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Core damage assessment method based on core uncovery time for AP1000 nuclear power plant severe accident   SUN Xiaohui1, CAO Xinrong1, and SHI Xingwei2   1. Fundamental Science on Nuclear Safety and Simulation Technology Laboratory, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, PR China. 2. Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center, Beijing 100082, PR China.   Abstract: In the event of severe accident in AP1000 Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), timely and accurate assessment of core damage severity can provide the basis for nuclear emergency response actions. There are two popular methods for core damage assessment: Westinghouse Owners Group Core Damage Assessment Guidance (CDAG) which is based on the core exit temperature (CET) and containment radiation monitor readings; and the core damage assessment method which is based on the time that core is uncovered (IAEA-TECDOC-955). The main method used in the Chinese operated AP1000 is developed based on the CDAG. The method proposed in IAEA-TECDOC-955 was for second generation reactors, and whether it is applicable to AP1000 reactors needs further verification. Such verification is the objective of this paper. In this paper, the method in IAEA-TECDOC-955 has been studied. The severe accident induced by Large Break Loss of Coolant Accident (LBLOCA) was selected as a reasonable scenario in this paper, and it was modeled by MELCOR for the verification whether the method is applicable to AP1000 reactor. It can be concluded from the comparative results that the core damage assessment method in IAEA-TECDOC-955 applied in AP1000 is conservative. This conclusion can provide basis for the development of comprehensive core damage assessment system. Keyword: IAEA-TECDOC-955; uncover time; MELCOR; AP1000; LBLOCA
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