Rupture” (SGTR) for VVER-1000/V320 units at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), done during the development of Symptom Based Emergency Operating Procedures (SB EOPs) for this plant. The purpose of the analyses is to demonstrate the ability to terminate primary to secondary leakage and to indicate an effective strategy for preventing secondary leakage to the environment and in this way to prevent radiological release to the environment. Following depressurization and cooldown of reactor coolant system (RCS) with isolation of the affected steam generator (SG), in these analyses are validated options for post-SGTR cooldown by: • back up filling the ruptured SG; • using letdown system in the affected SG and • by opening Fast Acting Isolation Valve (FAIV) and using Steam Dump Facility to the Condenser (BRU-K). The results of the thermal-hydraulic analyses have been used to assist KNPP specialists in analytical validation of EOPs. The RELAP5/MOD3.2 computer code has been used for the analyses in a VVER-1000 Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) model. A model of VVER-1000 based on Unit 6 of Kozloduy NPP has been developed for the thermal-hydraulics code RELAP5/MOD3.2 at the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (INRNE-BAS). This paper is possible through the participation of leading specialists from KNPP.

3D analysis of the reactivity insertion accident in VVER-1000

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Abdullayev, A. M.; Zhukov, A. I.; Slyeptsov, S. M. [NSC Kharkov Inst. for Physics and Technology, 1, Akademicheskaya Str., Kharkov 61108 (Ukraine)

2012-07-01

Fuel parameters such as peak enthalpy and temperature during rod ejection accident are calculated. The calculations are performed by 3D neutron kinetics code NESTLE and 3D thermal-hydraulic code VIPRE-W. Both hot zero power and hot full power cases were studied for an equilibrium cycle with Westinghouse hex fuel in VVER-1000. It is shown that the use of 3D methodology can significantly increase safety margins for current criteria and met future criteria. (authors)

Conducting water chemistry of the secondary coolant circuit of VVER-based nuclear power plant units constructed without using copper containing alloys

Science.gov (United States)

Tyapkov, V. F.

2014-07-01

The secondary coolant circuit water chemistry with metering amines began to be put in use in Russia in 2005, and all nuclear power plant units equipped with VVER-1000 reactors have been shifted to operate with this water chemistry for the past seven years. Owing to the use of water chemistry with metering amines, the amount of products from corrosion of structural materials entering into the volume of steam generators has been reduced, and the flow-accelerated corrosion rate of pipelines and equipment has been slowed down. The article presents data on conducting water chemistry in nuclear power plant units with VVER-1000 reactors for the secondary coolant system equipment made without using copper-containing alloys. Statistical data are presented on conducting ammonia-morpholine and ammonia-ethanolamine water chemistries in new-generation operating power units with VVER-1000 reactors with an increased level of pH. The values of cooling water leaks in turbine condensers the tube system of which is made of stainless steel or titanium alloy are given.

TAREG 2.01/00 Project, ''Validation of neutron embrittlement for VVER 1000 and 440/213 RPVs, with emphasis on integrity assessment''

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ahlstrand, R.; Margolin, B.; Kostylev, V.; Yurchenko, E.; Akbashev, I.; Piminov, V.; Nikolaev, Y.; Koshkin, V.; Kharshenko, V.; Chyrko, L.; Bukhanov, V.; Comsa, O.

2012-01-01

The irradiation embrittlement and integrity of the VVER reactors has been an important issue in many EC supported TACIS and PHARE projects since 1990. In the EC annual program 2000 two TACIS projects (TAREG 2.01/00 and 2.01/03) were approved on the issue in order to improve the neutron irradiation embrittlement databases, elaborate new trend curves for the embrittlement and to assess the integrity of the RPVs (Reactor Pressure Vessel) by analysing PTS transients (Pressurized Thermal Shock) for some selected Russian and Ukrainian VVER 1000 and 440/213 NPPs. In this paper the TAREG 2.01/00 project is briefly described with some details from the twin project 2.01/03, which served as a materials testing project, providing inputs for the 1st project. As a result of the project new trend curves for neutron irradiation embrittlement were elaborated, based on upgraded and more reliable surveillance results databases. The PTS study shows that the integrity of the selected VVER RPVs can be ensured to the end of RPV design life. (author)

Accident loads for a VVER-440/213 containment

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Techy, Z. [Institute for Electric Power Research (VEIKI), Budapest (Hungary); Lajtha, G. [Institute for Electric Power Research (VEIKI), Budapest (Hungary); Taubner, R. [Institute for Electric Power Research (VEIKI), Budapest (Hungary)

1995-08-01

Specific features of the VVER-440/213 containment are the subdivided rectangular building and the localization system including the bubbler trays and air traps. Accident loads are calculated for a large break loss of coolant accident (LBLOCA). The maximum pressure and temperature loads are calculated with different codes during the blowdown phase of the LBLOCA. The uncertainty margins of the maximum pressure are given in this case. Sensitivity studies are performed for different leakage rates and hydraulic data of the containment. The effects of the active and passive spray systems on the depressurization are presented in this paper. The maximum pressure loads are also examined in case of degraded conditions of the localization system. (orig.).

Kinetics Parameters of VVER-1000 Core with 3 MOX Lead Test Assemblies To Be Used for Accident Analysis Codes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pavlovitchev, A.M.

2000-01-01

The present work is a part of Joint U.S./Russian Project with Weapons-Grade Plutonium Disposition in VVER Reactor and presents the neutronics calculations of kinetics parameters of VVER-1000 core with 3 introduced MOX LTAs. MOX LTA design has been studied in [1] for two options of MOX LTA: 100% plutonium and of ''island'' type. As a result, zoning i.e. fissile plutonium enrichments in different plutonium zones, has been defined. VVER-1000 core with 3 introduced MOX LTAs of chosen design has been calculated in [2]. In present work, the neutronics data for transient analysis codes (RELAP [3]) has been obtained using the codes chain of RRC ''Kurchatov Institute'' [5] that is to be used for exploitation neutronics calculations of VVER. Nowadays the 3D assembly-by-assembly code BIPR-7A and 2D pin-by-pin code PERMAK-A, both with the neutronics constants prepared by the cell code TVS-M, are the base elements of this chain. It should be reminded that in [6] TVS-M was used only for the constants calculations of MOX FAs. In current calculations the code TVS-M has been used both for UOX and MOX fuel constants. Besides, the volume of presented information has been increased and additional explications have been included. The results for the reference uranium core [4] are presented in Chapter 2. The results for the core with 3 MOX LTAs are presented in Chapter 3. The conservatism that is connected with neutronics parameters and that must be taken into account during transient analysis calculations, is discussed in Chapter 4. The conservative parameters values are considered to be used in 1-point core kinetics models of accident analysis codes

Physical measurements in Marcoule reactors (1962); Mesures physiques sur les reacteurs de Marcoule (1962)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Teste du Bailler, A [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1962-07-01

A brief description of the physical measurements in Marcoule reactors is given here. During commissioning and subsequent years of operation, various experiments ha been carried out to check design data, and improve the operating conditions and also test theoretical models for kinetic studies. (author) [French] On presente une rapide description des mesures physiques effectuees sur les reacteurs de Marcoule. Au cours du demarrage et pendant les premieres annees de fonctionnement de G-2 - G-3, de nombreuses experiences ont ete effectuees pour verifier les donnees du projet, ameliorer les conditions de fonctionnement et eprouver des modeles theoriques de calculs de cinetique. (auteur)

Water chemistry regimes for VVER-440 units: water chemistry influence on fuel cladding behaviour

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zmitko, M.

1999-01-01

In this lecture next problems of water chemistry influence on fuel cladding behaviour for VVER-440 units are presented: primary coolant technologies; water chemistry specification and control; fuel integrity considerations; zirconium alloys cladding corrosion (corrosion versus burn-up; water chemistry effect; crud deposition; hydrogen absorption; axial offset anomaly); alternatives for the primary coolant regimes

Evaluation of the applicability of cladding deformation model in RELAP5/MOD3.2 code for VVER-1000 fuel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vorob'ev, Yu.; Zhabin, O.

2015-01-01

Applicability of cladding deformation model in RELAP5/MOD3.2 code is analyzed for VVER-1000 fuel cladding from Zr+1%Nb alloy. Experimental data and calculation model of fuel assembly channel of the core are used for this purpose. The model applicability is tested for the cladding temperature range from 600 to 1200 deg C and pressure range from 1 to 12 MPa. Evaluation results demonstrate limited applicability of built-in RELAP5/MOD3.2 cladding deformation model to the estimation of Zr+1%Nb cladding rupture conditions. The limitations found shall be considered in application of RELAP5/MOD3.2 cladding deformation model in the design-basis accident analysis of VVER reactors

Analysis of the VVER Standard Problem INSC-PSBV1 '11% Coolant Leak from Upper Plenum' with RELAP5/MOD3.2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Melikhov, O.; Melikhov, V.; Parfenov, Yu.; Gavritenkova, O.; Lipatov, I.; Elkin, I.; Bayless, P.

2004-01-01

Analyses of a loss-of-coolant experiment carried out at the PSB-VVER test facility with the RELAP5/MOD3.2 code have been performed independently by analysts at the Electrogorsk Research and Engineering Center (EREC) and the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). The PSB-VVER facility is a full-height scale model of a VVER 1000 reactor that is approximately 1/300 scale in volume and power. VVER Standard Problem INSC-PSBV1 represents an 11% leak from the upper plenum of the PSB-VVER facility, simulating the rupture of one of the accumulator injection lines. The safety-significant thermalhydraulic phenomena occurring in VVER type reactors addressed by this experiment were identified in the test validation matrix. Most of the phenomena of the validation matrix were reasonably simulated by RELAP5/MOD3.2 in both calculations. The major differences between the test and the calculations were the timing of the core heatup, and the thermal response to the accumulator injection cycles in both calculations. The INEEL calculation had a more extensive axial heatup, with most of the core experiencing small heat-ups. The accumulator injection was more effective in quenching the core in the test than in the INEEL calculation. This difference is attributed to the liquid distribution in the core, rather than to the heat transfer models in the code. The code calculation had a more uniform axial distribution of the liquid in the core, and the accumulator injection did not have much impact on the core liquid inventory. In the EREC calculation, only one heatup of the cladding temperature was observed for upper and middle section of the fuel rods before the final heatup. The small heat-ups were not reproduced in EREC calculation. The difference could be attributed to differences in liquid distribution, namely the core region in the EREC calculation contains more liquid over most of the transient than in the experiment. The distribution of liquid in the core in

Generation of multigroup cross-sections from micro-group ones in code system SUHAM-U used for VVER-1000 reactor core calculations with MOX loading

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Boyarinov, V.F.; Davidenko, V.D.; Polismakov, A.A.; Tsybulsky, V.F. [RRC Kurchatov Institute, Moscow (Russian Federation)

2005-07-01

At the present time, the new code system SUHAM-U for calculation of the neutron-physical processes in nuclear reactor core with triangular and square lattices based both on the modern micro-group (about 7000 groups) cross-sections library of code system UNK and on solving the multigroup (up to 89 groups) neutron transport equation by Surface Harmonics Method is elaborated. In this paper the procedure for generation of multigroup cross-sections from micro-group ones for calculation of VVER-1000 reactor core with MOX loading is described. The validation has consisted in computing VVER-1000 fuel assemblies with uranium and MOX fuel and has shown enough high accuracy under corresponding selection of the number and boundaries of the energy groups. This work has been fulfilled in the frame of ISTC project 'System Analyses of Nuclear Safety for VVER Reactors with MOX Fuels'.

Thermal-hydraulic studies on the safety of VVER-440 type nuclear power plants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tuunanen, J.

1994-01-01

The thesis includes several thermal-hydraulic analyses related to the Loviisa VVER-440 nuclear power plant units. The work consists of experimental studies, analysis of the experiments, analysis of some plant transients and development of a calculational model for calculation of boric concentrations in the reactor. In the first part of thesis, in the case of simulation of boric acid solution behaviour during long-term cooling period of LOCAs, experiments were performed in scaled-down test facilities. The experimental data together with the results of RELAP5/MOD3 simulations were used to develop a model for calculations of boric acid concentrations in the reactor during LOCAs. In the second part, in the case of simulation of horizontal generators, experiments were performed with PACTEL integral test loop to simulate loss of feedwater transients. The PACTEL experiments as well as earlier REWETT-III natural circulation tests, were analyzed with RELAP5/MOD3 Version 5m5 code. The third part of the work consists of simulations of Loviisa VVER reactor pump trip transients with RELAP5/MOD1-Eur, RELAP5/MOD3 and CATHARE codes. (56 refs., 9 figs.)

Analysis of transients for NPP with VVER-440 using the code SiTAP

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kalinenko, V.

1994-06-01

The report contains analysis of transients ''Loop connection'' and ''Steam generator tube rupture'' for nuclear power plants (NPP) with VVER-440. To obtain more detailed information about NPP's dynamic characteristics, various variants of initial and boundary conditions are considerd. Calculation of these transients was performed using the SiTAP code developed at the Nuclear Safety Institute of the Russian Research Centre ''Kurchatov Institute''. SiTAP code is a multifunctional computer tool for fast analysis of transient and accidental processes of VVER type reactors for engineers working in the field of NPP dynamics. SiTAP can be used form comparative analysis of several variants of accident scenarios to find out the conditions leading to most serious consequences from a safety point of view. In such cases, additional analyses using best-estimate codes should be carried out. The results of SiTAP for a faulty loop connection leading to a boron dilution accident are intended to be used as boundary conditions for a more detailed anlaysis with the aid of the three-dimensional reactor core model DYN3D, developed in the Research Centre Rossendorf for the simulation of reactivity initiated accidents. (orig.)

Analysing The Thermalhydraulic Parameters Of VVER-1000 Reactor For The Accident Of Steam Generator Tube Rupture

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Luu Nam Hai; Truong Cong Thang

2011-01-01

To ensure the safety operation of nuclear power plant (NPP), a lot of postulated accident scenarios were considered and analysed. This research chose and analysed the accident of steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) under the actual plant conditions by using the simulation program PCTRAN. The SGTR accident is happen when the NPP is under operation with the steady state condition (power of 3000 MWth, primary pressure of 157 bar and secondary pressure of 63 bar). The accident is initiated by creating a break with equivalent diameter of 100 mm in the area of lower row heat exchanging tubes. The result of analysis is compared with the calculation of the Shariz University, Iran using the thermal hydraulics code RELAP5/mod3.2 and the report in the PSAR data of VVER-1000. This comparison shows that it is possible for using PCTRAN to analyse accidents of VVER-1000 reactor. (author)

The virtual digital nuclear power plant: A modern tool for supporting the lifecycle of VVER-based nuclear power units

Science.gov (United States)

Arkadov, G. V.; Zhukavin, A. P.; Kroshilin, A. E.; Parshikov, I. A.; Solov'ev, S. L.; Shishov, A. V.

2014-10-01

The article describes the "Virtual Digital VVER-Based Nuclear Power Plant" computerized system comprising a totality of verified initial data (sets of input data for a model intended for describing the behavior of nuclear power plant (NPP) systems in design and emergency modes of their operation) and a unified system of new-generation computation codes intended for carrying out coordinated computation of the variety of physical processes in the reactor core and NPP equipment. Experiments with the demonstration version of the "Virtual Digital VVER-Based NPP" computerized system has shown that it is in principle possible to set up a unified system of computation codes in a common software environment for carrying out interconnected calculations of various physical phenomena at NPPs constructed according to the standard AES-2006 project. With the full-scale version of the "Virtual Digital VVER-Based NPP" computerized system put in operation, the concerned engineering, design, construction, and operating organizations will have access to all necessary information relating to the NPP power unit project throughout its entire lifecycle. The domestically developed commercial-grade software product set to operate as an independently operating application to the project will bring about additional competitive advantages in the modern market of nuclear power technologies.

Impact of burnable absorber Gd on nuclide composition for VVER-440 fuel (Gd-2)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zajac, R.; Chrapciak, V.

2010-01-01

The latest version of Russian fuel VVER-440 includes burnable absorber in 6 pins. In this article is impact of burnable absorber on nuclide composition and criticality analyzed. In part 1 was analyzed whole burnup interval 0-50 MWd/kgU. In present part 2 are detailed analysis only for first cycle (burnup 0-10 MWd/kgU). (Authors)

Experimental study of hydrodynamically induced vibrational processes in VVER-440 fuel assemblies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Solonin, V.I.; Perevezentsev, V.V.; Rekshnya, N.F.; Krapivtsev, V.G.

2000-01-01

Investigations are described of hydrodynamically induced vibrations in a single fuel assembly of a VVER-440 reactor, performed on a full-scale model installed in a closed loop filled with distilled water; the model fuel elements contained simulators of fuel pellets. Data on hydrodynamic loads were obtained by measuring pressure oscillations along the height of the fuel assembly case. Results of the measurements are presented in graphs and are discussed in some detail. (A.K.)

Accounting for the inertia of the thermocouples' measurements by modelling of a NPP Kalinin-3 transient with the coupled system code ATHLET-BIPR-VVER

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nikonov, S.; Velkov, K.

2008-01-01

The ATHLET-BIPR-VVER coupled system code is applied for performing of safety analysis for different WWER reactors. During the last years its validation matrix is continuously being enlarged. The measurements performed during the commissioning phase of NPP Kalinin Unit 3 for the transient 'Switching-off of one Main Circulation Pump at nominal power' are very well documented and have a variety of recorded integral and local thermo-hydraulic and neutron-physic parameters including the measurements' errors. This data is being used for further validation of the coupled code system ATHLET-BIPR-VVER. In the paper are discussed the problems and our solutions by the correct interpretation of the measured thermocouples' records at NPP Kalinin-3 and the comparison with the predicted results by the coupled thermal-hydraulic/neutron-kinetic code ATHLET-BIPR-VVER. Of primary importance by such comparisons is the correct accounting of the fluid mixing process that take place in the surrounding of the measuring sensors and also the consideration of the time delay (inertia term) of the measuring devices. On the bases of previous experience and many simulations of the defined transient a method is discussed and proposed to consider correctly the inertia term of the thermocouples' measurements. The new modelling is implemented in the coupled system code ATHLET-BIPR-VVER for further validation. (Author)

Development of a qualified nodalization for small-break LOCA transient analysis in PSB-VVER integral test facility by RELAP5 system code

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shahedi, S. [Department of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Street, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Jafari, J., E-mail: jalil_jafari@yahoo.co [Reactors and Accelerators R and D School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, North Kargar Street, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Boroushaki, M. [Department of Energy Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Street, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); D' Auria, F. [DIMNP, University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi 2, 56126 Pisa (Italy)

2010-10-15

This paper deals with development and qualification of a nodalization for modeling of the PSB-VVER integral test facility (ITF) by RELAP5/MOD3.2 code and prediction of its primary and secondary systems behaviors at steady state and transient conditions. The PSB-VVER is a full-height, 1/300 volume and power scale representation of a VVER-1000 NPP. A RELAP5 nodalization has been developed for PSB-VVER modeling and a nodalization qualification process has been applied for the developed nodalization at steady state and transient levels and a qualified nodalization has been proposed for modeling of the PSB ITF. The 11% small-break loss-of-coolant-accident (SBLOCA), i.e. rupture of one of the hydroaccumulators (HA) injection lines in the upper plenum (UP) region of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) below the hot legs (HL), inlets has been considered for nodalization qualification process. The influence of the different steam generator (SG) nodalizations on the RELAP5 results and on the nodalization qualification process has been examined. The 'steady state' qualification level includes checking the correctness of the initial and boundary conditions and geometrical fidelity. In the 'transient' qualification level, the time dependent results of the code calculation are compared with the experimental time trends from both the qualitative and quantitative point of view. For quantitative assessment of the results, a Fast Fourier Transform Based Method (FFTBM) has been used. The FFTBM was used to establish a range in which the steam generators nodalizations can vary.

Balance between automation and human actions in nuclear power plant operation. Results of international cooperation; Equilibre entre automatisation et action humaine dans la conduite des centrale nucleaires, resultats de la cooperation internationale

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sun, B [CEA Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires de Fontenay-aux-Roses, 92 (France). Dept. d' Analyse de Surete; Bastl, W [Gesellschaft fuer Reaktorsicherheit m.b.H. (GRS), Garching (Germany); Olmstead, R [Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd, Mississauga (Canada); Oudiz, A [Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Jenkinson, J [Nuclear Electric PLC, Gloucester (United Kingdom); Kossilov, A [International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)

1990-07-01

'est portee sur le concept de reacteurs 'intrinsequement surs', ce qui pourrait simplifier les equipements de securite, et reduire la complexite des systemes d'information et de controle. La repartition des taches entre homme et machine pourrait bien etre l'une des etapes les plus critiques dans la conception d'une centrale nucleaire et l'un des progres les plus sensibles; de ce fait, elle garantit une approche dans la conception qui est commensurable en qualite avec les hauts niveaux de securite et de qualite de production recherches pour les centrales nucleaires. C'est dans ce climat que l'Agence Internationale pour l'Energie Atomique (AIEA) a constitue en 1989 un groupe de recherche auquel participent les pays membres, lequel groupe possede une experience etendue dans le domaine de l'automatisation des centrales nucleaires. La tache de ce groupe etait d'evaluer ou se situait le juste equilibre entre actions manuelles et automatiques dans la conduite des centrales. Se basant sur des recherches anterieures et sur l'experience de ses membres, le groupe a determine que toute solution unique, totalement deterministe, au probleme de la repartition des taches est impossible. Cependant, dans la mesure ou le role de l'operateur est appele progressivement a se transformer, avec le temps, en un role de gestionnaire du systeme, il est imperatif qu'une procedure systematique de repartition des taches soit utilisee par l'equipe chargee de la conception. Le groupe a propose une methodologie qui s'appuie sur des travaux deja publies, mais il adopte une approche pragmatique, adaptee aux besoins reels des projets. Cette methodologie caracterise un certain nombre de facteurs qui relevent des processus de prise de decision, guide une telle prise de decision, et identifie les secteurs dont il considere qu'ils doivent devenir l'objet de recherches ulterieures. (author)

Hydrodynamics around a spacer of a VVER-440 fuel rod bundle

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mayer, G.; Hazi, G.; Kavran, P.

2004-01-01

Recently, an intensive research has been started in our institute, focusing on the hydrodynamics of fuel rod bundles. Numerical computations have been planed to be carried out in a three level bottom-up hierarchy, using direct numerical simulation, large eddy simulation and Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes approach. Here, we give a description of the numerical method applied for direct numerical and large eddy simulation. We present some preliminary results obtained by the simulation of the flow around a spacer of a VVER-440 fuel rod bundle. (author)

Nuclear biological studies in France; Les etudes de biologie nucleaires en France

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Coursaget, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France).Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-07-01

On the occasion of a colloquium on radiobiological research programmes, a number of documents dealing with French accomplishments and projects in this field were collected together. We felt that it would be useful to assemble these papers in one report; although they are brief and leave gaps to be filled in, they provide certain data, give an overall view of the situation, and can also suggest a rough plan for the general policy to adopt in the field of 'nuclear' biological research; i.e. research based on the nuclear tracer method or devoted to the action of ionising radiations. (author) [French] Un colloque sur les programmes de recherche en radiobiologie nous a donne l'occasion de reunir des documents sur les realisations et les projets francais dans ce domaine. Il nous a semble utile de reunir en un rapport l'ensemble de ces documents, qui, malgre leur brievete et malgre les lacunes qu'ils comportent, donnent un certain nombre d'informations, permettent une vue d'ensemble et peuvent dessiner aussi l'ebauche d'une politique coherente en matiere de recherches biologiques 'nucleaires', c'est-a-dire de recherches basees sur la methode des indicateurs nucleaires ou consacrees a l'action des rayonnements ionisants. (auteur)

Temperature and boron dependencies of buckling and radial reflector saving for VVER lattices

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alvarez, C.

1990-01-01

The temperature and boron dependencies of buckling and radial reflectors savings are analyzed in this paper on the basis of the results from the calculations ZR-6M critical assembly. These dependencies are related to the physical behavior of temperature and boron reactivity coefficients for the cores of VVER-type critical facilities. As a byproduct, the parameter was also investigated and its dependence on water density was determined

Description of the french graphite reactor and of the experiments performed in 1956; Presentation du premier reacteur a graphite francais et des experiences effectuees en 1956

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bussac, J; Leduc, C; Zaleski, C P [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1957-07-01

This paper is an introduction to the experiments performed on the G1 reactor, experiments fully described in the papers following (670 'B to P'). The main results are given together with some comments. The neutronic parameters of the core, a description of the most important structures, and a few words of the tests leading to normal operation of the reactor under load complete our survey. (author) [French] Ce rapport presente les experiences qui furent faites sur le reacteur G1 et dont la description en detail fait l'objet des rapports suivants (670 'B a P'). Les principaux resultats sont fournis ici et commentes. On trouvera en outre les caracteristiques neutroniques du coeur actif de la pile, une description des principales installations et une mention des essais qui ont conduit au fonctionnement normal du reacteur en puissance. (auteur)

Extension and Verification of the Cross-Section Library for the VVER-1000 Surveillance Specimen Region

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kirilova, D.; Belousov, S.; Ilieva, K.

2011-01-01

The objective of this work is a generation of new version of the BGL multigroup cross-section to extend the region of its applicability. The existing library version is problem oriented for VVER-1000 type of reactors and was generated by collapsing of the VITAMIN-B6 problem independent cross-section fine-group library applying the VVER-1000 reactor middle plane spectrum in cylindrical geometry. The new version BGLex additionally contains cross-sections averaged on the corresponding spectra of the surveillance specimen's (SS) region for VVER-1000 type of reactors. Comparative analysis of the neutron spectra for different one-dimensional geometry models that could be applied for the cross-section collapsing using the software package SCALE, showed a high sensitivity of the results to the geometry model. That is why a neutron importance assessment was done for the SS region using the adjoint solution calculated by the two-dimensional code DORT and problem-independent library VITAMIN-B6. The one-dimensional geometry model applied to the cross-section collapsing were determined by the material limits above the reactor core in axial direction z as for every material a homogenization in radial direction was done. The material homogenization in radial direction was done by material weighing taking into account the adjoint solution as well as the neutron source. The one-dimensional geometry model comprising the homogenized weighed materials was applied for the cross-section generation of the fine-group library VITAMIN-B6 to the broad-group structure of BGL library. The new version BGLex was extended with cross-sections for the SS region. Verification and validation of the new version BGLex is forthcoming. It includes comparison between the calculated results with the new version BGLex and the libraries BGL and VITAMIN-B6 and comparison with experimental results. (author)

Extension and Verification of the Cross-Section Library for the VVER- 1000 Surveillance Specimen Region

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kirilova, D.; Belousov, S.; Ilieva, K.

2011-01-01

The objective of this work is a generation of new version of the BGL multigroup cross-section to extend the region of its applicability. The existing library version is problem oriented for VVER-1000 type of reactors and was generated by collapsing of the VITAMIN-B6 problem independent cross-section fine-group library applying the VVER-1000 reactor middle plane spectrum in cylindrical geometry. The new version BGLex additionally contains cross-sections averaged on the corresponding spectra of the surveillance specimen's (SS) region for VVER-1000 type of reactors. Comparative analysis of the neutron spectra for different one-dimensional geometry models that could be applied for the cross-section collapsing using the software package SCALE, showed a high sensitivity of the results to the geometry model. That is why a neutron importance assessment was done for the SS region using the adjoint solution calculated by the two-dimensional code DORT and problem-independent library VITAMIN-B6. The one-dimensional geometry model applied to the cross-section collapsing were determined by the material limits above the reactor core in axial direction z as for every material a homogenization in radial direction was done. The material homogenization in radial direction was done by material weighing taking into account the adjoint solution as well as the neutron source. The one-dimensional geometry model comprising the homogenized weighed materials was applied for the cross-section generation of the fine-group library VITAMIN-B6 to the broad-group structure of BGL library. The new version BGLex was extended with cross-sections for the SS region. Verification and validation of the new version BGLex is forthcoming. It includes comparison between the calculated results with the new version BGLex and the libraries BGL and VITAMIN-B6 and comparison with experimental results. (author)

Experimental study of asymmetric boron dilution at VVER-1000 of Kudankulam NPP and its simulation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tsyganov, Sergey V.; Kotsarev, Alexander V.; Baykov, Alexander V. [National Research Centre ' ' Kurchatov Institute' ' , Moscow (Russian Federation)

2017-09-15

The Kudankulam NPP units contain additional and unique for VVER Quick Boron Injection System (QBIS) for beyond-design-basis accident management without scram. During the physical start-up stage at hot zero power of both Kudankulam units, special tests were performed to assess the efficiency of the system. In the course of test three out of four QBIS tanks had been promptly opened and it led to the asymmetrical injection of boric acid into the core. The scenario of the tests may address to the inhomogeneous boron dilution process that is now an essential part of safety analysis of pressurised water reactors. The simulation of the process, including ex-core ion chambers readings, has been accomplished using ATHLET/BIPR-VVER code. Behaviour of some reactor parameters in the course of the test and some results of the simulation are discussing in the paper. Authors believe the process of the asymmetrical injection of boric acid may be useful for verification and validation of coupled neutronic and thermo-hydraulic codes widely used for safety analysis, including analysis of boron dilution accident.

Experience gained in two years operation of G1; Experience acquise au cours de deux ans de fonctionnement du reacteur G1

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

de, Rouville; Pascal, [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Scalliet, [Electricite de France (EDF), 75 - Paris (France)

1958-07-01

Technical specifications in respect of the first plutonium generating graphite reactor, the G1 at Marcoule, were stated in a paper read at the first Geneva Conference in 1955. We shall not therefore deal further with the technical characteristics of G1 in the present note, but rather propose to define - in the characteristic fields we think will be of major interest to foreign specialists - the results obtained in two and a half years operation since G1 first became critical on january 7, 1956. (author)Fren. [French] Les caracteristiques techniques du premier reacteur plutonigene, au graphite, de Marcoule, G1, ont ete donnees dans une communication presentee a la premiere conference de Geneve, en 1955. Nous n'y reviendrons donc pas dans la presente note qui a pour objet de faire le point, dans quelques domaines caracteristiques, qui nous ont paru les plus susceptibles d'interesser les specialistes etrangers, des resultats obtenus et des experiences faites au cours des deux annees et demi de fonctionnement du reacteur qui ont suivi sa divergence, le 7 janvier 1956. (auteur)

The Procedure for Determination of Special Margin Factors to Account for a Bow of the VVER-1000 Fuel Assemblies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tsyganov, Sergey V.; Marin, Stanislav V.; Shishkov, Lev K.

