LBB Analysis according to RCC-MR A16.pdf

Leak Before Break (LBB) Analysis Leak Before Break analyses are carried out for the main vessel, sodium piping and steam generator as per RCC-MR:A16. The summary of results are given below. Analysis for Main Vessel The purpose of analysis is to ensure that double ended guillotine break is not possible and hence a mechanical interaction between main vessel and safety vessel is ruled out. The critical location is a weld in the argon space near sodium free level since it is subjected to cyclically varying axial temperature gradient which is severe under safety grade decay heat removal operating cycle. Seismic loading imposes significant mechanical loadings. A part through crack length of 200 mm and depth 5 mm is assumed pessimistically, which corresponds to an electrode left in weld groove. The detectable crack size (CL ) that can permit guaranteed argon leak of 22 l/h under normal operating stress is 94 mm. The computed value for critical crack length (CG) is 375 mm for no stable tearing which has a margin of 1.25 on detectable crack length. If stable tearing up to 3 mm is permitted, CG is 1075 mm. This ensures that leak before break is justified with a comfortable margin (3). Analysis for Sodium Piping Analysis is carried out to determine the minimum pipe diameter above which leak before break can be justified. Accordingly, the secondary sodium, primary sodium purification and safety grade decay heat removal pipelines of various diameters are analysed. Upto 250 mm, standard pipes (NB) and beyond that, rolled and welded pipelines are considered. The internal pressure is 0.4 MPa for the secondary sodium pipeline. The minimum operating pressure for primary sodium purification line as well as safety grade decay heat removal lines is 0.02 MPa. The initial crack size assumed has depth equal to 0.1 x thickness and length equal to 5 x thickness. The minimum leak detection rate is derived from ASME Section XI requirement of sodium leak detection se