Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Very High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System

Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Very High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System PDF Author:
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The design of passive heat removal systems is one of the main concerns for the modular very high temperature gas-cooled reactors (VHTR) vessel cavity. The reactor cavity cooling system (RCCS) is a key heat removal system during normal and off-normal conditions. The design and validation of the RCCS is necessary to demonstrate that VHTRs can survive to the postulated accidents. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) STAR-CCM+/V3.06.006 code was used for three-dimensional system modeling and analysis of the RCCS. A CFD model was developed to analyze heat exchange in the RCCS. The model incorporates a 180-deg section resembling the VHTR RCCS experimentally reproduced in a laboratory-scale test facility at Texas A & M University. All the key features of the experimental facility were taken into account during the numerical simulations. The objective of the present work was to benchmark CFD tools against experimental data addressing the behavior of the RCCS following accident conditions. Two cooling fluids (i.e., water and air) were considered to test the capability of maintaining the RCCS concrete walls' temperature below design limits. Different temperature profiles at the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) wall obtained from the experimental facility were used as boundary conditions in the numerical analyses to simulate VHTR transient evolution during accident scenarios. Mesh convergence was achieved with an intensive parametric study of the two different cooling configurations and selected boundary conditions. To test the effect of turbulence modeling on the RCCS heat exchange, predictions using several different turbulence models and near-wall treatments were evaluated and compared. The comparison among the different turbulence models analyzed showed satisfactory agreement for the temperature distribution inside the RCCS cavity medium and at the standpipes walls. For such a complicated geometry and flow conditions, the tested turbulence models demonstrated that the realizable k-epsilon model with two-layer all y+ wall treatment performs better than the other k-epsilon and k-omega turbulence models when compared to the experimental results and the Reynolds stress transport turbulence model results. A scaling analysis was developed to address the distortions introduced by the CFD model in simulating the physical phenomena inside the RCCS system with respect to the full plant configuration. The scaling analysis demonstrated that both the experimental facility and the CFD model achieve a satisfactory resemblance of the main flow characteristics inside the RCCS cavity region, and convection and radiation heat exchange phenomena are properly scaled from the actual plant.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Very High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System

Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Very High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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The design of passive heat removal systems is one of the main concerns for the modular very high temperature gas-cooled reactors (VHTR) vessel cavity. The reactor cavity cooling system (RCCS) is a key heat removal system during normal and off-normal conditions. The design and validation of the RCCS is necessary to demonstrate that VHTRs can survive to the postulated accidents. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) STAR-CCM+/V3.06.006 code was used for three-dimensional system modeling and analysis of the RCCS. A CFD model was developed to analyze heat exchange in the RCCS. The model incorporates a 180-deg section resembling the VHTR RCCS experimentally reproduced in a laboratory-scale test facility at Texas A & M University. All the key features of the experimental facility were taken into account during the numerical simulations. The objective of the present work was to benchmark CFD tools against experimental data addressing the behavior of the RCCS following accident conditions. Two cooling fluids (i.e., water and air) were considered to test the capability of maintaining the RCCS concrete walls' temperature below design limits. Different temperature profiles at the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) wall obtained from the experimental facility were used as boundary conditions in the numerical analyses to simulate VHTR transient evolution during accident scenarios. Mesh convergence was achieved with an intensive parametric study of the two different cooling configurations and selected boundary conditions. To test the effect of turbulence modeling on the RCCS heat exchange, predictions using several different turbulence models and near-wall treatments were evaluated and compared. The comparison among the different turbulence models analyzed showed satisfactory agreement for the temperature distribution inside the RCCS cavity medium and at the standpipes walls. For such a complicated geometry and flow conditions, the tested turbulence models demonstrated that the realizable k-epsilon model with two-layer all y+ wall treatment performs better than the other k-epsilon and k-omega turbulence models when compared to the experimental results and the Reynolds stress transport turbulence model results. A scaling analysis was developed to address the distortions introduced by the CFD model in simulating the physical phenomena inside the RCCS system with respect to the full plant configuration. The scaling analysis demonstrated that both the experimental facility and the CFD model achieve a satisfactory resemblance of the main flow characteristics inside the RCCS cavity region, and convection and radiation heat exchange phenomena are properly scaled from the actual plant.

