Abstract
The Belgian nuclear research institute (SCK•CEN) is developing MYRRHA. MYRRHA is a flexible fast spectrum research reactor, conceived as an accelerator driven system (ADS). The configuration of the primary loop is pool-type: the primary coolant and all the primary system components (core and heat exchangers) are contained within the reactor vessel, while the secondary fluid is circulating in the heat exchangers. The primary coolant is Lead Bismuth Eutectic (LBE). The recent nuclear accident of Fukushima in 2011 changed the requirements for the design of new reactors, which should include the possibility to remove the residual decay heat through passive primary and secondary systems, i.e. natural convection (NC). After the reactor shut down, in the unlucky event of propeller failures, the primary and secondary loops should be able to remove the decay heat in passive way (Natural Convection). The present study analyses the flow and the temperature distribution in the upper plenum by applying laser imaging techniques in a laboratory scaled water model. A parametric study is proposed to study stratification mitigation strategies by varying the geometry of the buffer tank simulating the upper plenum.
Highlights
In a Natural Circulation Loop (NCL) the flow is driven by Archimedes' forces and transports heat from a heat source to a heat sink without the aid of mechanical moving parts
In industrial or domestic heat transport systems, the fluid circulates through hydraulic elements for which pressure drops may be relevant: in these fields a thermosyphon loop is most often encountered
A thermosyphon loop is a particular case of NCL in which the heat sink is placed at higher level with respect to the heater's thermal center
Summary
In a Natural Circulation Loop (NCL) the flow is driven by Archimedes' forces and transports heat from a heat source to a heat sink without the aid of mechanical moving parts. NCLs find applications in many industrial and domestic fields: nuclear reactor core cooling, solar heaters, electronic components cooling, house heater, etc. In industrial or domestic heat transport systems, the fluid circulates through hydraulic elements for which pressure drops may be relevant: in these fields a thermosyphon loop is most often encountered. A thermosyphon loop is a particular case of NCL in which the heat sink is placed at higher level with respect to the heater's thermal center. The object of this analysis is the experimental, pool type reactor MYRRHA conceived by the nuclear research institute SCK●CEN. The barrel is a perforated cylinder containing the upper core structure (instrumentation and safety bars)
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