Atucha-2 PHWR Three Dimensional Neutron Kinetics Coupled Thermal-Hydraulics Modelling and Analyses

UNIVERSIT DI PISA
DIPARTIMENTO DI INGEGNERIA MECCANICA,

NUCLEARE E DELLA PRODUZIONE
Gruppo Ricerca Nucleare S. Piero a

Grado
VIA DIOTISALVI 2, 56100 PISA
Atucha-2 PHWR three

dimensional neutron kinetics
coupled thermal-hydraulics
modelling and analyses by the
RELAP5-3D
C. Parisi, A. Del Nevo, O. Mazzantini, F.
DAuria, K. Ivanov
RELAP5-3D User Seminar

Idaho University Campus, Idaho Falls, USA
18-20 November 2008
Outline
Grado
Introduction
Atucha II PHWR Features
280 channels TH model
HELIOS Cross-Sections Libraries
3D NK - TH model
Sample results
Conclusions
RELAP5-3D User Seminar Idaho University Campus, Idaho Falls, USA November 18-20, 2008
Introduction
Grado
Argentinean electric utility Nucleoelectrica

Argentina Societad Anonima (NA-SA) signed an
agreement with the San Piero a Grado Nuclear
Research Group (GRNSPG) of the University of Pisa
(UNIPI) in 2007 for the development of advanced
simulation models for the Atucha-II NPP
GRNSPG/UNIPI developed Thermal-hydraulics,
Neutronics, CFD and Structural Mechanics
models for the safety analysis of the plant
Currently GRNSPG/UNIPI is also assisting NA-SA in
the development of the Chapter 15 of the FSAR
Best-Estimate Plus Uncertainty (BEPU) method
pursued for licensing calculation development of a
BE RELAP5-3D model for licensing analyses

Grado
Atucha-II is a 692 MWe Siemens designed PHWR under construction in

Lima, Argentina
Constructions started in 1981, suspended in 1994
Constructions resumed in 2005, first criticality scheduled for 2010
Heavy water cooled, heavy water moderated PWR
Unique features:
Primary circuit based on the Konvoi-PWR design

Circuit for moderator cooling / FW pre-heating
Natural Uranium fuel
Vertical Fuel Channels
Large RPV (7.3 meter internal diam.)

Grado
Primary circuit characteristics & configuration
2 U-Tubes SG, 2 MCP

Primary side pressure: 11.5 MPa
Primary side temperatures: 278 C at RPV inlet, 313.3C at RPV outlet
Total thermal power transferred to the steam water cycle : 2174 MW
Average Moderator Temperature: 170 C
4 U-Tubes HX for Moderator cooling / FW pre-heating
Primary Circuit
Moderator Cooling
Circuit
RELAP5-3D User
Seminar Idaho University Campus, Idaho Falls, USA November 18-20, 2008

Fuel placed in 451 vertical fuel channel (FC)
37 Natural Uranium Fuel rods per each FC
On-line refueling
Active Core Height: 5.3 m
Oblique CRs

Grado
Fuel Element
RPV Layout
CR layout

Grado
Emergency Boron Injection System designed to act during RIA (e.g.,

LBLOCA)
To counteract positive reactivity excursion due to the reactor positive void
coefficient
4 Lances inject high pressure solution of boric acid into the moderator
tank
System reaction time reduced by NA-SA to roughly 0.5 secs.
Boron
Injection
Lance (1 of 4)

Grado
Rationale for the Nodalization

Nodalization is the result ofStructure
a brainstorming process where the
computational resources available and the experience of the user
play a major role consistently with the objectives of the analyses
Selected code was RELAP5-3D developed for industrial

applications in US, independent from the code(s) used by the
regulator
Key role of:
Maximum allowed number of nodes,
Maximum allocable computer-code memory
Typicality of the accident scenarios to be analyzed
DEGB LBLOCA Initial Reactivity Excursion and Recovery
LBLOCA and other transients
User in supplying unavailable information

Providing suitable qualification

Grado
Rationale for the Nodalization

Structure
280 channels nodalization
consistent with the
typicality of the accident scenarios to be analyzed

