Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Operation

Problem Set

PROBLEM LIST

CONTENTS
page
1.

OVERALL UNIT .
1.1
Multiple Barriers
1.2
Energy Transfers and Losses ...
1.3
Unit Energy Balance ...

2
2
2
2

2.

REACTOR AND MODERATOR SYSTEMS

2.1
Use of Reflector ...
2.2
Leak Before Break ...
2.3
Reactivity Control .
2.4
Spatial Shaping of the Neutron Flux ...

3
3
3
3
3

3.

REACTOR REGULATING SYSTEM ..

3.1
Adjuster Rod Banks ....
3.2
Shutdown Rod Insertion .

4
4
4

4.

HEAT TRANSPORT SYSTEM ..

4.1
Thermosyphoning ....
4.2
PHT Pressure Control ....
4.3
Solid Mode Operation ....
4.4
PHT D2O Storage Tank Level Response .....

5
5
6
6
6

5.

STEAM, TURBINE AND FEEDWATER SYSTEMS

5.1
Poison Prevent Steam ..
5.2
Steam Generator Level Control Valve Failure Modes .
5.3
Response to Steam Generator High and Low Levels .
5.4
Steam Generator Tube Break .

7
7
7
7
8

-1-

Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Operation

1.

Problem Set

OVERALL UNIT

1.1 Multiple Barriers

In the design of a CANDU reactor, there are a number of physical barriers to fission
product release. List each of the barriers and briefly explain how they contribute to
the reduction of radiological dose to the Public.
1.2 Energy Transfers and Losses
a. In a CANDU power Station somewhere between 28% and 34% of the energy
produced in the fuel from fission actually ends up in the form of electrical energy
leaving the station. Where does the rest of the energy go?
b. Give three possible ways to modify the power plant that would result in more of
the energy generated by the reactor to be supplied to the grid.
1.3 Unit Energy Balance
In the Turbine-Leading-Reactor unit control mode, reactor power is adjusted to
match the demanded power output of the turbine-generator. If the thermodynamic
efficiency of the unit changes, for example when the temperature of the condenser
cooling water changes, reactor power is adjusted to keep generator output at its set
value.
In Reactor-Leading-Turbine unit control mode the output of the turbine-generator is
determined by the power produced by the reactor and the thermodynamic
efficiency of the unit. Assuming that reactor power is held constant, the output of
the generator will change with the thermodynamic efficiency of the unit. How would
the output of the Generator change if:
a. Lake temperature rises
b. Deposits form on the tubes in the Steam Generator
c. A Feed-water heater is returned to service following a maintenance outage

-2-

Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Operation

2.

Problem Set

REACTOR AND MODERATOR SYSTEMS

2.1 Use of Reflector

The Calandria is about 140 cm larger in the radial direction than the reactor core.
This additional volume of heavy water acts as a reflector of thermal neutrons.
a.

What neutron reflector, if any, is used in a CANDU reactor core in the axial
direction?

b.

How could additional neutron reflection be provided in the axial direction?

2.2 Leak Before Break

An important feature of the CANDU fuel channel design is that, in the unlikely
event of an impending pressure tube failure, there will be a warning to the operator
due to the high probability that a complete or large break of a pressure tube would
start out as a crack (i.e. small break) before a more severe failure of a pressure
tube developed. This feature is referred to as leak before break. Explain how the
design of the CANDU fuel channel helps to detect a leak caused by a crack in a
CANDU pressure tube.
2.3 Reactivity Control
The three principal methods of reactivity control are:

change the neutron absorption in the core

change neutron leakage from the core

change the amount of fissile material in the core

a.

How would you increase the reactivity worth of the liquid zone controllers,
from the current 7 mk, to about 25 mk?

b.

In the earliest CANDU Reactors, the Moderator Level was varied to control
reactor power. Describe how this can be used to control reactor power in a
CANDU reactor.

c.

Other than by refuelling, how could the use of variable amounts of fissile
material in the reactor core be implemented for the purpose of reactivity
control?

