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Subassembly flow distributions implied from measured temperatures in EBR-II subassemblies

Conference · · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:7100414

To predict temperatures in a subassembly, it is necessary to know the coolant channel flow distribution as well as power deposition. Recent tests have been performed at the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) to measure the temperature profile in a subassembly using Thermal Expansion Difference devices (TEDs) to obtain the peak coolant temperature during irradiation so that the subassembly flow distribution could be implied. The tests were done using the EBR-II Mark II fuel elements of 4.42-mm o.d. spirally wrapped with a 1.25-mm o.d. wire. Either 91 elements were contained in a 56.13 mm across inside flats hex can or 61 elements in a 46.43 mm (1.828 in.) across inside flats hex can. Subassembly X433 was irradiated in core position 6A4 for run 141B. The subassembly contained 77 fuel elements and 14 dummy elements containing TEDs at the core centerline, core top, and top of element. The subassembly was irradiated at normal flow at reduced power for 482 MWd and at full power for 0.87 MWd. The 20-min full-power run was used to minimize power fluctuations that would be sensed by the maximum temperature measuring TEDs. A comparison of the measured temperatures from the TEDs and the whole subassembly temperature calculations based on the COBRA program are shown.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
OSTI ID:
7100414
Report Number(s):
CONF-8711195-
Journal Information:
Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 55; ISSN TANSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English