Doctoral Dissertations

Keywords and Phrases

CFD analysis; Fuel plate; Natural convection; Porous media; STAR-CCM+

Abstract

"Thermal-fluid modeling of the Missouri University of Science and Technology Reactor (MSTR) was carried out using a computational fluid dynamics code (CFD), STAR-CCM+. First, a three-dimensional parallel-plate model was developed, and the cosine-shaped heat flux was applied to the MSTR core. Simulation results for fluid flow under natural convection condition show coolant temperature and velocity as a function of core power. A characteristic equation for the parallel-plate model was obtained based on Forchheimer's flow equation. The inertial resistance tensor and viscous resistance tensor were found to be 281005 kg/m^4 and 7121.6 kg/m^3 respectively. The MSTR core was then defined as a porous region with porosity 0.7027. A second model was developed to study convection within a section of the MSTR includes 3 fuel elements (power density of 1.86E+6 Wm-3) in one third of the reactor pool volume. For validation work, both plume temperature and pool temperature measurements were recorded at several locations within the MSTR pool. At 200kW, the temperature field was consistent with the pool temperature data at 15 locations. A third model included the workings of an eductor outlet from, and inlet into the active cooling system to predict heat removal capability. The major contribution of this study is to explain the thermal flow in the MSTR channels and pool, and to provide a framework for supporting reactor license renewal, and power uprate plans"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

Usman, Shoaib

Committee Member(s)

Alajo, Ayodeji Babatunde
Castano Giraldo, Carlos Henry
Anwar, Shadab
Liu, Xin (Mining & Nuclear Engr)

Department(s)

Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Nuclear Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2014

Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation

  • CFD modeling of a coolant channel for Missouri S&T reactor
  • A parallel plate model using a porous media approach
  • Prediction of Missouri S&T's natural convection with porous media approximation
  • Supply chain feasibility analysis of small modular reactor technology

Pagination

xi, 120 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 114-119).

Geographic Coverage

Rolla (Mo.)

Rights

© 2014 Susan Maria Sipaun, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Nuclear reactors -- Missouri -- Rolla -- Computer simulation
Fluid dynamics -- Mathematical models
Computational fluid dynamics
Heat -- Convection, Natural

Thesis Number

T 10624

Electronic OCLC #

902736723

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