Reactor Cavity Cooling System Heat Removal Analysis for a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor

Reactor Cavity Cooling System Heat Removal Analysis for a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor PDF Author: Hong-Chan Wei
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ABSTRACT: The HTR-10 is a small high temperature gas-cooled reactor. It is an experimental pebble-bed helium cooled reactor with a maximum power of 10 MW, constructed between 2000 and 2003 in China. The study focuses on the thermal-fluid analysis of the Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) with water flows up the pipes to cool the containment. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to study local heat transfer phenomena in the HTR-10 containment. Heat is transferred to the RCCS mainly via radiation, and to a lesser extent via natural convection. CFD allows for detailed modeling of both heat transfer modes. Sensitivity analyses on the computational grid and the physics models are performed to optimize the simulation. This leads to the use of the k-[omega] model for turbulence and Discrete Ordinates model for radiation. A 2D axisymmetric model is developed to simulate two scenarios from the HTR-10 benchmark exercises provided in the IAEA Coordinated Research Program (CRP-3). The first is a heat up experiment at a reactor power of 200 kW. The experiment simulates normal operation at low power and aims at verifying the RCCS heat removal capability under steady-state conditions. The second is a transient depressurized loss of heat sink accident. In this situation, the reactor is assumed to be running initially at full power, and then the temperature of the core barrel rises over the next 40 hours, peaks, and falls over the next 72 hours. Three fluids are modeled: the helium inside the pressure vessel and outside the core vessel, air in the containment, and water in the RCCS. The boundary conditions are a temperature profile on the core barrel and adiabatic conditions on the containment walls. The simulations lead to safe values of temperature for all the reactor components; also, the computed temperatures compare well with previous simulations performed for the CRP-3.

Analysis of the Reactor Cavity Cooling System for Very High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Tools

Analysis of the Reactor Cavity Cooling System for Very High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Tools PDF Author: Angelo Frisani
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Languages : en
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The design of passive heat removal systems is one of the main concerns for the modular Very High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (VHTR) vessel cavity. The Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) is an important heat removal system in case of accidents. The design and validation of the RCCS is necessary to demonstrate that VHTRs can survive to the postulated accidents. The commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) STAR-CCM+/ V3.06.006 code was used for three-dimensional system modeling and analysis of the RCCS. Two models were developed to analyze heat exchange in the RCCS. Both models incorporate a 180 degree section resembling the VHTR RCCS bench table test facility performed at Texas A & M University. All the key features of the experimental facility were taken into account during the numerical simulations. Two cooling fluids (i.e., water and air) were considered to test the capability of maintaining the RCCS concrete walls temperature below design limits. Mesh convergence was achieved with an intensive parametric study of the two different cooling configurations and selected boundary conditions. To test the effect of turbulence modeling on the RCCS heat exchange, predictions using several different turbulence models and near-wall treatments were evaluated and compared. The models considered included the first-moment closure one equation Spalart-Allmaras model, the first-moment closure two-equation k-e and k-w models and the second-moment closure Reynolds Stress Transport (RST) model. For the near wall treatments, the low y+ and the all y+ wall treatments were considered. The two-layer model was also used to investigate the effect of near-wall treatment. The comparison of the experimental data with the simulations showed a satisfactory agreement for the temperature distribution inside the RCCS cavity medium and at the standpipes walls. The tested turbulence models demonstrated that the Realizable k-e model with two-layer all y+ wall treatment performs better than the other k-e models for such a complicated geometry and flow conditions. Results are in satisfactory agreement with the RST simulations and experimental data available. A scaling analysis was developed to address the distortion introduced by the experimental facility and CFD model in simulating the physics inside the RCCS system with respect to the real plant configuration. The scaling analysis demonstrated that both the experimental facility and CFD model give a satisfactory reproduction of the main flow characteristics inside the RCCS cavity region, with convection and radiation heat exchange phenomena being properly scaled from the real plant to the model analyzed.