2008-01-01

Starting from 1980's, the problem of bow of the VVER-1000 reactor FAs and the effect of that on the operational safety is being discussed. At the initial period of time, the extension of time for dropping control rods of the control and protection system associated with this bow posed the highest threat. Later on, new more rigid structures were developed for FAs that eliminated the problems of control rods. However, bow of the VVER-1000 reactor FAs is observed up to now. The scale of this bow reduced significantly but it still effects safety. Even a minor bow available may lead to the noticeable increase of power of individual fuel pins associated with the local variation of the coolant amount. This effect must be taken into account on designing fuel loadings to eliminate the exceeding of set limitations. The introduction of additional special margins is the standard method for taking this effect into account. The present paper describes the conservative technique for the assessment of additional margins for bow of FAs of state-of-the-art designs. This technique is employed in the VVER-1000 reactor designing. The chosen conservatism degree is discussed as well as the method for its assurance and acceptable ways for its slackening. The example of the margin evaluation for the up-to-date fuel loading is given. (authors)

The Procedure for Determination of Special Margin Factors to Account for a Bow of the VVER-1000 Fuel Assemblies

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tsyganov, Sergey V.; Marin, Stanislav V.; Shishkov, Lev K. [Russian Research Center ' Kurchatov Institute' , 1., Kurchatov sq., 123182 Moscow (Russian Federation)

2008-07-01

Starting from 1980's, the problem of bow of the VVER-1000 reactor FAs and the effect of that on the operational safety is being discussed. At the initial period of time, the extension of time for dropping control rods of the control and protection system associated with this bow posed the highest threat. Later on, new more rigid structures were developed for FAs that eliminated the problems of control rods. However, bow of the VVER-1000 reactor FAs is observed up to now. The scale of this bow reduced significantly but it still effects safety. Even a minor bow available may lead to the noticeable increase of power of individual fuel pins associated with the local variation of the coolant amount. This effect must be taken into account on designing fuel loadings to eliminate the exceeding of set limitations. The introduction of additional special margins is the standard method for taking this effect into account. The present paper describes the conservative technique for the assessment of additional margins for bow of FAs of state-of-the-art designs. This technique is employed in the VVER-1000 reactor designing. The chosen conservatism degree is discussed as well as the method for its assurance and acceptable ways for its slackening. The example of the margin evaluation for the up-to-date fuel loading is given. (authors)

System analysis of nuclear safety of VVER reactor with MOX fuel

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Klimov, A.D.; Zharkov, V.P.; Suslov, I.R. [Russia, Moscow Malaya Krasnoselskaya St. (Russian Federation); Boyarinov, V.F.; Kevrolev, V.V.; Tchibinyaev, A.V.; Tsibulskiy, V.F. [RRC KI, Russia, Moscow (Russian Federation); Kochurov, B.P. [ITEP, Russia, Moscow (Russian Federation); Giovanni, B. [NFPSC, FRAMATOME (France)

2005-07-01

The report presents a short summary of the results achieved in the ISTC (International Science and Technology Center) project 'System analysis of nuclear safety of VVER reactor with MOX fuel' (April 2005). The studies within the project are of a systematic character and include the solutions of 15 tasks. The report gives an overview of the major blocks of these tasks: neutron transport equation solution; calculations of isotopic vectors, analysis of the impact of uncertainties on predicted reactor functionals. The calculation methods, the verification results and the corresponding codes are briefly described. (authors)

Fission Data and Nuclear Technology; Constantes de Fission et Technologie NucleAire; 0414 0410 041d 041d 042b 0415 . 041e 0414 0415 041b 0415 041d 0418 0418 0418 042f 0414 0415 0420 041d 0410 042f 0422 0415 0425 041d 041e 041b 041e 0413 0418 042f ; Datos Sobre la Fision y Tecnologia Nuclear

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hanna, G. C. [Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, ON (Canada)

1965-07-15

Accurate nuclear data for fissile nuclei are required not only by reactor designers, but also by reactor physicists for the interpretation of integral experiments, e.g. studies of the change of reactivity with irradiation. Some of the requests that have been made for such fission data, and the reasons behind them, are discussed, along with the progress that has been made towards their fulfilment. An attempt is made to outline those areas where better data are required. (author) [French] On a besoin de valeurs exactes des constantes nucleaires concernant les noyaux fissiles, non seulement pour les etudes de reacteurs, mais egalement pour la physique des reacteurs lorsqu'on veut interpreter les experiences integrales, c'est-a-dire dans les etudes sur les modifications de la reactivite avec l'irradiation. L'auteur discute certaines des demandes de renseignements sur les constantes de fission, les raisons pour lesquelles elles ont ete faites et la mesure dans laquelle elles ont pu etre satisfaites. Il s'efforce egalement de delimiter les domaines dans lesquels on aurait besoin de valeurs plus precises. (author) [Spanish] No solo quienes trabajan.en el proyecto de reactores requieren datos nucleares exactos sobre los nucleos fisionables, sino que tambien los fisicos de reactores los necesitan para interpretar los resultados de experimentos integrales, como por ejemplo, en los estudios sobre la variacion de la reactividad en funcion de la irradiacion. El autor describe algunas de las peticiories de datos de esa clase que se han formulado, asi como los adelantos realizados con objeto de satisfacerlas. Tambien indica, en lineas generales, aiquellas esferas en las que se necesitan datos mas amplios y exactos. (author) [Russian] Tochnye jadernye dannye o rasshhepljajushhihsja jadrah neobhodimy ne tol'ko konstruktoram reaktorov, no takzhe i fizikam-reak- torshhikam dlja interpretacii integral'nyh jeksperimentov, to est' dlja izuchenija izmenenija reaktivnosti po mere

Activity report 1998/1999; Rapport d'activite 1998/1999

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1998-07-01

The aim of this report is to outline the main developments of the ''Departement d'Etudes des Combustibles'' (DEC), during the period 1998-1999: developments in terms of structure, staff, scientific research programs, publications and contracts. DEC is one of the department of the ''Departement des Reacteurs Nucleaires'' (DRN), itself depending of the CEA Institution. This report is divided in three parts. The first part gathers information on staff, budget and management. The part 2 presents the scientific programs in the domains of the nuclear Park competition improvement and renewal, the minor actinides incineration, thermo-mechanical codes and atomic calculations on fuel. The last part is devoted to publications,communication and training. (A.L.B.)

DRAGON analysis of MOX fueled VVER cell benchmarks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Marleau, G.; Foissac, F.

2002-01-01

The computational unit-cell benchmarks problems for LEU and MOX fueled VVER-1000 ('water-water energetic reactor') have been analyzed using the code DRAGON with ENDF/B-V and ENDF/B-VI based WIMS-AECL cross section libraries. The results obtained were compared with those generated using the SAS2H module of the SCALE-4.3 computational code system and with the code HELIOS. Good agreements between DRAGON and HELIOS were obtained when the ENDF/B-VI based library was considered while the ENDF/B-V DRAGON results were generally closer to those obtained using SAS2H. This study was useful for the verification of the DRAGON code and confirms that HELIOS and DRAGON have a similar behavior when compatible cross sections library are used. (author)

Temperature and boron dependencies of buckling and radial reflector savings for VVER lattices

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alvarez, C.

1990-01-01

The temperature and boron dependencies of buckling and radial reflector savings are analyzed in this paper on the basis of the results from the calculations for the ZR-6M critical assembly. These dependencies are related to he physical behaviour of temperature and boron reactivity coefficients for the cores of VVER-type critical facilities. As a byproduct, the dp/dBg 2 parameter was also investigated and its dependence on water density was determined

Analytic index for nuclear physicians uses; Repertoire analytique a l'usage des physiciens nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ballini, R.; Barloutaud, R.; Bernas, R.; Bretonneau, P.; Chaminade, R.; Cohen, R.; Conjeaud, M.; Cotton, E.; Faraggi, H.; Grjebine, T.; Joffre, H.; Laboulaye, H. de; Lesueur, C.; Leveque, A.; Moreau, J.; Naggiar, V.; Papineau, L.; Prugne, P.; Schuhl, C.; Studinowski, FJ.; Netter, F.; Raievski, V.; Valladas, G. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Lab. du Fort de Chatillon, Fontenay-aux-Roses (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Marty, N.; Renard, G. [College de France, Lab. de Chimie Nucleaire (France)

The problem of the documentation in nuclear physics becomes constantly more complex. Every week brings its share of new publications, always more numerous and more varied. To remedy to this facts that we tried, in the service of Nuclear Physics of the CEA, to give to the documentation a character of a collective and systematized work. The present report covers the literature appeared between first January 1950 and first July 1951. (Volume 1: CEA report number 120; Volume 2: CEA report number 184). (M.B.) [French] Le probleme de la documentation en physique nucleaire devient sans cesse plus complexe. Chaque semaine apporte son lot de publications, toujours plus nombreuses et plus diversifiees. C'est pour essayer de porter remede a cet etat de choses que nous avons essaye, au service de Physique Nucleaire du C.E.A., de donner a la documentation le caractere d'un travail collectif systematise. Le present rapport couvre la litterature parue entre le premier Janvier 1950 et le premier Juillet 1951. (Tome 1: Rapport CEA numero 120; Tome 2: Rapport CEA numero 184). (M.B.)

Issues in the use of Weapons-Grade MOX Fuel in VVER-1000 Nuclear Reactors: Comparison of UO2 and MOX Fuels

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Carbajo, J.J.

2005-05-27

The purpose of this report is to quantify the differences between mixed oxide (MOX) and low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuels and to assess in reasonable detail the potential impacts of MOX fuel use in VVER-1000 nuclear power plants in Russia. This report is a generic tool to assist in the identification of plant modifications that may be required to accommodate receiving, storing, handling, irradiating, and disposing of MOX fuel in VVER-1000 reactors. The report is based on information from work performed by Russian and U.S. institutions. The report quantifies each issue, and the differences between LEU and MOX fuels are described as accurately as possible, given the current sources of data.

Preliminary handling studies in large size fast piles; Etudes preliminaires de manutention dans les reacteurs a neutrons rapides de grande taille

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Leduc, J.; Marmonier, P. [Association Euratom-CEA Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

This report examines the various fuel handling systems which presently seem feasible for a fast power reactor. It tries to point out the advantages and / or the the disadvantages and the fabrication problems for each solution involved and makes, a tentative to evaluate the time required for a fuel loading and / or unloading operation. One has investigated the influence of the maximum allowable irradiation, the number of of shut-downs, the power distribution shape within the core on the storage capacity needed, the load factor expected and the average irradiation obtained. (authors) [French] On a examine dans ce rapport les differents systemes de manutention, qui semblent actuellement realisables pour un reacteur a neutrons rapides de puissance, en essayant de faire ressortir les avantages, les inconvenients et les difficultes de realisation de chaque systeme, et de chiffer les temps de manutention auxquels ils conduisent. On a aussi regarde l'influence des variations du taux d'irradiation maximal,de la cadence des arrets ou de la forme du flux dans le coeur du reacteur, sur la capacite du stockage, le taux de disponibilite et le taux d'irradiation moyen. (auteurs)

Preliminary handling studies in large size fast piles; Etudes preliminaires de manutention dans les reacteurs a neutrons rapides de grande taille

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Leduc, J; Marmonier, P [Association Euratom-CEA Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

This report examines the various fuel handling systems which presently seem feasible for a fast power reactor. It tries to point out the advantages and / or the the disadvantages and the fabrication problems for each solution involved and makes, a tentative to evaluate the time required for a fuel loading and / or unloading operation. One has investigated the influence of the maximum allowable irradiation, the number of of shut-downs, the power distribution shape within the core on the storage capacity needed, the load factor expected and the average irradiation obtained. (authors) [French] On a examine dans ce rapport les differents systemes de manutention, qui semblent actuellement realisables pour un reacteur a neutrons rapides de puissance, en essayant de faire ressortir les avantages, les inconvenients et les difficultes de realisation de chaque systeme, et de chiffer les temps de manutention auxquels ils conduisent. On a aussi regarde l'influence des variations du taux d'irradiation maximal,de la cadence des arrets ou de la forme du flux dans le coeur du reacteur, sur la capacite du stockage, le taux de disponibilite et le taux d'irradiation moyen. (auteurs)

The formation of scientists and technicians at the 'Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires' at Saclay

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Debiesse, J.

1958-01-01

The considerable needs in research workers and scientists which are asked by the nuclear energy obliged the Commissariat a l'Energie atomique to deal with a particular effort to increase the quantitative and qualitative formation of scientists. Most various ways have been used. 1- A National Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Nuclear Techniques was created, by a joint decree of the Prime Minister and the Minister for National Education (june 18, 1957). This Institute of Higher Teaching (250 students) indulges in the following matters: atomic engineering, quantum mechanics, theory and technic of particle accelerators, special metallurgy, radiobiology, thermic and mechanics of fluids. 2- An associated centre of the 'Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers' was created (200 students) for technical assistants, drawers, etc. 3- In contribution with both electronic industry and Ministry of Work, the Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires contributes to an accelerated formation of technical assistants into Professional Centres. Conclusion: Training of scientists and research workers is one of the most important activities of the Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay. Without losing its technical efficiency, it has supplied and varied means adapted to the various purposes that we shall reach. (author) [fr

Presence of Tritium in the Cooling Circuits of the Reactors G2 and G3; Presence de tritium dans les circuits de refroidissement des reacteurs G2 et G3

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Estournel, R [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique. Centre de Production de Plutonium de Marcoule, 30 - Chusclan (France)

1962-07-01

In a reactor of the G 2-G 3 type, tritium can be formed by the neutronic bombardment of many elements present in the core. Tritium was found to be present in the cooling circuits of the reactors G 2 and G 3 in the water coming from the regeneration of the CO{sub 2} dehydrating columns. (author) [French] Dans un reacteur du type G 2 - G 3, le tritium peut etre forme par le bombardement. neutronique de nombreux elements existant dans le c r. La presence de tritium dans les circuits de refroidissement des reacteurs G 2 - G 3 a ete mis en evidence dans l'eau provenant de la regeneration des colonnes de deshydratation du CO{sub 2}. (auteur)

Preliminary studies of the kinetics of a reactor by the probability method; Etude preliminaire de la cinetique d'un reacteur par la methode des probabilites

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bruna, J G; Brunet, J P; Clouet D' Orval, Ch; Caizergues, R; Verriere, Ph [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

The {alpha} decay constant of prompt neutrons has been studied in the homogeneous plutonium-fueled, light-water-moderated reactor Alecto, by the probability method. In this method, the probability to count one, two,.... neutrons during a given time is measured. The value of {alpha} can be deduced from this measurement, for various subcritical states of the reactor. The experimental results were then compared with values obtained, for the same reactivities, by the pulsed neutron technique. (authors) [French] On a etudie sur Alecto, reacteur homogene au plutonium, modere a l'eau legere, la constante de decroissance {alpha} des neutrons prompts par la methode des probabilites. Celle-ci consiste a mesurer la probabilite de compter un, deux, etc..., neutrons pendant un intervalle de temps donne. On a pu en deduire la valeur de {alpha}, dans divers etats sous-critiques du reacteur. On a compare les resultats experimentaux a d'autres valeurs obtenues, aux memes reactivites, par la methode des neutrons pulses. (auteurs)

Nuclear program of Iran. Towards de-escalation of a nuclear crisis. Advisory letter; Nucleair programma van Iran. Naar de-escalatie van een nucleaire crisis. Briefadvies

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2012-04-15

The Dutch government, partly at the request of the House of Representatives (Second Chamber), the AIV asked to give an opinion about the position of Iran in the region and the role of the nuclear program of Iran in the geopolitical relations, in view of the most recent developments [Dutch] De Nederlandse regering heeft, mede op verzoek van de Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal, de AIV gevraagd advies uit te brengen over de positie van Iran in de regio en de rol van het nucleaire programma van Iran in de geopolitieke verhoudingen hierin, mede gelet op de meest recente ontwikkelingen.

Nuclear biological studies in France; Les etudes de biologie nucleaires en France

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Coursaget, J. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France).Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-07-01

On the occasion of a colloquium on radiobiological research programmes, a number of documents dealing with French accomplishments and projects in this field were collected together. We felt that it would be useful to assemble these papers in one report; although they are brief and leave gaps to be filled in, they provide certain data, give an overall view of the situation, and can also suggest a rough plan for the general policy to adopt in the field of 'nuclear' biological research; i.e. research based on the nuclear tracer method or devoted to the action of ionising radiations. (author) [French] Un colloque sur les programmes de recherche en radiobiologie nous a donne l'occasion de reunir des documents sur les realisations et les projets francais dans ce domaine. Il nous a semble utile de reunir en un rapport l'ensemble de ces documents, qui, malgre leur brievete et malgre les lacunes qu'ils comportent, donnent un certain nombre d'informations, permettent une vue d'ensemble et peuvent dessiner aussi l'ebauche d'une politique coherente en matiere de recherches biologiques 'nucleaires', c'est-a-dire de recherches basees sur la methode des indicateurs nucleaires ou consacrees a l'action des rayonnements ionisants. (auteur)

Resolution of the multigroup scattering equation in a one-dimensional geometry and subsidiary calculations: the MUDE code; Resolution de l'equation multigroupe de la diffusion dans une geometrie a une dimension et calculs annexes: code MUDE

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bore, C; Dandeu, Y; Saint-Amand, Ch [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1965-07-01

MUDE is a nuclear code written in FORTRAN II for IBM 7090-7094. It resolves a system of difference equations approximating to the one-dimensional multigroup neutron scattering problem. More precisely, this code makes it possible to: 1. Calculate the critical condition of a reactor (k{sub eff}, critical radius, critical composition) and the corresponding fluxes; 2. Calculate the associated fluxes and various subsidiary results; 3. Carry out perturbation calculations; 4. Study the propagation of fluxes at a distance; 5. Estimate the relative contributions of the cross sections (macroscopic or microscopic); 6. Study the changes with time of the composition of the reactor. (authors) [French] MUDE est un code nucleaire ecrit en FORTRAN II pour IBM 7090-7094. Il resout un systeme d'equations aux differences approchant le probleme de diffusion neutronique multigroupe a une dimension. Plus precisement ce code permet de: 1. Calculer la condition critique d'un reacteur (k{sub eff}, rayon critique, composition critique) et les flux correspondants; 2. Calculer les flux adjoints et divers resultats connexes; 3. Effectuer des calculs de perturbation; 4. Etudier la propagation des flux a longue distance; 5. Ponderer des sections efficaces (macroscopiques ou microscopiques); 6. Etudier l'evolution de la composition du reacteur au cours du temps. (auteurs)

Standard and hydrazine water chemistry in primary circuit of VVER 440 units

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Burclova, J.

1992-01-01

Standard ammonia-potassium-boron water chemistry of 8 units with VVER 440 in CSFR is discussed as well as the corrosion product activity in the coolant during steady state and shut-down period and surface activity, dose rate build-up and occupational radiation exposure. Available data on hydrazine application (USSR, Hungary) indicate the possibility of the radiation field decreasing. Nevertheless the detailed analysis of 55 cycles of operation under standard water chemistry in Czechoslovakia allows to expect the comparable results for both water chemistries. (author)

Comparison of problems and experience of core operation with distorted fuel element assemblies in VVER-1000 and PWR reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Afanas'ev, A.

1999-01-01

The main reactors leading to distortion of fuel element assemblies during reactor operation were studied. A series of actions which compensate this effect was proposed. Criteria of operation limitation in VVER-1000 and PWR reactors are described

Structural strength during severe reactor accidents of the VVER- 91 nuclear power plant

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Varpasuo, P.

1999-12-01

The report summarises the studies carried out in Fortum Engineering (formerly IVO Power Engineering) between the years of 1992 and 1997 concerning ultimate strength of structures designed to mitigate and contain the consequences of various core melt accident scenarios. The report begins with the description of containment loading situations arising from core melt accidents. These situations are divided to fast and slow loads. Fast loads include ex-vessel steam explosions, steam spikes, hydrogen burns, direct containment heating and missiles. Slow loads are connected with pressure rise inside the containment in case when the containment heat removal system is not functioning. First part of report describes the analyses of reactor cavity based on axi-symmetric load assumptions. These studies are performed with various models like one degree of freedom idealisation, axi-symmetric modelling of geometry and full three-dimensional modelling of geometry. Second part of report describes the analyses of cavity based on non-axi-symmetric load assumptions. Here full 3D- geometry model is used combined with various physical models for the behaviour of reinforced concrete. Third part of report gives short account of the analysis of containment ultimate pressure capacity. The containment model in this case includes pre-stressing tendons and mild steel reinforcing bars. The load is assumed to axi-symmetric internal static pressure. The capacity of the reactor cavity against the ex-vessel steam explosion scenarios for VVER-91 plant concept is established for both axi-symmetric and non-axi-symmetric load models using ANACAP structural analysis code. The validation of the cavity response to ex-vessel steam explosion load using different commercially available codes gave mixed results for both axisymmetric and non-axi-symmetric load presentations.The ultimate static overpressure capacity of the VVER-91 reactor cavity structure was established to be of the order of 10 MPa. This result

Steam oxidation of Zr 1% Nb clads of VVER fuels in high temperature

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Solyanyj, V.I.; Bibilashvili, Yu.K.; Dranenko, V.V.; Levin, A.Ya.; Izrajlevskij, L.B.; Morozov, A.M.

1984-01-01

In a wide range of accident conditions processes of clad corrosion effected by steam are rather intensive and in many respects influence the safety of NPP and the after-accident dismantling of a reactor core. This paper discusses the results of comprehensive studies into corrosion behaviour of Zr 1%Nb clads of VVER-type fuels at high temperatures. These studies are a continuation of previous work and the base for the design modelling of corrosion processes

Calculations of 3D full-scale VVER fuel assembly and core models using MCU and BIPR-7A codes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aleshin, Sergey S.; Bikeev, Artem S.; Bolshagin, Sergey N.; Kalugin, Mikhail A.; Kosourov, Evgeniy K.; Pavlovichev, Aleksandr M.; Pryanichnikov, Aleksandr V.; Sukhino-Khomenko, Evgenia A.; Shcherenko, Anna I.; Shcherenko, Anastasia I.; Shkarovskiy, Denis A. [Nuclear Research Centre ' ' Kurchatov Institute' ' , Moscow (Russian Federation)

2015-09-15

Two types of calculations were made to compare BIPR-7A and MCU results for 3D full-scale models. First EPS (emergency protection system) efficiency and in-core power distributions were analyzed for an equilibrium fuel load of VVER-1000 assuming its operation within an 18-month cycle. Computations were performed without feedbacks and with fuel burnup distributed over the core. After 3D infinite lattices of full-scale VVER-1000 fuel assemblies (A's) with uranium fuel 4.4% enrichment and uranium-erbium fuel 4.4% enrichment and Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} 1 % wt were considered. Computations were performed with feedbacks and fuel burnup at the constant power level. For different time moments effective multiplication factor and power distribution were obtained. EPS efficiency and reactivity effects at chosen time moments were analyzed.

Material movement of medium surrounding an underground nuclear explosion; Mouvement materiel du milieu environnant une explosion nucleaire souterraine

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Guerrini, C; Garnier, J L [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Bruyeres-le-Chatel (France). Centre d' Etudes

1969-07-01

The results of measurements of the mechanical effects in the, intermediate zone around underground nuclear explosions in Sahara granite are presented. After a description of the main characteristics of the equipment used, the laws drawn up using experimental results for the acceleration, the velocity, and the material displacement are presented. These laws are compared to those published in other countries for nuclear tests in granite, in tuff and in alluvial deposits. (authors) [French] Les resultats de mesures d'effets mecaniques en zone intermediaire autour d'essais nucleaires souterrains dans le granite du Sahara sont exposes. Apres avoir decrit, dans leurs grandes lignes, les materiels utilises, on presente les lois etablies avec les resultats experimentaux pour l'acceleration, la vitesse et le deplacement materiel. Ces lois sont comparees a celles publiees a l'etranger pour des essais nucleaires dans le granite, le tuf et les alluvions. (auteur)

Post-Test Analysis of 11% Break at PSB-VVER Experimental Facility using Cathare 2 Code

Science.gov (United States)

Sabotinov, Luben; Chevrier, Patrick

The best estimate French thermal-hydraulic computer code CATHARE 2 Version 2.5_1 was used for post-test analysis of the experiment “11% upper plenum break”, conducted at the large-scale test facility PSB-VVER in Russia. The PSB rig is 1:300 scaled model of VVER-1000 NPP. A computer model has been developed for CATHARE 2 V2.5_1, taking into account all important components of the PSB facility: reactor model (lower plenum, core, bypass, upper plenum, downcomer), 4 separated loops, pressurizer, horizontal multitube steam generators, break section. The secondary side is represented by recirculation model. A large number of sensitivity calculations has been performed regarding break modeling, reactor pressure vessel modeling, counter current flow modeling, hydraulic losses, heat losses. The comparison between calculated and experimental results shows good prediction of the basic thermal-hydraulic phenomena and parameters such as pressures, temperatures, void fractions, loop seal clearance, etc. The experimental and calculation results are very sensitive regarding the fuel cladding temperature, which show a periodical nature. With the applied CATHARE 1D modeling, the global thermal-hydraulic parameters and the core heat up have been reasonably predicted.

A successful approach for the implementation of symptom-based emergency operating procedures for VVER reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lhoest, V.; Prior, R.; Pascal, G.

2000-01-01

The paper provides an overview of the organization, the progress and the results of the various Emergence Operating Procedure (EOP) development programs for VVER type reactors conducted by Westinghouse so far. The detailed working process is presented through the solutions to some major plant issues. The EOPs have been developed for the Temelin, Dukovany, Bohunice, Mochovce and Paks VVER nuclear power plants. The procedures are developed in working teams of experts from the utility and Westinghouse. The completion of the programs constitute an indication of the overall success of this approach. This is further reinforced by the general acceptance of the new procedures by the plant personnel, together with the good results obtained so far from procedure testing. This is also confirmed by a new PSA-level 1 analysis for Dukovany plant, which shows a significant improvement in the overall plant safety. This means a 20% reduction in the Core Damage Frequency due to the introduction of the new EOPs. The fact that some modifications have been implemented to the plants to solve design weaknesses identified in the course of this programs also constitute a positive result

Statistical pulses generator. Application to nuclear instrumentation (1962); Generateur d'impulsions aleatoires. Application a l'instrumentation nucleaire (1962)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Beranger, R [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1962-07-01

This report describes a random pulses generator adapted to nuclear instrumentation. After a short survey on the statistical nature of electronic signals, the different ways for generating pulses with a Poisson's time-distribution are studied. The final generator built from a gaseous thyratron in a magnetic field is then described. Several tests are indicated : counting-rate stability, Pearson's criterion, distribution of time-intervals. Applications of the generator in 'whole testing' of nuclear instrumentation are then indicated for sealers, dead time measurements, time analyzers. In this application, pulse-height spectrums have been made by Poissonian sampling of a recurrent or random low-frequency signal. (author) [French] Cette etude decrit un generateur d'impulsions aleatoires et ses applications a l'instrumentation nucleaire. Apres un bref rappel sur la nature statistique des signaux en electronique nucleaire, sont passes en revue les principaux moyens d'obtenir des impulsions distribuees en temps suivant une loi de Poisson. Le generateur utilisant un thyratron a gaz dans un champ magnetique est ensuite decrit; diverses methodes de test sont appliquees (stabilite du taux de comptage, criterium de Pearson, spectre des intervalles ds temps). Les applications du generateur a l'electronique nucleaire dans le domaine des 'essais globaux' sont indiques: test des echelles de comptage et mesure des temps morts, test des analyseurs en temps apres division du taux de comptage par une puissance de deux, test des analyseurs multicanaux en amplitude. Pour cette derniere application, on a realise des spectres d'amplitudes suivant une loi connue, par echantillonnage poissonien d'un signal basse frequence recurrent ou aleatoire. (auteur)

Neutron dosimetry in EDF experimental surveillance programme for VVER-440 nuclear power plants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brumovsky, M.; Erben, O.; Novosad, P.; Zerola, L.; Hogel, J.; Trollat, C.

2001-01-01

Fourteen chains containing experimental surveillance material specimens of the VVER 440/213 nuclear power reactor pressure vessels were irradiated in the surveillance channels of the Nuclear Power Plant Dukovany in the Czech Republic. The irradiation periods were one, two or three cycles. The chains contained different number and types of containers, the omitted ones were replaced by chain elements. All of the containers were instrumented with wire neutron fluence detectors, some of the containers in the chain had spectrometric sets of neutron fluence monitors. For the absolute fluence values evaluation it was taken into account time history of the reactor power and local changes of the neutron flux along the reactor core height, correction factors due to the orientation of monitors with respect to the reactor core centre. Unfolding programs SAND-II or BASA-CF were used. The relative axial fluence distribution was obtained from the O-wire measurements. Neutron fluence values above 0.5 MeV energy and above 1.0 MeV energy in the container axis on the axial positions of the sample centres and fluence values in the geometric centre of the samples was calculated making use the exponential attenuation model of the incident neutron beam. Received fast neutron fluence values can be used as reference values to all VVER-440 type 213 nuclear power plant reactors. (author)

Verification of the enrichment of fresh VVER-440 fuel assemblies at NPP Paks

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Almasia, I.; Hlavathya, Z.; Nguyena, C. T. [Institute of Isotopes, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, (Hungary); others, and

2012-06-15

A Non Destructive Analysis (NDA) method was developed for the verification of {sup 235}U enrichment of both homogeneous and profiled VVER-440 reactor fresh fuel assemblies by means of gamma spectrometry. A total of ca. 30 assemblies were tested, five of which were homogeneous, with {sup 235}U enrichment in the range 1,6% to 3,6%, while the others were profiled with pins of 3,3% to 4,4% enrichment. Two types of gamma detectors were used for the test measurements: 2 coaxial HPGe detectors and a miniature CdZnTe (CZT) detector fitting into the central tube of the assemblies. It was therefore possible to obtain information from both the inside and the outside of the assemblies. It was shown that it is possible to distinguish between different types of assemblies within a reasonable measurement time (about 1000 sec). For the HPGe measurements the assemblies had to be lifted out from their storage rack, while for the CZT detector measurements the assemblies could be left at their storage position, as it was shown that the neighbouring assemblies do not affect measurement inside the assemblies' central tube. The measured values were compared to Monte Carlo simulations carried out using the MCNP code, and a recommendation for the optimal approach to verify the {sup 235}U enrichment of fresh VVER-440 reactor fuel assemblies is suggested.

Study of Fast Transient Pressure Drop in VVER-1000 Nuclear Reactor Using Acoustic Phenomenon

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Soroush Heidari Sangestani

2018-01-01

Full Text Available This article aims to simulate the sudden and fast pressure drop of VVER-1000 reactor core coolant, regarding acoustic phenomenon. It is used to acquire a more accurate method in order to simulate the various accidents of reactor core. Neutronic equations should be solved concurrently by means of DRAGON 4 and DONJON 4 coupling codes. The results of the developed package are compared with WIMS/CITATION and final safety analysis report of Bushehr VVER-1000 reactor (FSAR. Afterwards, time dependent thermal-hydraulic equations are answered by employing Single Heated Channel by Sectionalized Compressible Fluid method. Then, the obtained results were validated by the same transient simulation in a pressurized water reactor core. Then, thermal-hydraulic and neutronic modules are coupled concurrently by use of producing group constants regarding the thermal feedback effect. Results were compared to the mentioned transient simulation in RELAP5 computer code, which show that mass flux drop is sensed at the end of channel in several milliseconds which causes heat flux drop too. The thermal feedback resulted in production of some perturbations in the changes of these parameters. The achieved results for this very fast pressure drop represent accurate calculations of thermoneutronic parameters fast changes.

Burst slug detection system in french power reactors (1961); La detection des ruptures de gaines dans les reacteurs de puissance francais (1961)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Megy, J; Roguin, A [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-07-01

Gas samples are taken from the channels of the reactor and the short lived fission products are electrostatically collected to be analysed by a phosphor and photomultiplier system. The electrostatic collection and rotating electrode detector is described and its main uses exposed. Experience has shown the interest of measuring the evolution of fission products activities and not their absolute value only. In this way, data processing equipment have been designed and adapted to the detection apparatus. The system developed and realized for the G-l - G-2 - G-3 - EDF-1 - EDF-2 reactors are compared. (authors) [French] Un prelevement de gaz est effectue dans les canaux du reacteur et les produits de fission a vie courte sont collectes electrostatiquement pour etre analyses par un ensemble scintillateur-photomultiplicateur. Le detecteur a collection electrostatique et electrode tournante est decrit et ses applications principales sont exposees. L'experience a montre l'interet de mesurer l'evolution des activites en produits de fission et non seulement leur valeur absolue. D'ou le developpement d'ensembles de traitement des informations associes aux chaines de detection. Comparaison des realisations sur les reacteurs G-l - G-2 - G-3 - EDF-1 et EDF-2. (auteurs)

Calculation with MCNP of capture photon flux in VVER-1000 experimental reactor.

