• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1996.05b
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• pp.284-289
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• 1996

The predictions of the COBRA-IV-I code with the modified turbulent mixing and void drift models have been compared with the diabatic two-phase flow data on equilibrium quality. The turbulent mixing model based on an equal mass exchange of the existing COBRA-IV-I code has been modified to that based on an equal volume exchange between adjacent subchannels, and a void drift model has been newly incorporated in the code. To evaluate the performance of the equal volume exchange turbulent mixing model and the effects of the void drift model, the diabatic steam-water two-phase flow data obtained for the 9-rod bundle test under the typical operating conditions of the boiling water reactor(BWR) conducted by the General Electric (GE) were analyzed by the modified COBRA-IV-I code. The analysis indicates that the equal volume exchange turbulent mixing model with void drift predicts the observed two-phase flow data trends better than the equal mass exchange model, and to predict the correct data trends a more physically based void drift model need to be developed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.579-584
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• 1997

HP Workstation 및 IBM PC에서 사용 가능한 부수로 해석 코드 MATRA $\alpha$-버전을 개발하였다. 이 코드는 정확도 향상 및 사용자 편리를 위해 COBRA-IV-I코드에 비해 여러가지 기능들이 추가되었으며, 코드의 적용 범위를 신형원자로의 비정방형 집합체 노심에 확장할 수 있도록 압력손실 모형 등이 개선되었다. 또한 이상 유동장에서의 예측 정확도 향상을 위하여 부수로 잔의 횡방향 전달 모형을 개선하였다. 코드의 예측 성능을 평가하기 위해 세 중류의 집합체 유동분포 및 엔탈피 분포 실험 자료와 비교하였으며, 그 결과 기존의 COBRA-IV-I코드보다 향상된 결과를 보였다.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.314-327
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• 1999

A subchannel analysis code MATRA applicable to PWRs and ALWRs has been developed to be run on an IBM PC or HP WS based on the existing CDC CYBER mainframe version of COBRA-Rf-1. This MATRA code is a thermal-hydraulic analysis code based on the subchannel approach for calculating the enthalpy and How distribution in fuel assemblies and reactor cores for both steady-state and transient conditions. HATRA has been provided with an improved structure, various functions, and models to give more convenient user environment and to enhance the code accuracy. Among them, the pressure drop model has been improved to be applied to non-square-lattice rod arrays, and the models for the lateral transport between adjacent subchannels have been improved to enhance the accuracy in predicting two-phase flow phenomena. The predictions of MATRA were compared with the experimental data on the flow and enthalpy distribution in some sample rod-bundle cases to evaluate the performance of MATRA. All the results revealed that the predictions of MATRA were better than those of COBRA-IV-I.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.236-247
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• 1983

Analyzed are the the DNBR(Departure from Nucleate Boiling Ratio) sensitivities to variations in various PWR operating parameters utilizing the Korea Nuclear Unit 1(KNU-1) design and operating data. Studied parameters in the analysis are core power level, system pressure, core inlet flow rate, core inlet temperature, enthalpy rise hot channel factor, and axial power peaking factor and axial offset. The calculations are performed using the steady state and transient thermal-hydraulics computer program, COBRA-IV-K, which is the revised version of COBRA-IV-i that has been adapted, partially modified and verified at KAERI. A reference case is established based on the design and operating condition of the KNU-1 reactor core, and this provides a basis for the subsequent sensitivity analysis. From the calculation results it is concluded that the most sensitive parameter in the DNBR thermal design is the coolant core inlet temperature while the axial power peaking factor is the least sensitive.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.155-160
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• 1984

Analyzed is the thermal margin of the Korea Nuclear Unit 1 (KNU-1) reactor core consisting of either 14 x 14 standard fuel assemblies (SFA) or optimized fuel assemblies (OFA). Employed for the analysis are two different thermal design methods; traditional and statistical thermal design method. Compared to the traditional design thermal method, the statistical thermal design method improves the core thermal margin utilizing best-estimate values for the core operating parameters combining their uncertainties in a statistical manner. Calculations are performed using a steady state and transient thermal-hydraulic analysis computer program, COBRA-IV-i. Calculated results show that the statistical thermal design method significantly improves the thermal margin and satisfies the core thermal design base of the KNU-1 SFA and OFA core. However, the thermal design base can not be met, if the traditional thermal design method is employed for the OFA role analysis.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 1990