Experimental and CFD Analysis of Advanced Convective Cooling Systems

Experimental and CFD Analysis of Advanced Convective Cooling Systems PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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The objective of this project is to study the fundamental physical phenomena in the reactor cavity cooling system (RCCS) of very high-temperature reactors (VHTRs). One of the primary design objectives is to assure that RCCS acts as an ultimate heat sink capable of maintaining thermal integrity of the fuel, vessel, and equipment within the reactor cavity for the entire spectrum of postulated accident scenarios. Since construction of full-scale experimental test facilities to study these phenomena is impractical, it is logical to expect that computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations will play a key role in the RCCS design process. An important question then arises: To what extent are conventional CFD codes able to accurately capture the most important flow phenomena, and how can they be modified to improve their quantitative predictions? Researchers are working to tackle this problem in two ways. First, in the experimental phase, the research team plans to design and construct an innovative platform that will provide a standard test setting for validating CFD codes proposed for the RCCS design. This capability will significantly advance the state of knowledge in both liquid-cooled and gas-cooled (e.g., sodium fast reactor) reactor technology. This work will also extend flow measurements to micro-scale levels not obtainable in large-scale test facilities, thereby revealing previously undetectable phenomena that will complement the existing infrastructure. Second, in the computational phase of this work, numerical simulation of the flow and temperature profiles will be performed using advanced turbulence models to simulate the complex conditions of flows in critical zones of the cavity. These models will be validated and verified so that they can be implemented into commercially available CFD codes. Ultimately, the results of these validation studies can then be used to enable a more accurate design and safety evaluation of systems in actual nuclear power applications (both during normal operation and accident scenarios).

CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications

CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications PDF Author:
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Languages : en
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The Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems (RCCS) is a passive safety system that will be incorporated in the VTHR design. The system was designed to remove the heat from the reactor cavity and maintain the temperature of structures and concrete walls under desired limits during normal operation (steady-state) and accident scenarios. A small scale (1:23) water-cooled experimental facility was scaled, designed, and constructed in order to study the complex thermohydraulic phenomena taking place in the RCCS during stead-state and transient conditions. The facility represents a portion of the reactor vessel with nine stainless steel coolant risers and utilizes water as coolant. The facility was equipped with instrumentation to measure temperatures and flow rates and a general verification was completed during the shakedown. A model of the experimental facility was prepared using RELAP5-3D and simulations were performed to validate the scaling procedure. The experimental data produced during the stead-state run were compared with the simulation results obtained using RELAP5-3D. The overall behavior of the facility met the expectations. The facility capabilities were confirmed to be very promising in performing additional experimental tests, including flow visualization, and produce data for code validation.

Experimental and Computational Study of a Scaled Reactor Cavity Cooling System

Experimental and Computational Study of a Scaled Reactor Cavity Cooling System PDF Author: Rodolfo Vaghetto
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Languages : en
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The Very High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (VHTR) is one of the next generation nuclear reactors designed to achieve high temperatures to support industrial applications and power generation. The Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) is a passive safety system that will be incorporated in the VTHR, designed to remove the heat from the reactor cavity and maintain the temperature of structures and concrete walls under desired limits during normal operation and accident scenarios. A small scale (1:23) water-cooled experimental facility was scaled, designed, and constructed in order to study the complex thermohydraulic phenomena taking place in the RCCS during steady-state and transient conditions. The facility represents a portion of the reactor vessel with nine stainless steel coolant risers and utilizes water as coolant. The facility was equipped with instrumentation to measure temperatures and flow rates and a general verification was completed during the shakedown. A model of the experimental facility was prepared using RELAP5-3D and simulations were performed to validate the scaling procedure. The overall behavior of the facility met the expectations. The steady-state condition was achieved and the facility capabilities were confirmed to be very promising in performing additional experimental tests, including flow visualization, and produce data for code validation. The experimental data produced during the steady-state run were successfully compared with the simulation results obtained using RELAP5-3D, confirming the capabilities of the system code of simulating the thermal-hydraulic phenomena occurring in the reactor cavity. The electronic version of this dissertation is accessible from http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/151742

Computational Flow Predictions for the Lower Plenum of a High-Temperature, Gas-Cooled Reactor

Computational Flow Predictions for the Lower Plenum of a High-Temperature, Gas-Cooled Reactor PDF Author:
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Advanced gas-cooled reactors offer the potential advantage of higher efficiency and enhanced safety over present day nuclear reactors. Accurate simulation models of these Generation IV reactors are necessary for design and licensing. One design under consideration by the Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) program is a modular, prismatic gas-cooled reactor. In this reactor, the lower plenum region may experience locally high temperatures that can adversely impact the plant's structural integrity. Since existing system analysis codes cannot capture the complex flow effects occurring in the lower plenum, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes are being employed to model these flows [1]. The goal of the present study is to validate the CFD calculations using experimental data.