(e.g. DEGB LBLOCA Initial Reactivity Excursion
and Recovery)
Computer resources not sufficient to implement all

CNA-2 ECCS and Logics
60 channels nodalization consistent with the
typicality of the accident scenario (e.g. LBLOCA
and other transients)
Code computer resources saturated by
implementation of suitable ECCS and Logics, so:
280 channels nodalization for 3D NK TH analyses
60 channels nodalization for 0D NK TH analyses

Grado
DC Nodalization & RPV Symmetry

50
CL1
HL1
HL2
CL2
HL axis
Due to the legs geometry not all the

coolant coming from a loop exits from
the same loop. A mixing (between
inlet and outlet) has to be taken into
account
CL axis
10
DC Nodalization (Hydraulics)
Grado
DC-UP bypass connection
6 vertical (downward oriented) pipes

axially subdivided in 25 volumes
joined by cross-flow (multiple) junctions
(component no. 7 in the left figure)
6 branches represent the upper part, two
of them linked to the CL
11

Grado
LP Nodalization
Three layers:
1) Bottom part horizontally oriented (red): Level-1 (L1)
2) Bottom part up to the channel inlet vertically oriented (green): Level-2 (L2)
3) Channel inlet up to the lower face of core plate vertically oriented (blue):
Level-3 (L3)
12
LP Nodalization
HL1

Grado
CL1
Without
channel inlets!
4
3
2
1
LP grid nodalization approach

Five rings are identified containing an
entire number of boxes
HL2
CL2
13
LP Nodalization
Grado
LP grid nodalization approach

36 sectors (amplitude of each sector is
10 = maximum common divisor for
90, 40 and 50) divide the boxes into
200 parts (sub-box) represented by
200 branches
14

Grado
LP Nodalization
Bottom part
5 radial rings (according to LP plate subdivision)
6 azimuthal parts (according to DC subdivision)
25 horizontal branches constitute

the bottom LP
The external ring is connected to
DC pipes (green circles)
Each hor. branch is connected to
the vert. branches forming the LP
grid (red circles)
15
Core channels Nodalization

Grado
Considering
Five throttle types

Green
Blue
Red
Black
Light blue
zone 1
zone 2
zone 3
zone 4
zone 5
1 Max power
channel
280
equivalent
channels
36 Radial
sector
5 Rings
65 Boxes
16

Grado
UP Nodalization
Four layers:
1) First horizontal part connected to the coolant channel outlets (blue)
2) First vertical part up to the HL axis (orange)
3) Second horizontal part along the HL (green)
4) Second vertical part to account for the nearly semispherical
shape (yellow)
17

Grado
UP Nodalization
The three different layers
modelled by several branches
E.g., the first layer horizontal
25 branches connected to the
280 equivalent core channel
(red circles)
18

Grado
RPV Nodalization
Not all channels

represented!
19
LOOP Nodalization (including

SG)

Grado
Standard nodalization technique
General rules followed:

1 junction only connected to a pipe
Ratio length of two consecutive nodes
stays within 0.5 2.0
Junction at inlet and outlet of nodes only
SG modeled till the isolation valves
2 loops modeled
1 loop represented
Pump homologous curves taken
from NA-SA nodalization
20

Grado
Moderator system
Moderator
pump
4 loops modeled 1 loop represented
Safety
injection
Heat exchangers
Primary side of
moderator cooler
Safety injection
port
Moderator
downcomer
Pump homologous curves given by NA-SA
21
Neutron XSec Libraries model - Generation

Grado
ENDF/B-VI
NJOY
MultiG XSec
(47 Groups)
HELIOS
v. 1.9
2D Transport
Calculations
XSecs Libraries
(2 Groups)
22
Neutron XSec Libraries Code

