Experimental study on light gas transport during containment venting by using the large-scale test facility CIGMA

Abstract

Containment venting is one of the accident mitigation measures during severe accidents in nuclear power plants for preventing overpressure failure of the containment vessels. Because of the capability of releasing hydrogen generated in the containment vessel, the hydrogen risk can be also reduced. In this study, we conducted experiments with the large-scale test facility CIGMA to investigate the light gas transport during the venting action, mainly focusing on the effect of sump water boiling caused by the vent. The CIGMA test vessel initially pressurized by steam, air, and helium (hydrogen simulant) that formed a helium-rich density stratification was depressurized with and without sump water, with different venting flow rates, and at different venting positions. As the sump water became a steam source due to flash boiling, the helium stratification was diluted and the venting time increased twofold compared to the case without sump water, which significantly affected the amount of helium discharged to the atmosphere. Especially for the high venting flow rate condition, the amount of helium remaining in the vessel at the end of depressurization was half that of the case without sump water. Lowering the venting position from within the initial stratification to 3 m below its interface led to a threefold increase in the amount of helium remaining at the same low pressure, because of the longer time until the helium-rich stratification reached the venting position.