International Conference

The MELCOR 1.8.5 code input model and simulation results of the OECD/NEA international standard problem No. 45 (ISP-45) are presented. ISP-45 was performed as QUENCH-06 experiment at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. The objectives of the QUENCH program are the analysis of the heat-up, oxidation and delayed reflood phases of a PWR type fuel rod bundle in the QUENCH facility and investigation of the thermal, mechanical, physical and chemical behavior of fuel rod claddings under transient cool-down conditions. The objectives of the OECD/NEA ISP program are the extension of the reflood database to identify key phenomena occurring during accident management measure procedures and code validation, i.e., reliability and accuracy of severe accident codes especially during the quench phase. The QUENCH test bundle is made up of 21 fuel rod simulators approximately 2.5 m long. The Zircaloy-4 rod cladding is identical to that used in pressurized water reactors with respect to material and dimensions. The bundle is heated electrically. The QUENCH-06 experiment had three phases: the pre-oxidation phase, the power transient phase and the reflood-quench phase. According to the ISP-45 specification, the MELCOR 1.8.5 simulation includes the events from the beginning of the pre-oxidation phase until the end of the reflood-quench phase and shut-off of electric power, steam and cooling water. Calculated results are discussed with respect to accuracy, plausibility and completeness. Shortcomings and limitations of the input model are described.