Bowing of core assemblies in advanced liquid metal fast reactors

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5693381

Kamal, S A; Orechwa, Y

Two alternative core restraint concepts are considered for a conceptual design of a 900 MWth liquid metal fast reactor core with a heterogeneous layout. The two concepts, known as limited free bowing and free flowering, are evaluated based on core bowing criteria that emphasize the echancement of inherent reactor safety. The core reactivity change during a postulated loss of flow transient is calculated in terms of the lateral displacements and displacement-reactivity-worths of the individual assemblies. The NUBOW-3D computer code is utilized to determine the assembly deformations and interassembly forces that arise when the assemblies are subjected to temperature gradients and irradiation induced creep and swelling during the reactor operation. The assembly ducts are made of the ferritic steel HT-9 and remain in the reactor core for four-years at full power condition. Whereas both restraint systems meet the bowing criteria, a properly designed limited free bowing system appears to be more advantageous than a free flowering system from the point of view of enhancing the reactor inherent safety.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5693381
• Report Number(s): CONF-860724-2; ON: DE86007460
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210500* -- Power Reactors
Breeding
BREEDER REACTORS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
FLUID FLOW
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORE RESTRAINTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR PROTECTION SYSTEMS
REACTORS
RESTRAINTS
SAFETY
SIMULATION