Science.gov (United States)

Töre, Candan; Ortego, Pedro

2005-01-01

The aim of this study is to obtain by Monte Carlo method the high energy photon flux due to neutron capture in the internals and vessel layers of the experimental reactor LR-0 located in REZ, Czech Republic, and loaded with VVER-1000 fuel. The calclated neutron, photon and photon to neutron flux ratio are compared with experimental measurements performed with a multi-parameter stilbene detector. The results show clear underestimation of photon flux in downcomer and some overestimation at vessel surface and 1/4 thickness but a good fitting for deeper points in vessel.

Radioactive release from VVER-1000 reactors after a terror attack

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sdouz, G.

2005-01-01

Full text: One of the terror scenarios for nuclear power plants is a severe damage of the reactor containment caused by a plane crash or a missile. Due to the loss of electric power the cooling of the core is not maintained leading to a core melt accident. Normally in the course of severe accidents an intact containment has the ability to retain a large part of the radioactive inventory. The goal of this work is the investigation of the behavior of the radioactive release from a VVER-1000-type reactor during a severe accident with a large containment leak from the beginning of the accident. The results are compared with the release in a severe accident via a very small leakage due to the untightness of the containment. This work supplements a series of studies investigating the behavior of a VVER-1000-type reactor during severe accidents under different accident management strategies. The focus in this study is on the 'station blackout'-sequence (or TMLB' in the WASH-1400 nomenclature). The calculations were performed using the Source Term Code Package (STCP), hydrogen explosions are not considered. Up to the melt-through of the cavity bottom the thermal-hydraulics phenomena are almost identical to the TMLB'-case with an intact containment from the beginning. The phenomena occur slightly delayed due to the large containment leak. When the core-concrete-interaction begins the resulting gases leave the containment through the large leak and do not cause a pressure increase. The containment pressure remains at ambient pressure. Due to the different behavior and to the different release times of the nuclides the deviations to the scenario with an intact containment show a great variety. From this comparison it can be shown that the intact containment retains the nuclides up to a factor of 6000. (author)

SCORPIO-VVER core monitoring and surveillance system with advanced capabilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Molnar, Jozef; Vocka, Radim

2010-01-01

The SCORPIO (SCORPIO-VVER) core monitoring system, its basic features and history of implementation at Czech NPPs are described. The most important improvements in the area of neutron physics, core thermal analysis and operation support are as follows: Moving to the 42 axial nodes across the whole system (2004); Implementation of new cross section library to support mixed reactor core with differences in axial geometry of used fuel types and enhancement of Core Simulator boundary conditions model, to properly address the 'wild' geometry in axial direction; Adjusting the thermohydraulic and neutron-physical models regarding to the Gd2 fuel needs; Support up to 5 types of FAs and 2 types of SPND (Posit, IST); Extension of form functions for pin-wise reconstruction to improve pin-power prediction in control rod coupler region; System adaptation to the new upgraded digital I and C unit system; Integration of the SCORPIO-VVER system and its workstation into the plant redundant in-core system; Implementation of new On-Line form function generation to module RECON; New design of the Strategy Generator with advanced predictions; Adaptation of the system to support the new up-rated reactor thermal power; Adding new online SDM calculation function into to system; Implementation of the new 3D power reconstruction with SPND interpretation; Extending the limit checking to the 'full core' checking. The control of margins to the technical specification: Extended to full core - all FA is controlled individually in core; The limits are definable up to 59 FA (1/6 symmetry); 4 limited parameters are controlled - Kr, qlin, Tout-fa, dTfa; 2 additional parameters are monitored - dTsat, DNBR; New MMI are developed to present the limited and controlled parameters in core. Upgrade 3 is planned for the Slovak Bohunice NPP in 2011-2012. (P.A.)

Delayed Neutron Fraction (beta-effective) Calculation for VVER 440 Reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hascik, J.; Michalek, S.; Farkas, G.; Slugen, V.

2008-01-01

Effective delayed neutron fraction (β eff ) is the main parameter in reactor dynamics. In the paper, its possible determination methods are summarized and a β eff calculation for a VVER 440 power reactor as well as for training reactor VR1 using stochastic transport Monte Carlo method based code MCNP5 is made. The uncertainties in determination of basic delayed neutron parameters lead to the unwished conservatism in the reactor control system design and operation. Therefore, the exact determination of the β eff value is the main requirement in the field of reactor dynamics. The interest in the delayed neutron data accuracy improvement started to increase at the end of 80-ties and the beginning of 90-ties, after discrepancies among the results of experiments and measurements what do you mean differences between different calculation approaches and experimental results. In consequence of difficulties in β eff experimental measurement, this value in exact state is determined by calculations. Subsequently, its reliability depends on the calculation method and the delayed neutron data used. An accurate estimate of β eff is essential for converting reactivity, as measured in dollars, to an absolute reactivity and/or to an absolute k eff . In the past, k eff has been traditionally calculated by taking the ratio of the adjoint- and spectrum-weighted delayed neutron production rate to the adjoint- and spectrum-weighted total neutron production rate. An alternative method has also been used in which β eff is calculated from simple k-eigenvalue solutions. The summary of the possible β eff determination methods can be found in this work and also a calculation of β eff first for the training reactor VR1 in one operation state and then for VVER 440 power reactor in two different operation states are made using the prompt method, by MCNP5 code.(author)

Experimental study of the hydrodynamic instabilities occurring in boiling-water reactors; Etude experimentale des instabilites hydrodynamiques survenant dans les reacteurs nucleaires a ebullition

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fabreca, S [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-10-01

The subjects is an experimental out-of pile loop study of the hydrodynamic oscillations occurring in boiling-water reactors. The study was carried out at atmospheric pressure and at pressure of about 8 atmospheres, in channels heated electrically by a constant and uniform specified current. In the test at 8 atmospheres the channel was a round tube of approximately 6 mm interior diameter. At 1 atmosphere a ring-section channel was used, 10 * 20 mm in diameter, with an inner heating tube and an outer tube of pyrex. It was possible to operate with natural convection and also with forced convection with test-channel by-pass. The study consists of 3 parts: 1. Preliminary determination of the laws governing pressure-drop during boiling. 2. Determination of the fronts at which oscillation appears, within a wide range of the parameters involved. 3. A descriptive study of the oscillations and measurement of the periods. The report gives the oscillation fronts with natural and forced convection for various values of the singular pressure drop at the channel inlet and for various riser lengths. The results are presented in non-dimensional form, which is available, in first approximation, for all geometric scales and for all fluids. Besides the following points were observed: - the wall (nature and thickness) can be an important factor ; - oscillation can occur in a horizontal channel. (author) [French] II a ete effectue une etude experimentale, en boucle hors-pile, des oscillations hydrodynamiques survenant dans les reacteurs a ebullition. L'etude a ete effectuee a la pression atmospherique et a une pression voisine de 8 atmospheres dans des canaux chauffes electriquement a puissance imposee constante et uniforme. Dans les essais a 8 atmospheres le canal etait un tube circulaire de diametre interieur 6 mm environ. A 1 atmosphere le canal etait de section annulaire 10 * 20 mm avec un tube interieur chauffant et un tube exterieur en pyrex. Le fonctionnement etait possible en

A mathematical model for cost of maritime transport. Application to competitiveness of nuclear vessels; Modele mathematique du cout de transport maritime application a la competitivite du navire nucleaire

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dorval, C [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, 75 - Paris (France)

1966-05-01

In studying the competitiveness of a nuclear merchant vessel, economic assessments in terms of figures were discarded in favor of a simplified model, which gives a clearer idea of the mechanism of the comparison between alternative vessels and the particular influence of each parameter. An expression is formulated for the unit cost per ton carried over a given distance as a function of the variables (speed and deadweight tonnage) and is used to determine the optima for conventional and nuclear vessels. To represent the freight market involved in the optimization studies, and thus in the competitiveness computation, two cases are taken into account: the tonnage to be carried annually is limited, and the tonnage to be carried annually is not limited. In both cases the optima are calculated and compared for a conventional and a nuclear vessel. Competitiveness curves are plotted as a function of the ratios of nuclear and conventional fuel costs and nuclear and conventional marginal power costs. These curves express the limiting values of the above two ratios for which the transport costs of the nuclear and conventional vessels are equal. The competitiveness curves vary considerably according to the hypothesis adopted for the freight market and the limit of tonnage carried annually. (author) [French] Pour etudier la competitivite du navire marchand nucleaire, plutot que de nous livrer a des evaluations economiques chiffrees, discutables dans l'etat actuel des etudes, nous utilisons un modele simplifie permettant de mieux saisir le mecanisme de la comparaison des navires et l'influence particuliere de chaque parametre. Nous etablissons une expression du cout unitaire de la tonne transportee sur un parcours donne en fonction des variables vitesse et port en lourd. Et nous l'utilisons pour determiner les optima des navires classiques et nucleaires. Pour representer le marche du fret qui intervient dans les etudes d'optimisation, et donc dans la recherche de la

Assessment of In-vessel corium retention for VVER-440/V213

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Matejovic, P.; Barnak, M.; Bachraty, M.; Berky, R.

2011-01-01

In-vessel corium retention (IVR) via external reactor vessel cooling (ERVC) has been recognised as a feasible and promising severe accident management strategy for VVER-440/V213 reactors. In general, the avoiding of boiling crisis on outer (cooled) RPV (reactor pressure vessel) surface is sufficient condition for preserving the RPV integrity. The crucial point of the proposed IVR concept for VVER-440/V213 is the narrow gap between elliptical lower head and thermal and biological shield. In the cold conditions the width of this gap is only about 2 cm and would be even lower in hot IVR conditions, when the reactor wall is subjected to large thermal gradients due to temperature difference between the hot inner surface (loaded by corium) and cold outer surface (which is cooled by water in flooded cavity). Sufficient gap should remain free for coolant flow for the success of the proposed IVR concept. Thus, realistic estimation of thermal load and corresponding deformations of reactor wall and their impact on gap width are of primarily importance. Two different approaches were used for the estimation of the thermal load: a conservative approach and a transient approach, both were computed with the ASTEC code. The structural analysis of RPV subjected to IVR load was performed using the finite element method (FEM) code ANSYS release 10.0. From the results obtained it follows, that even when the RPV is subjected to limiting loading conditions during severe accident, there should be sufficient gap width (∼ 1 cm) between RPV wall and thermal/biological shield for the coolant flow in natural circulation regime alongside the outer surface of the RPV wall

In vessel retention for VVER 1000 - Experimental work

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Batek, D.

2015-01-01

After Fukushima accident, the nuclear community realized that it is necessary to have strategy and solution for severe accident management. In Vessel Retention (IVR) of corium is an important strategy to mitigate the consequences of a severe accident. In this poster the author reviews the present status of experimental works made by UJV (Czech Republic) from 2012 until now, on the IVR strategy specifically applied for the VVER 1000 unit. The BESTH 1 experiment was prepared to test the behavior of the RPV (Reactor Pressure Vessel) surface under 2 configurations: clean and corroded. BESTH 2 experiment is a modification of BESTH 1 experiment in order to get greater thermal fluxes. The BESTH 3 facility is a large scale experiment that is under extensive design (2016-2017) whose main objective will be to investigate the results of vast analytical works made by experts with specialization of severe accident phenomenology

Department of Energy's team's analyses of Soviet designed VVERs (water-cooled water-moderated atomic energy reactors)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

1989-09-01

This document contains apprendices A through P of this report. Topics discussed are: a cronyms and technical terms, accident analyses reactivity control; Soviet safety regulations; radionuclide inventory; decay heat; operations and maintenance; steam supply system; concrete and concrete structures; seismicity; site information; neutronic parameters; loss of electric power; diesel generator reliability; Soviet codes and standards; and comparisons of PWR and VVER features. (FI)

Contribution to the study of thermal mixing between nuclear spin systems; Contribution a l'etude du melange thermique entre systemes de spins nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Goldmann, M [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1967-02-15

This work describes methods of dynamic nuclear polarization in solids based on the thermal mixing between nuclear spin systems. The description of the thermal mixing processes involves most of the fundamental aspects of the spin temperature theory. The experiments, conducted with paradichlorobenzene and para-dibromobenzene, yield a detailed confirmation of the theoretical predictions. (author) [French] Ce travail decrit des methodes de polarisation dynamique nucleaire dans les solides basees sur le melange thermique entre systemes de spins nucleaires. La description des processus de melange thermique met en jeu la plupart des aspects fondamentaux de la theorie de la temperature de spin. Les experiences, realisees avec du paradichlorobenzene et du paradibromobenzene, apportent une confirmation detaillee des previsions theoriques. (auteur)

Post-Construction Testing of the Elk River, Hallam and Piqua Power Reactor Plants; Essais apres construction des centrales nucleaires d'Elk River, de Hallam et de Piqua; Predehkspluatatsionnoe ispytanie Ehlk-riverskoj, Khehlpemskoj i Pikuaskoj ehnergeticheskikh reaktornykh ustanovok; Ensayos posteriores a la construccion de las centrales nucleoelectricas de Elk River, Hallam y Piqua

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pursel, C. A. [United States Atomic Energy Commission, Argonne, IL (United States)

1963-10-15

numerous, observed or suspected, deficiencies or malfunctions of components which led to additional testing and analyses. In some instances, repair or modification of components was necessary to correct fabrication or engineering errors. Major problem areas are discussed: Elk River Reactor. Discovery of cracks in portions of the reactor vessel surface cladding led to extensive investigations and analyses and required some repairs and vessel modifications. Insufficient steam separation capacity required replacement and modification of some reactor vessel internal hardware. Hallam Nuclear Power Facility. Entrainment of the helium cover gas led to modifications of the secondary sodium loops. Failure of a tube in the intermediate (sodium to sodium) heat exchanger led to analyses to determine the cause of failure followed by removal and repair of the heat exchanger. Piqua Nuclear Power Facility. Chemical cleaning of the piping system damaged several valves which required mere repair or replacement. Leaks in the organic coolant and steam tracing systems caused repeated delays. After completion of the necessary repairs and modifications, the actual performance characteristics of each of the three reactors closely matched design predictions. (author) [French] Les resultats des essais apres construction de trois centrales nucleaires, dans le cadre du programme de demonstration des centrales nucleaires de la Commission de l'energie atomique des Etats-Unis (CEA-EU), permettront peut-etre de faire certaines generalisations concernant cette phase de la construction et de l'exploitation des centrales. Ces trois centrales, le reacteur de puissance d'Elk River (ERR), la centrale nucleaire de Hallam (HNPF), et la centrale nucleaire de Piqua (PNPF), appartiennent a trois filieres differentes: reacteur a eau bouillante a circulation naturelle, reacteur a graphite et a sodium et reacteur ralenti et refroidi par un fluide organique. La periode des essais apres construction a commence a la fin

French research in the field of nuclear agronomy; Les recherches francaises en agronomie nucleaire

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Guerin De Montgareuil, P [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

, industrial firms, university laboratories scientific institutes. The role of the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique is defined: on the one hand it supplies information and support, and on the other hand it takes charge of specifically nuclear aspects of the work. Its part in the field has recently found expression in the creation, within the Biology Department, of a Radio-agronomy Section; its objective are described,, as well as the, means placed att its disposal at the Centre d'etudes Nucleaires, Cadarache. (author) [French] On propose un bilan des travaux les plus significatifs effectues en France depuis la deuxieme conference internationale en matiere d'agronomie nucleaire et qui vont d'une recherche apparemment desinteressee a l'application la plus directe. Une telle differenciation recouvre de moins en moins, au fur et a mesure de l'evolution des programmes, la distinction qui est faite dans l'expose entre l'action biologique des rayonnements et les autres emplois des techniques nucleaires. C'est ainsi que les recherches do radiogenetique agricole sont poursuivies dans deux directions: d'un point de vue theorique et methodologique avec l'etude comparative de l'action des divers types de rayonnements, l'influence du debit de dose et de la temperature, l'action des agents mutagenes chimiques, la production de chimeres sous irradiation gamma; et d'autre part, sous un aspect pratique aboutissant a la creation de varietes nouvelles plus resistantes ou plus precoces (riz, mil, arachide). Les problemes de destruction des insectes (eradication) et de conservation des denrees sous irradiation se trouvent egalement abordes par des voies et avec des objectifs tres divers. A la demarche globale representee par une irradiation pure et simple (grains humides, pommes de terre...) sont parfois associees des etudes souvent originales, d'ordre biochimique ou microbiologique (par exemple: alteration de l'amidon, metabolisme glucidique des tubercules irradies, radioresistance des levures

Regulatory use the classification security systems of I and C in VVER type reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ilizastegui Perez, F.

1998-01-01

Presently work the author proposes a classification to the system I and C to the VVER 440 type reactor in categories the regulatory control with a view to establishing the degree to the attention that the regulator should pay to these systems, leaving the importance that have the same ones for the security the installation, during the execution the works that are carried out with this equipment in the stages construction, setting in service and exploitation

OECD/DOE/CEA VVER-1000 Coolant Transient Benchmark. Summary Record of the Third Workshop (V1000-CT3)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2005-01-01

The overall objective of the VVER-1000 coolant transient (V1000CT) benchmark is to assess computer codes used in the safety analysis of VVER power plants, specifically for their use in analysis of reactivity transients in a VVER-1000. The V1000CT benchmark consists of two phases: V1000CT-1 is a simulation of the switching on of one main coolant pump (MCP) when the other three MCPs are in operation, and V1000CT-2 concerns calculation of coolant mixing tests and main steam line break (MSLB) scenarios. Each of the two phases contains three exercises. The reference problem chosen for simulation in Phase 1 is a MCP switching on when the other three main coolant pumps are in operation in a VVER-1000. This event is characterized by rapid increase in the flow through the core resulting in a coolant temperature decrease, which is spatially dependent. This leads to insertion of spatially distributed positive reactivity due to the modelled feedback mechanisms and non-symmetric power distribution. Simulation of the transient requires evaluation of core response from a multi-dimensional perspective (coupled three-dimensional neutronics/core thermal-hydraulics) supplemented by a one-dimensional simulation of the remainder of the reactor coolant system. Three exercises are defined in the framework of Phase 1: a) Exercise 1 - Point kinetics plant simulation; b) Exercise 2 - Coupled 3-D neutronics/core thermal-hydraulics response evaluation; c) Exercise 3 - Best-estimate coupled 3-D core/plant system transient modelling. In addition to the measured (experiment) scenario, extreme calculation scenarios were defined in the frame of Exercise 3 for better testing 3-D neutronics/thermal-hydraulics techniques. The proposals concerned: rod ejection simulations with scram set points at two different power levels. The technical topics presented at this workshop were: Review of the benchmark activities after the 2. Workshop; - Discussion of participant's feedback and introduced modifications

Safety related investigations of the VVER-1000 reactor type by the coupled code system TRACE/PARCS

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jaeger, Wadim; Lischke, Wolfgang; Sanchez Espinoza, Victor Hugo

2007-01-01

This study was performed at the Institute of Reactor Safety at the Research Center Karlsruhe. It is embedded in the ongoing investigations of the international code application and maintenance program (CAMP) for qualification and validation of system codes like TRACE [1] and PARCS [2]. The predestinated reactor type for the validation of these two codes was the Russian designed VVER-1000 because the OECD/NEA VVER-1000 Coolant Transient Benchmark Phase 2 [3] includes detailed information of the Bulgarian nuclear power plant (NPP) Kozloduy unit 6. The posttest-investigations of a coolant mixing experiment have shown that the predicted parameters (coolant temperature, pressure drop, etc.) are in good agreement to the measured data. The coolant mixing pattern especially in the downcomer has been also reproduced quiet well by TRACE. The coupled code system TRACE/PARCS which was applied on a postulated main steam line break (MSLB) provides good results compared to reference values and the ones of other participants of the benchmark. It can be pointed out that the developed three-dimensional nodalisation of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) is appropriate for the description of transients where the thermal-hydraulics and the neutronics are strongly linked. (author)

Investigation of reliability of EC method for inspection of VVER steam generator tubes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Corak, Z.

2004-01-01

Complete and accurate non-destructive examinations (NDE) data provides the basis for performing mitigating actions and corrective repairs. It is important that detection and characterization of flaws are done properly at an early stage. EPRI Document PWR Steam Generator Examination Guidelines recommends an approach that is intended to provide the following: Ensure accurate assessment of steam generator tube integrity; Extend the reliable, cost effective, operating life of the steam generators, and Maximize the availability of the unit. Steam Generator Eddy Current Data Analysis Performance Demonstration represents the culmination of the intense two-year industry effort in the development of a performance demonstration program for eddy current testing (ECT) of steam generator tubing. It is referred to as the Industry Database (IDB) and provides a capability for individual organizations to implement SG ECT performance demonstration programs in accordance with the requirements specified in Appendices G and H of the ISI Guidelines. The Appendix G of EPRI Document PWR Steam Generator Examination Guidelines specifies personnel training and qualification requirements for NDE personnel who analyze NDE data for PWR steam generator tubing. Its purpose is to insure a continuing uniform knowledge base and skill level for data analysis. The European methodology document is intended to provide a general framework for development of qualifications for the inspection of specific components to ensure they are developed in a consistent way throughout Europe while still allowing qualification to be tailored in detail to meet different nation requirements. In the European methodology document one will not find a detailed description of how the inspection of a specific component should be qualified. A recommended practice is a document produced by ENIQ to support the production of detailed qualification procedures by individual countries. VVER SG tubes are inspected by EC method but a

Analytic catalog for the use of the nuclear physicists; Repertoire analytique a l'usage des physiciens nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ballini, R; Barloutaud, R; Bernas, R; Chaminade, R; Cohen, R; Conjeaud, M; Cotton, E; Faraggi, H; Grjebine, T; Laboulaye, H de; Lehmann, P; Leveque, A; Levi, C; Moreau, J; Naggiar, V; Olkowsky, J; Papineau, L; Papineau, L; Prugne, P; Schuhl, C; Szteinsznaider, D; Tzara, C; Valladas, G [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay(France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Marty, N; Renard, G [College de France, Lab. de Chimie Nucleaire (France)

1952-07-01

The problem of the documentation in nuclear physics becomes constantly more complex. Every week brings its share of publications, always more numerous and more varied. To remedy to this problem, we tried, at the Nuclear Physics Services of the CEA, to give to the documentation the character of a collective and systematized work. The present report covers the literature appeared between January 1, 1950 and July 1, 1951. (Volume 1: CEA report number 120; Volume 2: CEA report number 184). (M.B.) [French] Le probleme de la documentation en physique nucleaire devient sans cesse plus complexe. Chaque semaine apporte son lot de publications, toujours plus nombreuses et plus diversifiees. C'est pour essayer de porter remede a cet etat de choses que nous avons essaye, au service de Physique Nucleaire du C.E.A., de donner a la documentation le caractere d'un travail collectif systematise. Le present rapport couvre la litterature parue entre le 1 Janvier 1950 et le 1 Juillet 1951. (Tome 1: Rapport CEA numero 120; Tome 2: Rapport CEA numero 184). (M.B.)

CFD Analysis of a Slug Mixing Experiment Conducted on a VVER-1000 Model

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

F. Moretti

2009-01-01

Full Text Available A commercial CFD code was applied, for validation purposes, to the simulation of a slug mixing experiment carried out at OKB “Gidropress” scaled facility in the framework of EC TACIS project R2.02/02: “Development of safety analysis capabilities for VVER-1000 transients involving spatial variations of coolant properties (temperature or boron concentration at core inlet.” Such experimental model reproduces a VVER-1000 nuclear reactor and is aimed at investigating the in-vessel mixing phenomena. The addressed experiment involves the start-up of one of the four reactor coolant pumps (the other three remaining idle, and the presence of a tracer slug on the starting loop, which is thus transported to the reactor pressure vessel where it mixes with the clear water. Such conditions may occur in a boron dilution scenario, hence the relevance of the addressed phenomena for nuclear reactor safety. Both a pretest and a posttest CFD simulations of the mentioned experiment were performed, which differ in the definition of the boundary conditions (based either on nominal quantities or on measured quantities, resp.. The numerical results are qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed and compared against the measured data in terms of space and time tracer distribution at the core inlet. The improvement of the results due to the optimization of the boundary conditions is evidenced, and a quantification of the simulation accuracy is proposed.

Ukrainian Nuclear Society International Conference 'Modernization of the NPP with VVER reactor' (abstracts)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bar'yakhtar, V.G.

1999-01-01

Abstracts of the papers presented at International conference of the Ukrainian Nuclear Society 'Modernization of the NPP with VVER reactor'. The following problems are considered: improving the NPP's safety and reliability; reactor modernization, the lifetime prolongation; increasing of the reactor operating characteristics; methods of capacity factor increasing: refueling control, maintenance control; technical and economical aspects of NPP modernization; modernization of the automated control system of the fuel process at the NPP's; technical features and methods for the continued radiation and technology control at the NPP's; training, increasing the staff qualification and NPP modernization

Neutronic study of nanofluids application to VVER-1000

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hadad, K., E-mail: hadad@email.arizona.ed [School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz 7134554115 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 (United States); Hajizadeh, A.; Jafarpour, K. [School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz 7134554115 (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Ganapol, B.D. [Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 (United States)

2010-11-15

The change in neutronic parameters of the VVER-1000 nuclear reactor core attributable to the use of nanoparticle/water (nanofluid) as coolant is presented in this paper. Optimization of type and volume fraction of nanoparticles in water that affect the safety enhancement of core primary parameters is intended in this study. Reactivity change, radial and axial local peaking factors (LPPF), and the consequence of nanoparticle deposition on fuel clad are investigated. We considered five nanoparticles which have been studied extensively for their heat transfer properties including Alumina, Aluminum, Copper oxide, Copper and Zirconia. The results of our study show that at low concentration (0.001 volume fraction) Alumina is optimum nanoparticle for normal operation. The maximum radial and axial LPPF were found to be invariant to the type of nanofluid at low volume fractions. With an increase in nanoparticle deposition thickness on fuel clad, a flux and K{sub eff} depression occurs and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} has the lowest rate of drop off.

Model of nuclear reactor type VVER-1000/V-320 built by computer code ATHLET-CD

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Georgiev, Yoto; Filipov, Kalin; Velev, Vladimir

2014-01-01

A model of nuclear reactor type VVER-1000 V-320 developed for computer code ATHLET-CD2.1A is presented. Validation of the has been made, in the analysis of the station blackout scenario with LOCA on fourth cold leg is shown. As the calculation has been completed, the results are checked through comparison with the results from the computer codes ATHLET-2.1A, ASTEC-2.1 and RELAP5mod3.2

Natural uranium-graphite system. Critial experiments on the G1 reactor; Systeme uranium naturel-graphite. Experiences critiques sur le reacteur G1

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Schmitt, A P; Tanguy, P; Teste du Bailler, A; Zaleski, C P [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1958-07-01

A number of experiments have been performed during the start up period of the G1 (1956) and G2 (1958) reactors in Marcoule, both on their lattices and on different lattices (hollow rods, clusters, under moderated lattices). The first chapter gives a thorough description of the two reactors. The second chapter deals with buckling measurements, both absolute (flux plots) and relative by the method of progressive substitution. The experimental results are summarised in Table VI. The third chapter contains a number of other measurements performed on G1. (author)Fren. [French] Le demarrage des reacteurs G1 (1956) et G2 (1958) de Marcoule nous a permis d'effectuer une serie d'experiences tant sur les reseaux de ces piles que sur des reseaux differents (elements tubulaires ou divises, reseaux sous-moderes, etc...). Dans une premiere partie, nous donnons une description detaillee des deux reacteurs. Dans la deuxieme partie, relative aux mesures de laplaciens, nous decrivons d'abord les mesures absolues de laplaciens (cartes de flux), puis les mesures relatives effectuees par la methode originale de remplacement progressif. Les resultats experimentaux sont rassembles dans le tableau VI. Dans la troisieme partie, nous rappelons un certain nombre d'autres mesures effectuees sur G1. (auteur)

Experimental study of the hydrodynamic instabilities occurring in boiling-water reactors; Etude experimentale des instabilites hydrodynamiques survenant dans les reacteurs nucleaires a ebullition

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fabreca, S. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-10-01

The subjects is an experimental out-of pile loop study of the hydrodynamic oscillations occurring in boiling-water reactors. The study was carried out at atmospheric pressure and at pressure of about 8 atmospheres, in channels heated electrically by a constant and uniform specified current. In the test at 8 atmospheres the channel was a round tube of approximately 6 mm interior diameter. At 1 atmosphere a ring-section channel was used, 10 * 20 mm in diameter, with an inner heating tube and an outer tube of pyrex. It was possible to operate with natural convection and also with forced convection with test-channel by-pass. The study consists of 3 parts: 1. Preliminary determination of the laws governing pressure-drop during boiling. 2. Determination of the fronts at which oscillation appears, within a wide range of the parameters involved. 3. A descriptive study of the oscillations and measurement of the periods. The report gives the oscillation fronts with natural and forced convection for various values of the singular pressure drop at the channel inlet and for various riser lengths. The results are presented in non-dimensional form, which is available, in first approximation, for all geometric scales and for all fluids. Besides the following points were observed: - the wall (nature and thickness) can be an important factor ; - oscillation can occur in a horizontal channel. (author) [French] II a ete effectue une etude experimentale, en boucle hors-pile, des oscillations hydrodynamiques survenant dans les reacteurs a ebullition. L'etude a ete effectuee a la pression atmospherique et a une pression voisine de 8 atmospheres dans des canaux chauffes electriquement a puissance imposee constante et uniforme. Dans les essais a 8 atmospheres le canal etait un tube circulaire de diametre interieur 6 mm environ. A 1 atmosphere le canal etait de section annulaire 10 * 20 mm avec un tube interieur chauffant et un tube exterieur en pyrex. Le fonctionnement etait possible

A study of the fluorescence of the rare gases excited by nuclear particles. Use of the principle for the detection of nuclear radiation by scintillation; Etude de la fluorescence des gaz rares excites par des particules nucleaires. Utilisation pour la detection des rayonnements nucleaires par scintillation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Koch, L [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1959-12-15

composantes, l'une tres breve due a la desexcitation directe du gaz rare, l'autre relativement plus lente, due au transfert d'energie sur les impuretes. La mesure des durees de vie des etats excites a confirme l'hypothese precedente, la partie breve de l'impulsion est extremement courte: inferieure a 2,25.10{sup -9} s dans le cas du xenon, la partie plus lente a une duree qui depend etroitement de la concentration d'azote, l'azote etant l'impurete dont le role est preponderant dans tous les cas. L'etude des gaz rares soumis a un champ electrique a permis de montrer que la quantite de lumiere produite par une particule {alpha} peut etre multipliee (par 60 dans un champ de 600 V/cm par exemple) ce qui correspond a un rendement de luminescence superieur a celui de INa TI. Dans la deuxieme partie on a etudie les caracteristiques des gaz rares comme scintillateurs, la plus importante est l'absence de saturation de la fluorescence lorsque la densite d'excitation transmise au gaz devient tres grande. Ceci joint au temps de scintillation tres court a permis d'etudier un certain nombre d'applications a la physique nucleaire (mesure d'energie des particules lourdes, etude cinetique des reacteurs nucleaires, spectroscopie des neutrons...). (auteur)

Application of the SCANAIR code for VVER RIA conditions - Boron dilution accident

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Arffman, A.; Cazalis, B.

