Research reactor plate fuel multi-physics hotspot model for the HFIR
- Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996 (United States)
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 (United States)
- Research Reactors Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (United States)
Ongoing development of a multi-physics hotspot model for nuclear research reactor plate fuel is presented with a focus on the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The background of plate fueled research reactors in general and the HFIR in particular are discussed along with the need to convert from high enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel, which drives the need to improve the analysis capability of fuel thermal-fluid performance. HFIR HEU fuel plate fabrication is described to explain the origin of fuel segregations and cladding non-bonds that currently contribute to the hotspot flux peaking factors. Previous efforts at modeling hotspots caused by these defects are reviewed and areas for improvement associated with high resolution multi-physics simulation are identified. Modes of heat transfer through non-bonds, including thermal contact conductance, are examined. Conjugate heat transfer over hotspots is also explored to high resolution up to and through the wall boundary. The challenges associated with multi-physics verification and validation (VV), particularly the requirements beyond VV 20, are presented. An approach to Validation within the limits of existing data for conduction heat transfer through the fuel plate, and convection into the cooling fluid is set forth. Preliminary simulations are presented assessing hot spot modeling approaches for contact conductance, and fluid turbulence modeling within COMSOL. (authors)
- Research Organization:
- American Nuclear Society - ANS, 555 North Kensington Avenue, La Grange Park, IL 60526 (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 22764052
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: TOP FUEL 2016: LWR fuels with enhanced safety and performance, Boise, ID (United States), 11-15 Sep 2016; Other Information: Country of input: France; 51 refs.; Related Information: In: TOP FUEL 2016 Proceedings| 1670 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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