An Evaluation of Severe Accident Management Strategy Using PORVs in SGTR Accident

When an accident in a nuclear power plant turns into a severe accident, severe accident management strategies presented in the severe accident management guidelines (SAMG) are implemented to control and mitigate the severe accident. Severe accident management (SAM) strategies to control the amount of fission products released through steam generators for a steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) accident, are also included in the SAMG [1]. One of the strategies is to depressurize the primary system using power operated relief valves (PORVs). In this study, the effectiveness of this SAM strategy was evaluated. MELCOR 2.2 was used to simulate accidents for evaluation of the strategy. Based on the simulation results, the optimal application method of the strategy was derived. Finally, the evaluation whether the safety goal could be achieved through implementation of the strategy was performed.