2010-01-01

This paper consists of two parts. In part A, RIA pulse tests conducted at the Russian BIGR reactor are being analysed at IRSN with SCANAIR V6 fuel performance code as a part of the code validation for VVER fuel. Recently a new version of the SCANAIR code was made available to VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and part B of the paper covers the introduction of the code version at VTT by a calculation of a hypothetical boron dilution accident in a VVER-440 power reactor. Concerning part A, it appears that the SCANAIR V6 version, including a BIGR/NSRR heat transfer model, validated by Japanese NSRR experiments, and a Norton viscoplastic clad mechanical behaviour, is able to simulate the rod thermal behaviour in BIGR tests. Concerning the clad mechanics, it has been seen that a pellet swelling model is able to simulate the average rod deformation. Nonetheless, the current clad creep model associated with the free volume equilibrium assumption is not suited to predict the maximum clad deformation and the possible post DNB rod failure because they do not simulate local balloons. Furthermore, it has been shown that the clad deformation is strongly dependent on transient gas transfer. Concerning part B, a boron dilution accident previously calculated with SCANAIR V2 was recalculated with SCANAIR V6. A limited amount of result parameters were compared with the results of VTT's neutronics code TRAB. Divergence problems encountered previously when reaching the DNB limit were not present anymore. Fuel and cladding temperatures produced by SCANAIR were in good agreement with those calculated with TRAB

Plasma, a plant safety monitoring and assessment system for VVER-440 reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hornaes, A.; Hulsund, J. E. [Institutt for energiteknikk (IFE), OECD Halden Reactor Project, Halden (Norway); Lipcsei, S.; Major, Cs.; Racz, A.; Vegh, J. [KFKI, Atomic Energy Research Institute, Budapest (Hungary); Eiler, J. [Paks, Nuclear Power Plant Ltd, Paks (Hungary)

1999-05-15

The objective with the Plant Safety Monitoring and Assessment System (PLASMA) is to develop an operator support system to support the execution of new symptom-based Emergency Operating Procedures for application in VVER reactors, with the Paks NPP in Hungary as the target plant. Many of the VVER reactors are rewriting their EOPs to comply more with Western standards of symptom-based EOPs. In this connection it is desirable to improve the data validation, information integration and presentation for operators when executing the EOPs. The entry-point to a symptom-oriented procedure is defined by the occurrence of a well-defined reactor operation status, with all its symptoms. However, the application of the EOF benefits from an operator support system, which performs plant status and symptom identification reliably and accurately. The development of the PLASMA system is a joint venture between Institutt for energiteknikk (IFE) and KFKI with the NPP Paks as the target plant. The project has been initiated and partly funded by the Science and Technology Agency (STA), Japan through the OECD NEA assistance program. In Hungary, considerable effort has concentrated on the safety reassessment of the Paks NPP and new EOPs are being written, but no comprehensive Operator Support System (OSS) for plant safety assessment is installed. Some safety parameter display functions are incorporated into diverse operator support systems, but an online 'plant safety monitoring and assessment system' is still missing. The present project comprises designing, constructing, testing and installing such an OSS, which to a great extent could support plant operators in their safety assessment work (author) (ml)

Analytic catalog for the use of the nuclear physicists; Repertoire analytique a l'usage des physiciens nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ballini, R.; Barloutaud, R.; Bernas, R.; Chaminade, R.; Cohen, R.; Conjeaud, M.; Cotton, E.; Faraggi, H.; Grjebine, T.; Laboulaye, H. de; Lehmann, P.; Leveque, A.; Levi, C.; Moreau, J.; Naggiar, V.; Olkowsky, J.; Papineau, L.; Papineau, L.; Prugne, P.; Schuhl, C.; Szteinsznaider, D.; Tzara, C.; Valladas, G. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay(France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Marty, N.; Renard, G. [College de France, Lab. de Chimie Nucleaire (France)

1952-07-01

The problem of the documentation in nuclear physics becomes constantly more complex. Every week brings its share of publications, always more numerous and more varied. To remedy to this problem, we tried, at the Nuclear Physics Services of the CEA, to give to the documentation the character of a collective and systematized work. The present report covers the literature appeared between January 1, 1950 and July 1, 1951. (Volume 1: CEA report number 120; Volume 2: CEA report number 184). (M.B.) [French] Le probleme de la documentation en physique nucleaire devient sans cesse plus complexe. Chaque semaine apporte son lot de publications, toujours plus nombreuses et plus diversifiees. C'est pour essayer de porter remede a cet etat de choses que nous avons essaye, au service de Physique Nucleaire du C.E.A., de donner a la documentation le caractere d'un travail collectif systematise. Le present rapport couvre la litterature parue entre le 1 Janvier 1950 et le 1 Juillet 1951. (Tome 1: Rapport CEA numero 120; Tome 2: Rapport CEA numero 184). (M.B.)

High energy pipe line break postulations and their mitigation - examples for VVER nuclear power plants

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zdarek, J.; Pecinka, L.; Kadecka, P.; Dotrel, J. [Nuclear Res. Inst., Rez (Czech Republic)

1998-11-01

The concept and the proposals for the protection and reinforcement of equipment against the effects of postulated rupture of the high-energy piping, in VVER Plant, are presented. The most recent version of the US NRC Guidelines has been used. The development of the legislation, the basic approach and selection of criteria for the assessment of the rupture of high energy piping, provide the basis for the application of the separation concept in the overall safety philosophy. (orig.)

High energy pipe line break postulations and their mitigation - examples for VVER nuclear power plants

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zdarek, J.; Pecinka, L.; Kadecka, P.; Dotrel, J.

1998-01-01

The concept and the proposals for the protection and reinforcement of equipment against the effects of postulated rupture of the high-energy piping, in VVER Plant, are presented. The most recent version of the US NRC Guidelines has been used. The development of the legislation, the basic approach and selection of criteria for the assessment of the rupture of high energy piping, provide the basis for the application of the separation concept in the overall safety philosophy. (orig.)

The use and evolution of the CEA research reactors; Utilisation et evolution des reacteurs de recherche du C.E.A

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rossillon, F; Chauvez, C [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

reacteurs en montrant ce qu'a ete jusqu'a present leur utilisation, et comment certaines modifications ont permis de les adapter a l'evolution des programmes. Ils precisent egalement les raisons qui ont conduit a l'elaboration du projet de la nouvelle pile OSIRIS, La pile ZOE, la plus ancienne du CEA, est en service au Centre de Fontenay-aux-Roses depuis 1948. Elle est principalement utilisee pour les mesures de section efficace d'absorption du graphite, et pour diverses irradiations de courte duree ne necessitant que des flux peu eleves. La Pile EL2, en service depuis 1952, a permis les premieres etudes liees au refroidissement par gaz. Elle a ete tres utilisee pour la production des radioisotopes et pour de nombreuses experiences de physique, de metallurgie et de physico-chimie - le vieillissement de certaines parties du reacteur a conduit a decider l'arret prochain de cette installation. La Pile EL. 3 a ete tres utilisee pour les experiences de physique et pour l'etude des combustibles. L'adoption d'une nouvelle structure pour le coeur (solution 'Cristal de neige') va permettre d'accroitre considerablement les possibilites de la pile pour les irradiations en neutrons rapides. La pile TRITON-I, piscine de 2 MW, est surtout utilisee pour les irradiations en neutrons rapides et en gamma. Certaines modifications, actuellement en cours, permettront d'accroitre la puissance du reacteur jusqu'a 4 ou 5 MW. Dans un compartiment voisin de TRITON-I est implantee la Pile TRITON-II, de meme structure generale, mais dont la puissance maximum est de 100 kW. TRITON-II est utilisee exclusivement pour les etudes de protections. MELUSINE, pile piscine de 2 MW est en fonctionnement au Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Grenoble depuis 1959. Elle a permis l'execution d'un programme important concernant surtout la physique du solide, l'etude fondamentale de combustibles refractaires et de graphites speciaux, et l'etude du comportement des liquides organiques sous radiations. Les installations de

Problems presented by the filtration and sampling of aerosols in the atomic energy programme; Problemes poses par la filtration et le prelevement des aerosols dans le cadre de l'energie atomique

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cochinal, R [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France).Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1959-07-01

The maximum permissible limits for radioactive aerosols are much lower than those for aerosols encountered in the non-nuclear industries. These limits depend on numerous factors such as: nature of the radiation, half-life, etc. The radioactive aerosols can be prepared by various methods. The filtering of the air in high activity laboratories or in plutonium treatment factories necessitates an installation consisting of: - aspiration filters, - extraction filters of very high efficiency (those used for {alpha} emitter cells: designed to be replaced without incurring contamination risks; those used for {gamma} emitter cells: designed to be replaced by remote control). The filtering in nuclear reactors is also effectuated by filter papers: - the G1 reactor with open circuit: the air coolant is entirely filtered at the entry and on leaving; - the G2, G3 and EDF1 reactors with closed circuits: filtering under pressure of a small portion of the coolant gas. (author) [French] Les limites maxima permises des aerosols radioactifs sont beaucoup plus faibles que celles des aerosols rencontres dans l'industrie classique. Elles dependent de nombreux facteurs tel que: nature du rayonnement, periode radioactive, etc... La formation des aerosols radioactifs est de nature diverse. La filtration des laboratoires de haute activite, ou d'usines d'elaboration de plutonium conduit a des types d'installations comportant: - des filtres d'aspiration; - des filtres d'extraction a rendement extremement eleve (type pour cellules emettrices {alpha} concu pour etre change sans risque de contamination, type pour cellules emettrices {gamma}: concu pour etre change a distance) La filtration des reacteurs nucleaires sont egalement effectuee par des papiers filtres: - reacteur G1 a circuit ouvert: air de refroidissement totalement filtre a l'aspiration et a l'extraction; - reacteurs G2, G3, EDF1: a circuit ferme: filtration sous pression d'une faible partie du gaz de refroidissement. (auteur)

Review of operational requirements with respect to PCMI in a VVER and the corresponding developments in the trans uranus code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Van Uffelen, P.; Lassman, K.; Schubert, A.; Van der Laar, J.; Gyori, C.; Elenkov, D.; Hatala, B.

2005-01-01

Since the mid-90's, a version of the TRANSURANUS code has been under development for the analysis of the fuel rod performance in Russian-type VVER reactors. This required, among other things, the implementation of specific thermal and mechanical properties for Nb-containing cladding. The first part of the paper summarises the present status of the models for normal operating conditions. Further refinements will include the correlation between the effective creep strain rate and the effective stress. In the second part of the paper we consider accident conditions for which new correlations have been developed, including plastic deformation, high-temperature oxidation and burst of the cladding. These conditions have been implemented in TRANSURANUS and verified by means of burst tests for as-received, oxidised and irradiated cladding specimens. Finally, an outlook of the planned activities for code development and validation, including experiments regarding PCMI-related safety criteria for VVER reactors, is presented. (author)

Application of the thermal-hydraulic codes in VVER-440 steam generators modelling

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Matejovic, P.; Vranca, L.; Vaclav, E. [Nuclear Power Plant Research Inst. VUJE (Slovakia)

1995-12-31

Performances with the CATHARE2 V1.3U and RELAP5/MOD3.0 application to the VVER-440 SG modelling during normal conditions and during transient with secondary water lowering are described. Similar recirculation model was chosen for both codes. In the CATHARE calculation, no special measures were taken with the aim to optimize artificially flow rate distribution coefficients for the junction between SG riser and steam dome. Contrary to RELAP code, the CATHARE code is able to predict reasonable the secondary swell level in nominal conditions. Both codes are able to model properly natural phase separation on the SG water level. 6 refs.

Application of the thermal-hydraulic codes in VVER-440 steam generators modelling

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Matejovic, P; Vranca, L; Vaclav, E [Nuclear Power Plant Research Inst. VUJE (Slovakia)

1996-12-31

Performances with the CATHARE2 V1.3U and RELAP5/MOD3.0 application to the VVER-440 SG modelling during normal conditions and during transient with secondary water lowering are described. Similar recirculation model was chosen for both codes. In the CATHARE calculation, no special measures were taken with the aim to optimize artificially flow rate distribution coefficients for the junction between SG riser and steam dome. Contrary to RELAP code, the CATHARE code is able to predict reasonable the secondary swell level in nominal conditions. Both codes are able to model properly natural phase separation on the SG water level. 6 refs.

Operating Experience in Nuclear Power Plants with Boiling-Water Reactors; Experience acquise dans l'exploitation des reacteurs a eau bouillante; Opyt ehkspluatatsii kipyashchago reaktora; Experiencia adquirida con la explotacion de reactores de agua hirviente

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ascherl, R. J. [General Electric Company, San Jose, CA (United States)

1963-10-15

radioactivity exposure considerations. Recent full-scale inspection and overhaul of the Dresden turbine provided no maintenance problems, after over 12 000 h of operation on direct-cycle steam and after operation with known failed fuel elements in the reactor. (author) [French] On a maintenant acquis une experience appreciable dans l'exploitation des centrales equipees de reacteurs a eau bouillante. Vers la fin de 1962, on avait produit plus de 2,2.10{sup 9} kWh dans trois centrales nucleaires rattachees a des reseaux de distribution: la centrale de Dresden (Commonwealth Edison Company, Morris, Illinois), la centrale de Vallecitos (Pacific Gas and Electric Company and General Electric Company, Pleasanton, Californie) et la centrale de Kahl (Rheinish-Westfaiisches Elektrizitatswerk et Bayemwerk, a Kahl-sur-le-Main, Republique federale d'Allemagne). Le rendement de ces reacteurs a eau bouillante, exploites dans les conditions normales de production d'electricite, est excellent. On peut donc s'attendre que les centrales a eau bouillante continueront d'etre sures, etant donne le facteur de disponibilite et le facteur de puissance des reacteurs et des installations de ce type. Au cours de 1963, quatre nouvelles centrales equipees de reacteurs a eau bouillante entreront en service: la centrale de Big Rock Point (Consumers Power Company, Charlevoix, Michigan), la centrale de Humboldt Bay (Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Eureka, Californie), la centrale de Garigliano (Societa Elettronucleare Nazionale, Scauri, Italie) et la centrale de demonstration japonaise (Institut de recherches nucleaires du Japon, Tokai Mura, Japon). Les resultats obtenus lors du demarrage et pendant le fonctionnement initial de ces installations confirment les espoirs suscites par les centrales de Dresden, Kahl et Vallecitos. Les journaux de marche des centrales de Dresden, Kahl et Vallecitos mettent en evidence la stabilite et la securite des reacteurs a eau bouillante. De plus, les niveaux de rayonnements

Proposal of criteria for evaluation of engineering safety factors of VVER core parameters

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shishkov, L.; Tsyganov, S.; Dementiev, V.

2009-01-01

The paper states that the regulatory documentation, as a rule, do not give explicit recommendations on formation techniques of engineering safety factors for design limited parameters of normal operation (K eng ). The AER countries use different approaches to K eng evaluation (sometimes even one country in relation of various power units). The paper suggests the development of uniform rules to be used in calculation of engineering safety factor for all VVER reactors. The paper presents principal problems that must be solved in the course of the discussion, and in the form of an exercise suggests the way of their solution. (authors)

French research in the field of nuclear agronomy; Les recherches francaises en agronomie nucleaire

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Guerin De Montgareuil, P. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

, industrial firms, university laboratories scientific institutes. The role of the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique is defined: on the one hand it supplies information and support, and on the other hand it takes charge of specifically nuclear aspects of the work. Its part in the field has recently found expression in the creation, within the Biology Department, of a Radio-agronomy Section; its objective are described,, as well as the, means placed att its disposal at the Centre d'etudes Nucleaires, Cadarache. (author) [French] On propose un bilan des travaux les plus significatifs effectues en France depuis la deuxieme conference internationale en matiere d'agronomie nucleaire et qui vont d'une recherche apparemment desinteressee a l'application la plus directe. Une telle differenciation recouvre de moins en moins, au fur et a mesure de l'evolution des programmes, la distinction qui est faite dans l'expose entre l'action biologique des rayonnements et les autres emplois des techniques nucleaires. C'est ainsi que les recherches do radiogenetique agricole sont poursuivies dans deux directions: d'un point de vue theorique et methodologique avec l'etude comparative de l'action des divers types de rayonnements, l'influence du debit de dose et de la temperature, l'action des agents mutagenes chimiques, la production de chimeres sous irradiation gamma; et d'autre part, sous un aspect pratique aboutissant a la creation de varietes nouvelles plus resistantes ou plus precoces (riz, mil, arachide). Les problemes de destruction des insectes (eradication) et de conservation des denrees sous irradiation se trouvent egalement abordes par des voies et avec des objectifs tres divers. A la demarche globale representee par une irradiation pure et simple (grains humides, pommes de terre...) sont parfois associees des etudes souvent originales, d'ordre biochimique ou microbiologique (par exemple: alteration de l

Developing a computational tool for predicting physical parameters of a typical VVER-1000 core based on artificial neural network

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mirvakili, S.M.; Faghihi, F.; Khalafi, H.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► Thermal–hydraulics parameters of a VVER-1000 core based on neural network (ANN), are carried out. ► Required data for ANN training are found based on modified COBRA-EN code and then linked each other using MATLAB software. ► Based on ANN method, average and maximum temperature of fuel and clad as well as MDNBR of each FA are predicted. -- Abstract: The main goal of the present article is to design a computational tool to predict physical parameters of the VVER-1000 nuclear reactor core based on artificial neural network (ANN), taking into account a detailed physical model of the fuel rods and coolant channels in a fuel assembly. Predictions of thermal characteristics of fuel, clad and coolant are performed using cascade feed forward ANN based on linear fission power distribution and power peaking factors of FAs and hot channels factors (which are found based on our previous neutronic calculations). A software package has been developed to prepare the required data for ANN training which applies a modified COBRA-EN code for sub-channel analysis and links the codes using the MATLAB software. Based on the current estimation system, five main core TH parameters are predicted, which include the average and maximum temperatures of fuel and clad as well as the minimum departure from nucleate boiling ratio (MDNBR) for each FA. To get the best conditions for the considered ANNs training, a comprehensive sensitivity study has been performed to examine the effects of variation of hidden neurons, hidden layers, transfer functions, and the learning algorithms on the training and simulation results. Performance evaluation results show that the developed ANN can be trained to estimate the core TH parameters of a typical VVER-1000 reactor quickly without loss of accuracy.

Influence of geometrical parameters of the VVER-1000 reactor construction elements to internals irradiation conditions

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

О. M. Pugach

2015-07-01

Full Text Available Investigations to determine the influences of geometrical parameters of the calculational VVER-1000 reactor model to the results of internal irradiation condition determination are carried out. It is shown that the values of appropriate sensitivity matrix elements are not dependent on a height coordinate for any core level, but there is their azimuthal dependence. Maximum possible relative biases of neutron fluence due to inexact knowledge of internal geometrical parameters are obtained for the baffle and the barrel.

Sequence of decommissioning of the main equipment in a central type VVER 440 V-230

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Andres, E.; Garcia Ruiz, R.

2014-01-01

IBERDROLA Ingenieria y Construccion S.A.U., leader of consortium with Empresarios Agrupados and INDRA, has developed the Basic Engineering for the decommissioning of contaminated systems and building of a VVER 440 V-230 Nuclear Power Plant, establishing the sequence and methodology for the main equipment fragmentation. For that, it has been designed dry and wet cutting zones to be set up in the area where steam generators, main cooling pumps and pressurizer are located; these components will be dismantled previously. (Author)

State of the VVER-1000 spent U-Gd fuel rods based on the results of post-irradiation examinations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shevlyakov, G.; Zvir, E.; Strozhuk, A.; Polenok, V.; Sidorenko, O.; Volkova, I.; Nikitin, O.

2015-01-01

The present paper is devoted to post-irradiation examinations (PIE) of U-Gd fuel rods with different geometry of the fuel pellets irradiated as part of the VVER-1000 fuel assembly. As evidenced by their PIE data, they did not exhaust their service life based on the main parameters (geometrical dimensions, corrosion state, and release of fission product gases). (author)

A Roadmap and Discussion of Issues for Physics Analyses Required to Support Plutonium Disposition in VVER-1000 Reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Primm, R.T.; Drischler, J.D.; Pavlovichev, A.M.; Styrine, Y.A.

2000-01-01

The purpose of this report is to document the physics analyses that must be performed to successfully disposition weapons-usable plutonium in VVER-1000 reactors in the Russian Federation. The report is a document to support programmatic and financial planning. It does not include documentation of the technical procedures by which physics analyses are performed, nor are the results of any analyses included

A Roadmap and Discussion of Issues for Physics Analyses Required to Support Plutonium Disposition in VVER-1000 Reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Primm, R.T.; Drischler, J.D.; Pavlovichev, A.M. Styrine, Y.A.

2000-06-01

The purpose of this report is to document the physics analyses that must be performed to successfully disposition weapons-usable plutonium in VVER-1000 reactors in the Russian Federation. The report is a document to support programmatic and financial planning. It does not include documentation of the technical procedures by which physics analyses are performed, nor are the results of any analyses included.

Statistics on the production and the use of the artificial radioelements in France; Statistiques sur la production et l'emploi des radioelements artificiels en France

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fisher, C [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1955-07-01

The CEA is, in France, the unique producer of artificial radioelements for public uses. These products have been provided to the users since 1949. They include until now only radioelements formed in nuclear reactors. The following aspects of use in France of the artificial radioelements will be described: - Consumption of the artificial radioelements in France, - French production and import, - Teaching and study of applications. (M.B.) [French] Le Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique est, en Franoe, le seul producteur de radioelements artificiels pour l'utilisation publique. Ces produits ont ete fournis aux utilisateurs des 1949. Ils ne comprennent jusqu'a present que des radioelements formes dans des reacteurs nucleaires. Les aspects suivants de l'utilisation en France des radioelements artificiels seront decrits: onsommation des radioelements artificiels en France, Production francaise et importation, - Enseignement et etudes d'applications. (M.B.)

Scientific report 1999

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1999-01-01

The aim of this report is to outline the main developments of the 'Departement des Reacteurs Nucleaires' (DRN) during the year 1999. DRN is one of the CEA Institutions. This report is divided in three main parts: the DRN scientific programs, the scientific and technical publications (with abstracts in English) and economic data on staff, budget and communication. Main results of the Department for the year 1999 are presented giving information on the simulation of low mach number compressible flow, experimental irradiation of multi-materials, progress in the dry route conversion process of UF 6 to UO 2 , the neutronics, the CASCADE installation, the corium, the BWR type reactor cores technology, the reactor safety, the transmutation of americium and fuel cell flow studies, the crack propagation, the hybrid systems and the CEA sites improvement. (A.L.B.)

Component vibration of VVER-reactors - diagnostics and modelling

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Altstadt, E.; Scheffler, M.; Weiss, F.-P.

1995-01-01

Flow induced vibrations of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) internals (control element and core barrel motions) at VVER-440 reactors have led to the development of dedicated methods for on-line monitoring. These methods need a certain developed stage of the faults to be detected. To achieve a real sensitive early detection of mechanical faults of RPV internals, a theoretical vibration model was developed based on finite elements. The model comprises the whole primary circuit including the steam generators (SG). By means of that model all eigenfrequencies up to 30 Hz and the corresponding mode shapes were calculated for the normal vibration behaviour. Moreover the shift of eigenfrequencies and of amplitudes due to the degradation or to the failure of internal clamping and spring elements could be investigated, showing that a recognition of such degradations even inside the RPV is possible by pure excore vibration measurements. A true diagnostic, that is the identification of the failed component, might become possible because different faults influence different and well separated eigenfrequencies. (author)

Application of Integral Ex-Core and Differential In-Core Neutron Measurements for Adjustment of Fuel Burn-Up Distributions in VVER-1000

Science.gov (United States)

Borodkin, Pavel G.; Borodkin, Gennady I.; Khrennikov, Nikolay N.

2010-10-01

The paper deals with calculational and semi-analytical evaluations of VVER-1000 reactor core neutron source distributions and their influence on measurements and calculations of the integral through-vessel neutron leakage. Time-integrated neutron source distributions used for DORT calculations were prepared by two different approaches based on a) calculated fuel burn-up (standard routine procedure) and b) in-core measurements by means of SPD & TC (new approach). Taking into account that fuel burn-up distributions in operating VVER may be evaluated now by analytical methods (calculations) only it is needed to develop new approaches for testing and correction of calculational evaluations. Results presented in this paper allow to consider a reverse task of alternative estimation of fuel burn-up distributions. The approach proposed is based on adjustment (fitting) of time-integrated neutron source distributions, and hence fuel burn-up patterns in some part of reactor core, on the base of ex-core neutron leakage measurement, neutron-physical calculation and in-core SPD & TC measurement data.

Development of a new chemical technology for cleanup of VVER steam generators

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Smykov, V.B.; Yermolaev, N.P.; Ivanov, V.N.

2002-01-01

As shows the maintenance experience of SG's, the long-time maintenance them without chemical cleanup on secondary-side results in accumulation of considerable amounts of depositions of oxides of iron with a high content of copper on outside of tubes. The deposit accumulation creates conditions for concentrating of salts which promote corrosion and, then, the loosing of inter-contour tightness. Therefore the experts do not have any doubts in necessity of chemical cleanups and the chemical cleanups were carried out at some NPP's with VVER during last years. However it is possible to say, that these cleanups were carried out not by the best mode - the same main reagents had been used in order to dissolve the copper and iron oxides. For example, all cleanups at Balakovo NPP in 1996-1997 years had the common deficiency - even during 5. final stage of process the copper prolongs to be washed. By our opinion, the reasons of it are the poor scientific and technical justification of this process. Therefore at various NPP's with VVER cleanups realize by various techniques. The process of chemical cleanup, close to offered in the present work, was repeated many times utilized at BN-600 Belojarsk NPP and at BN-350 Shevtchenko NPP. The purposes of the present work are: 1. Research the behaviours of physicochemical processes during dissolution of components of depositions and their mixtures with use of the various formulas; 2. Analysis of the carried out chemical cleanups of PGV-1000M at an example of Balakovo NPP; 3. Development of a new process of SG's cleanup on the base of experimental researches and analysis; 4. Check of this process on the samples of full-scale depositions from SG Balakovo NPP. (authors)

Some benchmark calculations for VVER-1000 assemblies by WIMS-7B code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sultanov, N.V.

2001-01-01

Our aim in this report is to compare of calculation results, obtained with the use of different libraries, which are in the variant of the WIMS7B code. We had the three libraries: the 1986 library is based on the UKNDL files, the two 1996 libraries are based on the JEF-2.2 files, the one having the 69 group approximation, the other having the 172 group approximation. We wanted also to have some acquaintance with the new option of WIMS-7B - CACTUS. The variant of WIMS-7B was placed at our disposal by the code authors for a temporal use for 9 months. It was natural to make at comparisons with analogous values of TVS-M, MCU, Apollo-2, Casmo-4, Conkemo, MCNP, HELIOS codes, where the other different libraries were used. In accordance with our aims the calculations of unprofiled and profiled assemblies of the VVER-1000 reactor have been carried out by the option CACTUS. This option provides calculations by the characteristics method. The calculation results have been compared with the K ∞ values obtained by other codes in work. The conclusion from this analysis is such: the methodical parts of errors of these codes have nearly the same values. Spacing for K eff values can be explained of the library microsections differences mainly. Nevertheless, the more detailed analysis of the results obtained is required. In conclusion the calculation of a depletion of VVER-1000 cell has been carried out. The comparison of the dependency of the multiply factor from the depletion obtained by WIMS-7B with different libraries and by the TVS-M, MCU, HELIOS and WIMS-ABBN codes in work has been performed. (orig.)

Adoption of in-vessel retention concept for VVER-440/V213 reactors in Central European Countries

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Matejovic, Peter, E-mail: peter.matejovic@ivstt.sk [Inzinierska Vypoctova Spolocnost (IVS), Jana Holleho 5, 91701 Trnava (Slovakia); Barnak, Miroslav; Bachraty, Milan; Vranka, Lubomir [Inzinierska Vypoctova Spolocnost (IVS), Jana Holleho 5, 91701 Trnava (Slovakia); Berky, Robert [Integrita a Bezpecnost Ocelovych Konstrukcii, Rybnicna 40, 831 07 Bratislava (Slovakia)

2017-04-01

Highlights: • Design of in-vessel retention concept for VVER-440/V213 reactors. • Thermal loads acting on the inner reactor surface. • Structural response of reactor pressure vessel. • External reactor vessel cooling. - Abstract: An in-vessel retention (IVR) concept was proposed for standard VVER-440/V213 reactors equipped with confinement made of reinforced concrete and bubbler condenser pressure suppression system. This IVR concept is based on simple modifications of existing plant technology and thus it was attractive for plant operators in Central European Countries. Contrary to the solution that was adopted before at Loviisa NPP in Finland (two units of VVER-440/V213 reactor with steel confinement equipped with ice condenser), the coolant access to the reactor pressure vessel from flooded cavity is enabled via closable hole installed in the centre of thermal shield of the reactor lower head instead of lowering this massive structure in the case of severe accident. As a consequence, the crucial point of this IVR concept is narrow gap between torispherical lower head and thermal and biological shield. Here the highest thermal flux is expected in the case of severe accident. Thus, realistic estimation of thermal load and corresponding deformations of reactor wall and their impact on gap width for coolant flow are of primarily importance. In this contribution the attention is paid especially to the analytical support with emphasis to the following points: 1) {sup ∗}Estimation of thermal loads acting on the inner reactor surface; 2) {sup ∗}Estimation of structural response of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) with emphasis on the deformation of outer reactor surface and its impact on the annular gap between RPV wall and thermal/biological shield; 3) {sup ∗}Analysis of external reactor vessel cooling. For this purpose the ASTEC code was used for performing analysis of core degradation scenarios, the ANSYS code for structural analysis of reactor vessel

Fuel Cycle of VVER-1000: technical and economic aspects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kosourov, E.; Pavlov, V.; Pavlovichev, A.

2009-01-01

The paper contains estimations of dependences of technical and economic characteristics of VVER-1000 fuel cycle on number of charged FAs and their enrichment. In the study following restrictions were used: minimum quantity of loaded fresh FAs is equal 36 FAs, a maximum one - 78 (79) FAs and fuel enrichment is limited by value 4,95 %. The following technical and economic characteristics are discussed: cycle length, average burnup of spent fuel, specific consumption of natural uranium, specific quantity of separative work, annual production of thermal energy, fuel component of electrical energy cost, electricity generation cost. Results of estimations are presented as dependences of researched characteristics on cycle length, quantity of loaded FAs and their enrichments. The presented information allows to show tendencies and ranges of technical and economic characteristics at change of fuel cycle parameters. This information can be useful for definition of the fuel cycle parameters which satisfy the requirements of power system and exploiting organizations. (authors)

Axial stability of VVER-1000 reactor with control with minimum standard deviation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Afanas'ev, A.M.; Torlin, B.Z.

1980-01-01

Results are given of investigations on the stability of a reactor which has, in addition to an automatic controller, a height distribution regulator (HDR) based on an auxiliary control rod (CR) or a special shortened absorption rod (SAR). The HDR was controlled by using either a special ionization chamber (IC), generating an imbalance signal which sets the CR in motion, or two ionization chambers whose difference signal causes a displacement of the SAR. Since data from numerous pickups can be used to control the height field of the VVER-1000, it is of interest to analyze how this would affect the stability of the reactor. The analysis was carried out with the improved IRINA programs. 11 refs

Experience in modernization of safety I and C in VVER 440 nuclear power plants Bohunice V1 and Paks

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Martin, M.

2000-01-01

For nuclear power plants which have been in operation for more than 15 years, backfitting or even complete replacement of the instrumentation and control (I and C) equipment becomes an increasingly attractive option, motivated not only by the objective to reduce the cost of I and C system maintenance and repair but also to prolong or at least to safeguard the plant life-time: optimized spare-part management through use of standard equipment; reduction of number and variety of different items of equipment by implementing functions stepwise in application software; adding new functionality in the application software which was not possible in the old technology due to lack of space; safeguarding of long-term After-Sales-Service. Some years ago Bohunice V1 NPP, Slovak Republic and Paks NPP, Hungary intended to replace parts of their Safety I and C, mainly the Reactor Trip System, the Reactor Limitation System and the Neutron Flux Excore Instrumentation and Monitoring Systems. After a Basic Engineering Phase in Bohunice V1 and a Feasibility Study in Paks both plants decided to use the Siemens' Digital Safety I and C System TELEPERM XS to modernize their plants. Both Bohunice, Unit 2 and Paks, Unit 1 have been back on line for over six months with the new Digital Safety I and C. At the present time Bohunice, Unit 1 and within the next few months Paks, Unit 2 will be replaced. Trouble-free start-ups and no major problems under operation in the first two plants were based on: thorough understanding of the VVER 440 technology; comprehensive planning together with the plant operators and authorities; the possibility to adapt TELEPERM XS to every plant type; the execution of extensive pre-operational tests. Regarding these modernization measures Siemens, as well as the above Operators, have gained considerable experience in the field of I and C Modernization in VVER 440 NPPs. Important aspects of this experience are: how to transfer the VVER technology to TELEPERM XS; how to

The 'Pole Nucleaire Bourgogne' for developing the nuclear components industry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kottmann, G.

