Flow field optimization and design for a Spallation Neutron Source target cooling system

Abstract

Cooling water is an important part in a Spallation Neutron Source target cooling system, but the unstable vortexes at the exits of the slits between every two tungsten target slices have a negative impact on the stable running of the target system. We apply the field synergy principle for fluid flow to obtain the optimal flow field, which has a uniform velocity distribution without eddy, and then, optimize the geometrical structure of the cooling water flow channel based on the optimal flow field. The results show that when the cooling water flows in the optimized channel, the eddy sizes decrease, the time fluctuations of velocity and pressure almost vanish, and the volume flow rates of the cooling water in each parallel slit are uniform. Therefore, it effectively improves the running stability of the target system with the premise of satisfying the target heat load.