CATHENA Simulations of Steam Generator Tube Hrdpfr4re

Abstract

The CATHENA thermalhydraulic computer code was used to simulate various scenarios following a CANDU® 9 steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) event. The analysis included cases with class IV power and emergency core cooling system (ECCS) available and other cases with subsequent loss of class IV power (LCIVP) or impairment of ECCS injection. Two main approaches were followed in the analysis of each case. In the first approach, D₂O feed was credited to provide conservative data for input to radionuclide release and dose calculations. Also operator actions are credited. The other approach is designed to give conservative predictions with respect to the acceptance criteria of fuel and fuel channel integrity and to prove that in case of such event, the operator will have enough time to mitigate the consequences. This is done by not crediting makeup for the inventory loss and relying on the automatic operation of safety systems.

The analysis of the cases of the first approach provided the required data for radionuclide release and dose calculations and gave a good insight into the required sequence of operator timely actions to mitigate the consequences of such event. On the other hand, the cases of the second approach confirmed compliance with regulatory requirements for pressure tube and fuel integrity. The runs with ECCS available, showed that ECCS injection is effective in filling and cooling the core and that regulatory requirements for fuel and channel integrity are met. In the event of ECCS impairment, the earliest indication of late fuel heat-up is late enough to provide the operator with an adequate time to act in mitigating the consequences of this event.