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PWR Sump Performance
The containment sump (also known as emergency
or recirculation sump) in a pressurized water reactor (PWR) is part of the emergency
core cooling system. Every nuclear power plant is required by regulations
(i.e., 10
CFR 50.46) to have an emergency core cooling system to mitigate a
design
basis accident. The emergency core cooling system is one of several
safety systems required by the NRC.
The NRC is investigating whether the transport and accumulation of debris
on containment sump screens in PWRs following a
loss-of-coolant accident will impede the long-term operation of the emergency
core cooling system or containment spray system. The additional head
loss
due to the accumulation of debris has the potential to exceed the net
positive suction head margin required for the successful operation of
the emergency core cooling system and containment spray system pumps.
Debris can also pass through sump screens and affect equipment downstream
(such as valves, pumps, and nuclear fuel assemblies).
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