Grado
Advanced lattice physics code HELIOS used to calculate the cross

section sets
HELIOS is a neutron and gamma transport code for lattice burnup, in
general two-dimensional geometry
Developed by STUDSVIK Scandpower
One of the best features of this code is the complete geometric
flexibility
Cartesian, Hexagonal, Cylindrical,
HELIOS can calculate almost any two-dimensional geometry, it can

generate the cross sections for most of the current nuclear reactor
applications
Successfully applied to PWR, BWR, WWER, CANDU, AGR, RBMK
23
Neutron XSec Libraries model

Grado
Channel-by-channel burnup distribution supplied by NA-SA

4510 burnup values reduced to 780 by using 1/6th core pseudo-symmetry
24

Grado
For every composition a cross section set is generated

Each Cross Section set contains tables for:
Fast and Thermal Diffusion Coefficients
Fast and Thermal Capture Cross Sections
Fast and Thermal Fission Cross Sections
Fast and Thermal Nu-Fission Cross Sections
Removal Cross Sections (Group 1 2)
Inverse Neutron Velocities
Assembly Discontinuity Factors (ADFs)
Photoneutron effect (supplied by NA-SA) to be taken into account

directly in NESTLE input
25

Grado
Several HELIOS input decks developed:

Fuel Channel (hexagonal lattice)
Fuel Channel + Moderator
CR absorbers (black & grey CR, upper & lower part)
Reflector: Radial, Bottom, and Top
Fuel Channel
Fuel Channel & CR
Fuel Channel & Reflector
26

Grado

Interpolation in Five-Dimensional Tables
For CNA-II core model Five Independent Parameters will be

used:
1) Fuel Temperature (Doppler Feedback)
2) Coolant Density (Void Effect)
3) Coolant Temperature
4) Moderator Temperature
5) Moderator Boron Concentration (Emergency System)
27

Grado
Cross Section Modelling

CROSS
SECTION
LIBRARIES
(nemtab, nemtabr_1,
nemtabr_2, nemtabr_3,
nemtabr_4)
ATUCHACROSS.exe
(FORTRAN 90 program)
5D LINEAR
INTERPOLATION
ROUTINE
(LINT5D)
TCoolant
LEAST SQUARE
METHOD
(MC)
TModerator
Coolant
ref
Reference
Cross Section
Values
Cross-Section
Variation
Coefficients
BModerator
TFuel
28

Grado
Cross Section Modelling
TCoolant
CR information
(Type, angles, number)
5000 lines Fortran

program
Automatically perform
TModerator
Coolant
BModerator
Final Version of the

ATUCHACROSS program
NESTLE INPUT
ad-hoc interpolations,
for several zones of the
reactor core
Variation coefficient
calculation
NESTLE input writing
TFuel
ref
29

Grado
3D NK TH coupled model
3D NK nodes obtaining weighted feedback from TH model
NESTLE sending back power distribution to FA heat structures
Moderator
Coolant
Density
Fuel Channel
RELAP5-3D
TH model
TH model
Coolant
Temperatur
e
Fuel
Temperatur
e
Boron
Concentrati
on
Moderator
Temperatur
e
NESTLE
Power
30
3D Neutron Kinetic model

Grado
NESTLE 3D NK model characteristics:

Hexagonal lattice
27.24 cm pitch
10 axial layers for active core: 53.07 cm

1 layer for the Bottom Reflector: 48.2 cm
1 layer for the Top Reflector: 34.4 cm
535 X 12 nodes = 6420 NK nodes
Feedback from RELAP5-3D(c) TH model
Hydraulic zones
Fuel Channels (coolant density, coolant temperature)
Moderator Zones (moderator temperature, boron conc.)
Heat structure zones

Fuel Channels (fuel temperature)
All CR type simulated by an ad-hoc representation

Upper & Lower absorber
31
CR modeling
Grado
18 Control Rods
inserted diagonally
(17-25)
Black CR = Hafnium
absorber
Grey CR = Steel
absorber
Each CR has upper
and lower section
with different
materials/sections
CR arranged in 4
groups
G10, G20, G30, S10
= Safety & regulation
Shut-of =
Shutdown CR
32
CR modelling
Grado
Four Cross Sections Libraries calculated for CR modelling

