An innovation idea for SBLOCA mitigation strategy: Self-coagulation system in comparison with human hemostatic mechanism

• Published in: Progress in nuclear energy (New series) Vol. 138; p. 103832
• Main Authors: Cheng, Hui, Mai, Zijun, Zhu, Xiaoli, Wang, Laishun, Wang, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Blood circulation; Blood vessels; Coagulation; Cooling; Cooling systems; Degradation; Feasibility; Hemostatic mechanism; Hemostatics; Loss of coolant accidents; Low pressure; Mitigation strategy; Nuclear accidents & safety; Nuclear fuels; Nuclear power plants; Nuclear reactors; Nuclear safety; SBLOCA; Self-coagulation system; Mitigation strategy; SBLOCA; Hemostatic mechanism; Self-coagulation system
• ISSN: 0149-1970; 1878-4224
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2021.103832

The loss of coolant accident (LOCA), as one of the design basis accidents (DBAs), is a hypothetical accident that is usually considered in the design of nuclear power plant. LOCA is caused by small/large breaks in the reactor primary coolant and pressure boundary and may result in a loss of reactor coolant at a rate in excess of the reactor makeup system capability. Currently, the typical mitigation measures for LOCA are through the vessel high/low pressure coolant injection (HPCI/LPCI), core spray system, or reactor core isolation cooling (RCIC) system, to protect reactor from fuel melting and core degradation. However, is it possible to directly repair the small breaks passively? Inspired by the hemostasis and coagulation mechanism of human blood vessels, the authors are considering to develop a technology which would allow the reactor self-coagulation during the small break loss of coolant accident (SBLOCA). With the assistance of this innovative technology, the speed of losing coolant through reactor primary loop breaks could be significantly reduced or even the loss is stopped. With more and longer existing coolant in the core, the possibility of core degradation will also be significantly reduced. This innovative technology needs to be designed feasible and simple, which can be directly used into the existing nuclear power plants to improve the inherent safety of the cooling system, benefit the economy and safety of the nuclear power plant. In this paper, the authors compare the reactor primary loop of nuclear power plant with the blood circulation system of human beings from comprehensive and multi-angle perspectives, discuss the similarity, feasibility, and economy of nuclear power plant self-coagulation system based on the existing hemostasis and coagulation mechanism of human blood vessels. If possible, this technology will play a revolutionary positive role in alleviating DBAs related to SBLOCA.