Effect of spray flow rate on pressure and temperature distribution in SMR containment

Abstract

In the case of a direct vessel injection (DVI) line break in small modular reactors, the key to ensuring reactor safety is a timely and effective suppression of the pressure and temperature rise in the containment. In this paper, GASFLOW was utilized to analyze the influence of the internal spray mass flow rate on the pressure suppression and to compare 3D temperature distribution in the containment following the double-ended DVI line rupture. Results showed that the spray system significantly reduced the pressure and temperature in the containment in the initial phases. As the accident progressed, the impact of varying spray flow rates on the containment pressure and temperature gradually diminished, temperature distribution became more uniform, and the condensation effect of the spray ultimately stabilized. These findings substantiate the efficacy of the spray system and reveal a positive correlation between spray flow rates and more evident pressure suppression and cooling effects.