CR XSec corrections due to the 3D geometry effects introduced using 3D
MCNP5 Monte Carlo Simulations
66
10
44
18
60
54
50
25
440
10
439
66 20 44
18
60
54
25
440
439
09
09
178
08
CR and Fuel Channels Section
178
08
NESTLE modelling
RELAP5-3D
User Seminar Idaho University Campus, Idaho Falls, USA November 18-20, 2008
07
33
3D NK TH coupled model Fuel Channels

Grado
Atucha II NPP 280 channel RELAP5-3D TH model used

# of TH channels modeled & coupled according to:
BG
BF
BE
BD
BC
BB
BA
BL
AK
AH
AG
AF
AE
AD
AC
AB
AA
AL
LK
LH
LG
LF
LE
LD
LC
LB
LA
Hydraulic characteristics (throttled type/un-throttled)

Romboidal sub-plena belonging
Power distribution
Transient type
Code resources
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
2
3
2
2
1
3
2
2
1
2
2
3
6
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
3
6
1
1
3
3
1
1
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
4
3
3
6
1
1
4
4
3
3
1
1
4
4
1
1
4
4
1
1
4
4
1
2
4
4
1
2
4
3
1
2
4
3
2
2
1
2
3
3
1
1
1
2
3
6
1
2
3
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
451 FA simulated by
280 FA simulated
3D NK NESTLE code
by RELAP5
34
3D NK TH coupled model Fuel Channels

Grado
280 RELAP5 Fuel Channels coupled with 6420 NESTLE

neutronic nodes
Feedbacks for Radial, Top and Bottom Reflector coming also
from neighbouring fuel channels
RELAP5-3D / NESTLE coupling Map Fuel

Channels
35
3D NK TH coupled model 3D Moderator tank

Grado
Moderator Model using RELAP5-3D - 3D components

possibility to simulate with high degree of realism the boron clouds calculated by
CFD
simulation of asymmetric transients
Very sophisticated mapping scheme resulted from the use of Cylindrical 3D TH
Components coupled with Hexagonal NK cells
6 radial sectors
1+ 10 + 1 = 12 axial layers for
Bottom Reflector, Core Active zone,
Top reflector
3D Moderator Tank
NESTLE mesh overlay
16 azimuthal sectors
36
Modelling the boron emergency injection

system
Grado
Boron Injection Clouds calculated by a previous CFD

CFXTM code calculation reconstructed by ad-hoc
TMDPJUN components in the 3D Moderator Tank
RELAP5-3D Mass of boron

distribution in different layers
Injection Zones
Comparison CFD RELAP5-3D

injected mass of boron
37
280 Channels Nodalization Resources

Grado
Number of Hydraulic Nodes: 5,744

Number of Meshes for Heat Conduction: 67,640
Number of Junctions: 6,987
Number of Materials: 9
Number of Control Variables: 950
Number of Trips: 200
Number of TMDPVOL: 13
Number of NK nodes: 6420
Total Number of input deck lines: 117,000
Typical CPU for running 1 sec of SS (max time step 0.02 s,
on Pentium-IV 3.6 GHz): 850 s
38
3D NK Coupled TH SS Results
Grado
Core SS conditions:
Hot Full Power: 2.160 GW
Nominal values for Fuel, Coolant and Moderator
Temperatures distribution
CR in (NA-SA configuration)
G10: 94% in
G20: 67% in
G30:24.5% in
S10: 4.29% in
Shut-Off (S20 & S30): All Rods Out
Boron Concentration: 0.05 ppm
39
SS Radial Power
Grado
Keff= 0.99550
Fxy = 1.38
Maximum
Min= 1.01 MW
Minimum
Max = 6.65 MW
40
SS Radial Power
Grado
Radial Power : Spatial Form Function
41

Grado
SS Normalized Reactor Axial Power
Axial Power
Distribution
42
Fuel Channels Mass Flow

Grado
Mass Flow per Assembly [Kg/s]
43
SS Coupled Codes TH
All the main TH parameters
Parameters
converged to SS

