Multiphysics Simulations of the Complex 3D Geometry of the High Flux Isotope Reactor Fuel Elements Using COMSOL
- ORNL
A research and development project is ongoing to convert the currently operating High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) from highly-enriched Uranium (HEU U3O8) fuel to low-enriched Uranium (LEU U-10Mo) fuel. Because LEU HFIR-specific testing and experiments will be limited, COMSOL is chosen to provide the needed multiphysics simulation capability to validate against the HEU design data and calculations, and predict the performance of the LEU fuel for design and safety analyses. The focus of this paper is on the unique issues associated with COMSOL modeling of the 3D geometry, meshing, and solution of the HFIR fuel plate and assembled fuel elements. Two parallel paths of 3D model development are underway. The first path follows the traditional route through examination of all flow and heat transfer details using the Low-Reynolds number k-e turbulence model provided by COMSOL v4.2. The second path simplifies the fluid channel modeling by taking advantage of the wealth of knowledge provided by decades of design and safety analyses, data from experiments and tests, and HFIR operation. By simplifying the fluid channel, a significant level of complexity and computer resource requirements are reduced, while also expanding the level and type of analysis that can be performed with COMSOL. Comparison and confirmation of validity of the first (detailed) and second (simplified) 3D modeling paths with each other, and with available data, will enable an expanded level of analysis. The detailed model will be used to analyze hot-spots and other micro fuel behavior events. The simplified model will be used to analyze events such as routine heat-up and expansion of the entire fuel element, and flow blockage. Preliminary, coarse-mesh model results of the detailed individual fuel plate are presented. Examples of the solution for an entire fuel element consisting of multiple individual fuel plates produced by the simplified model are also presented.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1026741
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: COMSOL Conference Boston 2011, Newton, MA (near Boston), MA, USA, 20111013, 20111015
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
A Verification and Validation Approach for COMSOL Multiphysics to Support High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR)
Advanced Multiphysics Thermal-Hydraulics Models for the High Flux Isotope Reactor
Related Subjects
COMPUTERS
DESIGN
FLOW BLOCKAGE
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL PLATES
GEOMETRY
HEAT TRANSFER
HFIR REACTOR
HOT SPOTS
ORNL
PERFORMANCE
SAFETY
SIMULATION
TESTING
TURBULENCE
URANIUM
URANIUM OXIDES U3O8
nuclear fuel
heat transfer
fluid flow
structural mechanics
COMSOL
thermal expansion