A thermal model to characterize the flattening effect of a nuclear fuel element in an annular channel using simple analytical approach. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poddar, Antarip; Chatterjee, Rukmava; Chakravarty, Aranyak; Ghosh, Koushik; Sen, Swarnendu; Mukhopadhyay, Achintya
• Is Part Of: Progress in nuclear energy. Volume 85(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 441
• Page End: 453
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Fuel element -- Sinusoidal distribution -- Adjuster rods -- Peaking factor -- Gap conductance; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 333.7924
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2015.07.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-1970

Abstract

Abstract: In the present work, axial power flattening effect due to insertion of adjuster rods is modeled and a heat generating fuel pin in an annular channel is characterized. The effect of insertion of single adjustor rod at the peak heat generation region is modeled as two heat sources and one heat sink. The results obtained from the developed model indicate that insertion of adjuster rods beyond a critical number (3–4); flattening effect does not improve much. The peak surface and centerline temperatures of fuel pin are observed to show a cyclic variation and shift towards end as compared to unadjusted profile. Results are in accordance with the best estimate RELAP code. Highlights: An analytical model for power flattening effect due to insertion of adjuster rods is presented. The results show that insertion of adjuster rods beyond a critical number (3–4) is not required. Effect of various dimensionless numbers has been investigated. The peak temperatures of fuel pin shift towards end as compared to unadjusted profile. The results are in agreement with RELAP code.