Simulation and analysis of a main steam line transient with isolation valves closure and subsequent pipe break

Abstract

Simulation and analysis of a real main steam line break transient at the Thermal Power Plant Drmno are presented. The main events of the transient were the closure of isolation valves in front of a high pressure turbine, an opening of a by‐pass line, and subsequent pipe break in front of isolation valves. Intensive pressure waves were generated and they propagated through the pipe network of the steam line, causing high fluid dynamic forces on the structure. The transient has been simulated by the computer code TEA‐01, based on the Method Of Characteristics with three characteristic directions. Several main steam line boundary conditions have been modelled and verified. Numerical results are compared with plant data logger records. Simulation has been performed for various scenarios in order to investigate the plant behaviour sensitivity on the boundary conditions. The phenomenology of the pressure waves propagation and the influence of the boundary conditions on these processes are described in detail, as well as fluid dynamic forces during the closure of isolation valves and subsequent pipe break in a section of the steam line in the vicinity of the pipe break.

Citation

Stevanovic, V., Studovic, M. and Bratic, A. (1994), "Simulation and analysis of a main steam line transient with isolation valves closure and subsequent pipe break", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 4 No. 5, pp. 387-398. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000004044