Study on Measures to Prevent Pressurizer Overfill During Loss of Normal Feedwater for AP1000 NPP

In an accident of loss of feedwater in an AP1000 plant, the pressurizer was filled with water for a series of improper operations, and the safety valves may not be qualified to re-close following multiple cycles of opening, which is not acceptable in Condition Ⅱ events. The paper analyzes the causes for the filling of water in the pressurizer in this event, that is,  the instantaneous evaporation of coolant in the loop during the process of improper depressurization of RCS while the PRHR HX is with sufficient cooling capability. At this time,  the water level in the pressurizer level cannot be decreased by opening the reactor vessel head vent valves for emergency letdown. Finally, the recommended measure is provided to prevent the filling of water in the pressurizer during loss of normal feedwater for AP1000 NPP. The RCS pressure should always be higher than the saturation pressure corresponding to the temperature of the hot legs to avoid the coolant evaporation.