Chapter 5 - Nuclear thermal hydraulics: Heat, water, and nuclear power safety

Abstract

Can the extremely hot nuclear fuel in a nuclear power plant be cooled during an accident when regular cooling is disrupted? This is one of the most crucial safety problems in an NPP. The scientific discipline of “thermal hydraulics” is best suited to provide a solution to this query. At S&T (Science and Technology), the focus in nuclear engineering and radiation research is on multiphase flow phenomena for the safety of nuclear power plants (NPPs), particularly light water reactors (LWR). Areas of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer relevant to the security and efficiency of nuclear reactor systems are included in nuclear reactor thermal hydraulics. New methods for heat transmission and nuclear safety systems need to be developed and evaluated in light of the introduction of passive safety systems, the growing popularity of small modular reactors, and improved reactor designs.