Fracture mechanics analysis and evaluation for the RPV of the Chinese Qinshan 300 MW NPP under PTS Original Research Article

One of the most severe accident conditions of a reactor pressure vessel (RPV) in service is the loss of coolant accident (LOCA). Cold safety injection water is pumped into the downcomer of the RPV through inlet nozzles, while the internal pressure may remain at a high level. Such an accident is called pressurized thermal shock (PTS) transient according to the 10 CFR 50.61 definition. This paper illustrates the fracture mechanics analysis for the existing RPV of the Chinese Qinshan 300 MW nuclear power plant (NPP) under the postulated PTS transients that include SB-LOCA, LB-LOCA of Qinshan NPP and Rancho Seco transients. 3-D models with the flaw depth range a/w=0.05∼0.9 were used to probe what kind of flaw and what kind of transient are most detrimental for the RPV in the end of life (EOL). Both the linear elastic and elastic–plastic material models were used in the stress analysis and fracture mechanics analysis. The different types of flaw and the influence of the stainless steel cladding on the fracture analysis were investigated for different PTS transients. The fracture evaluation for the RPV in question under PTS transients, comparing with the material crack initiation toughness KIC, is performed in this paper.