Analysis of power variation in a CANDU-6 with a loss of moderator

A loss of heavy water in a postulated small failure in the horizontal unpressurized calandria vessel of a CANDU-6 reactor will lead to a drop in the moderator level in the reactor core. The STEPBACK and SETBACK functions at the initial moment of the drop in moderator level ensure a reactor shutdown and a reduction in total reactor power during this 900 seconds postulated transient. If the STEPBACK and SETBACK functions are unavailable, the reactor's regulating system will try to compensate for the negative reactivity resulting from the loss of the moderator. This kind of compensation will lead to power distortions from top to bottom in the reactor core.; Comparisons of different moderator leakage rates were used in the analysis to determine the relationships between the power and the moderator leakage rates. Maximum bundle and channel powers obtained were insensitive to the moderator leakage rate.; In a complete analysis for a moderator leakage rate of 40 1/s, it was found that, without the STEPBACK and SETBACK functions, serious power distortions would occur during the 900 seconds transient. The maximization of bundle and channel power during this transient happened in the bottom part of the reactor, and the regulating system worsened this power distortion.; From the above analysis, it was concluded that the maximum bundle power attained during the loss of the moderator was 1.18% of its initial value. The risk of bundle dryout was, therefore, quite small.