2012-01-01

The 'Pole Nucleaire Bourgogne' (PNB) is a high-technology and heavy industries cluster in Burgundy with an international calling. It aims at innovating, educating and federating in order to place the French nuclear industry in a leading position. PNB gathers 76 small-, and medium-sized enterprises, most of them operating in the metal sector, in design and in the control/measuring sector. The aim of PNB is to make enterprises work and cooperate on specific topics according to their sectors of activities and their skills. PNB has identified 3 domains of strategical innovations: -) ecological manufacturing and durability of heavy components, -) controls for high performance components, and -) maintenance and dismantling techniques in hostile environments. The various industry sectors represented in PNB allows a cross-fertilization between high-tech industries (aeronautics, energy, transportation)

United States Department of Energy's reactor core protection evaluation methodology for fires at RBMK and VVER nuclear power plants. Revision 1

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1997-06-01

This document provides operators of Soviet-designed RBMK (graphite moderated light water boiling water reactor) and VVER (pressurized light water reactor) nuclear power plants with a systematic Methodology to qualitatively evaluate plant response to fires and to identify remedies to protect the reactor core from fire-initiated damage

The calculational VVER burnup Credit Benchmark No.3 results with the ENDF/B-VI rev.5 (1999)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rodriguez Gual, Maritza [Centro de Tecnologia Nuclear, La Habana (Cuba). E-mail: mrgual@ctn.isctn.edu.cu

2000-07-01

The purpose of this papers to present the results of CB3 phase of the VVER calculational benchmark with the recent evaluated nuclear data library ENDF/B-VI Rev.5 (1999). This results are compared with the obtained from the other participants in the calculations (Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Slovaquia, Spain and the United Kingdom). The phase (CB3) of the VVER calculation benchmark is similar to the Phase II-A of the OECD/NEA/INSC BUC Working Group benchmark for PWR. The cases without burnup profile (BP) were performed with the WIMS/D-4 code. The rest of the cases have been carried with DOTIII discrete ordinates code. The neutron library used was the ENDF/B-VI rev. 5 (1999). The WIMS/D-4 (69 groups) is used to collapse cross sections from the ENDF/B-VI Rev. 5 (1999) to 36 groups working library for 2-D calculations. This work also comprises the results of CB1 (obtained with ENDF/B-VI rev. 5 (1999), too) and CB3 for cases with Burnup of 30 MWd/TU and cooling time of 1 and 5 years and for case with Burnup of 40 MWd/TU and cooling time of 1 year. (author)

Testing of a reactimeter for a light water reactor in the range + 500 to - 5000 pcm; Essai d'un reactimetre pour reacteur a eau legere dans la gamme + 500, - 5000 pcm

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chauvet, G [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

This apparatus is designed to measure instantaneously the positive or negative reactivity of a uranium reactor moderated by light water, on condition that the point of departure is the critical state of the reactor, or an already known sub-critical state. Slight modifications only are required to adapt it to another type of reactor. It is an analogue computer which simply inverses the transfer function of the reactor; it is not therefore a model reactor of which the output voltage is connected by a servo-mechanism to the power of the reactor to give the reactivity; the principle of the calculation of the reactivity does not depend on a servomechanism. One of its disadvantages is that it cannot operate outside a power variation range of 2.5 decades. However the measurement of a negative reactivity value between 0 and 3000 pcm is immediate. It measures the reactivity without deducting it from the period; it therefore gives the reactivity very precisely both for divergence and convergence even through in this latter case the period does not in fact exist. The equipment makes it possible to calibrate very rapidly the control rods of a reactor (the rod-drop method), to measure the reactivity of an experiment in the core, and to measure certain temperature effects. It is also possible by introducing a control into the core at a measured rate, to deduce directly its efficiency curve. (author) [French] Cet appareil est destine a mesurer instantanement la reactivite positive ou negative d'un reacteur a uranium modere a l'eau legere, a condition de partir de l'etat critique du reacteur, ou eventuellement d'un etat sous-critique deja connu. De legeres modifications permettent de l'adapter a un autre type de moderateur. C'est un calculateur analogique, qui inverse purement et simplement la fonction de transfert du reacteur; ce n'est donc pas un simulateur de pile dont la tension de sortie est asservie a la puissance du reacteur pour elaborer la reactivite; le principe du

Mechanisms of radiation embrittlement of VVER-1000 RPV steel at irradiation temperatures of (50–400)°C

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kuleshova, E.A., E-mail: evgenia-orm@yandex.ru [National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 1, Moscow 123182 (Russian Federation); National Research Nuclear University “MEPhI” (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute), Kashirskoe Highway 31, Moscow 115409 (Russian Federation); Gurovich, B.A.; Bukina, Z.V.; Frolov, A.S.; Maltsev, D.A.; Krikun, E.V.; Zhurko, D.A.; Zhuchkov, G.M. [National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 1, Moscow 123182 (Russian Federation)

2017-07-15

This work summarizes and analyzes our recent research results on the effect of irradiation temperature within the range of (50–400)°C on microstructure and properties of 15Kh2NMFAA class 1 steel (VVER-1000 reactor pressure vessel (RPV) base metal). The paper considers the influence of accelerated irradiation with different temperature up to different fluences on the carbide and irradiation-induced phases, radiation defects, yield strength changes and critical brittleness temperature shift (ΔT{sub K}) as well as on changes of the fraction of brittle intergranular fracture and segregation processes in the steel. Low temperature irradiation resulted solely in formation of radiation defects – dislocation loops of high number density, the latter increased with increase in irradiation temperature while their size decreased. In this regard high embrittlement rate observed at low temperature irradiation is only due to the hardening mechanism of radiation embrittlement. Accelerated irradiation at VVER-1000 RPV operating temperature (∼300 °C) caused formation of radiation-induced precipitates and dislocation loops, as well as some increase in phosphorus grain boundary segregation. The observed ΔT{sub K} shift being within the regulatory curve for VVER-1000 RPV base metal is due to both hardening and non-hardening mechanisms of radiation embrittlement. Irradiation at elevated temperature caused more intense phosphorus grain boundary segregation, but no formation of radiation-induced precipitates or dislocation loops in contrast to irradiation at 300 °C. Carbide transformations observed only after irradiation at 400 °C caused increase in yield strength and, along with a contribution of the non-hardening mechanism, resulted in the lowest ΔT{sub K} shift in the studied range of irradiation temperature and fluence. - Highlights: •Structural elements in RPV steel are studied at different irradiation temperatures. •Highest number density dislocation loops are

The strength of the reactor cavity of VVER-1000 NPP against steam explosion

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Varpasuo, P.

1995-01-01

The reactor cavity of VVER-1000 NPP is a thick-walled, cylindrical reinforced concrete structure. In case of molten core-water reaction during the severe accident the load carrying capacity of the cavity structure is of interest against the short impulse type loading caused by the steam explosion phenomenon. The assumed size of the impulse was 20 kPa-s and the duration was 10 ms. The static analysis of the structure used the ABAQUS/STANDARD and ANSYS codes. The material properties in both runs were specified to be elasto-plastic, and the cracking of concrete was taken into account. (author). 2 refs., 5 figs

Development of a cross-section methodology and a real-time core model for VVER-1000 simulator application

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Georgieva, Emiliya Lyudmilova

2016-06-06

The novel academic contributions are summarized as follows. A) A cross-section modelling methodology and a cycle-specific cross-section update procedure are developed to meet fidelity requirements applicable to a cycle-specific reactor core simulation, as well as particular customer needs and practices supporting VVER-1000 operation and safety. B) A real-time version of the Nodal Expansion Method code is developed and implemented into Kozloduy 6 full-scope replica control room simulator.

The 1989 annual report of the Institut de Physique Nucleaire-Orsay

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1989-01-01

The activity report of the Institut de Physique Nucleaire (Orsay-France) from 1 Sep 1988 to 1 Aug 1989 is presented. Theoretical and experimental investigations were carried out in the following fields: light and medium exotic nuclei, on line spectroscopy, discrete high spin states, new radioactivities, thermal fission, detection systems, giant resonances, high excitation energy structure, reaction mechanisms at energies below 10 MeV/u and at 200 MeV/u and their evolution between 10 and 100 MeV/u, meson production, transfer reactions, spin modes in nuclei, dibaryonic resonances, inelastic scattering of polarized protons. Research programs in the field of radiochemistry and relating to inter-disciplinary fields are included. The activities involving teaching, the lists of publications conferences, seminars and theses are presented [fr

Issues and remedies for secondary system of PWR/VVER

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nordmann, Francis; Odar, Suat; Rochester, Dewey

2012-09-01

Secondary side degradation of steam generators (SG) and Flow Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) in the secondary system have been for a long time important issues in PWR and VVER types of Nuclear Power Plants. With the evolution of the design, the most important issues are progressively moving from secondary side corrosion of Alloy 600 SG tubing, which is being replaced, to a larger variety of risks associated with potential inadequate chemistries. As far as FAC of carbon steel is concerned, the evolution of treatment selection for minimizing corrosion products transport toward the SG, as well as progressive replacement of components in the feedwater train, decreases the risk of dramatic failures which have occurred in the past. After having briefly explained the reason for the past problems encountered in the secondary system of PWR and VVER, this paper evaluates the risk associated with various impurities or contaminants that may be present in the secondary system and how to mitigate them in the most appropriate, efficient, economical and environmental friendly way. The covered species are sodium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate and sulfur compounds, fluorides, organic compounds, silica, oxygen, lead, ion exchange resins. This paper also proposes the best remedies for mitigating the new issues that may be encountered in operating plants or units under construction. These are mainly: - Selecting a steam water treatment able to minimize the quantity of corrosion products transported toward the SG; - Mitigating the risk of Flow Induced Vibration by a proper control of deposits in sensitive areas; - Minimizing the risk of concentration of impurities in local areas where they may induce corrosion; - Avoiding the presence of abnormal quantities of some species in SG, such as the detrimental presence of lead and ion exchange resin debris or the controversial presence of organic compounds; - Optimizing costs of maintenance activities (SG mechanical, chemical cleaning

On detection of the possible use of VVERs for unreported production of plutonium. Final report for the period July 1988 - December 1989

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Simov, R.; Nelov, N.; Stoyanova, I.; Kovachev, N.; Yonchev, P.

1989-01-01

The study includes an analysis of the feasibility of unreported production of plutonium-239 in VVER-440 reactors. It is shown that for VVER-440 reactors 36 natural uranium oxide fuel assemblies in the peripheral region of the core need to be loaded to produce 8 kg of extra plutonium in one cycle. Substituting the peripheral fuel assemblies with natural uranium oxide fuel assemblies, the changes in the power peaking are negligible and do not affect reactor safety. Unreported production outside the core is not practical due to physical and mechanical constraints, low flux level, etc. The feasibility of unreported removal of irradiated material in spent fuel cask has been also assessed. After about a month cooling time, still within the refueling period, the irradiated natural uranium fuel assemblies could be removed off-site without significant health hazard to the workers. To improve the effectiveness of the safeguards objectives, additional inspection activities are suggested. 10 figs

Safety report concerning the reactor Pegase - volume 1 - Description of the installation - volume 2 - Safety of the installations; Rapport de surete du reacteur pegase - tome 1 - Description des installations - tome 2 - Surete des installations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lacour, J. [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Legoin, P. [S.E.M. Hispano-Suiza, 92 - Colombes (France)

1964-07-01

In the first volume: This report is a description of the reactor Pegase, given with a view to examine the safety of the installations. The Cadarache site at which they are situated is briefly described, in particular because of the consequences on the techniques employed for building Pegase. A description is also given of the original aspects of the reactor. The independent loops which are designed for full-scale testing of fuel elements used in natural uranium-gas-graphite reactor systems are described in this report, together with their operational and control equipment. In the second volume: In the present report are examined the accidents which could cause damage to the Pegase reactor installation. Among possible causes of accidents considered are the seismicity of the region, an excessive power excursion of the reactor and a fracture in the sealing of an independent loop. Although all possible precautions have been taken to offset the effects of such accidents, their ultimate consequences are considered here. The importance is stressed of the security action and regulations which, added to the precautions taken for the construction, ensure the safety of the installations. (authors) [French] Dans le volume 1: Ce rapport est une description du reacteur Pegase, afin d'examiner la surete des installations. Le site de CADARACHE ou elles sont situees, a ete sommairement decrit, en particulier, a cause des consequences sur les techniques mises en oeuvre pour la realisation de Pegase. Nous nous sommes egalement attache a decrire les aspects originaux du reacteur. Les boucles autonomes destinees a tester en vraie grandeur des elements combustibles de la filiere uranium naturel graphite-gaz, ainsi que leurs dispositifs de controle et d'exploitation, figurent egalement dans ce rapport. Dans le volume 2: Dans le present rapport, nous examinons des accidents pouvant endommager des installations du reacteur Pegase. Les origines d'accidents examines

Safety report concerning the reactor Pegase - volume 1 - Description of the installation - volume 2 - Safety of the installations; Rapport de surete du reacteur pegase - tome 1 - Description des installations - tome 2 - Surete des installations

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lacour, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Legoin, P [S.E.M. Hispano-Suiza, 92 - Colombes (France)

1964-07-01

In the first volume: This report is a description of the reactor Pegase, given with a view to examine the safety of the installations. The Cadarache site at which they are situated is briefly described, in particular because of the consequences on the techniques employed for building Pegase. A description is also given of the original aspects of the reactor. The independent loops which are designed for full-scale testing of fuel elements used in natural uranium-gas-graphite reactor systems are described in this report, together with their operational and control equipment. In the second volume: In the present report are examined the accidents which could cause damage to the Pegase reactor installation. Among possible causes of accidents considered are the seismicity of the region, an excessive power excursion of the reactor and a fracture in the sealing of an independent loop. Although all possible precautions have been taken to offset the effects of such accidents, their ultimate consequences are considered here. The importance is stressed of the security action and regulations which, added to the precautions taken for the construction, ensure the safety of the installations. (authors) [French] Dans le volume 1: Ce rapport est une description du reacteur Pegase, afin d'examiner la surete des installations. Le site de CADARACHE ou elles sont situees, a ete sommairement decrit, en particulier, a cause des consequences sur les techniques mises en oeuvre pour la realisation de Pegase. Nous nous sommes egalement attache a decrire les aspects originaux du reacteur. Les boucles autonomes destinees a tester en vraie grandeur des elements combustibles de la filiere uranium naturel graphite-gaz, ainsi que leurs dispositifs de controle et d'exploitation, figurent egalement dans ce rapport. Dans le volume 2: Dans le present rapport, nous examinons des accidents pouvant endommager des installations du reacteur Pegase. Les origines d'accidents examines comprennent la seismicite

Calculation of the shock-wave in the region close to an underground nuclear explosion (method Cades); Calcul de l'onde de choc en zone proche d'une explosion nucleaire souterraine (methode cades)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Supiot, F; Brugies, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Bruyeres-le-Chatel (France). Centre d' Etudes

1969-07-01

The outline of a method is presented for calculating the characteristics of a shock wave produced by an underground nuclear explosion (pressure, wave velocity, velocity of the medium, energy left in the medium by the shock, etc.). By means of an application to a granitic medium and of a comparison with results obtained during French nuclear explosions, it has been possible to show the good agreement existing between the calculations and the experimental results. The advantages of such a method for studying the industrial applications of underground nuclear explosions are stressed. (authors) [French] On expose les grandes lignes d'une methode de calcul des caracteristiques de l'onde de choc issue d'une explosion nucleaire souterraine (pression, vitesse de l'onde, vitesse du milieu, energie deposee par le choc dans le milieu...). Une application a un milieu granitique et une comparaison aux resultats obtenus au cours d'explosions nucleaires francaises permet de montrer la bonne concordance entre le calcul et les resultats experimentaux. On souligne l'interet d'une telle, methode pour l'etude d'applications industrielles des explosions nucleaires souterraines. (auteurs)

Accident management strategies for VVER-1000 reactors. Part 1: text

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sdouz, G.; Sonneck, G.; Pachole, M.

1994-10-01

This report describes the effect of different accident management strategies on the onset, development and end of the core-concrete-interaction as well as on the containment integrity for a TMLB'-type sequence in a Pressurized Water Reactor of the type VVER- 1000. Using the computer code MARCH3 the following strategies were investigated: (1) One or more Spray and LP ECC Systems available with and without coolers after 10 hours (2) Inclusion of the reactor pressure vessel testing facility room to the cavity (3) Containment venting (4) External water supply and (5) Different electric power restoration times. The results show that some of these accident management measures will maintain the containment integrity and reduce the source term drastically, others will reduce the source term rate. For some measures final conclusions can only be given after complete source term calculations have been performed. (authors)

Method of the characteristics for calculation of VVER without homogenization

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Suslov, I.R.; Komlev, O.G.; Novikova, N.N.; Zemskov, E.A.; Tormyshev, I.V.; Melnikov, K.G.; Sidorov, E.B. [Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk (Russian Federation)

2005-07-01

The first stage of the development of characteristics code MCCG3D for calculation of the VVER-type reactor without homogenization is presented. The parallel version of the code for MPI was developed and tested on cluster PC with LINUX-OS. Further development of the MCCG3D code for design-level calculations with full-scale space-distributed feedbacks is discussed. For validation of the MCCG3D code we use the critical assembly VENUS-2. The geometrical models with and without homogenization have been used. With both models the MCCG3D results agree well with the experimental power distribution and with results generated by the other codes, but model without homogenization provides better results. The perturbation theory for MCCG3D code is developed and implemented in the module KEFSFGG. The calculations with KEFSFGG are in good agreement with direct calculations. (authors)

Uranium oxide fuel cycle analysis in VVER-1000 with VISTA simulation code

Science.gov (United States)

Mirekhtiary, Seyedeh Fatemeh; Abbasi, Akbar

2018-02-01

The VVER-1000 Nuclear power plant generates about 20-25 tons of spent fuel per year. In this research, the fuel transmutation of Uranium Oxide (UOX) fuel was calculated by using of nuclear fuel cycle simulation system (VISTA) code. In this simulation, we evaluated the back end components fuel cycle. The back end component calculations are Spent Fuel (SF), Actinide Inventory (AI) and Fission Product (FP) radioisotopes. The SF, AI and FP values were obtained 23.792178 ton/y, 22.811139 ton/y, 0.981039 ton/y, respectively. The obtained value of spent fuel, major actinide, and minor actinide and fission products were 23.8 ton/year, 22.795 ton/year, 0.024 ton/year and 0.981 ton/year, respectively.

Economical Feedback of Increasing Fuel Enrichment on Electricity Cost for VVER-1000

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mohammed Saad Dwiddar

2015-08-01

Full Text Available A methodology of evaluating the economics of the front-end nuclear fuel cycle with a price change sensitivity analysis for a VVER-1000 reactor core as a case study is presented. The effect of increasing the fuel enrichment and its corresponding reactor cycle length on the energy cost is investigated. The enrichment component was found to represent the highly expenses dynamic component affecting the economics of the front-end fuel cycle. Nevertheless, the increase of the fuel enrichment will increase the reactor cycle length, which will have a positive feedback on the electricity generation cost (cent/KWh. A long reactor operation time with a cheaper energy cost set the nuclear energy as a competitive alternative when compared with other energy sources.

VVER 1000-NPP Temelin safety upgrading

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fleischhans, J.; Ubra, O.

1995-01-01

A modernisation program upgrading Temelin plant to meet internationally adopted standard has been implemented during plant design and construction phases. The initial Czech-Russian design (primary system was of Russian design, secondary system was of Czech design) has been extensively modified and adapted to present western safety criteria and operational requirements. The goals are to achieve a high level of safety, reliability, availability and load-following ability. The load-following ability and response to grid frequency changes are very important for the Czech Republic, since the nuclear capacity represents a high proportion of the overall electrical system there. On the basis of IAEA OSART missions and Halliburton NUS audit results and in compliance with recommendations of The State Office for Nuclear Safety, Czech Power Company and Czech scientists and researchers a modernisation program project for Temelin has been carried out. It includes three main groups of VVER1000 MW unit innovations: - Modernization and upgrading of the safety and control systems. - Fuel replacement and modification of the reactor core. - Innovation of some components of the primary and secondary systems. The tenders for instrumentation and control system, nuclear fuel, diagnostic system and radiation monitoring system were issued to the world-well known suppliers. The US company Westinghouse Electric >Corporation (WEC) was selected to submit contract for the delivery of instrumentation and control system primary side diagnostic system and for the delivery of nuclear fuel. The contract was signed in 1993

The Plinius/Colima CA-U3 test on fission-product aerosol release over a VVER-type corium pool

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Journeau, Ch.; Piluso, P.; Correggio, P.; Godin-Jacqmin, L.

2007-01-01

In a hypothetical case of severe accident in a PWR type VVER-440, a complex corium pool could be formed and fission products could be released. In order to study aerosols release in terms of mechanisms, kinetics, nature or quantity, and to better precise the source term of VVER-440, a series of experiments have been performed in the Colima facility and the test Colima CA-U3 has been successfully performed thanks to technological modifications to melt a prototypical corium at 2760 C degrees. Specific instrumentation has allowed us to follow the evolution of the corium melt and the release, transport and deposition of the fission products. The main conclusions are: -) there is a large release of Cr, Te, Sr, Pr and Rh (>95%w), -) there is a significant release of Fe (50%w), -) there is a small release of Ba, Ce, La, Nb, Nd and Y (<90%w), -) there is a very small release of U in proportion (<5%w) but it is one of the major released species in mass, and -) there is no release of Zr. The Colima experimental results are consistent with previous experiments on irradiated fuels except for Ba, Fe and U releases. (A.C.)

A study of different cases of VVER reactor core flooding in a large break loss of coolant accident

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bezrukov, Y.A.; Schekoldin, V.I.; Zaitsev, S.I.; Churkin, A.N.; Lisenkov, E.A.

2016-01-01

The paper covers a brief review of reflooding studies performed in different countries and the relevant tests performed in OKB GIDROPRESS (Russia) are discussed in more detail. The OKB GIDROPRESS test facility simulates the primary circuit of the VVER-440 reactor, with a full-scale fuel assembly (FA) mockup as the core simulator. The VVER core reflooding was studied in a FA mockup containing 126 fuel rod simulators with axial power peaking. The experiments were performed for two types of flooding. The first type is top flooding of the empty (steamed) FA mockup. The second type is bottom flooding of the FA mockup with level of boiling water. The test parameters are as follows: the range of the supplied power to the bundle is from 40 to 320 kW, the cooling water flow rate is from 0.04 to 1.1 kg/s, the maximum temperature of the fuel rod simulator is 800 C. degrees and the linear heat flux is from 0.1 to 1.0 kW/m. The test results were used for computer code validation, especially for the TRAP package code. The experiments show that as the transverse dimension of the FA mockup increases, the flow choking of the water supplied from the top by the steam flow significantly decreases

The atomic energy course of the 'Institut National des Sciences et Techniques nucleaires' at the centre d'Etudes Nucleaires at Saclay; L'enseignement de genie atomique de l'Institut national des Sciences et Techniques nucleaires au Centre d'Etudes nucleaires de Saclay

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Baissas, H [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1958-07-01

foreign students. 8- Annexe: list of courses, practical work, pile projects drawn up by the 1957 students. (author)Fren. [French] 1- Les raisons de sa creation. L'electricite de France et l'industrie interessee par le developpement de l'Energie atomique ont demande au Commissariat a l'Energie atomique de former des ingenieurs capables d'etudier des projets de piles et de diriger leur construction. 2- Recrutement et Droits d'inscription. Les demandes d'inscription ont toujours depasse les possibilites. Cette annee, les cours sont suivis par 74 eleves permanents, dont 20 etrangers, et une centaine d'auditeurs libres. Tous les elevont deja ingenieurs ou nantis de grades universitaires eleves. Droit d'inscription: 250 000 F pour les eleves, 125 000 F pour les auditeurs. 3- Organisation de l'Enseignement. II comprend deux options: physique et chimie et dans chaque option: une centaine de conferences, une trentaine de travaux pratiques, des stages dans les services, l'etude d'un projet de reacteur par un groupe de 4 ou 5 eleves. L'ensemble occupe l'annee universitaire du 1 novembre au 14 juillet. 4- Sanction. Un examen final combinant les notes de deux epreuves theoriques, des travaux pratiques, du stage, et du projet conduit a un diplome d'ingenieur en genie atomique. Il n'est pas cree en realite de nouveaux ingenieurs; une mention nouvelle est seulement ajoutee a un diplome deja acquis. Les resultats ont toujours ete excellents. Le pourcentage des echecs est tres faible. 5- Placement des Diplomes. Ils reviennent tous dans leurs industries d'origine qui ont paye leurs salaires et les droits d'inscription en se privant de leurs services pendant les neuf mois de duree des cours. 6- Creations analogues. Un cours analogue a ete cree au Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Grenoble. Tandis que celui de SACLAY s'adresse plus specialement aux ingenieurs deja en fonctions, celui de Grenoble est, en principe, destine aux jeunes ingenieurs sortant des ecoles. 7- Conclusion. L

Issues and remedies for secondary system of PWR/VVER

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nordmann, F.; Odar, S.; Rochester, D.

2012-01-01

Secondary side degradation of steam generators (SG) tubing with Alloy 600 MA and flow accelerated corrosion (FAC) of carbon steel have been for a long time important issues for the secondary system of PWR and VVER. With the beneficial evolution of the design (for instance the replacement of Alloy 600 SG tubing), the most important issues are progressively moving to a larger variety of risks associated to potential inadequate chemistries. The best remedies for mitigating the new concerns are: -) selecting a steam water treatment able to minimize the quantity of corrosion products transported to the steam generator, -) mitigating the risk of flow induced vibration by a proper control of deposits in sensitive areas, -) minimizing the risk of concentration of impurities in local areas where they may induce corrosion. The paper also explains: -) the benefit of eliminating or by pass of condensate polishers, -) the absence of need for expensive lead investigation, if no specific pollution occurred, -) the absence of need for very low oxygen in the condensate water, and -) the necessary and optimum number of on-line monitors

Determination of mixing factors for VVER-440 fuel assembly head

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tóth, S., E-mail: toth@reak.bme.hu [Institute of Nuclear Techniques, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 9, H-1111 Budapest (Hungary); Aszódi, A. [Institute of Nuclear Techniques, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 9, H-1111 Budapest (Hungary)

2013-11-15

CFD models have been developed for the heads of the old, the present and the new type VVER-440 fuel assemblies using the experience of a former validation process. With these models temperature distributions are investigated in the heads of some typical assemblies and the in-core thermocouple signals are calculated. The analyses show that the coolant mixing is intensive but not-perfect in the assembly heads. The difference between the thermocouple signal and the cross-sectional average temperature at the measurement level depends on the assembly type. Using the results of these CFD calculations the weight factors of the rod bundle regions for the in-core thermocouple have been determined. With these factors the thermocouple signals are estimated and the results are statistically tested using the registered data of the Hungarian nuclear power plant. This test shows that the deviations between the measured and the calculated temperatures can be significantly decreased and consequently monitoring uncertainties can be reduced with using the weight factors.

Study of long-term loss of all AC power supply sources for VVER-1000/V320 in connection with application of new engineering safety features for SAMG

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Borisov, Evgeni; Grigorov, Dobrin; Mancheva, Kaliopa

2013-01-01

Highlights: • In this study we presented analysis for a new SAMG approach. • The approach is applicable for all PWR reactors from 2nd generation. • We investigated two scenarios with total black out. • The RELAP/MOD 3.2 computer code is used in performing the analyses. - Abstract: This paper presents the results of analysis for application of a new Severe Accident Management Guideline (SAMG) approach which is specifically applied for VVER-1000/B320 reactor installations. In general, this innovative approach is fully applicable for all the pressurized water reactors from second generation. The purposes of the analysis for the new SAMG approach application are as follows: • To represent suggestions for new engineering safety features application for SAMG strategies. • To assess the applicability of the new engineering safety features and means for SAMG strategies in case of loss of all off-site power supply sources for VVER-1000/B320 reactor installations. • To represent important operator actions and to analyse the effectiveness of these actions for accidents management in compliance with the new approach. • The RELAP5/MOD3.3 computer code has been used in performing the analyses in a VVER-1000 Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) model. The input data deck for the analysis is optimized, verified and validated

Design and implementation of the control system for nuclear plant VVER-1000. Instrumentation (program technical complexes)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Siora, A.; Tokarev, V.; Bakhmach, E.

2004-01-01

Program-technical complexes (PTC) are designed as control and protection systems in water-moderated atomic reactors, including emergency and preventive systems, automatic control, unloading, reactor capacity limitation and accelerated preventive protection systems. Utilization of programmable logic integrated circuits from world leading manufacturers makes the complexes simple in structure, compact, with low energy demands and mutually independent for key and supporting functions The results of PTC assessment and implementation in Ukraine are outlined. Opportunities for a future development of RADIJ company in the area of control and protection systems for VVER reactors are also discussed

Experimental support of the bleed and feed accident management measures for VVER-440/213 type reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Szabados, L.

2002-01-01

In the original design of the VVER-440/213 type nuclear power plants event oriented emergency operating procedures (EOP) were implemented. In the last years, however, new symptom based procedures of Westinghouse-type have been developed and partly implemented for the plants in Central Europe including the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. Paper gives a short review of the experiments performed in the PMK-2 facility to study the effectiveness of the bleed and feed strategies and to get experimental data bases for the validation of thermohydraulic system codes like RELAP5, ATHLET and CATHARE.(author)

VVER-440 training simulators upgrades - Experience of CORYS T.E.S.S

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bartak, J.; Fallon, B.

