To ensure the structural integrity of the embrittled reactor pressure vessels (RPVs) during startup or shutdown operation, the pressure-temperature (P-T) limits are mainly determined by the fracture toughness of beltline region material with the highest level of neutron embrittlement. However, other vessel parts such as nozzles with structural discontinuities may affect the limits due to the higher stress concentration, even though the neutron embrittlement is insignificant. Therefore, not only beltline material with the highest reference temperature, but also other components with structural discontinuities have to be considered for the development of P-T limits of RPV. In the paper, the pressure-temperature operational limits of a Taiwan domestic pressurized water reactor (PWR) pressure vessel considering beltline and extended beltline regions are established per the procedure of ASME Code Section XI-Appendix G. The three-dimensional finite element models of PWR inlet and outlet nozzles above the beltline region are also built to analyze the pressure and thermal stress distributions for P-T limits calculation. The analysis results indicate that the cool-down P-T limit of the domestic PWR vessel is still dominated by the beltline region, but the heat-up limit is partially controlled by the extended beltline region. On the other hand, the relations of reference temperature between nozzles and beltline region on the P-T limits are also discussed. Present work could be a reference for the regulatory body and is also helpful for safe operation of PWRs in Taiwan.
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ASME 2018 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference
July 15–20, 2018
Prague, Czech Republic
Conference Sponsors:
- Pressure Vessels and Piping Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-5167-8
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Comparison of Pressure-Temperature Limits for a Pressurized Water Reactor Pressure Vessel Considering Beltline and Extended Beltline Regions
Hsoung-Wei Chou,
Hsoung-Wei Chou
Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Yu-Yu Shen,
Yu-Yu Shen
Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Chin-Cheng Huang
Chin-Cheng Huang
Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Hsoung-Wei Chou
Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Yu-Yu Shen
Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Chin-Cheng Huang
Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Paper No:
PVP2018-84145, V06AT06A031; 10 pages
Published Online:
October 26, 2018
Citation
Chou, H, Shen, Y, & Huang, C. "Comparison of Pressure-Temperature Limits for a Pressurized Water Reactor Pressure Vessel Considering Beltline and Extended Beltline Regions." Proceedings of the ASME 2018 Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference. Volume 6A: Materials and Fabrication. Prague, Czech Republic. July 15–20, 2018. V06AT06A031. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/PVP2018-84145
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