Transient Void, Pressure Drop and Critical Power BFBT Benchmark Analysis and Results with VIPRE-W/MEFISTO-T

Abstract

A benchmark analysis of the transient BFBT data [1], measured in an 8x8 fuel assembly design under typical BWR transient conditions, was performed using the VIPRE-W/MEFISTO-T code package. This is a continuation of the BFBT steady-state benchmark activities documented in [2] and [3]. All available transient void and pressure drop experimental data were considered and the measurements were compared with the predictions of the VIPRE-W sub-channel analysis code using various modeling approaches, including the EPRI drift flux void correlation. Detailed analyses of the code results were performed and it was demonstrated that the VIPRE-W transient predictions are generally reliable over the tested conditions. Available transient dryout data were also considered and the measurements were compared with the predictions of the VIPRE- W/MEFISTO-T film flow calculations. The code calculates the transient multi-film flowrate distributions in the BFBT bundle, including the effect of spacer grids on drop deposition enhancement, and the dryout criterion corresponds to the total liquid film disappearance. After calibration of the grid enhancement effect with a very small subset of the steady-state critical power database, the code could predict the time and location of transient dryout with very good accuracy.