Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: Safety philosophy of primary pipe rupture event in prototype fast breeder reactor

Bhkoje, S.B. (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam (India))

Abstract

In this paper, the structural mechanics features of primary pipes of the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), and theoretical and experimental structural mechanics analyses carried out to demonstrate high structural reliability of the primary pipes, are highlighted in the first part. Subsequently, for the defence in depth approach, Double Ended Guillotine Rupture (DEGR) of one of the four pipes is postulated as a design basis event. This has been investigated by thermal hydraulic analysis for estimating temperature rise in fuel cladding and coolant and thereby demonstrated that the temperature limits specified for the category 4 event are respected. This paper also indicates possible provisions that can be incorporated in the design to demonstrate that the DEGR can be eliminated from design basis events. (author)

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key words: design basis accidents; fbr type reactors; international nuclear event scale; loss of coolant; pipes; primary coolant circuits; ruptures; temperature dependence; thermal hydraulics; breeder reactors; epithermal reactors; fast reactors;
Reference:
Proceedings of a technical meeting held in Kalpakkam, India 13-17 January 2003
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
IAEA-TECDOC--1406, pp:17-24