Lecture 2

Introduction: Types of Fuels and Steam

Generators
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Fig. 2.1: Pressurized Water Reactor
Fuel Bundle
3
Fig. 2.2: Pressurized Water Reactor
Fuel Bundle Details
4
Fig. 2.3: Pressurized Water Reactor
Fuel Rod
5
Honeycomb type Spacer
(Triangular Array)
Tube Spacers
Axially
Connected
Tube Spacers
Transversely
Connected
Honeycomb type
Spacers (Square Array)
Triangular Spacer
Fig. 2.4: Different Types of Spacer
Grids
6
Rhombus type
Spacer
Ring type
Spacer
Spacer Coils
Fig. 2.5: PHWR Fuel Channel
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Fig. 2.6: PHWR Fuel: 19 Rod Bundle
ZIRCOLOY END PLATE
UO
2
PELLETS
ZIRCOLOY TUBE
81.34 mm
8
Fig. 2.7: PHWR Fuel: 37 Rod Bundle
37 Element Fuel Bundle
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Fig. 2.8: PHWR Fuel Channel Assembly
and Fuel Bundle End Plates
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Fig. 2.9: Nuclear Reactor Steam
Generator: Vertical Type
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Fig. 2.10: Nuclear Reactor Steam
Generator: Vertical Type (Details)
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Fig. 2.11: Nuclear Reactor Steam
Generator: Horizontal Type
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Fig. 2.12: Simplified Schematic of a
Nuclear Reactor
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Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics
Studies
Nuclear reactor design based on defence-in-depth philosophy
Various thermal hydraulic phenomena need to be considered, under different conditions. These
include:
Heat transfer during normal operation:
Heat transfer from fuel, Critical Heat Flux (CHF)
Pressure drop in complex flow paths
Flow distribution
Plant operational transients:
Examples are pump failure, turbine trip, etc.
Design basis accidents (DBAs)
Examples are Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA), Loss of Regulation Accient (LORA), etc.
Beyond design basis accidents (BDBAs):
Consequences of multiple failures
Example: LOCA followed by failure of ECCS/shutdown
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Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics
Phenomena/ Geometry
Complex fluid flow phenomena/geometries need to be considered. These
include:
Single/two phase flow
Critical flow, forced/natural circulation, flow distribution between parallel
paths, condensation induced flow oscillations, counter current flow, etc.
Horizontal/vertical flow paths
Vertical pressure vessels with plenums and internals
Horizontal calandria vessels with internals
Headers with parallel channels
Multi-rod fuel bundles:
In vertical/horizontal fuel channels
Short/long
With end plates/spacers
Vertical/horizontal steam generators
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