Best-Estimate LOCA Analysis over the Full Spectrum of Postulated Breaks Using Westinghouse FULL SPECTRUMTM LOCA Methodology

Abstract

In this paper, the ability of the Westinghouse FULL SPECTRUMTM LOCA (FSLOCATM) best-estimate code to adequately capture the phenomena most important and dominant for small, intermediate, and large breaks of the cold leg is demonstrated for a three-loop Westinghouse pressurized water reactor (PWR). Nominal scenarios, in which typical values are assumed for uncertainty parameters, illustrate the influence of break size on the important system-level phenomena predicted by the code. The relatively more limiting predictions of peak cladding temperature for larger breaks confirm the analysis margin achieved for small breaks by analyzing in a best-estimate manner.