Hydrodynamic Loads Induced by Air Clearing during Rapid Depressurization through a Unit Cell Sparger in APR1400

摘要

A series of sparger tests have been conducted to investigate the performance of a steamrnsparger, which will be used in a APR1400. The tests have been conducted at the Blowdownrnand Condensation (B&C) Loop in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) using arnprototypic steam sparger. The major test parameters include amount of air mass and airrntemperature in the discharge line, valve opening time, steam mass flow rate, and waterrntemperature and level in the IRWST. The hydrodynamic loads induced by air clearing duringrntypical operation conditions seems to be weekly dependent on air mass in the piping for arngiven range of air masses. The valve opening time and steam mass flow rate had significantrneffects on the loads. The load increases as the valve opening time decreases, and the steamrnmass flow rate increases. However, the load induced by the prototypic steam sparger was lessrnthan those expected in a in BWR and the steam sparger tested in this program can be usedrnsatisfactorily for the APR1400.