2.4 Spatial Shaping of the Neutron Flux

In a CANDU reactor the spatial distribution of the neutron flux is shaped by the
Adjuster Rods, to achieve a flat flux over much of the core, as long as all the
Adjuster Rods are fully inserted. The liquid zone control system is able to make
adjustments to the spatial flux distribution based on the location of liquid zone
compartments in 14 zones of the core. What other method is available in CANDU
reactors to shape the local flux, without significantly altering the flux in other parts
of the reactor?

-3-

Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Operation

3.

Problem Set

REACTOR REGULATING SYSTEM

3.1 Adjuster Rod Banks

a. The diagram below illustrates an arrangement of 18 Adjuster Rods in a
conceptual CANDU reactor. The rods are designated to belong to one of six
groups: B, K, N, Q, T, W. The sequence of letters is arbitrary, but the number of
rods in each group varies between 2, 3 and 4, so that each bank has
approximately the same reactivity worth. Note how much symmetry the
designer was able to achieve, so as to minimize the flux distortion as each
bank of rods is withdrawn If you were the nuclear design engineer responsible
for deciding the order in which the Adjuster Rod banks were to be pulled from
the core, which bank would you designate as first and which as last to be
pulled from the core? State your reasons.

b.
The
Maximum Power that a CANDU reactor is able to run at is limited by the Regulating
System. The limit is called Set-point Maximum SPmax and is dependent on
positions of Adjuster Rods and Control Absorbers. Explain why reactor power must
be limited for different rod positions.

3.2 Shutdown Rod Insertion

Explain why each Shutdown Rod is dropped into the core with the assistance of a
spring, while Control Absorber Rods are dropped without the use of springs.

-4-

Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Operation

4.

Problem Set

HEAT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

4.1 Thermosyphoning
With reference to the diagram below, explain how cooling of the fuel is maintained
following a loss of Class 4 power to the Plant.

-5-

Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Operation

Problem Set

4.2 PHT Pressure Control

Explain the main differences between Normal Mode and Solid Mode of PHT
Pressure Control.
4.3 Solid Mode Operation
A CANDU 9 unit is operating at 100% full power in PHT pressure solid mode. The
overall unit control is operating in `Alternate Mode. At the request of System
Control, the Unit is reduced in power to 90% full power. Explain how the PHT
system responds to that power change.
4.4 PHT D2O Storage Tank Response
In a CANDU 9 unit what is the expected change in the level of the PHT D2O
Storage Tank when reactor power is raised from 10% to 70%?

-6-

Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Operation

5.

Problem Set

STEAM, TURBINE AND FEEDWATER SYSTEMS

5.1 Poison Prevent Steam

During normal operation Extraction Steam from various points of the High and Low
Pressure Turbine is taken and used to heat the feedwater in the Low Pressure Heaters,
the Deaerator and the High Pressure Heaters.
(a) One reason for the use of Extraction Steam to heat the feedwater is to improve the
thermodynamic efficiency of the secondary side. What is the other reason?
(b) When the turbine is tripped but the reactor is operated at 60%FP to prevent a poison
out, there is no steam flow through the turbine, so the normal flows of extraction steam
are not available. How is the heating of the feedwater achieved under these conditions?
5.2 Steam Generator Level Control Valve Failure Modes
The steam generator level control valves that regulate the flow of feedwater into
the steam generators have the following failure modes, when the pressurized air
that normally operates them is not available:

the large (100%FP flow capacity) valves fail to the closed position

the small (18%FP flow capacity) valves fail to the fully open position

Explain the response of the unit and this choice of failure modes in each of the
following cases:
a. the large (100%FP flow capacity) valves fail closed
b. the small (18%FP flow capacity) valves fail open

c. the air supply to all the steam generator level control valves fails
5.3 Responses to Steam Generator High and Low Levels
In a typical CANDU reactor, automatic actions are initiated when Steam Generator
level gets too high and also when Steam Generator level gets too low.
a. State what automatic actions occur on high level and explain why those
actions are required.
b. State what automatic actions occur on low level and explain why those actions
are required.

-7-

Nuclear Power Plant Systems and Operation

Problem Set

5.4 Steam Generator Tube Break

a. Explain how the CANDU station design helps to identify a broken tube inside
the Steam Generator?

b. What would be the major concerns in continuing to operate a unit under these
conditions at or near full power?

c. What particular precautions would need to be followed while shutting down such
a unit?

-8-