Gas Dynamics of a Pebble Bed Reactor
Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Major
Nuclear Engineering
Research Advisor
Al-Dahhan, Muthanna H.
Advisor's Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Funding Source
Department of Energy
Abstract
For a Pebble Bed Reactor, there is a complex interaction between the flowing gas and the heat generating pebbles. It is important to understand this interaction in order to accurately account for the gas dispersion and heat exchange in the Pebble Bed Reactor. In the experiment, helium gas will be used as a tracer in an air stream traveling through on a plastic column of pebbles. The air is injected at two locations above and below the column which is three feet in height and 30 cm in diameter. Relative to the pebbles, the gas travels very quickly, so the pebbles are stationary for the experiment. Three samples are taken and analyzed from each injection point. The entire system can be divided into different mixing zones. The data from the samples is analyzed to get an accurate description of the mixing dispersion in the system.
Biography
Kelly O’Bryant is a junior in Nuclear Engineering at the University of Missouri Science and Technology. He has been a Peer Learning Assistant with the LEAD program for three semesters, tutoring students in math and nuclear engineering. Kelly joined Dr. Al- Dahhan in his research with Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactors funded by the Department of Energy in October of 2010.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
07 Apr 2010, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Gas Dynamics of a Pebble Bed Reactor
Upper Atrium/Hallway
For a Pebble Bed Reactor, there is a complex interaction between the flowing gas and the heat generating pebbles. It is important to understand this interaction in order to accurately account for the gas dispersion and heat exchange in the Pebble Bed Reactor. In the experiment, helium gas will be used as a tracer in an air stream traveling through on a plastic column of pebbles. The air is injected at two locations above and below the column which is three feet in height and 30 cm in diameter. Relative to the pebbles, the gas travels very quickly, so the pebbles are stationary for the experiment. Three samples are taken and analyzed from each injection point. The entire system can be divided into different mixing zones. The data from the samples is analyzed to get an accurate description of the mixing dispersion in the system.
