Application of thermal comfort theory in probabilistic safety assessment of a nuclear power plant

Human factor errors in probabilistic safety assessment(PSA) of a nuclear power plant(NPP) can be prevented using thermal comfort analysis.In this paper,the THERP+HCR model is modified by using PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) and PPD(Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied) index system,so as to obtain the operator cognitive reliability,and to reflect and analyze human perception,thermal comfort status,and cognitive ability in a specific NPP environment.The mechanism of human factors in the PSA is analyzed by operators of skill,rule and knowledge types.The THERP+HCR model modified by thermal comfort theory can reflect the conditions in actual environment,and optimize reliability analysis of human factors.Improving human thermal comfort for different types of operators reduces adverse factors due to human errors,and provides a safe and optimum decision-making for NPPs.

Thermo-hydraulic analysis for SCWR during power-raising phase of startup

The study of thermal characteristics during startup is one of the most important aspects for safety analysis of supercritical water-cooled reactor(SCWR).According to the given sliding pressure mode of SCWR,thermal analysis on temperature-raising phase and power-raising phase of startup are carried out.Considering the radial heterogeneity of power distribution,thermal characteristics for different assemblies during startup are also put forward.The results show that,during temperature-raising phase with core power increased only,the temperature of moderator,coolant and fuel cladding in inner assemblies are increased with little amplitude.During power-raising phase with core power and feed-water flow rate increased,the coolant temperature keeps unchanged,but the moderator temperature is decreased.With a greater variation of power,fuel cladding temperature shows a greater increase.Furthermore,considering the uneven distribution of radial power,thermo-hydraulic characteristics with uneven cladding temperature distribution shows a certain horizontal heterogeneity for different fuel assemblies,which becomes serious as flow rate and power increase.By adjusting flow rate distribution in different fuel assemblies or changing power setting during startup,the cladding temperature difference could be effectively reduced,which provides a certain reference for startup optimization of SCWR.

Mechanism of ONB based on nonequilibrium thermodynamics of natural circulation in narrow channels

Based on the experiment of onset of nucleate boiling(ONB)in natural circulation and the nonequilibrium thermodynamics dissipative theory,the mechanism of ONB in narrow rectangle channels of natural circulation is proposed.It points out that the onset of nucleate boiling is influenced by the degree of superheat and the special conditions of narrow channels.Under the conditions of both density difference in natural circulation and narrow rectangle channels,the prediction model of ONB in natural circulation of narrow channels based on fluctuating is established.The experimental results show that the present model can be used to predict the heat flux of ONB in narrow rectangle channels.Features of ONB in natural circulation narrow rectangle channels are as follows:heating power is the incentive of the happen of ONB;the higher the heating power is,the higher the degree of superheat is,and the earlier the ONB will appear.With the pressurizing,the appearance of ONB will be delayed.The higher the degree of supercooling is,the later the ONB appears.The ONB will happen easier when there are noncondensable gases and roughness in the channels.