2006-01-01

The paper presents recent projects of upgrading screen operated simulators of VVER-440 nuclear power plants to full scale replica simulators, implemented by CORYS TESS. Control room replica full scope simulators were built for the Bohunice NPP in Slovakia and the Novovoronezh NPP in Russia. The scope of simulation was extended to reflect the current status of the units, which have undergone significant modernization programs over the last few years. The paper describes the software and hardware adaptations and evolutions of the existing simulators, the implementation in the simulator of modern supervision systems as well as of systems and equipment designed in the seventies and still used on the reference units. The training benefits of parallel use of control room replica and screen-operated simulators in the training process are discussed. (author)

Construction of the core of the 'heavy water-gas' reactor EL 4; Structures du coeur du reacteur 'eau- lourde-gaz EL 4'

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bernard, J L; Foulquier, H; Thome, P [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

problem of thermal insulation around a zirconium alloy liner tube. The neutron absorption equivalent is about 1, 1 mm of Al, and the mean loss around 2 p. 100 of the thermal power of the reactor. The methods proposed have proved practicable as a result of important research and developments on automatic remote control for all the operations which make up the sequences of mounting, demounting and repairing of the construction components. In particular the possibilities opened up by the new techniques of welding tubes from the inside have been extended to other problems connected with the assembling of a reactor. (authors) [French] Le coeur de ce reacteur est constitue par une cuve contenant l'eau lourde, cuve traversee d'une serie de tubes de force dans lesquels circule le gaz caloporteur sous pression de 60 at. Les specifications de depart qui ont joue un role important dans la conception de ces structures concernent des aspects de securite de fonctionnement (chargement du combustible par les deux faces du reacteur, remplacement des structures sur les deux faces du reacteur), des necessites neutroniques (absorption des structures minimum, pas du reseau, diametre des tubes de force) et des considerations thermiques (temperature de sortie 500 C). Ces specifications ont entraine une disposition horizontale des tubes de force et des problemes d'encombrement tres delicats qui ont elimine (pour les dimensions d'EL 4) toute possibilite de recourir a des compensateurs de dilatation sur les tubes de force. II s'ensuit un dessin de cuve semi-rigide dans lequel les tubes de force contribuent pour une part importante a la resistance mecanique de l'ensemble en jouant le role de tirant, d'ou des contraintes elevees sur les jonctions et tubes de force (et le choix des alliages de zirconium). Les structures comprennent le tube de force, les jonctions, l'isolement thermique et le tube de guidage. On expose brievement les moyens d'essais mis en oeuvre et les performances de ces diverses

Contribution to the study of the stability of water-cooled reactors; Contribution a l'etude de la stabilite des reacteurs refroidis par de l'eau

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Coudert, C [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Cadarache (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1969-06-01

This work is devoted to the study of the stability of reactors cooled by water subjected only to natural convection. It is made up of two parts, a theoretical study and experimental work, each of these parts being devoted to a consideration of linear and non-linear conditions: - calculation of the transfer function of the reactor using neutronic and hydrodynamic linear equations with the determination of the instability threshold; - demonstration of the existence of the limiting oscillation cycle in the case of a linear feedback using MALKIN'S method; - measurement and interpretation of the reactor's transfer functions and of the hydrodynamic transfer functions; and - analysis of the noise due to boiling. (author) [French] Dans ce travail on etudie la stabilite des piles refroidies par de l'eau circulant en convection naturelle. Cette etude se divise en deux parties: un travail theorique et un travail experimental, chacune de ces parties comportant une etude lineaire et une etude non-lineaire: - calcul de la fonction de transfert du reacteur a partir des equations lineaires de la neutronique et de l'hydrodynamique avec determination du seuil d'instabilite; - demonstration de l'existence du cycle limite des oscillations dans le cas d'une retroaction lineaire en utilisant la methode de MALKIN; - mesure et interpretation de la fonction de transfert du reacteur et des fonctions de transfert hydrodynamiques; et - analyse du bruit d'ebullition. (auteur)

Top-Level Software for VVER-1000 In-core Monitoring System under Implementation of Expanded Nuclear Fuel Diversification Program in Ukraine

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Khalimonchuk, V.A.

2015-01-01

The paper considers the possibility and expediency of developing mathematical software for VVER-1000 ICMS in Ukraine. This mathematical software is among the most important conditions for implementation of the expanded nuclear fuel diversification program. The top-level software is to be developed based on SSTC own studies in the development of codes for power distribution recovery, which were successfully used previously for RBMK-1000 safety analysis

Study of the chimney produced by an underground nuclear explosion; Etude de la cheminee creee par une explosion nucleaire souterraine

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Derlich, S [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Bruyeres-le-Chatel (France). Centre d' Etudes

1969-07-01

Underground nuclear explosions lead to the formation of a cavity which is roughly of spherical shape. The roof of this cavity is unstable and collapses in most cases, leading to the formation of a chimney. The height and the diameter depend on the energy of the charge and on the nature of the surroundings. The chronology of the various stages can be determined by seismic observations. The interior of the chimney is filled, either partially or completely, with rubble earth. This phenomenon is of great importance as far as the use of nuclear explosions for industrial applications is concerned. (author) [French] Les explosions nucleaires souterraines creent une cavite de forme grossierement spherique. La voute de cette cavite est instable et s'effondre dans la plupart des cas, donnant lieu a la formation d'une cheminee. La hauteur et le diametre sont fonction de l'energie du tir et de la nature du milieu. La chronologie des evenements peut etre determinee par des observations seismiques. L'interieur des cheminees est occupe, en partie ou en totalite, par des eboulis. Ce phenomene presente un grand interet pour l'utilisation des explosions nucleaires a des fins industrielles. (auteur)

Construction of the Plant RT-2 as a way for solving the problem of VVER-1000 spent fuel management in Russia

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lazarev, L.N.; Lyubtsev, R.I.; Egorov, N.N.; Lebedev, V.A.; Revenko, Y.A.; Fedosov, Y.G.; Dubrovskii, V.M.

1993-01-01

Nuclear power in the Russian Federation in the future will be based on the VVER-1000 and it's modifications. To manage the spent fuels from this plant, the Plant RT-2 was designed to process the spent fuel. Plant construction was started in 1984 and stopped in 1989 due to economic difficulties. The necessity of the continuation of the plant is discussed

Development of fuel cycles with new fuel with 8.9 mm external diameter for VVER-440. Preliminary assessment of operating efficiency

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gagarinskiy, Alexey [National Research Centre ' ' Kurchatov Institute' ' , Moscow (Russian Federation)

2017-09-15

Since the introduction of VVERs-440, their fuel assemblies are subject to ongoing improvements. Until now, the basic structural parameters of fuel, such as rod diameter of 9.1 mm, have never changed. This paper focuses on computational estimates of basic neutronic parameters of the fuel cycle that involves assemblies consisting of fuel rods with diameter reduced to 8.9 mm.

3D neutronic codes coupled with thermal-hydraulic system codes for PWR, and BWR and VVER reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Langenbuch, S.; Velkov, K. [GRS, Garching (Germany); Lizorkin, M. [Kurchatov-Institute, Moscow (Russian Federation)] [and others

1997-07-01

This paper describes the objectives of code development for coupling 3D neutronics codes with thermal-hydraulic system codes. The present status of coupling ATHLET with three 3D neutronics codes for VVER- and LWR-reactors is presented. After describing the basic features of the 3D neutronic codes BIPR-8 from Kurchatov-Institute, DYN3D from Research Center Rossendorf and QUABOX/CUBBOX from GRS, first applications of coupled codes for different transient and accident scenarios are presented. The need of further investigations is discussed.

CASTOR - Advanced System for VVER Steam Generator Inspection

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mateljak, Petar

2014-01-01

From the safety point of view, steam generator is a very important component of a nuclear power plant. Only a thin tube wall prevents leakage of radioactive material from the primary side into the environment. Therefore, it is very important to perform inspections in order to detect pipe damage and apply appropriate corrective actions during outage. Application of the nondestructive examination (NDE) technique, that can locate degradation and measure its size and orientation, is an integral part of nuclear power plant maintenance. The steam generator inspection system is consisted of remotely controlled manipulator, testing instrument and software for data acquisition and analysis. Recently, the inspection systems have evolved to a much higher level of automation, efficiency and reliability resulting in a lower cost and shorter outage time. Electronic components have become smaller and deal with more complex algorithms. These systems are very fast, precise, reliable and easy to handle. The whole inspection, from the planning, examination, data analysis and final report, is now a highly automated process, which makes inspection much easier and more reliable. This paper presents the new generation of INETEC's VVER steam generator inspection system as ultimate solution for steam generator inspection and repair. (author)

Effect of uncompensated SPN detector cables on neutron noise signals measured in VVER-440 reactors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kiss, S. E-mail: kisss@sunserv.kfki.hu; Lipcsei, S. E-mail: lipcsei@sunserv.kfki.hu; Hazi, G. E-mail: gah@sunserv.kfki.hu

2003-03-01

The Self Powered Neutron Detector (SPND) noise measurements of an operating VVER-440 nuclear reactor are described and characterised. Signal characteristics may be radically influenced by the geometrical properties of the detector and the cable, and by the measuring arrangement. Simulator is used as a means of studying the structure of those phase spectra that show propagating perturbations measured on uncompensated SPN detectors. The paper presents measurements with detectors of very different sizes (i.e. 20 cm length SPNDs and the 200 cm length compensation cables), where the ratios of the global and local component differ significantly for the different detector sizes. This phenomenon is used up for signal compensation.

Three-dimensional analysis of the coolant flow characteristics in the fuel assemblies of VVER-1000 reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dinh Van Thin; Tran Thi Nhan

2015-01-01

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a widely used method around the world for complex flow and heat industrial problems. In this paper, the coolant flow parameters were investigated in subchannels of VVER-1000 reactor’s fuel assemblies by ANSYS V14.5 programme. The different mesh solutions and turbulence models were carried out to deal with the water flow problems such as velocity distribution, streamline, temperature and pressure change as well as the hydraulic resistances of the spacer grids. The obtained results are good agreement with the measured values and the published reports from other authors. (author)

Fire protection upgrading of four Russian 440/230 VVER units

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Corsini, G.; Yelfimov, S.

1995-01-01

The main goal of TACIS 3.6 a project funded by the Commission of the European Communities (CEC), was the front-end engineering for upgrading the Fire Protection System (FPS) of the safety-related equipment of Novovoronezh, Units 3 and 4, and Kola, Units 1 and 2, VVER 440/230 nuclear power plants. As a first step, all the safety-related equipment had to be identified, evaluation criteria had to be established and the existing FPS reviewed against the criteria. In the second step, the selection of the upgrading measures, depending on feasibility and cost estimate, has been accomplished, room by room. The third step, carried out on schedule and completed end July 95, has been essentially the preparation of the Technical Specifications for procurement of the needed equipment including remaining detail engineering. The Russian sub-contactor Atom Energo Project (AEP), who have been the designers of these older NPP s, have done the work with the Italian Ansaldo as the consultants of their Russian colleagues. Practical aspects of the engineering work are discussed and examples of improvements selected for retrofitting described. (author)

Three-dimensional neutron kinetics-thermal-hydraulics VVER 1000 main steam line break analysis by RELAP5-3D code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Frisani, A.; Parisi, C.; D'Auria, F.

2007-01-01

After the development and the assessment of Three-Dimensional (3D) Neutron Kinetics (NK) - 1D Thermal-Hydraulics (TH) coupled codes analyses methods, deterministic nuclear safety technology is nowadays producing noticeable efforts for the validation of 3D NK - 3D TH coupled codes analyses methods too. Thus, the purpose of this work was to address the capability of the RELAP5-3D 3D NK-3D TH code to reproduce VVER 1000 Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) core dynamic in simulating the mixing effects that could happen in the vessel downcomer and lower plenum during some scenarios. The work was developed in three steps. The first step dealt with the 3D TH modeling of the Kozloduy-6 VVER 1000 reactor pressure vessel. Then this model was validated following a Steam Generator Isolation transient. The second step has been the development of a 3D NK nodalization for the reactor core region. Then the 3D NK model was directly coupled with the previously developed 3D TH model. The third step was the calculation of a Main Steam Line Break (MSLB) transient. The 3D NK global nuclear parameters were then compared with the 0-D results showing a good agreement; nevertheless only the 3D NK- 3D TH model allowed the calculation of each single assembly power trend for this strong NK-TH asymmetric transient. (author)

OECD/DOE/CEA VVER-1000 Coolant Transient Benchmark. Summary Record of the Fourth Workshop (V100-CT4)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2006-01-01

The overall objective of the VVER-1000 coolant transient (V1000CT) benchmark is to assess computer codes used in the safety analysis of VVER power plants, specifically for their use in analysis of reactivity transients in a VVER-1000. The V1000CT benchmark consists of two phases: V1000CT-1 is a simulation of the switching on of one main coolant pump (MCP) when the other three MCPs are in operation, and V1000CT-2 concerns calculation of coolant mixing tests and main steam line break (MSLB) scenarios. Each of the two phases contains three exercises. The reference problem chosen for simulation in Phase 1 is a MCP switching on when the other three main coolant pumps are in operation in a VVER-1000. This event is characterized by rapid increase in the flow through the core resulting in a coolant temperature decrease, which is spatially dependent. This leads to insertion of spatially distributed positive reactivity due to the modelled feedback mechanisms and non-symmetric power distribution. Simulation of the transient requires evaluation of core response from a multi-dimensional perspective (coupled three-dimensional neutronics/core thermal-hydraulics) supplemented by a one-dimensional simulation of the remainder of the reactor coolant system. Three exercises are defined in the framework of Phase 1: a) Exercise 1 - Point kinetics plant simulation; b) Exercise 2 - Coupled 3-D neutronics/core thermal-hydraulics response evaluation; c) Exercise 3 - Best-estimate coupled 3-D core/plant system transient modelling. In addition to the measured (experiment) scenario, extreme calculation scenarios were defined in the frame of Exercise 3 for better testing 3-D neutronics/thermal-hydraulics techniques. The proposals concerned: rod ejection simulations with scram set points at two different power levels. Since the previous coupled code benchmarks indicated that further development of the mixing computation models in the integrated codes is necessary, a coolant mixing experiment and

Simulation of mixing effects in a VVER-1000 reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ulrich Bieder; Gauthier Fauchet; Sylvie Betin; Nikola Kolev; Dimitar Popov

2005-01-01

Full text of publication follows: The work presented has been performed in the framework of the OECD/NEA thermalhydraulic benchmark V1000CT-2. This benchmark is related to fluid mixing in the reactor vessel during a MSLB accident scenario in a VVER-1000 reactor. The purpose of the first exercise is to test the capability of CFD codes to represent the coolant mixing in the reactor vessel, in particular in the downcomer and the lower plenum. Coolant mixing in a VVER-1000 V320 reactor was investigated in plant experiments during the commissioning of Kozloduy Unit 5 and 6. Starting from nearly symmetric states, asymmetric loop operation in different combinations was caused by disturbing the steam flow from one or more steam generators. Non-uniform and asymmetric loop flow mixing in the reactor vessel has been observed in the event of asymmetric loop operation. For certain flow patterns there is a shift (swirl) of the main loop flows with respect to the cold leg axes. This azimuthal shift as well as mixing coefficients from cold legs to the fuel assembly inlets have been measured. The presented reference problem is a pure TH problem with given boundary conditions and power distributions. During a stabilization phase, the thermal power of the reactor was 281 MW i.e. 9.36% of the nominal power according to primary balance. Then, a transient was initiated by closing the steam isolation valve of the steam generator one (SG-1) and isolating SG-1 from feed water. The coolant temperature in the cold and hot legs of Loop no 1 rose by 13-13.5 C. After about 20 minutes a stabilized state was reached which is considered as 'final state'. This final state has been analysed with the Trio-U code. Trio-U is a CFD code developed by the CEA Grenoble, aimed to supply an efficient computational tool to simulate transient thermalhydraulic mono-phase turbulent flows encountered in nuclear systems as well as in industrial processes. For the presented study, a LES approach was used. Therefore

Experimental methods of reactor physics; Methodes experimentales de physique des reacteurs a neutrons thermiques

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Breton, D; Lafore, P [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

This paper is a synthesis of various experimental methods in use with the reactors of the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique. The main techniques used are mentioned and the difficulties encountered and the accuracy obtained are particularly dwelt upon. The application of these various methods to reactors in order to obtain specific results is also indicated. This paper consists of five parts. I - General methods. Macroscopic and microscopic flux distribution (anisotropy effect), power distribution, etc... II - Kinetic measurements a) pulsed neutron technique: apparatus and accuracy; application to {lambda}t and to anti reactivity measurements; application to graphite, light water and beryllium oxide. b) oscillation techniques: equipment and accuracy; application to the measurements of effective cross sections and resonance integrals. c) fluctuations: apparatus and technique of measurement. III - Poison methods. Description of methods for introducing and extracting the poison, difficulties encountered with light and heavy water, measurement of temperature coefficients and anti-reactivity. IV - Spectra measurements. Choice and development of foils, problems of measurement, application to spectral measurements for thermalization studies, application to dosimetry. V - Experimental shielding measurements. The technique and apparatus recently developed in this field are presented. (authors) [French] Cette communication fait une synthese des differentes methodes experimentales mises en oeuvre sur les reacteurs du CEA. Elle presente les principales techniques utilisees et insiste plus particulierement sur les difficultes rencontrees et la precision obtenue; elle indique egalement l'application de ces differentes methodes sur les reacteurs, en vue de l'obtention des resultats determines. Elle comporte cinq parties: I - METHODES GENERALES: Distribution de flux macroscopique et microscopique (effet d'anisotropie), distribution de puissance, etc... II - MESURES CINETIQUES: a

KUPOL-M code for simulation of the VVER's accident localization system under LOCA conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Efanov, A.D.; Lukyanov, A.A.; Shangin, N.N.; Zajtsev, A.A.; Solov'ev, S.L.

2004-01-01

Computer code KUPOL-M is developed for analysis of thermodynamic parameters of medium within full pressure containment for NPPs with VVER under LOCA conditions. The analysis takes into account the effects of non-stationary heat-mass transfer of gas-drop mixture in the containment compartments with natural convection, volume and surface steam condensation in the presence of noncondensables, heat-mass exchange of the compartment atmosphere with water in the sumps. The operation of the main safety systems like a spray system, hydrogen catalytic recombiners, emergency core cooling pumps, valves and a fan system is simulated in KUPOL-M code. The main results of the code verification including the ones of the participation in ISP-47 International Standard Problem on containment thermal-hydraulics are presented. (author)

The Plinius/Colima CA-U3 test on fission-product aerosol release over a VVER-type corium pool; L'essai Plinius/Colima CA-U3 sur le relachement des aerosols de produits de fission au-dessus d'un bain de corium de type VVER

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Journeau, Ch.; Piluso, P.; Correggio, P.; Godin-Jacqmin, L

2007-07-01

In a hypothetical case of severe accident in a PWR type VVER-440, a complex corium pool could be formed and fission products could be released. In order to study aerosols release in terms of mechanisms, kinetics, nature or quantity, and to better precise the source term of VVER-440, a series of experiments have been performed in the Colima facility and the test Colima CA-U3 has been successfully performed thanks to technological modifications to melt a prototypical corium at 2760 C degrees. Specific instrumentation has allowed us to follow the evolution of the corium melt and the release, transport and deposition of the fission products. The main conclusions are: -) there is a large release of Cr, Te, Sr, Pr and Rh (>95%w), -) there is a significant release of Fe (50%w), -) there is a small release of Ba, Ce, La, Nb, Nd and Y (<90%w), -) there is a very small release of U in proportion (<5%w) but it is one of the major released species in mass, and -) there is no release of Zr. The Colima experimental results are consistent with previous experiments on irradiated fuels except for Ba, Fe and U releases. (A.C.)

The review of the reactor physics experiments carried out on the LR-0 research reactor NRI Rez plc for reactors of the VVER type

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hudec, Frantisek; Jansky, Bohumil; Juricek, Vlastimil; Mikus, Jan; Novak, Evzen; Osmera, Bohumil; Posta, Severin; Rypar, Vojtech; Svadlenkova, Marie

2010-01-01

LR-0 is an experimental zero power reactor mainly used for the determination of the neutron-physical characteristics of WWER and PWR type reactor lattices and shielding with UO2 or MOX fuel. Its major assets include capability to design and operate multizone cores, i.e. substituted cores, with an inner inserted part in hexagonal or square geometry (driven by LR-0 standard assemblies); Standard and special supporting plates for mock-up experiments; special supporting plates, which enables the triangular symmetrical assembly arrangement with an arbitrary pitch; Modeling neutron field parameters of power reactors; Wide range benchmarking possibilities, with high reproducibility of the benchmark design parameters; Wide range of measurement techniques including equipment and experienced personal; Flexible rearrangements of the core. The main experiments included: Pin wise flux distribution measurements; VVER-440 and VVER-1000 mock-ups; compact spent fuel storage; space kinetics experiment; core parameters experimental determination; experiment with new design fuel assembly; WWER-440 control assembly influence; and burnable absorber study. International research projects are also described. (P.A.)

Design study on steam generator integration into the VVER reactor pressure vessel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hort, J.; Matal, O.

2004-01-01

The primary circuit of VVER (PWR) units is arranged into loops where the heat generated by the reactor is removed by means of main circulating pumps, loop pipelines and steam generators, all located outside the reactor pressure vessel. If the primary circuit and reactor core were integrated into one pressure vessel, as proposed, e.g., within the IRIS project (WEC), a LOCA situation would be limited by the reactor pressure vessel integrity only. The aim of this design study regarding the integration of the steam generator into the reactor pressure vessel was to identify the feasibility limits and some issues. Fuel elements and the reactor pressure vessel as used in the Temelin NPP were considered for the analysis. From among the variants analyzed, the variant with steam generators located above the core and vertically oriented circulating pumps at the RPV lower bottom seems to be very promising for future applications

The influence of changes in the VVER-1000 fuel assembly shape during operation on the power density distribution

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shishkov, L. K., E-mail: Shishkov-LK@nrcki.ru; Gorodkov, S. S.; Mikailov, E. F.; Sukhino-Homenko, E. A.; Sumarokova, A. S., E-mail: Sumarokova-AS@nrcki.ru [National Research Center Kurchatov Institute (Russian Federation)

2016-12-15

A new approach to calculation of the coefficients of sensitivity of the fuel pin power to deviations in gap sizes between fuel assemblies of the VVER-1000 reactor during its operation is proposed. It is shown that the calculations by the MCU code should be performed for a full-size model of the core to take the interference of the gap influence into account. In order to reduce the conservatism of calculations, the coolant density and coolant temperature feedbacks should be taken into account, as well as the fuel burnup.

Insights from the U.S. department of Energy plant safety evaluation program of VVER and RBMK reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Petri, M.C.; Binder, J.L.; Pasedag, W.F.

2001-01-01

Throughout the years 1990 the U.S. Department of Energy has worked build capability in countries of the former Soviet Union to assess the safety of their VVER and RBMK reactors. Through this Plant Safety Evaluation Program, deterministic and probabilistic analyses have been used to provide a documented plant risk profile to support safe plant operation and to set priorities for safety upgrades. Work has been sponsored at thirteen nuclear power plant sites in eight countries. The Plant Safety Evaluation Program has resulted in immediate and long-term safety benefits for the Soviet-designed nuclear plants. (author)

Several perspectives on water-chemical cycles for nuclear power stations equipped with type VVER and RBMK reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mamet, A.P.; Mamet, V.A.; Pashevich, V.I.; Nazarenko, P.N.

1982-01-01

Water-chemical cycles for loops I and II of VVER reactors are discussed. These cycles are mixed ammonia-sodium with a variable concentration of boric acid and ammonia hydrazine with a pH factor of 9.1 +/- 0.1. New water-chemical cycles are considered for use in both existing and new nuclear power plants. Application of these new water-chemical cycles showed produce a significant improvement in operating conditions of nuclear power plants. Upon accumulation of sufficient operating experience with these cycles, it should be possible to raise the issue of revising applicable standard documentation

Technology of repair of selected equipment in the power plant type VVER 440

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Barborka, J.; Magula, V.

1998-01-01

This article is divided in two parts: The first part is studying the effect of individual parameters by the usual and pulsed welding of 15CH2MFA steel. It can be concluded that by use of mechanized or automatic TIG process in PC position with addition of a cold wire with high nickel content the desired quality of repair welded joints of a pressure vessel of VVER 440 reactor can be achieved. Based on the results of the second laboratory study of the renovation technology applied for the rotary surfaces of pressure-tight cover and spindle of the main closing armature type DN 500 it can be concluded, that the developed technology for surfacing the sealing surfaces by TIG process with addition of a high-nickel cold wire the functional capability of the mentioned parts can be fully restored

Technology of repair of selected equipment in the power plant type VVER 440

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Barborka, J.; Magula, V. [Welding Research Inst. (WRI), Bratislava (Slovakia)

1998-11-01

This article is divided in two parts: The first part is studying the effect of individual parameters by the usual and pulsed welding of 15CH2MFA steel. It can be concluded that by use of mechanized or automatic TIG process in PC position with addition of a cold wire with high nickel content the desired quality of repair welded joints of a pressure vessel of VVER 440 reactor can be achieved. Based on the results of the second laboratory study of the renovation technology applied for the rotary surfaces of pressure-tight cover and spindle of the main closing armature type DN 500 it can be concluded, that the developed technology for surfacing the sealing surfaces by TIG process with addition of a high-nickel cold wire the functional capability of the mentioned parts can be fully restored.

AER Working Group D on VVER safety analysis - report of the 2009 meeting

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kliem, S.

2009-01-01

The AER Working Group D on VVER reactor safety analysis held its 18-th meeting in Rez, Czech Republic, during the period 18-19 May, 2009. The meeting was hosted by the Nuclear Research Institute Rez. Altogether 17 participants attended the meeting of the working group D, 16 from AER member organizations and 1 guest from a non-member organization. The co-ordinator of the working group, S. Kliem, served as chairman of the meeting. The meeting started with a general information exchange about the recent activities in the participating organizations. The given presentations and the discussions can be attributed to the following topics: 1) Code validation and benchmarking; 2) Safety analysis and code developments; 3) Reactor pressure vessel thermal hydraulics; 4) Future activities including discussion on the participation in the OECD/NEA Benchmark for the Kalinin-3 NPP

Study, analysis, assess and compare the nuclear engineering systems of nuclear power plant with different reactor types VVER-1000, namely AES-91, AES-92 and AES-2006

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Le Van Hong; Tran Chi Thanh; Hoang Minh Giang; Le Dai Dien; Nguyen Nhi Dien; Nguyen Minh Tuan

2015-01-01

On November 25, 2009, in Hanoi, the National Assembly had been approved the resolution about policy for investment of nuclear power project in Ninh Thuan province which include two sites, each site has two units with power around 1000 MWe. For the nuclear power project at Ninh Thuan 1, Vietnam Government signed the Joint-Governmental Agreement with Russian Government for building the nuclear power plant with reactor type VVER. At present time, the Russian Consultant proposed four reactor technologies can be used for Ninh Thuan 1 project, namely: AES-91, AES-92, AES-2006/V491 and AES-2006/V392M. This report presents the main reactor engineering systems of nuclear power plants with VVER-1000/1200. The results from analysis, comparison and assessment between the designs of AES-91, AES-92 and AES-2006 are also presented. The obtained results show that the type AES-2006 is appropriate selection for Vietnam. (author)

Investigation on accident management measures for VVER-1000 reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tusheva, P.; Schaefer, F.; Rohde, U.; Reinke, N.

2009-01-01

A consequence of a total loss of AC power supply (station blackout) leading to unavailability of major active safety systems which could not perform their safety functions is that the safety criteria ensuring a secure operation of the nuclear power plant would be violated and a consequent core heat-up with possible core degradation would occur. Currently, a study which examines the thermal-hydraulic behaviour of the plant during the early phase of the scenario is being performed. This paper focuses on the possibilities for delay or mitigation of the accident sequence to progress into a severe one by applying Accident Management Measures (AMM). The strategy 'Primary circuit depressurization' as a basic strategy, which is realized in the management of severe accidents is being investigated. By reducing the load over the vessel under severe accident conditions, prerequisites for maintaining the integrity of the primary circuit are being created. The time-margins for operators' intervention as key issues are being also assessed. The task is accomplished by applying the GRS thermal-hydraulic system code ATHLET. In addition, a comparative analysis of the accident progression for a station blackout event for both a reference German PWR and a reference VVER-1000, taking into account the plant specifics, is being performed. (authors)

Measurements of reactivity of reactor G1; Mesures de reactivite sur reacteur G1

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bernot, J; Koechlin, J C; Portes, L; Teste du Bailler, A [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1957-07-01

The various methods used during the physical study of the reactor G1 to determine the variations of the effective multiplication factor consecutive to a given change in the geometry of the multiplying medium, are presented and discussed. The comparison of the results obtained by these various methods has allowed their validity to be tested and precise conditions of use to be given. In the first part are presented the principles used and their ranges of validity. In the second part the experimental results are given, together with some indications on their comparison with theoretical estimations. (author) [French] Nous exposons et discutons diverses methodes utilisees, lors de l'etude physique du reacteur G1, pour determiner les variations du facteur de multiplication effectif consecutives a un changement donne dans la geometrie du milieu multiplicateur. La comparaison des resultats obtenus par diverses methodes nous a permis de tester leur validite et d'en preciser les conditions d'emploi. Dans une premiere partie, nous exposons les principes utilises et leurs domaines de validite. Dans une seconde partie nous donnons les resultats experimentaux obtenus avec quelques indications sur leur comparaison avec les estimations theoriques. (auteur)

Direct interaction in nuclear reactions: a theory; L'interaction directe dans les reactions nucleaires: theorie

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dominicis, C.T. de [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France).Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1959-07-01

General treatment of the foundations of direct interaction in nuclear reactions; representation of the instantaneous elastic scattering amplitude by the scattering amplitude due to a complex potential; expansion of the instantaneous inelastic scattering amplitude and discussion of the 1. Bohr approximation (distorted waves) contribution to individual and collective states of excitation. (author) [French] Expose general sur les fondements de l'interaction directe dans les reactions nucleaires; representation de l'amplitude de diffusion instantanee elastique par celle due a un potentiel complexe; developpement de l'amplitude de diffusion instantanee inelastique et discussion de la contribution de la premiere approximation de Bohr (sur des distendues) a l'excitation d'etats individuels et collectifs. (auteur)

Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis applied to coupled code calculations for a VVER plant transient

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Langenbuch, S.; Krzykacz-Hausmann, B.; Schmidt, K. D.

2004-01-01

The development of coupled codes, combining thermal-hydraulic system codes and 3D neutron kinetics, is an important step to perform best-estimate plant transient calculations. It is generally agreed that the application of best-estimate methods should be supplemented by an uncertainty and sensitivity analysis to quantify the uncertainty of the results. The paper presents results from the application of the GRS uncertainty and sensitivity method for a VVER-440 plant transient, which was already studied earlier for the validation of coupled codes. For this application, the main steps of the uncertainty method are described. Typical results of the method applied to the analysis of the plant transient by several working groups using different coupled codes are presented and discussed The results demonstrate the capability of an uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. (authors)

Basket criticality design of a dual purpose cask for VVER 1000 spent fuel assemblies

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rezaeian, Mahdi [Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Kamali, Jamshid [Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2016-12-15

Dual purpose cask technology is one of the most prominent options for interim storage of spent fuels following their removal from reactors. Criticality safety of the spent fuel assemblies are ensured by design of the basket within these casks. In this study, a set of criticality design calculations of a dual purpose cask for 12 VVER 1000 spent fuel assemblies of Bushehr nuclear power plant were carried out. The basket material of borated stainless steel with 0.5 to 2.5 wt% of boron and Boral (Al-B{sub 4}C) with 1.5 to 40 wt% of boron carbide, were investigated and the minimum required receptacle pitch of the basket was determined. Using the calculated receptacle pitch of the basket, the minimum required diameter of the cavity could be established.

The prediction problems of VVER fuel element cladding failure theory

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pelykh, S.N.; Maksimov, M.V.; Ryabchikov, S.D.

2016-01-01

Highlights: • Fuel cladding failure forecasting is based on the fuel load history and the damage distribution. • The limit damage parameter is exceeded, though limit stresses are not reached. • The damage parameter plays a significant role in predicting the cladding failure. • The proposed failure probability criterion can be used to control the cladding tightness. - Abstract: A method for forecasting of VVER fuel element (FE) cladding failure due to accumulation of deformation damage parameter, taking into account the fuel assembly (FA) loading history and the damage parameter distribution among FEs included in the FA, has been developed. Using the concept of conservative FE groups, it is shown that the safety limit for damage parameter is exceeded for some FA rearrangement, though the limits for circumferential and equivalent stresses are not reached. This new result contradicts the wide-spread idea that the damage parameter value plays a minor role when estimating the limiting state of cladding. The necessary condition of rearrangement algorithm admissibility and the criterion for minimization of the probability of cladding failure due to damage parameter accumulation have been derived, for using in automated systems controlling the cladding tightness.

Calculation of the source term for a S1B-sequence at a VVER-1000 type reactor. Part 1

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sdouz, G.