Grado
reference values
E.g., moderator Tank temperature distribution

Bottom & Top Reflector
Active Core
44
LBLOCA 0.1A in CL2 Sample Results

Grado
LBLOCA 0.1 A in CL2 (reference DBA for Atucha-2)

Actuation of
Scram by all CRs : +0.07 s
Emergency Boron Injection System : + 0.63 s
MCP1 & 2 rundown : +0.07 s

CR completely inserted : +3.64 s
End of Boron Injection in moderator tank : +3.91 s
No Safety threshold exceeded
45

Grado
LBLOCA 0.1A in CL2 Sample Results
Reactor Power
Void Fraction in Central and Hot

Channel
Pressure Trends in UP and

PRZ
Fuel Clad Temp. in Central and Hot Channel
46
MCP Shaft seizure Sample Results

Grado
MCP2 Shaft seizure in 1 s

MCP1 continues operation
Void Fraction
CRs scram: +0.16 s

CRs completely inserted: +3.73 s
No Safety threshold exceeded
Reactor Power
W inGraf 4 .1 - 02-26-2008
.60
.50
H
H
H
H
.40
H
H
.30
Z
Z
Z
Z
Z
H
.10
-.10
H
Z
XYXZYV
XJYV
XJYV
XJYV
XJYV
XJYV
X JYV
X JYV
X JYV
X JYV
X JYV
X JYV
X JYV
X JYV
X JY
voidg250040000
voidg250080000
voidg250120000
voidg272040000
voidg272080000
voidg272120000
Z
0
MCP_Shaft_Seizure
MCP_Shaft_Seizure
MCP_Shaft_Seizure
MCP_Shaft_Seizure
MCP_Shaft_Seizure
MCP_Shaft_Seizure
H
Z
H
.20
XXX
YYY
ZZZ
VVV
JJJ
HHH
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
Tim e (s )
X
V
V
H
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
Fuel Clad Temp. in Central and Hot Channel

Void Fraction in Central & Hot
RELAP5-3DChannel
User Seminar Idaho University Campus, Idaho Falls, USA November 18-20, 2008
47
FC Blockage (BDBA) Sample Results

Hot channel (6.63 MW) total blockage in 0.2 s
No scram signal actuated
WinGraf 4.1 - 01-27-2008
30.0
25.0
Mass Flow Rate (Kg/s)

Grado
35.0
20.0
Severe Fuel Assembly damage
XXX CNA2_FC_BLOCKAGE
mflowj272010000
15.0
10.0
5.0
-5.0
0
.25
.50
.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.25
2.50
Time (s)
Blocked Channel Mass Flow
Blocked Channel Power
Fuel Clad Temp. in Blocked Channel

48
Conclusions
Grado
GRNSPG/UNIPI developed for Argentinean electric utility NA-SA sophisticated

RELAP5-3D models for Atucha II NPP
3D NK TH 280 channel nodalization was presented
3D NK TH model set-up required strong interactions with other technology
fields (e.g., CFD, neutron XSecs generation)
RELAP5-3D models calculations will constitute the Chapter 15 of the FSAR for
the Atucha II licensing
RELAP5-3D demonstrated to be a very sophisticated tool, allowing a detailed
modelling of all relevant phenomena & peculiarities of the Atucha II design
Key points for the code improvement were identified and suggested to INL.
E.g.:
Increase of the allowable Trip cards
Increase the number of 3D Volumes per Multi-D component
On-line Cross Section libraries interpolation
Automatic Calculation of Reactivity components (e.g., Doppler reactivity, coolant
temp. reactivity,..)
Further works are ongoing at GRNSPG/UNIPI in order to:

Complete models qualification
Extend the model to a full RPV 3D TH representation, including the simulation of all
451 FC
Complete simulation of Logics
49

Atucha-2 PHWR Three Dimensional Neutron Kinetics Coupled Thermal-Hydraulics Modelling and Analyses

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UNIVERSIT DI PISA

DIPARTIMENTO DI INGEGNERIA MECCANICA,

Gruppo Ricerca Nucleare S. Piero a

VIA DIOTISALVI 2, 56100 PISA