TRIPMAP Generation for McMaster Nuclear Reactor

Abstract

All nuclear reactors in Canada are required to have effective trip parameters which will initiate reactor shutdown during events that challenge fuel cooling. To satisfy this requirement, analysis is performed for accident and upset events occurring from various initial power levels and range of event severity. For each initiating event and all initial power levels, at least one trip parameter should be effective to safely shutdown the reactor. For power reactors the results of this analysis are summarized in a graphical diagram referred to as a trip map which shows the range of power levels and initiating event severity for which individual trip parameters are effective. Unique to research reactors, the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR) is developing such a trip map. Development of this map requires modeling a fuel element using the point kinetics program PARET and modeling the response of the reactor shutdown system. This paper discusses the trip map generation procedure for the MNR.