1990-10-01

The behaviour of the source term in a VVER-1000 type reactor is calculated using the 'Source Term Code Package' (STCP). The input data are based on the russian plant Zaporozhye-5. The selected accident sequence is a small break LOCA in the hot leg followed by loss offsite and onsite electric power (S 1 B-sequence). According to the course of the calculation the results are presented and analyzed for each program. Except for the noble gases all release fractions are lower than 10 -4 . 18 refs., 10 tabs. (Author)

Thermal-hydraulic modeling of nanofluids as the coolant in VVER-1000 reactor core by the porous media approach

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jahanfarnia, G.; Zarifi, E.; Veysi, F.

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to perform a thermal-hydraulic analysis of nanofluids as coolant in the Bushehr VVER-1000 reactor core using the porous media approach. Water-based nanofluids containing various volume fractions of Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 nanoparticles were analyzed. The conservation equations were discretized by the finite volume method and solved by numerical methods. To validate the approaches applied in this study, the results of the model and COBRA-EN code were compared for pure water. The achieved results show that the temperature of the coolant increases with the concentration of the nanoparticles. (authors)

CFX-10 and RELAP5-3D simulations of coolant mixing phenomena in RPV of VVER-1000 reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Terzuoli, F.; Moretti, F.; Melideo, D.; D'Auria, F.; Shkarupa, O.

2006-01-01

The present paper deals with numerical analyses of coolant mixing in the reactor pressure vessel of a VVER-1000 reactor, performed with the ANSYS CFX-10 CFD code and with the RELAP5-3D system code. In particular, the attention focused on the 'swirl' effect that has been observed to take place in the downcomer of such kind of reactor, with the aim of assessing the capability of the codes to predict that effect, and to understand the reasons for its occurrence. The results have been compared against experimental data from V1000CT-2 Benchmark. (author)

Major accident analyses for experimental zero-power fast reactor assemblies; Analyse des accidents graves pouvant survenir dans les reacteurs experimentaux a neutrons rapides de puissance zero; Analiz krupnoj avarii dlya ehksperimental'ny kh reaktornykh ustanovok nulevoj moshchnosti na bystrykh nejtronakh; Analisis de los accidentes graves que pueden producirse en los reactores experimentales rapidos de potencia cero

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fischer, G.; Barts, E. W.; Kapil, S.; Tomabechi, K. [Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL (United States)

1962-03-15

systems with the very soft neutron-energy spectra characteristic of large oxide power breeders. (author) [French] Les auteurs ont etudie la possibilite, le mecanisme et les consequences de la fusion et autres accidents nucleaires graves dans les reacteurs experimentaux a neutrons rapides de puissance zero, du type ZPR-III, a coeur divise. Cette etude a ete completee par une evaluation de l'importance de l'effet Doppler sur un grand nombre de reacteurs de ce type. Les auteurs demontrent qu'il est fort peu probable qu'une fusion se produise, du fait que la conjonction des circonstances qui pourraient la provoquer est difficilement realisable. L'expose du mecanisme de fusion est suivi de l'analyse des resultats de calculs couples neutronique-hydrodynamiqu e relatifs a deux reacteurs de puissance zero. On a choisi pour cette etude un coeur de 1200 l, qui correspond a un reacteur relativement grand a coeur normal. L'etude a egalement porte sur un coeur plus petit ayant un coefficient cavitaire plus important, qui pourrait presenter un plus grand danger. Chaque systeme a eu un comportement en fonction du temps tout a fait different. Si un accident grave survient dans un reacteur de puissance zero, les atomes de {sup 235}U, isoles dans les plaques d'uranium enrichi, s'echauffen t tres rapidement tandis que le reste du coeur demeure pratiquement froid; il y a ainsi formation d'un gaz du {sup 235}U qui donne lieu a la pression de rupture. Les auteurs expliquent l'adaptation qu'ils ont faite du code AX-I de neutronique-hydrodynamiqu e pour l'appliquer a un gaz de Van der Waals. Une autre modification importante de l'equation d'etat utilisee dans ce code consiste a employer une equation du type Mie-Grueneisen, derivee de la theorie de l'etat solide. Cette modification permet d'evaluer de facon plus satis- faisante le terme de pression pour les coeurs de composition variable. Du fait que les plaques en uranium fortement enrichi d'un reacteur de puissance zero s'echauffent plus

RELAP5/MOD3.2 investigation of reactor vessel YR line capabilities for primary side depressurization during the TLFW in VVER1000/V320

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gencheva, Rositsa V.; Stefanova, Antoaneta E.; Groudev, Pavlin P.

2005-01-01

During the development of Symptom Based Emergency Operating Procedures (SB-EOPs) for VVER-1000/V320 units at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), a number of analyses have been performed using the RELAP5/MOD3.2 computer code. One of them is 'Investigation of reactor vessel YR line capabilities for primary side depressurization during the Total Loss of Feed Water (TLFW)'. The main purpose of these calculations is to evaluate the capabilities of YR line located at the top of the reactor vessel for primary side depressurization to the set point of High Pressure Injection System (HPIS) actuation and the abilities for successful core cooling after Feed and Bleed procedure initiation. For the purpose of this, operator action with 'Reactor vessel off-gas valve - 0.032 m' opening has been investigated. RELAP5/MOD3.2 computer code has been used to simulate the TLFW transient in VVER-1000 NPP model. This model was developed at Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (INRNE-BAS), Sofia, for analyses of operational occurrences, abnormal events, and design basis scenarios. The model provides a significant analytical capability for the specialists working in the field of NPP safety

Using of the Serpent code based on the Monte-Carlo method for calculation of the VVER-1000 fuel assembly characteristics

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

V. V. Galchenko

2016-12-01

Full Text Available The description of calculation scheme of fuel assembly for preparation of few-group characteristics is considered with help of Serpent code. This code uses the Monte-Carlo method and energy continuous microscopic data libraries. Serpent code is devoted for calculation of fuel assembly characteristics, burnup calculations and preparation of few-group homogenized macroscopic cross-sections. The results of verification simulations in comparison with other codes (WIMS, HELIOS, NESSEL etc., which are used for neutron-physical analysis of VVER type fuel, are presented.

Heuristic rules embedded genetic algorithm to solve VVER loading pattern optimization problem

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fatih, Alim; Kostandi, Ivanov

2006-01-01

Full text: Loading Pattern (LP) optimization is one of the most important aspects of the operation of nuclear reactors. A genetic algorithm (GA) code GARCO (Genetic Algorithm Reactor Optimization Code) has been developed with embedded heuristic techniques to perform optimization calculations for in-core fuel management tasks. GARCO is a practical tool that includes a unique methodology applicable for all types of Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) cores having different geometries with an unlimited number of FA types in the inventory. GARCO was developed by modifying the classical representation of the genotype. Both the genotype representation and the basic algorithm have been modified to incorporate the in-core fuel management heuristics rules so as to obtain the best results in a shorter time. GARCO has three modes. Mode 1 optimizes the locations of the fuel assemblies (FAs) in the nuclear reactor core, Mode 2 optimizes the placement of the burnable poisons (BPs) in a selected LP, and Mode 3 optimizes simultaneously both the LP and the BP placement in the core. This study describes the basic algorithm for Mode 1. The GARCO code is applied to the VVER-1000 reactor hexagonal geometry core in this study. The M oby-Dick i s used as reactor physics code to deplete FAs in the core. It was developed to analyze the VVER reactors by SKODA Inc. To use these rules for creating the initial population with GA operators, the worth definition application is developed. Each FA has a worth value for each location. This worth is between 0 and 1. If worth of any FA for a location is larger than 0.5, this FA in this location is a good choice. When creating the initial population of LPs, a subroutine provides a percent of individuals, which have genes with higher than the 0.5 worth. The percentage of the population to be created without using worth definition is defined in the GARCO input. And also age concept has been developed to accelerate the GA calculation process in reaching the

Increase in VVER type reactor critical heat fluxes due to placing the mixing grids

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bezrukov, Y.; Lisenkov, E.; Vasilchenko, I.

2011-01-01

The report deals with the results of studies of critical heat fluxes (CHF) on the models of VVER type reactor fuel assembly models equipped with the 'Vihr' intensifiers-grids. The models are the seven-rod bundles with the uniform and non-uniform axial power that correspond to two periods of FA operation i.e. beginning of cycle and end of cycle. The experiments performed showed that the mixing grids of this type are capable of increasing the FA burnout power. The power ascension rate depends on both coolant pressure and steam quality value in the CHF point. Placing the mixing grids in the bundle upper spans results in shifting the point of DNB occurrence downward along the FA height. The experimental data obtained will be used to develop the correlations for determining the CHF in the FA equipped with the mixing grids. (authors)

The experimental definition of the acoustic standing wave series shapes, formed in the coolant of the primary circuit of VVER-440 type reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bulavin, V.V.; Pavelko, V.I.

1995-01-01

On the basis of pressure fluctuation measurements in some primary circuit loops at 2 nd Unit of Kola NPP with VVER-440 type reactors, the shapes of acoustic standing waves (ASW) were determined at frequencies corresponding to four minimal oscillation eigenfrequencies in the primary circuit coolant. On identification of the ASW modes and properties, experimental results based on six circulating loops in symmetric arrangement allowed determination of the three-dimensional space structure of the wave nodes and antinodes inside and outside of the reactor vessel (RV). As part of this analysis, the geometric features of the primary circuit that caused the formation of these standing waves were identified. Differences in each ASW shape were shown to cause different individual effects on the neutron field in the reactor core and on fuel assembly vibration. This has been partially confirmed by ex-core neutron ionization chamber noise analysis. One type of ASW, possessing an antinode inside the RV, can be used for measurement of the pressure coefficient of reactivity. However, this must be done with care to avoid the potential for incorrect results in some cases. The results presented in this paper can be readily extended to other VVER type reactors with both odd and even number of loops. (author)

Integral physics data for fast-reactor design; Donnees de physique integrale intervenant dans les etudes de reacteur a neutrons rapides; Integral'nye fizicheskie dannye dlya raschetov reaktorov na bystrykh nejtronakh; Datos fisicos integrales para el diseno de reactores rapidos

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Loewenstein, W B; Meneghetti, D [Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL (United States)

1962-03-15

systems. (author) [French] La compilation recente du chapitre sur la physique des reacteurs a neutrons rapides dans la preparation de la deuxieme edition de 'Reactor Physics Constants' a entraine une recapitulation des resultats disponibles des mesures experimentales globales. Le choix des donnees integrales connues relatives a la physique des reacteurs a neutrons rapides a faire figurer dans cette compilation a ete fait en fonction de deux criteres : a) informations recueillies a partir de reacteurs relativement simples et qui se pretent a des analyses theoriques simples, et b) informations recueillies a partir de reacteurs complexes, representant des prototypes ou des maquettes, et qui offrent un interet general pour les reacteurs de puissance a neutrons rapides. Le premier critere a pour objet de donner une enumeration des informations concernant les systemes les plus couramment utilises pour verifier les parametres des sections efficaces et les methodes de calcul. Le deuxieme critere est fonde sur la representation des informations courantes concernant les reacteurs a surgeneration, a neutrons rapides, existant. Ces informations sont trop compliquees pour qu'il soit possible de proceder a leur egard a des analyses theoriques simples. Elles prouvent la complexite du reacteur reel, par rapport a l'experience critique plus schematique et plus facile a analyser. Les donnees integrales intervenant dans les calculs de reacteurs sont les resultats des mesures faites, sur des types de reacteurs critiques ou non, des diverses grandeurs de la physique des reacteurs qui presentent un interet pratique et/ou theorique. Elles caracterisent le type de reacteur et aident a sa comprehension. Les mesures portent sur la masse critique, le facteur forme du coeur, les pourcentages de detection, les spectres des neutrons, les experiences de substitution de materiaux, le gain reflecteur, le temps de vie des neutrons, l'{alpha} de Rossi et sur d'autres grandeurs similaires. Les auteurs

Coupled neutronic core and subchannel analysis of nanofluids in VVER-1000 type reactor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zarifi, Ehsan; Sepanloo, Kamran [Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of). Reactor and Nuclear Safety School; Jahanfarnia, Golamreza [Islamic Azad Univ., Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, Science and Research Branch

2017-05-15

This study is aimed to perform the coupled thermal-hydraulic/neutronic analysis of nanofluids as the coolant in the hot fuel assembly of VVER-1000 reactor core. Water-based nanofluid containing various volume fractions of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanoparticle is analyzed. WIMS and CITATION codes are used for neutronic simulation of the reactor core, calculating neutron flux and thermal power distribution. In the thermal-hydraulic modeling, the porous media approach is used to analyze the thermal behavior of the reactor core and the subchannel analysis is used to calculate the hottest fuel assembly thermal-hydraulic parameters. The derived conservation equations for coolant and conduction heat transfer equation for fuel and clad are discretized by Finite volume method and solved numerically using visual FORTRAN program. Finally the analysis results for nanofluids and pure water are compared together. The achieved results show that at low concentration (0.1 percent volume fraction) alumina is the optimum nanoparticles for normal reactor operation.

CFD analysis of flow distribution of reactor core and temperature rise of coolant in fuel assembly for VVER reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Du Daiquan; Zeng Xiaokang; Xiong Wanyu; Yang Xiaoqiang

2015-01-01

Flow field of VVER-1000 reactor core was investigated by using computational fluid dynamics code CFX, and the temperature rise of coolant in hot assembly was calculated. The results show that the maximum value of flow distribution factor is 1.12 and the minimum value is 0.92. The average value of flow distribution factor in hot assembly is 0.97. The temperature rise in hot assembly is higher than current warning limit value ΔT t under the deviated operation condition. The results can provide reference for setting ΔT t during the operation of nuclear power plant. (authors)

Storage of plugs and experimental devices from reactors; Stockage des bouchons et dispositifs experimentaux en provenance des reacteurs (1961)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cerre, P; Mestre, E [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-07-01

- Within the general programme of storage and treatment of radioactive waste produced by the various operations carried out in an atomic center, it is useful to consider separately the problem of certain waste from reactors, which, because of its size and physical nature, has to be stored with a view to being later treated and finally evacuated. The solution which we propose for this storage problem is presented in this paper. (authors) [French] - Dans le cadre du stockage et du conditionnement des dechets radioactifs provenant des diverses manipulations effectuees dans un centre atomique, il y a lieu de considerer a part certains dechets des reacteurs qui, par leur dimension et leur nature physique doivent etre stockes en vue de leur reprise ulterieure pour un conditionnement et une evacuation definitifs. La solution que nous avons apportee a ce stockage fait l'objet de l'expose qui suit. (auteurs)

Improvement of MSLB transient analysis for VVER by the coupled code system KIKO3D/ATHLET

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hegyi, Gy.; Kereszturi, A.; Trosztel, I.

2001-01-01

An overview is given on the investigations of the Main Steam Line Break transient in a VVER- 440 NPP by using the KIKO3D/ATHLET 1.2.A coupled code system. Special attention was paid for the influence of modeling the outcore detector signals and the malfunctioning of the emergency control system (scram with stuck rod). The conservatism of the calculations was assured even in the case of application of the 3D best estimate KIKO3D code. The consequence of MSLB accident is investigated at the end of cycle (EOC), at full power (FP) and shut down initial conditions. Even if very strong conservative assumptions were applied, dangerous hot spots were not found in the supposed scenarios.(author)

Evaluation of VVER-1200/V-491 reactor pressure vessel integrity during large break LOCA along with SBO using MELCOR 1.8.6

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bui Thi Hoa; Tran Chi Thanh

2015-01-01

After Fukushima accident and stress test recommended by IAEA for existing reactors, higher safety requirements are enforced upon nuclear power plants during design extension and severe accident conditions. Based on those arguments, Vietnam Government requests a lot of effective safety solutions, in designs proposed for the nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan province of Vietnam, which can prevent the accident progression toward severe accidents and mitigate severe accident consequences. One of safety requirements is related to delay time of core melt during design extension condition. Especially, if the worst case of accidents occurs, the reactor vessel integrity must be maintained at least 24 hours from the beginning of the accident. With the aim at investigation of Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) integrity, in this study, MELCOR 1.8.6 code is used to evaluate the integrity of RPV lower head for VVER-1200/V-491 reactor during a Large Break Loss of Coolant Accident (LBLOCA) in combination with Station Blackout (SBO) event. The study figures out several parameters related to melt down progress such as: rupture position and rupture timing, the amount of hydrogen generated. Availability of the second stage hydro-accumulators (HA2) in the VVER-1200/V-491 is assumed as an additional improvement to delay the timing of core melt as well as to maintain the vessel integrity for long-term. (author)

Influence of taking into account in-pressurizer convective heat- and mass transfer influence effects at the transients in VVER with code RELAP 5/MOD 3.2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Konovalyuk, L.N.; Shevelev, D.V.; Kravchenko, V.G.

2003-01-01

PRZ model is proposed which allows taking into account in pressurizer convective heat- and mass transfer influence effects at the transients in VVER (PWR) Type Reactors case when calculations performed with using 1D thermohydraulic codes. The theoretical backgrounds are given to define the transients with the convective coolant instability in PRZ. The instability threshold is given for real PRZ geometry

Qualification of the nuclear reactor core model DYN3D coupled to the thermohydraulic system code ATHLET, applied as an advanced tool for accident analysis of VVER-type reactors. Final report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Grundmann, U.; Kliem, S.; Krepper, E.; Mittag, S; Rohde, U.; Schaefer, F.; Seidel, A.

1998-03-01

The nuclear reactor core model DYN3D with 3D neutron kinetics has been coupled to the thermohydraulic system code ATHLET. In the report, activities on qualification of the coupled code complex ATHLET-DYN3D as a validated tool for the accident analysis of russian VVER type reactors are described. That includes: - Contributions to the validation of the single codes ATHLET and DYN3D by the analysis of experiments on natural circulation behaviour in thermohydraulic test facilities and solution of benchmark tasks on reactivity initiated transients, - the acquisition and evaluation of measurement data on transients in nuclear power plants, the validation of ATHLET-DYN3D by calculating an accident with delayed scram and a pump trip in VVER plants, - the complementary improvement of the code DYN3D by extension of the neutron physical data base, implementation of an improved coolant mixing model, consideration of decay heat release and xenon transients, - the analysis of steam leak scenarios for VVER-440 type reactors with failure of different safety systems, investigation of different model options. The analyses showed, that with realistic coolant mixing modelling in the downcomer and the lower plenum, recriticality of the scramed reactor due to overcooling can be reached. The application of the code complex ATHLET-DYN3D in Czech Republic, Bulgaria and the Ukraine has been started. Future work comprises the verification of ATHLET-DYN3D with a DYN3D version for the square fuel element geometry of western PWR. (orig.) [de

Living PSA program for VVER 440/213 in the Czech Republic

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Husak, S.; Patrik, M.

2000-01-01

The paper presents an overview of a Living PSA concept in the Czech Republic for the VVER 440/213 NPP Dukovany unit. The first step of PSA program was a Level 1 basic study for Unit No. 1 which was completed in 1995. The main objective of the study was to determine the risk level of full power operation and its contributors as well as to reveal the weak points of the plant. Living PSA program for a Level 1 study has been afterwards established as a framework for all activities related to risk assessment and risk based decision-making support in NPP Dukovany. The basic parts of the project are: a management of PSA models and studies to implement design and procedures, modifications or new data inputs from data collection; continuous improvement based of new analyses, experiments or more detailed models; an extensions of the scope (external events, all plant operating modes, other sources of radioactive releases). The Living PSA program in NPP Dukovany provides basis for three kinds of PSA activities: risk assessment applications, risk monitoring and risk assessment of operational. (author)

Complete automation of nuclear reactors control; Automatisation complete de la conduite des reacteurs nucleaires

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Weill, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1955-07-01

The use of nuclear reactor for energy production induces the installation of automatic control systems which need to be safe enough and can adapt to the industrial scale of energy production. These automatic control systems have to insure the constancy of power level and adjust the power produced to the energy demand. Two functioning modes are considered: nuclear plant connected up to other electric production systems as hydraulic or thermic plants or nuclear plants functioning on an independent network. For nuclear plants connected up with other production plants, xenon poisoning and operating cost lead to keep working at maximum power the nuclear reactors. Thus, the power modulation control system will not be considered and only start-up control, safety control, and control systems will be automated. For nuclear power plants working on an independent network, the power modulation control system is needed to economize fuel. It described the automated control system for reactors functioning with constant power: a power measurement system constituted of an ionization chamber and a direct-current amplifier will control the steadfastness of the power produced. For reactors functioning with variable power, the automated power control system will allow to change the power and maintain it steady with all the necessary safety and will control that working conditions under P{sub max} and R{sub max} (maximum power and maximum reactivity). The effects of temperature and xenon poisoning will also be discussed. Safety systems will be added to stop completely the functioning of the reactor if P{sub max} is reached. (M.P.)

A review of calculation methods for fast and intermediate reactors; Expose des methodes pour le calcul de reacteurs a neutrons rapides et intermediaires; Obzor metodov rascheta reaktorov na promezhutochnykh i bystrykh nejtronakh; Estudio panoramico de los metodos de calculo de los reactores rapidos e intermedios

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Marchuk, G I [Akademiya Nauk, Moskva, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Russian Federation)

1962-03-15

This paper discusses the development of methods for calculating intermediate and fast reactors. It deals with various approaches to the problems of physical calculation. The calculation of resonance effects is discussed. Consideration is given to multi-group systems of fundamental and conjugate equations, various applications of perturbation theory to the problems of physical reactor calculation, and numerical methods of solving fundamental and conjugate reactor equations, which approximate the method of spherical harmonics. The paper describes an application of the response method to the solution of critical-mass problems, and methods of calculating reactors with hydrogeneous moderators. The fundamental features of an effective one-group reactor model are described. (author) [French] L'auteur examine la mise au point de methodes pour le calcul de reacteurs a neutrons rapides et intermediaires . Il decrit diverses manieres d'aborder les problemes des calculs sur la physique des reacteurs, notamment le calcul des effets de resonance. Il s'attache particulierement aux points suivants: systemes d'equations fondamentales et conjuguees a plusieurs groupes; diverses applications de la theorie des perturbations aux problemes de calculs sur la physique des reacteurs; methodes numeriques pour resoudre les equations fondamentales et conjuguees, voisines de la methode des harmoniques spheriques. L'auteur decrit ensuite une maniere d'appliquer la methode de la reponse aux problemes de la masse critique ainsi que des methodes pour le calcul de reacteurs ralentis a l'hydrogene. Il decrit les caracteristique s fondamentale s d'un modele de reacteur a un groupe effectif. (author) [Spanish] El autor analiza el desarrollo de los metodos de calculo de los reactores nucleares que trabajan con neutrones rapidos y con neutrones intermedios. Examina diversos planteos de los problemas del calculo fisico. Indica la forma de tomar en cuenta los efectos de resonancia y menciona los sistemas

A critical summary of microscopic fast-neutron interactions with reactor structural, fissile and fertile materials; Apercu critique des interactions microscopiques des neutrons rapides avec les materiaux de construction et les matieres fissiles et fertiles utilisees dans les reacteurs; Kriticheskij obzor mikroskopicheskog o vzaimodejstviya bystrykh nejtronov s konstruktsionnymi, rasshcheplyayushchimis ya i vosproizvodyashchim i reaktornymi materialami; Resumen critico de las interacciones microscopicas de los neutrones rapidos con los materiales estructurales fisionables y fertiles utilizados en los reactores

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Smith, A B [Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL (United States)

1962-03-15

Prevailing knowledge of fast-neutron-induced reactions utilized in the nuclear design of reactor systems is reviewed. Principal emphasis is placed upon microscopic experimental methods, results and precisions. Fast-neutron scattering is considered in detail, including the results of experimental determinations of scattering from oxygen, iron, zirconium, niobium, tungsten, thorium and uranium. Representative results of experimental studies of fast-neutron capture and fast-neutron-induced fission are given. The measurements discussed not only provide results of considerable applied usefulness but axe also examples of the application of advanced experimental nuclear techniques. Areas of limited, conflicting or non-existent experimental information are outlined. A prognosis of future knowledge of fast-neutron reactions is made, with emphasis on the fulfillment of reactor requirements for basic nuclear data. (author) [French] L'auteur fait le point des connaissances sur les reactions provoquees par les neutrons rapides sur lesquelles on tend a fonder les projets de reacteurs. Il met en relief les methodes, les resultats et la precision de mesures experimentales a l'echelle microscopique. Il etudie en detail la diffusion des neutrons rapides, et donne les resultats de mesures experimentales de diffusion dans l'oxygene, le fer, le zirconium, le niobium, le tungstene, le thorium et l'uranium. Il donne les resultats les plus significatifs d'etudes experimentales sur la capture des neutrons rapides et sur la fission provoquee par des neutrons rapides. Les mesures etudiees, non seulement fournissent des renseignements d'une utilite pratique considerable, mais aussi constituent des exemples de l'application de techniques experimentales nucleaires a la pointe du progres. L'auteur indique les domaines ou les donnees experimentales sont limitees, contradictoires ou inexistantes. Il se livre a des pronostics sur le developpement des connaissances experimentales en matiere de

The effects of spots (or grains) and the mean work function of a polycrystalline emitter; Les effets des taches (ou grains) et le travail de sortie moyen d'un emetteur polycristallin

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Devin, B; Phuc Nguyen, Xuan [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

The direct conversion of thermal energy at high temperature to electrical energy using plasma diodes is studied in the Electronic Physics Service of the French Atomic Energy Commission. Research concerns the adaptation of these diodes to nuclear reactors with a view especially to providing power for operating the instruments of space vehicles. In parallel with the semi-industrial realizations and tests, an important part of the activity of the service is directed towards fundamental research into physical phenomena convected with thermionic emission with a view to improving present performances. (authors) [French] La conversion directe de l'energie thermique a haute temperature en energie electrique par diodes a plasma est etudiee au Service d'Electronique Physique du Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique. On etudie l'adaptation de ces diodes aux reacteurs nucleaires, notamment en vue de fournir l'energie de servitude dans les vehicules spatiaux. Parallelement aux realisations et essais semi-industriels, une part importante de l'activite du Service est orientee vers l'etude fondamentale des phenomenes physiques lies a la conversion thermoionique dans le but d'ameliorer les performances actuelles. (auteurs)

Study of a Slightly Enriched R Reactor Fuel by Means of a Pulsed Neutron Source; Etude d'un reacteur a combustible legerement enrichi (rubeole) a l'aide de sources pulsees de neutrons

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sagot, M; Tellier, H [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique. Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay, 91 - Gif-sur-Yvette (France)

1962-04-01

A Be O moderated reactor using slightly enriched uranium oxide as fuel was studied by the pulsed neutron source technique. The neutron lifetime was measured in two different cores without reflector, then attempts were made at the measurement of great negative reactivities introduced into the reactor under the following forms: decrease of the volume of the un reflected core, introduction of absorbing cadmium rods, removal of fuel at the periphery of the critical core while maintaining a constant height, and substitution of fuel elements by less reactive elements. In all cases, the results are compared with the data obtained by another type of experiment or by computation. (author) [French] Nous avons applique la methode des sources pulsees de neutrons a un reacteur utilisant de l'oxyde d'uranium legerement enrichi, modere a l'oxyde de beryllium et, apres avoir mesure le temps de vie des neutrons dans deux coeurs differents non reflechis, nous avons porte notre effort, sur la mesure de reactivites negatives importantes introduites dans le reacteur sous differentes formes: - diminution du volume du coeur non reflechi, - introduction de barres absorbantes en cadmium, - enlevement de combustible a la peripherie du coeur critique, tout en conservant une hauteur constante, - substitution d'elements de combustible par des elements moins reactifs. Dans tous les cas, les resultats sont compares aux valeurs obtenues par un autre type d'experience ou par le calcul. (auteur)

Critical experiments and nuclear calculations - LAMPRE-I; Experiences critiques et calculs nucleaires concernant le LAMPRE-I; Kriticheskie opyty i yadernye raschety - LAMPRE-I; Experimentos criticos u calculos nucleares relativos al LAMPRE-I

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Battat, M E [Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, University of California, Los Alamos, NM (United States)

1962-03-15

As part of a programme to develop plutonium fuels for fast-breeder reactors, the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory has constructed and is operating a 1-MW sodium-cooled test reactor whose core contains a molten alloy of plutonium andiron (90 at. % Pu, 10 at. % Fe, m.p. 410 deg. C). Reactivity control is provided by the use of a stainless-steel reflector and four nickel control-rods located external to the core. Experiments have been performed at core temperatures (isothermal) of 80, 160 and 480 deg. C to determine critical mass and reflector worth at each of these temperatures. Control-rod worths, from period measurements, and temperature coefficient of reactivity were also measured. Calculations have been made, using the S{sub n} method for solving the neutron transport problem, to determine the basic nuclear parameters of the system. The comparison between calculated and measured values of parameters such as temperature coefficient, control-element worths, and critical mass is also of interest in evaluating the reliability of the design calculations. (author) [French] Un reacteur d'essais de 1 MW refroidi au sodium, dont le coeur contient un alliage fondu de plutonium et defer (90 at. % Pu, 10 at. % Fe, p. f. 410 deg. C), a ete construit et est en fonctionnement au Laboratoire scientifique de Los Alamos, dans le cadre d'un programme d'etudes sur les combustibles au plutonium pour reacteurs surgenerateurs a neutrons rapides. Le controle de la reactivite est assure au moyen d'un reflecteur en acier inoxydable et de quatre barres de controle en nickel, a l'exterieur du coeur. On a fait des experiences a des temperatures du coeur de 80, 160 et 480 deg. C afin de determiner la masse critique et la quantite de reflecteur qui correspond a chacune de ces temperatures. On a aussi mesure l'efficacite des barres de controle, a partir de mesures de periode, ainsi que le coefficient thermique de reactivite. Afin de determiner les parametres nucleaires de base du reacteur, on a

Analysis of core damage frequency: Nuclear power plant Dukovany, VVER/440 V-213 Unit 1, internal events. Volume 1: Main report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pugila, W.J.

