Evaluation of VERA-CS transient capability for analyzing the AP1000®reactor control rod ejection accident

Vefa N. Kucukboyaci, Brendan Kochunas, Thomas J. Downar, Aaron Wysocki, Robert K. Salko

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Control rod ejection events were simulated for the AP1000 reactor core at the end of cycle hot zero and hot full power conditions using the VERA-CS code system. The core was first depleted to end of Cycle 1 and then calculations were restarted to simulate the rod ejection events in full core geometry. These simulations were performed using MPACT standalone with its simplified thermal-hydraulics capability and also MPACT coupled to CTF within VERA-CS. Results from both sets of calculations were compared to identify the differences between MPACT standalone and VERA-CS. It was found that the VERA-CS code system was capable of simulating full core geometry rod ejection events in a stable manner with the expected power pulse resulting from a superprompt critical reactivity insertion and the resulting negative Doppler reactivity feedback. With high-fidelity simulation capabilities, VERA-CS is positioned to support the industry on reactivity initiated accidents, and to assist in recovering lost margin as well as to address data gaps.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2018
Subtitle of host publicationReactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems
PublisherSociedad Nuclear Mexicana, A.C.
Pages335-348
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9781713808510
StatePublished - 2018
Event2018 International Conference on Physics of Reactors: Reactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems, PHYSOR 2018 - Cancun, Mexico
Duration: Apr 22 2018Apr 26 2018

Publication series

NameInternational Conference on Physics of Reactors, PHYSOR 2018: Reactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems
VolumePart F168384-1

Conference

Conference2018 International Conference on Physics of Reactors: Reactor Physics Paving the Way Towards More Efficient Systems, PHYSOR 2018
Country/TerritoryMexico
CityCancun
Period04/22/1804/26/18

Funding

This research also made use of the resources of the High Performance Computing Center at Idaho National Laboratory, which is supported by the Office of Nuclear Energy of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Nuclear Science User Facilities under Contract No. DE-AC07-051D14517.

FundersFunder number
U.S. Department of EnergyDE-AC07-051D14517
Office of Nuclear Energy

    Keywords

    • AP1000
    • CTF
    • MPACT
    • REA
    • Ria
    • Transient

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