Preliminary Studies of Coolant By-pass Flows in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Preliminary Studies of Coolant By-pass Flows in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor Using Computational Fluid Dynamics PDF Author:
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Three dimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) calculations of a typical prismatic very high temperature gas-cooled reactor (VHTR) were conducted to investigate the influence of gap geometry on flow and temperature distributions in the reactor core using commercial CFD code FLUENT. Parametric calculations changing the gap width in a whole core length model of fuel and reflector columns were performed. The simulations show the effects of core by-pass flows in the heated core region by comparing results for several gap widths including zero gap width. The calculation results underline the importance of considering inter-column gap width for the evaluation of maximum fuel temperatures and temperature gradients in fuel blocks. In addition, it is shown that temperatures of core outlet flow from gaps and channels are strongly affected by the gap width of by-pass flow in the reactor core.

Relap5-3d Model Validation and Benchmark Exercises for Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor Application

Relap5-3d Model Validation and Benchmark Exercises for Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor Application PDF Author: Eugene James Thomas Moore
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Languages : en
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High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGR) are passively safe, efficient, and economical solutions to the world's energy crisis. HTGRs are capable of generating high temperatures during normal operation, introducing design challenges related to material selection and reactor safety. Understanding heat transfer and fluid flow phenomena during normal and transient operation of HTGRs is essential to ensure the adequacy of safety features, such as the reactor cavity cooling system (RCCS). Modeling abilities of system analysis codes, used to develop an understanding of light water reactor phenomenology, need to be proven for HTGRs. RELAP5-3D v2.3.6 is used to generate two reactor plant models for a code-to-code and a code-to-experiment benchmark problem. The code-to-code benchmark problem models the Russian VGM reactor for pressurized and depressurized pressure vessel conditions. Temperature profiles corresponding to each condition are assigned to the pressure vessel heat structure. Experiment objectives are to calculate total thermal energy transferred to the RCCS for both cases. Qualitatively, RELAP5-3D's predictions agree closely with those of other system codes such as MORECA and Thermix. RELAP5-3D predicts that 80% of thermal energy transferred to the RCCS is radiant. Quantitatively, RELAP5-3D computes slightly higher radiant and convective heat transfer rates than other system analysis codes. Differences in convective heat transfer rate arise from the type and usage of convection models. Differences in radiant heat transfer stem from the calculation of radiation shape factors, also known as view or configuration factors. A MATLAB script employs a set of radiation shape factor correlations and applies them to the RELAP5-3D model. This same script is used to generate radiation shape factors for the code-to-experiment benchmark problem, which uses the Japanese HTTR reactor to determine temperature along the outside of the pressure vessel. Despite lacking information on material properties, emissivities, and initial conditions, RELAP5-3D temperature trend predictions closely match those of other system codes. Compared to experimental measurements, however, RELAP5-3D cannot capture fluid behavior above the pressure vessel. While qualitatively agreeing over the pressure vessel body, RELAP5-3D predictions diverge from experimental measurements elsewhere. This difference reflects the limitations of using a system analysis code where computational fluid dynamics codes are better suited.

A Hybrid Fine-coarse Mesh Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer Model for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems

A Hybrid Fine-coarse Mesh Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer Model for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems PDF Author: Anne Charmeau
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In the real property solver the properties are discretized in parallel with the Navier-Stokes equations. Such drastic changes cannot be modeled with traditional CFD codes. The time-dependent CFD solver iteratively sets the steady-state condition in the °uid systems of interest. It is applied to the study of high temperature reactor systems portions. Results of the analysis of the helium-cooled channel for High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors and hydrogen-cooled channel for NTP show significant differences compared to frozen chemistry approaches, validating the need for a real property CFD solver development. Once validated on the coolant channels, the real property fine-mesh solver is implemented into a coarse mesh system code. The coupled fine and coarse-mesh solver is applied to model the entire NTP system: high resolution solution is obtained by modeling the core with the fine-mesh solver. Simulation of the system with the new coupled code shows great improvement in accuracy, speed and stability.