Cask consolidated spent fuel thermal analyses using the COBRA-SFS code
The COBRA-SFS computer code was used to perform thermal-hydraulic analyses of consolidated spent fuel stored in casks. The ability of the COBRA-SFS code to model consolidated fuel was evaluated by comparing predictions with experimental data obtained from electrically heated rod bundles by Ridihalgh, Eggers, and Associates and Eggers Ridihalgh Partners, Inc. under sponsorship of the Electric Power Research Institute. The calculations agreed with the measured temperatures well within the bounds of experimental error. Based on the evaluation results, best-estimate temperature predictions were performed for consolidated fuel in several cask designs. Results are presented for the REA 2023 BWR cask, the CASTOR-1C BWR cask, and the Concrete Sealed Storage Cask designed for Monitored Retrievable Storage (MRS). The cask simulation results indicate that consolidation of spent fuel results in a reduction of convection and radiation heat transfer from the fuel rods while enhancing conduction heat transfer from the rods. For this reason, the selection of an appropriate storage media is important. In the REA 2023 and CASTOR-1C casks, consolidated fuel stored in helium produces roughly the same peak clad temperatures as unconsolidated fuel generating the same total power. However, consolidated fuel stored in nitrogen produces significantly higher temperatures (up to 100/sup 0/C higher) than unconsolidated spent fuel.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 5620806
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-13876; CONF-860417-7; ON: DE86011108
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 3. international symposium/workshop on irradiated fuel storage, Seattle, WA, USA, 8 Apr 1986; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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