When is a BWR like a Coca-Cola bottle?

摘要

Power uprates in boiling water reactors (BWRs) increase steam flow through the main steam line in proportion to the uprate. This increased flow had unexpected consequences at Quad Cities 1&2 BWRs in Illinois when they were uprated in 2002. The increased steam flow created an unexpected acoustic resonance, resulting in damage to the steam dryer. Although Quad Cities replaced both units' steam dryers and made other modifications to prevent further occurrence, greater understanding of the stresses imposed by a power uprate is needed to reduce the likelihood of future events. John Hosier of the USA's Electric Power Research Institute helped develop a report about steam dryer integrity demonstration methods (BWRVIP-194) currently being reviewed by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).