RELAP5 and TRACE codes comparison and validation under steady-state and transient conditions on the basis of NUPEC data

Joanna Suchoszek, Francesco Cadinu, Tomasz Kozlowski, True Nam Dinh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

One-dimensional system codes are one of the main tools for the safety analysis of nuclear power plants. For BWR applications, it is of particular interest to know the performance of system codes in predicting void fraction, pressure drops, and, possibly, critical power in a wide range of conditions. The BFBT (BWR Full-Scale Fine-Mesh Bundle Tests) Benchmark [1], based on the NUPEC experiments, allows an accurate evaluation of the capabilities of the thermal-hydraulic codes in predicting the earlier mentioned quantities. The goal of this work is to evaluate the performance of RELAP5 and TRACE against the NUPEC experimental data. The fuel bundle employed in the benchmark has been modeled in the RELAP5 and TRACE input by a simple PIPE component using the fluid temperature and the mass flow rate as the inlet boundary condition and the pressure as the outlet boundary condition. We assessed the capability of RELAP5 and TRACE in predicting the void fraction, pressure drops and critical power in both steady-state and transient conditions. The obtained results were compared with the NUPEC measured data.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings - 12th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, NURETH-12
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes
Event12th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, NURETH-12 - Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Duration: Sep 30 2007Oct 4 2007

Publication series

NameProceedings - 12th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, NURETH-12

Other

Other12th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, NURETH-12
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPittsburgh, PA
Period9/30/0710/4/07

Keywords

  • BFBT benchmark
  • RELAP5
  • TRACE

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering
  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

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