1994-01-01

This report presents the final results from the Level 1 probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) for the Dukovany VVER/440 V-213 nuclear power plant, Unit 1. Section 1.1 describes the objectives of this study. Section 1.2 discusses the approach that was used for completing the Dukovany PSA. Section 1.3 summarizes the results of the PSA. Section 1.4 provides a comparison of the results of the Dukovany PSA with the results of other PSAs for different types of reactors worldwide. Section 1.5 summarizes the conclusions of the Dukovany PSA

[Project for] a high-flux extracted neutron beam reactor [for physicists]; Un [projet de] reacteur a haut flux et faisceaux sortis [pour physiciens

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ageron, P [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

tubes and the experimental equipment which can support doses much higher than the ones which are biologically permissible. The final part of the communication describes the studies carried out on the realization of a liquid hydrogen cold sink, one of the most important experimental devices envisaged. (authors) [French] Les besoins francais en canaux pour sortie de neutrons de differentes energies sont brievement indiques. L'interet bien connu des neutrons froids (plus de 4 Angstroem) est souligne. Les grandes lignes d'un reacteur permettant de satisfaire les physiciens sont esquissees. Ce sont les suivantes: 1 - Flux dans l'eau lourde du reflecteur de l'ordre de 7. 10{sup 14} thermiques. 2 - Souplesse d'emploi maximum obtenue par: - separation physique du coeur et du reflecteur, - independance des experiences entre elles, - possibilite de modification, sans interruption notable du fonctionnement de la pile, des experiences physiques jusqu'a - et y compris - la nature du reflecteur utilise, - reduction au minimum des protections fixes; emploi largement generalise des protections liquides (eau) et fluidisees (sables). 3 - Continuite technologique aussi grande que possible avec les reacteurs de recherche francais existant ou en construction (SILOE, PEGASE, OSIRIS). 4 - Surete de fonctionnement recherche par la simplicite de conception. 5 - Minimisation des frais de construction. La reduction des frais d'exploitation est recherchee plutot indirectement par la simplicite des solutions et la reduction du personnel d'exploitation, que directement par la minimisation des consommations d'elements combustibles et d'energie. La solution preconisee peut etre decrite comme un reacteur de type piscine a coeur clos, non pressurise, tres sous modere par l'eau legere de refroidissement. Entourant le reacteur, se trouvent un certain nombre de 'canaux boucles' comprenant chacun: - une portion du reflecteur (eau lourde dans l'exemple decrit), - une portion de canal d'extraction de neutrons

Study of new structures adapted to gas-graphite and gas-heavy water reactors; Etude de structures nouvelles adaptees aux reacteurs graphite-gaz et eau lourde-gaz

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Martin, R; Roche, R [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

The experience acquired as a result of the operation of the Marcoule reactors and of the construction and start-up of the E.D.F. reactors on the one hand, and the conclusions of research and tests carried out out-of-pile on the other hand, lead to a considerable change in the general design of reactors of the gas-graphite type. The main modifications envisaged are analysed in the paper. The adoption of an annular fuel element and of a down-current cooling will make it possible to increase considerably the specific power and the power output of each channel; as a result there will be a considerable reduction in the number of the channels and a corresponding increase in the size of the unit cell. The graphite stack will have to be adapted to there new conditions. For security reasons, the use of prestressed concrete for the construction of the reactor vessel is becoming more widespread; they could lead to the exchangers and the fuel-handling apparatus becoming integrated inside the vessel (the so-called 'attic' device). A full-size mode) of this attic has been built at Saclay with the participation of EURATOM; the operational results obtained are presented as well as a new original design for the control rods. As for as the gas-heavy-water system is concerned, the research is carried out on two points of design; the first, which retains the use of horizontal pressure tubes, takes into account the experience acquired during the construction of the EL 4 reactor of which it will constitute an extrapolation; the second, arising from the research carried out on the gas-graphite system, will use a pre-stressed concrete vessel for holding the pressure, the moderator being almost at the same pressure as the cooling fluid and the fuel being placed in vertical channels. The relative merits of these two variants are analysed in the present paper. (authors) [French] L'experience acquise par l'exploitation des reacteurs de MARCOULE, la construction et le demarrage des reacteurs d

Contribution to the determination of Sb-Ag-Cu-Ga-Mo-Zn using 14 MeV neutron activation; Contribution au dosage de Sb-Ag-Cu-Ga-Mo-Zn par activation aux neutrons de 14 MeV

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Crambes, M [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1966-04-01

By using, 14 MeV, neutron irradiation it is possible to extend the field of application of neutron radio-activation analysis, in particular to the case of light elements. For, many other elements it can replace in-pile irradiation thereby making it possible, thanks to portable 14 MeV neutron generators, to carry out radio-activation analyses away from nuclear-research c e n t r e s. With a view to applying this analytical technique to routine work, we have developed some rapid chemical separation methods in order to make possible the determination of several elements which after exposure to fast neutrons, produce {beta} emitting nuclides which cannot be differentiated by a simple instrumental study, the emitted radiation being of the same type and of similar half-life the two cases. (author) [French] L'irradiation au moyen de neutrons de 14 MeV permet d'etendre le domaine d'application de l'analyse par radioactivation neutronique, en particulier aux elements legers. Cependant pour de nombreux autres elements elle peut remplacer l'irradiation en reacteur nucleaire permettant ainsi grace aux ensembles portables producteurs de neutrons de 14 MeV, l'extension de l'analyse par radioactivation a l'exterieur des centres d'etudes nucleaires. Dans le but d'appliquer cette methode d'analyse a des travaux de routine, nous avons mis au point des separations chimiques rapides, afin de permettre le dosage de quelques elements qui par irradiation aux neutrons rapides, engendrent des nucleides emetteurs {beta} qu'une simple etude instrumentale ne peut differencier en raison de l'identite de leur rayonnement et de leurs periodes radioactives trop proches. (auteur)

Possible emission of radioactive fission products during off-design accidents at a nuclear power plant with VVER-1000 reactor

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dubkov, A.P.; Kozlov, V.F.; Luzanova, L.M.

1995-01-01

It is well known that eight nuclear power plants with VVER-1000 reactors have been constructed in Russia, Ukraine, and in the Republic of Belarus and they have been operating successfully without any serious accidents since 1980. These facilities have been analyzed for various accident scenarios, and measures have been incorporated which will prevent core damage during these possible events. However, an off-design accident can occur, and in such a case, the radiological consequences would exceed the worst design accidents. This paper reviews a number of potential off-design accidents in order to develop an accident plan to mitigate the consequences of such an accident

Rapsodie; Rapsodie

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vendryes, G [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; D' Ayguevives, Ch [Groupement Atomique Alsacienne Atlantique (France); Sahl, W [Association Euratom-CEA Cadarache, 13 - Saint-Paul-lez-Durance (France)

1964-07-01

'endurance et de chocs thermiques, - des prototypes des divers elements du reacteur (mecanismes de barres de controle, d'appareillages pour la manutention des assemblages, etc.), - la hotte qui servira au chargement et au dechargement des assemblages dans le reacteur a ete montee provisoirement a cote de la maquette de la cuve afin de mettre au point leur commun fonctionnement dans des conditions pratiquement identiques a celles du reacteur. L'exploitation de ces diverses maquettes, commencee en 1962, se poursuit actuellement. La communication presente un bilan des resultats de ces essais et des enseignements qui en ont ete tires pour le projet. De nombreuses etudes interessant la surete de Rapsodie ont ete effectuees. En particulier des modeles a echelle reduite (1/3 et 1/10) ont ete utilises a une evaluation des degats provoques par l'accident nucleaire maximal hypothetique. La construction du reacteur a commence a l'automne de 1961. Le Groupement Atomique Alsacienne Atlantique (G. AAA) en est l'architecte industriel. La situation des travaux de construction est presentee succinctement. (auteurs)

Factors and uncertainties in the profitability of using nuclear energy in desalination of water; Facteurs et incertitudes de la rentabilite du recours a l'energie nucleaire dans le dessalement des eaux

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thiriet, L; Lievre, P [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Fontenay-aux-Roses (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1969-07-01

One of the economic advantages of nuclear energy consists of the small proportional element in its cost structure. Economies of scale favour the nuclear station as compared with the conventional thermal one, and when the demand for electricity and heat, in particular for desalination, are sufficient, nuclear energy may, subject to certain conditions, prove advantageous. The object of this paper is to discuss the validity of the conclusions reached according to the hypotheses adopted. In the first part, the different kind of uncertainties connected with technical, economic and financial data (the various transmission coefficients, the life of equipment according to the choice of materials, changes in prices, the form of price functions and interest rates), and with the various constraints, are examined and discussed. In the second part the uncertainties connected with the method of optimisation used and the criterion of selection adopted are examined and discussed. It is shown thereby that it is usually extremely difficult to assume absolutely the competitiveness, or conversely the non-competitiveness, of using nuclear energy in the desalination of water, and that a large number of aspects have to be carefully examined. (author) [French] On sait que l'un des avantages economiques de l'energie nucleaire reside dans la faible part proportionnelle dans la structure de son cout. Les economies d'echelle favorisent le nucleaire par rapport au thermique classique, et lorsque les demandes d'electricite et de chaleur, notamment pour le dessalement, sont suffisantes on peut envisager favorablement, sous certaines hypotheses, le recours a l'energie nucleaire. L'objet de cette communication est de discuter la validite des conclusions auxquelles on parvient selon les hypotheses envisagees. Dans une premiere partie, on etudie et on discute les differentes sortes d'incertitudes, liees aux donnees techniques, economiques et financieres (les divers coefficients de transmission, les

Inter-assembly gap deviations in VVER-1000: Accounting for effects on engineering margin factors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shishkov, Lev; Gorodkov, Sergey; Mikailov, Eldar; Sukhino-Khomenko, Evgenia [Nuclear Research Centre ' ' Kurchatov Institute' ' , Moscow (Russian Federation)

2015-09-15

Jacketless fuel assemblies change their form in the course of operation. Often they bow lengthwise. Primarily, these fuel assembly (FA) bows threaten to reduce the control rods' fall rate, but at the same time they change (e.g. increase) the amount of moderator in inter-assembly gaps, thus producing additional power surges. Gap sizes vary randomly and their impact is accounted for with the help of engineering margin factors. For VVER-1000, this account of engineering margin factors increases the fuel component of electricity generation cost by 3 - 5 %, and a half of this increase is due to inter- assembly gap variations. This paper discusses the technique used to account for the impact produced by these gaps on fuel rod power; gives numerical values of sensitivity factors for power variations vs. gap sizes depending on the computational model assumed; and discusses the interference of gap effects and the account of power and coolant temperature feedbacks.

In situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of Zr-1%Nb under VVER primary circuit conditions

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nagy, Gabor; Kerner, Zsolt; Pajkossy, Tamas

2002-01-01

Oxide layers were grown on tubular samples of Zr-1%Nb under conditions simulating those in VVER-type pressurised water reactors, viz. in near-neutral borate solutions in an autoclave at 290 deg. C. These samples were investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy which was found to be suitable to follow in situ the corrosion process. A -CPE ox parallel R ox - element was used to characterise the oxide layer on Zr-1%Nb. Both the CPE ox coefficient, σ ox , and the parallel resistance, R ox , were found to be thickness dependent. The layer thickness, however, can only be calculated after a calibration procedure. The temperature dependence of the CPE ox element was also found to be anomalous while the temperature dependence of R ox indicates that the oxide layer has semiconductor properties. The relaxation time - defined as (R ox σ ox ) 1/α - was found to be quasi-independent of oxidation time and temperature; thus it is characteristic to the oxide layer on Zr-1%Nb

The Role of Exponential and PCTR Experiments at Hanford in the Design of Large Power Reactors; Roles Respectifs des Experiences Exponentielles et du Reacteur d'Etude des Constantes Physiques de Hanford dans les Etudes de Grands Reacteurs de Puissance; Znachenie ehksponentsial'nykh opytov i opytov na reaktore PCTR pri proektirovanii bol'shikh ehnergeticheskikh reaktorov v khehnforde; Papel de los Experimentos Exponenciales y del Reactor PCTR de Hanford en el Proyecto de Grandes Reactores de Potencia

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Heineman, R. E. [General Electric Company, Richland, WA (United States)

1964-02-15

use is described in the light of the trends which are observed. (author) [French] Des mesures exponentielles sont faites aux laboratoires de Hanford sur des reseaux uranium-graphite depuis pres de quinze ans. Les resultats de ces experiences ont ete utilises pour determiner les laplaciens de reacteurs de production que l'on se proposait de construire, mais ils ont servi egalement a ameliorer les connaissances dans le domaine de la physique de ces systemes. On s'est rendu compte tres rapidement qu'en raison des dimensions des assemblages et de leur manque de sensibilite aux petites perturbations localisees du systeme, l'experience exponentielle n'a qu'une utilite limitee. On a donc envisage de mettre au point des experiences integrales avec un reacteur de maniere a reduire au minimum la quantite de matieres necessaires pour se procurer des donnees valables. A cet effet, on a construit une installation critique perfectionnee a plusieurs regions, qu'on a appelee 'reacteur d'etude des constantes physiques' (RECP), dont on s'est servi pour determiner les constantes physiques de plusieurs reacteurs de puissance. On s'en est servi aussi couramment pour mesurer des sections efficaces et determiner des parametres differentiels et integraux de la physique des reacteurs pour divers types de milieux multiplicateurs. Apres la construction de RECP, on a encore employe les experiences exponentielles, bien que RECP ait largement comble les espoirs qui avaient ete places en lui. L'auteur indique quelques donnees caracteristiques obtenues a l'aide de ces deux genres d'installations et compare leurs roles respectifs pour l'etude de nouveaux reacteurs de puissance, pour la modification de reacteurs en fonctionnement, comme moyens de recherche sur la physique des reacteurs et comme moyen de formation. Il compare egalement les montants des capitaux investis dans ces installations et des frais de fonctionnement. Il indique comment ont ete mises au point de nouvelles methodes experimentales

Study of some continuous spectra produced by nuclear reactions with light nuclei; Etude de quelques spectres continus produits par reactions nucleaires avec des noyaux legers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Marquez, L

1966-07-01

The continuous spectra coming from several nuclear reactions with light nuclei were measured. The spectra can be explained by a two-step reaction mechanism; however, the reactions produced by {sup 6}Li are different. A mechanism was proposed to explain their spectra based on the following assumptions: {sup 6}Li makes a nuclear molecule with the target which subsequently breaks up in such a way that an {alpha} particle comes out with the kinetic energy that it has in the molecule. The calculated spectra and those measured are in good agreement. (author) [French] Nous avons mesure les spectres continus produits dans plusieurs reactions nucleaires avec des noyaux legers. A l'exception des spectres produits par {sup 6}Li, on a trouve qu'on pouvait expliquer ces spectres par le mecanisme des reactions en deux etapes. Nous avons propose un mecanisme pour expliquer les spectres produits par {sup 6}Li. On suppose que {sup 6}Li forme une molecule nucleaire avec la cible qui eclate ensuite de facon telle qu'une particule alpha de la molecule sort avec l'energie cinetique de son mouvement propre dans la molecule. Les spectres calcules avec ces hypotheses et les spectres mesures sont en bon accord. (auteur)

Safety design bases collation for Czech VVER NPPs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kadecka, P.; Krhounek, V.; Samohyl, P.; Zdarek, J.

2004-01-01

Goals of Safety Design Bases (SDB) Collation for Czech VVER NPPs are following: (i) Collation of SDB up to the component level. (ii) Preparation of necessary supporting information. (iii) The use of the effective knowledge management system DART (product WEE) for work organization and data storage. (iv) Use of the computer network between cooperating organizations with access to DART database. (v) Storage of DB information in format convenient for configuration, change and plant life management. It is concluded that SDB Collation for Czech NPPs continue very well. NPPs Management gives projects high priority and necessary amount of founds covering also active participation of NPPs staff. Current results of the projects are following: (i) DART (Knowledge management system) and other tools work on computer network link together all project participants. All information are stored to regularly backuped databases. (ii) Overall processes for SDB collation were designed and tested. Detail methodologies and working procedures for SDB collation of mechanical, civil, electro and I and C SSC were prepared. (iii) Detail workflow for all steps of the process was designed to organize different working groups of authors (write information) and reviewers (can annotate only or annotate and approve information). (iv) Pilot HP ECCS DBDs were prepared for both NPPs, it means whole methodology and procedures were tested. (v) Activity transfer trees, barrier integrity trees and fault trees for mechanical and civil SSC are finished. (vi) Fault trees for Dukovany NPP electro and I and C SSC were finished, for Temelin are under preparation. (vii) Fault gates description and functional requirements for Temelin mechanical and civil SSC are finished, for Dukovany NPP are under preparation. (P.A.)

Criteria for Special Nuclear Materials Inventory and Control Procedures; Criteres a Suivre Pour Proceder a l'Inventaire des Matieres Nucleaires Speciales et aux Mesures de Controle; Kriterii dlya inventarizatsii spetsial'nykh yadernykh materialov i metody ucheta; Criterios a Que Deben Ajustarse los Procedimientos de Inventario y Control de los Materiales Nucleares Especiales

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kinderman, E. M.; Tarrice, R. R. [Stanford Research Institute, Menlo Park, CA (United States)

1966-02-15

and the total inventory of these special nuclear materials. A matrix of solutions to the management and inventory control of special nuclear materials will be presented. The multiplicity and relative effectiveness of varied techniques at key stages of the materials supply, utilization and recovery are assessed. (author) [French] L'un des plus importants problemes qui, dans le domaine nucleaire et notamment dans l'exploitation commerciale de l'energie d'origine nucleaire, se posera aux societes d'investissement, aux directeursetaux exploitants est celui du controle efficace de l'inventaire des matieres nucleaires dont la valeur depassera, d'ici 1980, 5 milliards de dollars des Etats-Unis. Comparativement a la plupart des matieres utilisees commercialement, les matieres nucleaires speciales sont couteuses; aux Etats-Unis par exemple, l'uranium enrichi a 90%, l'uranium enrichi a 3% sous forme d'hexa- fluorure et l'eau lourde coutent respectivement 10808 dollars, 254 dollars et 61,60 dollars le kilo. En outre, ces matieres sont frequemment soumises, pour des raisons de protection sanitaire et de securite, a des controles gouvernementaux speciaux sans rapport direct avec leur valeur monetaire. En depit de leur prix eleve, ces matieres sont destinees a etre utilisees en grandes quantites; par exemple, on utilisera de 50 a 75 t de combustible enrichi a 3{sup o}{r_brace}o dans un reacteur de 500 MW modere a l'eau ordinaire et 200 a 300 reacteurs de cette puissance fonctionneront vraisemblablement dans le monde en 1980. L'experience acquise a permis la mise au point et l'application de methodes speciales pour le controle commercial de grandes quantites de matieres de faible valeur comme le charbon ou le minerai de fer ou de petites quantites de matieres de grande valeur comme les metaux precieux. Tout en ayant des prix comparables a ces derniers, les matieres nucleaires speciales sont de nature differente et seront utilisees en quantites beaucoup plus importantes que les

The pulsed neutron method applied to the determination of the nuclear constants of graphite (1961); La methode des neutrons pulses appliquee a la determination des constantes nucleaires du graphite (1961)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lalande, J [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Grenoble (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1961-07-01

A method for determining the nuclear constants {sigma}{sub a} and {lambda}{sub t} of a moderator is described. The disappearance of a burst of neutrons introduced into a finite medium is studied as a function of time. This decrease in the thermal neutron density is the product of two exponentials; one representing the absorption, the other the leakage. By varying one or other of these factors, the constants of the factor left unvaried can be determined, and from this the nuclear constant values are deduced. (author) [French] On decrit une methode permettant de determiner les constantes nucleaires {sigma}{sub a} et {lambda}{sub t} d'un moderateur. On etudie la decroissance dans le temps d'une bouffee de neutrons introduite dans un milieu fini. Cette decroissance de la densite en neutrons thermiques est le produit de deux exponentielles; l'une represente l'absorption, l'autre les fuites. Par variation de l'un ou l'autre de ces facteurs, on determine les constantes du facteur laisse invariant dont on deduit les valeurs des constantes nucleaires. (auteur)

Design issues concerning Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant VVER-1000 conversion

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Carson, C.F.

1996-01-01

On January 8, 1995, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) signed a contract for $800 million with the Russian Federation Ministry for Atomic Energy (Minatom) to complete Bushehr nuclear power plant (BNPP) unit 1. The agreement called for a Russian VVER-1000/320 pressurized water reactor (PWR) to be successfully installed into the existing German-built BNPP facilities in 5 yr. System design differences, bomb damage, and environmental exposure are key issues with which Minatom must contend in order to fulfill the contract. The AEOI under the Shah of Iran envisioned Bushehr as the first of many nuclear power plants, with Iran achieving 24 GW(electric) by 1993 and 34 GW(electric) by 2000. Kraftwerk Union AG (KWU) began construction of the two-unit plant near the Persian Gulf town of Halileh in 1975. Unit 1 was ∼80% complete and unit 2 was ∼50% complete when construction was interrupted by the 1979 Iranian Islamic revolution. Despite repeated AEOI attempts to lure KWU and other companies back to Iran to complete the plant, Western concerns about nuclear proliferation in Iran and repeated bombings of the plant during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war dissuaded Germany from resuming construction

Feasibility and usefulness of reconstructing obsolete power blocks of VVER-440 reactors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kirichenko, A.M.; Krushenik, S.D.; Sigal, M.V.; Kustov, V.P.

1993-01-01

At the present time, in Russia and in the East European countries there are atomic power stations with first-generation VVER-440 reactors built according to specification which no longer satisfy the more rigorous modern safety standards. Among these power stations are, in particular, the Novovoronezh and the Armenian Atomic Power Station and two blocks of the Kola Atomic Power Station. The search for technical solutions for modernizing these power blocks is complicated because two conditions which are hard to reconcile must be fulfilled: an acceptable safety level must be obtained and the rebuilding must be economically justifiable (particularly since the time of operation of a power block until its standard service life is over is short). Research work undertaken in the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Atomic Power Stations has shown that one way of overcoming these difficulties may involve changing the operating conditions of the reactor assembly to a less demanding mode of operation. This solution implies an economically justified minimum of structural improvements, provides the required safety level, and prolongs the service life of the power block. The reduction of the thermal power, and consequently, the necessary transfer of a power block to another option

VVER 1000 SBO calculations with pressuriser relief valve stuck open with ASTEC computer code

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Atanasova, B.P.; Stefanova, A.E.; Groudev, P.P.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► We modelled the ASTEC input file for accident scenario (SBO) and focused analyses on the behaviour of core degradation. ► We assumed opening and stuck-open of pressurizer relief valve during performance of SBO scenario. ► ASTEC v1.3.2 has been used as a reference code for the comparison study with the new version of ASTEC code. - Abstract: The objective of this paper is to present the results obtained from performing the calculations with ASTEC computer code for the Source Term evaluation for specific severe accident transient. The calculations have been performed with the new version of ASTEC. The ASTEC V2 code version is released by the French IRSN (Institut de Radioprotection at de surete nucleaire) and Gesellschaft für Anlagen-und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS), Germany. This investigation has been performed in the framework of the SARNET2 project (under the Euratom 7th framework program) by Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy – Bulgarian Academy of Science (INRNE-BAS).

The Role of Non-Destructive Testing in the Los Alamos Reactor Programme; Role des Essais Non Destructifs dans le Programme de Reacteurs de los Alamos; Rol' nedestruktivnykh ispytanij materialov v Los-Alamosskoj reaktornoj programme; Papel de los Metodos de Ensayo No Destructivo en el Programa de Reactores de Los Alamos

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tenney, G. H. [University of California, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM (United States)

1965-10-15

the work on this subject has not been previously published. (author) [French] Le Laboratoire scientifique de Los Alamos, exploite par l'Universite de Californie pour la Commission de l'energie atomique des Etats-Unis, s'occupe depuis plus de vingt ans de l'etude, de la mise au point et de la construction de quatre types de reacteurs nucleaires: reacteurs de recherche, reacteurs de puissance, reacteurs pour la propulsion des fusees et assemblages critiques. Le Groupe des essais non destructifs collabore a presque tous les projets et travaux du Laboratoire. Le memoire decrit quelques-unes des methodes inedites d'essais non destructifs qui y ont ete mises au point et sont appliquees dans le cadre du programme de reacteurs. Le reacteur de puissance experimental LAMPRE est fonde sur l'utilisation d'une solution de phosphate d'uranium a haute temperature. Cette solution est tres corrosive et toutes les parties en contact avec elle ont un revetement en or. On a eu recours a des techniques radiographiques speciales pour controler l'or pendant le processus de laminage d'un lingot coule. On a procede de la meme maniere a l'inspection des soudures. Une methode d'inspection fondee sur les variations de potentiel aux electrodes a ete mise au point, pour la detection d'impuretes sur les surfaces d'or. Le reacteur experimental au plutonium fondu LAPRE est fonde sur l'utilisation de plutonium metallique, sous forme liquide plutot que sous forme solide, comme combustible. Le combustible est contenu dans des capsules en tantale. On a eu recours a des methodes non destructives pour verifier le bon etat du metal de base et des soudures pendant la fabrication des capsules, ainsi que pour controler les capsules remplies de plutonium avant, pendant et apres les essais de fusion et solidification. L'essai d'une pompe a plutonium fondu a ete suivi par des methodes radiographiques, en utilisant notamment un circuit ferme de television a rayons gamma. Pour le reacteur experimental a tres haute

Validation of computer codes and modelling methods for giving proof of nuclear saefty of transport and storage of spent VVER-type nuclear fuels. Part 1. Purposes and goals of the project. Final report

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Buechse, H.; Langowski, A.; Lein, M.; Nagel, R.; Schmidt, H.; Stammel, M.

1995-01-01

The report gives the results of investigations on the validation of computer codes used to prove nuclear safety during transport and storage of spent VVER - fuel of NPP Greifswald and Rheinsberg. Characteristics of typical spent fuel (nuclide concentration, neutron source strength, gamma spectrum, decay heat) - calculated with several codes - and dose rates (e.g. in the surrounding of a loaded spent fuel cask) - based on the different source terms - are presented. Differences and their possible reasons are discussed. The results show that despite the differences in the source terms all relevant health physics requirements are met for all cases of source term. The validation of the criticality code OMEGA was established by calculation of appr. 200 critical experiments of LWR fuel, including VVER fuel rod arrangements. The mean error of the effective multiplication factor k eff is -0,01 compared to the experiment for this area of applicability. Thus, the OMEGA error of 2% assumed in earlier works has turned out to be sufficiently conservative. (orig.) [de

The functioning of the reactors G2-G3 at Marcoule and E.D.F. 1; Experience de fonctionnement des reacteurs G2-G3 de Marcoule et enseignements des essais de demarrage du reacteur E.D.F. 1 de Chinon

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Boussard, R; Conte, F [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Fontenay-aux-Roses (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires; Stolz, J M [Electricite de France (EDF), 75 - Paris (France)

1964-07-01

After resuming briefly the characteristics of the installations G2-G3 at Marcoule and EDF 1 at Chinon, the authors review the main aspects of the tests, the starting and the exploitation of these reactors. Among the various points examined, particular emphasis is given to the devices of original nature such as tubular fuel elements, flattening of the neutron flux by stuffing, behaviour of the reactor tanks and the cooling circuits, the blowers, unloading devices, regulation and functioning of the informations. This analysis deals equally with the performances obtained and the difficulties and the various incidents experienced during the initial starting period. Among the more interesting results, the progressive increase in the power of the Marcoule reactors is mentioned, obtained through a better knowledge of the parameters covering the functioning of the reactors such as the distribution of the flux and the temperatures etc... acquired during the course of the exploitation of the reactor. The conclusion reached by the authors is that the experience gained on these installations has shown: - that during an initial period, adjustments became necessary, all of which turned out to be possible, - that an analysis of their functioning has permitted the progressive movement towards a truly industrial exploitation. (authors) [French] Les auteurs, apres un bref rappel des caracteristiques des installations G2 - G3 de MARCOULE et E.D.F. 1 de CHINON, passent en revue les principaux aspects des essais, de la mise en service et de l'exploitation de ces centrales. Parmi les divers points examines, une attention speciale est accordee aux dispositifs presentant un caractere original tels que elements combustibles tubulaires, aplatissement du flux neutronique par gavage, comportement des caissons des reacteurs et des circuits de refroidissement, soufflantes, appareils de dechargement, regulation et fonctionnement des informations. L'analyse presentee porte tant sur les

NRC Support for the Kalinin (VVER) probabilistic risk assessment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bley, D.; Diamond, D.J.; Chu, T.L.; Azarm, A.; Pratt, W.T.; Johnson, D.; Szukiewicz, A.; Drouin, M.; El-Bassioni, A.; Su, T.M.

1998-01-01

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Federal Nuclear and Radiation Safety Authority of the Russian Federation have been working together since 1994 to carry out a probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) of a VVER-1000 in the Russian Federation. This was a recognition by both parties that this technology has had a profound effect on the discipline of nuclear reactor safety in the West and that the technology should be transferred to others so that it can be applied to Soviet-designed plants. The NRC provided funds from the Agency for International Development and technical support primarily through Brookhaven National Laboratory and its subcontractors. The latter support was carried out through workshops, by documenting the methodology to be used in a set of guides, and through periodic review of the technical activity. The result of this effort to date includes a set of procedure guides, a draft final report on the Level 1 PRA for internal events (excluding internal fires and floods), and progress reports on the fire, flood, and seismic analysis. It is the authors belief that the type of assistance provided by the NRC has been instrumental in assuring a quality product and transferring important technology for use by regulators and operators of Soviet-designed reactors. After a thorough review, the report will be finalized, lessons learned will be applied in the regulatory and operational regimes in the Russian Federation, and consideration will be given to supporting a containment analysis in order to complete a simplified Level 2 PRA

Training operators of VVER-1000 units in Eastern Europe

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Normand, X.; Nabet, E.; Hauesberger, P.

1996-01-01

The VVER 1000 is the most recent nuclear reactor designed in the former Soviet Union. Its design and operation principles are close to Western four-loop reactors in the 1000- to 1500-MW class; therefore, the Western simulation technology is usually directly applicable to the simulation of these units. Moreover, the current number of state-of-the-art training simulators in operation is very limited. A total of 19 units are in operation, while only 2 modern simulators are available (full-scope type) in Balakovo and Zaporozhe. Access to these simulators is practically limited to the respective plants' trainees, which means that the other units have to be satisfied with hands-on training. Facing this situation and taking into account the predicted lifetime of these plants (15 to 25 yr to go, maybe more), a lot of effort has been made in recent years to provide the plants with modern simulators. The major hurdles to this action were obviously financial and technical (availability of codes, computers, software tools). Today, one full-scope project (Kalinin) is almost complete, and three have been announced (Novovoronezh, Khmelnitsky, Kozloduy). Full-scope simulators are clearly the ultimate target of a concerned power plants. However, all users do realize the advantages of the complementary approach with compact simulators: 1. They can be available quickly for starting the training process. 2. They cover a training field that is not (or partly) addressed by full-scope simulators, i.e., the demonstration of physical phenomena in normal and accidental situations

Study of the strength of the internal can for internally and externally cooled fuel elements intended for gas graphite reactors; Etude de la tenue de la gaine interne pour-element combustible a refroidissement interne et externe d'un reacteur graphite-gaz

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Boudouresque, B; Courcon, P; Lestiboubois, G [Commissariat a l' Energie Atomique, Saclay (France). Centre d' Etudes Nucleaires

1964-07-01

The cartridge of an internally and externally cooled annular fuel element used in gas-graphite reactors is made up of an uranium fuel tube, an external can and an internal can made of magnesium alloy. For the thermal exchange between the internal can and the fuel to be satisfactory, it is necessary for the can to stay in contact with the uranium under all temperature conditions. This report, based on a theoretical study, shows how the internal can fuel gap varies during the processes of canning, charging into the reactor and thermal cycling. The following parameters are considered: tube diameter, pressure of the heat carrying gas, gas entry temperature, plasticity of the can alloy. It is shown that for all operating conditions the internal can of a 77 x 95 element, planned for a gas-graphite reactor with a 40 kg/cm{sup 2} gas pressure, should remain in contact with the fuel. (authors) [French] La cartouche d'un element combustible annulaire, a refroidissement interne et externe pour reacteur graphite-gaz, est composee d'un tube combustible en uranium, d'une gaine externe et d'une gaine interne en alliage de magnesium. Pour que l'echange thermique entre la gaine interne et le combustible soit bon, il faut que la gaine reste appliquee sur l'uranium quel que soit le regime de temperature. Cette note a pour but de montrer comment, d'apres une etude theorique, le jeu combustible-gaine interne varie au cours des operations de gainage, de chargement dans le reacteur, et des cyclages thermiques. Les parametres suivants sont etudies: diametres de tube, pression du gaz caloporteur, temperature d'entree du gaz, plasticite de l'alliage de gaine. Il est montre que, quel que soit le regime de fonctionnement, la gaine interne d'un element 77 x 95, en projet pour un reacteur graphite-gaz sous pression de 40 kg/cm{sup 2}, doit rester appliquee sur le combustible. (auteurs)

'AER working group D on VVER safety analysis' minutes of the meeting in Rossendorf, Germany, 10-12 May 1999

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Siltanen, P.

1999-01-01

AER Working Group D on VVER reactor safety analysis held its eighth meeting in Research Centre Rossendorf during the period 10-12 May 1999. There were altogether 14 participants from eight member organizations. In addition to the general information exchange on recent activities, the topics of the meeting included: Final conclusions and lessons from the solution of the AER Dynamic Benchmark Problem No. 5 on a main steam header break accident; Validation of dynamics codes and the definition of a 6th dynamic benchmark; Safety analyses and reactivity issues: approaches and results; Advances in development of models and codes for reactor dynamics applications; Documentation of dynamic benchmark problems and solutions for the AER Benchmark Book; Future activities. (author)