HTGR Knowledge Base

Conference Article: HTGR safety research program

Barsell, A.W.; Olsen, B.E.; Silady, F.A. (General Atomic Co., San Diego, CA (USA))

Abstract

An HTGR safety research program is being performed supporting and guided in priorities by the AIPA Probabilistic Risk Study. Analytical and experimental studies have been conducted in four general areas where modeling or data assumptions contribute to large uncertainties in the consequence assessments and thus, in the risk assessment for key core heat-up accident scenarios. Experimental data have been obtained on time-dependent release of fission products from the fuel particles, and plateout characteristics of condensible fission products in the primary circuit. Potential failure modes of primarily top head PCRV components as well as concrete degradation processes have been analyzed using a series of newly developed models and interlinked computer programs. Containment phenomena, including fission product deposition and potential flammability of liberated combustible gases have been studied analytically. Lastly, the behaviour of boron control material in the core and reactor subcriticality during core heatup have been examined analytically. Research in these areas has formed the basis for consequence updates in GA-A15000. Systematic derivation of future safety research priorities is also discussed.

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key words: coated fuel particles; computer codes; concretes; containment; control elements; design basis accidents; fission product release; flammability; htgr type reactors; reactor cores; reactor safety; research programs; risk analysis; time dependence; accidents; building materials; fuel particles; gas cooled reactors; graphite moderated reactors; reactor accidents; reactor components; reactors; safety
Reference:
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria). International Working Group on Gas-Cooled Reactors. Specialists meeting on gas-cooled reactor safety and licensing aspects, Lausanne, Switzerland, 1-3 September 1980. Summary report. Jan 1981
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria). International Working Group on High-Temperature Reactors.
IWGGCR--1, pp:118-123