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​​​​​​​​​​​Risk-Informed Multiphysics Best Estimate Plus Uncertainties


Goal

Uncertainty quantification in modeling and simulation is an important step in increasing confidence in the safety analysis of a nuclear power plant. The goal of this research was to improve the multiphysics uncertainty quantification capabilities of RELAP5-3D, ultimately decreasing over-conservatisms during safety margins assessment. ​

Outcome

The research was conducted to improve uncertainty analysis capability in RELAP5-3D, the INL best-estimate nuclear thermal-hydraulic computer code, focusing on the reflooding phase of large break loss-of-coolant (LB-LOCA) accident. Relevant closure laws of RELAP5-3D were modified to give the code user the capability of perturbing their main parameters using assigned probabilities distribution functions. Idaho National Laboratory risk-analysis tool RAVEN, coupled with RELAP5-3D code, were used for the demonstration phase of the research project,​ and applied to the analysis of two reflood experiments. The methodology was widely used in other projects in the Risk-Informed Systems Analysis pathway​. 

​​​Related Reports

 

 

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A Strategic Approach to Employ Risk-Informed Methods to Enable Margin Recovery of Nuclear Power Plants Operating Margins, INL/EXT-18-5149155517A Strategic Approach to Employ Risk-Informed Methods to Enable Margin Recovery of Nuclear Power Plants Operating Margins, INL/EXT-18-51491A Strategic Approach to Employ Risk-Informed Methods to Enable Margin Recovery of Nuclear Power Plants Operating Margins, INL/EXT-18-5149110/1/2018 3:10:49 PMU.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy This information was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the U.S. Government The focus of this report is to 184https://lwrs.inl.gov/RiskInformed Safety Margin Characterization/Forms/AllItems.aspxpdfFalsepdf
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R&D Plan for RISMC Industry Application #1: ECCS/LOCA Cladding Acceptance Criteria, INL/EXT-16-3823155766R&D Plan for RISMC Industry Application #1: ECCS/LOCA Cladding Acceptance Criteria, INL/EXT-16-38231R&D Plan for RISMC Industry Application #1: ECCS/LOCA Cladding Acceptance Criteria, INL/EXT-16-382314/25/2016 9:36:35 PMINL/EXT-16-38231 Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program R&D Plan for RISMC Industry Application #1: ECCS/LOCA Cladding Acceptance Criteria Ronaldo Szilard Hongbin Zhang Aaron 226https://lwrs.inl.gov/RiskInformed Safety Margin Characterization/Forms/AllItems.aspxpdfFalsepdf
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Industry Application External Hazard Analyses Problem Statement, INL/EXT-15-3610155916Industry Application External Hazard Analyses Problem Statement, INL-EXT-15-36101Industry Application External Hazard Analyses Problem Statement, INL-EXT-15-361017/31/2015 8:41:07 PMRonaldo H Szilard, Justin Coleman, Curtis L Smith, Steven Prescott, Annie Kammerer, Robert Youngblood, Chad Pope This information was prepared as an 175https://lwrs.inl.gov/RiskInformed Safety Margin Characterization/Forms/AllItems.aspxpdfFalsepdf
RISMC Advanced Safety Analysis Project Plan FY2015–FY2019, INL/EXT-14-3318655186RISMC Advanced Safety Analysis Project Plan FY2015–FY2019, INL-EXT-14-33186RISMC Advanced Safety Analysis Project Plan FY2015–FY2019, INL-EXT-14-331869/29/2014 10:13:29 PMThis information was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the U.S. Government Neither the U.S. Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees 158https://lwrs.inl.gov/RiskInformed Safety Margin Characterization/Forms/AllItems.aspxpdfFalsepdf

​For more information contact:

Svetlana (Lana) Lawrence
Risk-Informed Systems Analysis, Pathway Lead
Idaho National Laboratory
Using BEPU  

Concept of safety the margins describing benefit from BEPU method. The best-estimated value with an uncertainty range is the closest to the actual value. The benefit is improving safety margin compared to conservative value.​