On the Temperature Distribution in Graphite Matrix Hollow Fuel Compacts

Abstract

With the view to gaining basic information to serve in reactor design and to permit better evaluation of fuel properties, the temperature distribution in graphite matrix hollow fuels containing Th is discussed on the basis of information obtained from equations expressing the temperature as a function of power density, fuel properties and cooling conditions. The relations found as a result among these factors indicate that high power density can be expected by adopting a combination of high thermal conductivity (<0.06 cal/cm·sec·°C) optimized ratio between inner and outer diameters of hollow fuel (about 1:3), and high heat transfer coefficient of gap between fuel and sheath (by reducing the gap width to less than 0.2 mm). The temperature rise in the blanket is found to be insignificant.