Pressure Transient Analysis on the Condenser of the HPR1000 Nuclear Power Unit

Abstract

The transient characteristics of pressure in the condenser under fault conditions have a crucial impact on the safe operation of the entire nuclear power plant. In order to ascertain whether the condenser pressure of a HPR1000 nuclear power unit meets the requirements of the steam generator, this paper establishes a mathematical model of the condenser, along with the connected steam turbine bypass steam system and circulating water system, based on Apros. The accuracy of the simulation model is verified by comparing the coasting curve of the circulating water pump with the flow change curve under the pump-tripping condition in Apros. Under the initial CCR condition and the half-side operating condition of the condenser, simulation analyses were conducted for two transient sequences involving the loss of normal external power and the simultaneous tripping of two circulating water pumps. The corresponding changes of pressure in the condenser under the transient sequence were obtained. The study reveals that, under different initial conditions and transient sequences, the condenser pressure of the unit can meet the requirements of a 12 s steam discharge to the condenser before the internal pressure of the condenser reaches the “unavailable” set value when the turbine bypass system is under the fault condition. The research findings of this paper can provide reference data for the design, commissioning, and operation of subsequent HPR1000 nuclear power plants.