Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT) (방사성폐기물학회지)

Korean Radioactive Waste Society (한국방사성폐기물학회)
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Evaluation of Functional Capability for Spent Fuel Drops in PWR Spent Fuel Rack

  • Taehyung Na (Central Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Donghee Lee (Central Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Kyungho Roh (Central Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.) ;
  • Sunghwan Chung (Central Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.)
  • Received : 2024.03.11
  • Accepted : 2024.04.24
  • Published : 2024.09.30
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Abstract

The spent nuclear fuel, combusted and released in the nuclear power plant, is stored in the spent fuel pool (SFP) located in the fuel buildings interconnected with the reactors. In Korea, spent fuel has been stored exclusively in SFPs, prompting initiatives to expand storage capacity by either installing additional SFPs or replacing them with high-density spent fuel storage racks. The installation of these fuel racks necessitates obtaining a regulatory license contingent upon ensuring safe fuel handling and storage systems. Regulatory agencies mandate the formulation of various postulated accident scenarios and assessments covering criticality, shielding, thermal behavior, and structural integrity to ensure safe fuel handling and storage systems. This study describes an evaluation method for assessing the structural damage to storage racks resulting from fuel dropping as a part of the functional safety evaluation of these racks. A scenario was envisaged wherein fuel was dropped onto the base plates of the upper and lower sections of the storage racks, and the impact load was analyzed using the ABAQUS/Explicit program. The evaluation results revealed localized plastic deformation but affirmed the structural integrity and safety of the storage racks.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) grant funded by the Korea government (MOTIE) (202117102001B).

References

  1. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, "APPENDIX D 3.8.4, Guidance on Spent Fuel Pool Racks", in: Standard Review Plan, Revision 4, NUREG-0800 (2013).
  2. Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. Pool Liner Qualification Report for Spent Fuel Storage Racks, KHNP Report, SW12-SFSR-D01-006 (2020).
  3. Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. Structural & Seismic Analysis Report for Spent Fuel Storage Racks, KHNP Report, SW12-SFSR-D01-004 (2020).
  4. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, Division 1, Subsection NF, "Supports", 2019 Edition, ASME, NY (2019).
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