Abstract
During a loss-of-coolant accident in spent fuel pools, the fuel assembly will be exposed to the air environment and decay heat will be removed through the natural circulation of air. There are few experimental studies on the natural circulation behavior in the spent fuel pool. In this study, a natural circulation experiment in a full-size PWR fuel assembly was carried out by replacing the fuel rods with electrical heating rods. The temperature distributions at eight different heights as well as air flow rate were obtained during the heating-up process of the fuel assembly. When the temperature difference between the fuel assembly and the environment is less than 150 °C, the flow rate increases as the temperature difference increase. But after the temperature difference exceeds 150 °C, the flow rate no longer changes with the temperature difference. The results of this study can be used to verify the system codes and CFD models.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