The thermal-hydraulic characteristics of the 17$\times$17 OFA (Optimized Fuel Assembly) used in the KNU 7&8 are analyzed and compared with that of the 17$\times$17 SFA (Standard Fuel Assembly) loaded in the KNU 5&6. The thermal-hydraulic characteristics analyzed are minimum DNBR, fuel centerline temperature and exit void fraction at normal operation and design over power transient. Additionally, local linear rod power, which will cause fuel centerline melting, is calculated. The DNBR sensitivity calculations are performed with respect to the reactor operating parameters. COBRA-IV-I code is used for these calculations. The modified W-3 correltion and the drift-flux model are applied for the critical heat flux calculation and the void fraction calculation, respectively. From the calculated results, it has been found that the possibility of DNB occurrence is higher in the OFA than in the SFA. The other hand, the local linear power resulting in fuel centerline moiling of the OFA is nearly equal to that of the SFA.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.256-266
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• 1985

The loss of coolant flow accident is analyzed for the pressurized water reactor of Korea Nuclear Unit-1. The loss of coolant flow accident is classified into three types in accordance with its severity; partial loss of coolant flow, complete loss of coolant flow and pump locked rotor accident. Analysis has been carried out in three stages; system transient and average core analysis, DNBR calculation and hot spot analysis. The purpose of developing KTRAN is to simulate the transient fast. For the DNBR calculation, the thermal hydraulic codes, SCAN and COBRA IV-1, are adopted. And for the hot spot analysis, the fuel thermal transient code LTRAN is employed. This code system should be fast responding to the transient analysis. In case the transient occurs, severity comes within a couple of seconds. So response should be fast to accomodate the following sequence of the accident. Unfortunately this purpose could not be achieved by KTRAN. However, the calculated results are well comparable with FSAR results in range. Thereby, the effectiveness of KTRAN code analysis in this type of accident is proven.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 1990

The exact expression for the 1151 force on a fuel assembly in a reactor core is derived in terms of calculable hydraulic parameters. The relation for the lift force. pressure drop, buoyancy force, viscous force. and fuel assembly weight is discussed. Based on the derived exact expression. error analysis is made for a simple expression applying COBRA IV-i to a typical PWR fuel assembly. The error analysis revealed that the error of the simple expression consists of four terms and the overall error depends on the flow rate change direction, and its magnitude is about 1%.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.534-539
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• 1997

A CHF table method has been assessed in this study for rod bundle CHF predictions. At the conceptual design stage for a new reactor, a general critical heat flux (CHF) prediction method with a wide applicable range and reasonable accuracy is essential to the thermal-hydraulic design and safety analysis. In many aspects, a CHF table method (i.e., the use of a round tube CHF table with appropriate bundle correction factors) can be a promising way to fulfill this need. So the assessment of the CHF table method has been performed with the bundle CHF data relevant to pressurized water reactors (PWRs). For comparison purposes, W-3R and EPRI-1 were also applied to the same data base. Data analysis has been conducted with the subchannel code COBRA-IV-I. The CHF table method shows the best predictions based on the direct substitution method. Improvements of the bundle correction factors, especially for the spacer grid and cold wall effects, are desirable for better predictions. Though the present assessment is somewhat limited in both fuel geometries and operating conditions, the CHF table method clearly shows potential to be a general CHF predictor.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1996.05b
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• pp.379-384
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• 1996

Thermal-hydraulic performance has been analyzed for an advanced reactor core loaded with hexagonal fuel assemblies. Currently available CHF prediction models and data base for triangular lattice bundles have been thoroughly reviewed, and as a result the KfK-3 CHF correlation with limit CHFR of 1.235 has been determined to be most appropriate. The pressure drop model in COBRA-IV-I code has been modified for the analysis of triangular lattice rod bundles. In view of maximizing the thermal margin, the geometry of a hexagonal fuel assembly, such as rod diameter and rod pitch, has been optimized with a fixed fuel assembly cross sectional area The optimum value of the moderator-to-fuel volume ratio is estimated to lie between 0.65 to 1 with 9.5 mm rod diameter. The thermal margin of these hexagonal fuel assemblies in the AP600 core has been evaluated and compared with that of square lattice fuel assemblies such as VANTAGE-5H and KOFA. The analysis result shows that the performances of hexagonal fuel assemblies are more favorable than the square fuel assemblies in the aspect of steady-state overpower margin.