Reactor operation (Practicals) - 5PMGEXP4

Goal(s)

The objectives of this course are to show :

the physics of the core behaviour and in particular the coupling of neutron physics with thermal-hydraulics, in the different phases of the reactor operation
* the system as a whole is reactor is studied with all the complexity of the links between the nuclear core and the power grid as well as operating procedure to operate safely the core.

Those at different states of the reactor operation :

* at "zero" power, i.e. without thermal feedbacks,
* before the coupling to the grid ("core driven"),
* after the coupling to the grid ("turbine driven").

Content(s)

The course is based on the use of the numerical simulator SIREP 1300MW of CORYS.

• Lab 1
  Transfer from cold shut down to hot shut down
  * control of the primary circuit Pressures and temperatures during heat up phases
  * demonstration of efficiency and redundance of heating and cooling systems allowing a safe start-up of the plant

• Lab 2

Sub-critical approach, divergence, power stabilization,
Search of Point Of Added Heat (power level where thermal feedbacks appear), temperature feedback coefficients measurement

• Lab 3

Evaluation of the worth of core controls : Boron, control rods,
Power ramp up before grid connection ("core driven"), use of main systems for heat exchange.

• lab 4

Power ramp up after grid connection ("turbine driven"), behavior without core control by the operator,
Load following : temperature program, axial offset, core controls.

The simulator is very easy to use.
A text book is available.

Pressurized Water Reactors : principle and main systems.
Neutronics
Thermohydraulics
Two-phase thermodynamics
Nuclear Reactor Kinetics