Development of PIRT (Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table) for SAS-SFR (SAS4A) Validation
Authors: Kawada Ken-ichi , Sato Ikken , Tobita Yoshiharu , Pfrang Werner , Buffe Laurence , Dufour Emmanuelle 
Published: November 2014

SAS-SFR (derived from SAS4A) is presently the most advanced computer code for simulation of the primary phase of the Core Disruptive Accident (CDA) of MOX-fueled Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors (SFR). In the past two decades, intensive model improvement works have been conducted for SAS-SFR utilizing the experimental data from the CABRI programs. The main target of the present work is to confirm validity of these improved models through a systematic and comprehensive set of test analyses to demonstrate that the improved models has a sufficient quality assurance level for applications to reactor conditions.

In order to reach these objectives, an approach of PIRT (Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table) on a set of accident scenarios has been applied. Based on the fact that there have been a significant amount of validation studies for decades, development of the code validation matrix concentrated on key issues. Different accident scenarios have been chosen for the PIRT considering typical SFR accident transients that address a large range of phenomena. As the most important and typical Core Disruptive Accident scenarios leading to generalized core melting and to be addressed with SAS-SFR in the present study, ULOF (Unprotected Loss Of Flow), UTOP (Unprotected Transient OverPower) and ULOHS (Unprotected Loss Of Heat Sink) are selected.

The PIRT process applied to a given accident scenario consists in an identification of the phenomena involved during the accident, the evaluation of the importance of the phenomena regarding to the evolution and consequences, and the evaluation of the status of knowledge based on the review of available experimental results.

The identified phenomena involved in ULOF are explained as follows for the primary phase. Starting from initiating events, a loss of grid power leading to flow coast down without scram is assumed. The scenario up to coolant boiling is the main point within the first part of the ULOF phenomenological chart. Those elements related to reactivity feedback, such as heat up of coolant, fuel and various structures and their deformation due to the thermal transient are picked up. Depending on the time scale before boiling starts, primary, secondary and tertiary loop heat transfer including the DHR (Decay Heat Removal) system response is concerned since it defines the core inlet coolant temperature. Core inlet coolant temperature gives direct impact on the thermal condition of the core. It also affects reactivity through thermal expansion of the grid plate.

In the second part of the ULOF phenomenological chart, elements such as coolant boiling, mechanical response of the fuel pin leading to cladding failure, FCI (Fuel-Coolant Interaction) and post-failure material relocation are picked up. This part of the chart is basically common to the ULOHS.

Respective identified phenomena are to be simulated in the SAS-SFR code. To validate the function of the models in the code, ten high priority CABRI experiments are selected. Validation studies on these tests are underway.

With the present study, important phenomena involved in ULOF, UTOP and ULOHS were identified and an evaluation matrix for the selected CABRI experiments was developed.