Large Outlet Header Break Experiments in a CANDU-Type Heat Transport Loop

Abstract

Current safety analyses for many postulated loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCA) in the CANDU reactor must consider the effectiveness of the Emergency Coolant Injection (ECI) system. A number of large-break tests at an outlet header, with ECI, have been performed in the RD-14 thermalhydraulics test facility at the Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment. CATHENA, an advanced two-fluid thermalhydraulics code, was used to simulate some of these experiments. This paper describes the RD-14 test series. Test results are discussed in general terms, and a detailed description of selected results from a typical test is included= A CATHENA simulation of a test representing a critical break condition is compared to the experimental results.