On the validation of BEPU methodologies through the simulation of integral experiments: Application to the PKL test facility

Validation procedure for BEPU deterministic safety analysis.•BEPU analysis of a semi-blind simulation of an IBLOCA scenario at the PKL facility.•Definition of alternative Figures of Merit for BEPU analysis allows for a more thorough evaluation of the results.•Only 5% of the analysed output parameter...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Freixa Terradas, Jordi|||0000-0002-8173-3921, Martínez Quiroga, Víctor Manuel|||0000-0003-0096-8348, Casamor Vidal, Max|||0000-0001-8570-5365, Reventós Puigjaner, Francesc Josep, Mendizabal Sanz, Rafael, Sánchez Perea, Miguel
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/360631
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/360631
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2021.111238
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Fluid fuel reactors
PWR
Scaling
BEPU
CET
Reactors nuclears amb combustible líquid
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Energies::Energia hidràulica
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Física
Descripción
Sumario:Validation procedure for BEPU deterministic safety analysis.•BEPU analysis of a semi-blind simulation of an IBLOCA scenario at the PKL facility.•Definition of alternative Figures of Merit for BEPU analysis allows for a more thorough evaluation of the results.•Only 5% of the analysed output parameters laid outside of the BEPU spectrum. Validation is a key step in the field of thermal hydraulics and has played a crucial role in the implementation of system codes. These codes are then included in licensing methodologies being those either best estimate plus uncertainties (BEPU) or conservative approaches. However, only a small amount of efforts has been done on the validation of the methodologies as a whole. Such validation would imply the comparison of the bounding limits and the experimental data. Due to the lack of actual data of accidental situations, such validation should be carried out with data from integral test facility (ITF) experiments. The OECD/NEA PKL-4 test programme is investigating safety issues relevant for current pressurized water reactor (PWR) plants as well as for new PWR design concepts focusing on complex heat transfer mechanisms under two-phase flow. Within the project, a blind benchmark activity has been launched where an IBLOCA experiment has been simulated by 12 different organizations. The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) participated in the activity with a blind BEPU approach with the main objective of assessing the validity of the methodology as a whole. At first, the scalars that characterize the phenomenology of the particular scenario have been considered. Secondly, in order to broaden the extent of the validation, the results of the different participants have been interpreted as if they were blind experiments as well. Finally, different output parameters have been considered providing a matrix of results that is used to evaluate the validity of the methodology.