Natural Convection in Missouri S&T Prismatic Scaled Down Facility Subject to Constant Heat Flux

Presenter Information

Cesar Ramirez

Department

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Major

Chemical Engineering

Research Advisor

Al-Dahhan, Muthanna H.

Advisor's Department

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Funding Source

U.S. Department of Energy-Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (DOE-NERI) project (NEUP 13-4953 (DENE0000744)

Abstract

Previous findings suggest that natural circulation in simplified geometries cannot be directly extended to Prismatic Modular high temperature nuclear Reactor (PMR). Therefore, Missouri S&T constructed a prismatic scaled down dual channel facility and developed advanced fast response flash mounted heat transfer probes (HT) technique. Natural circulation is stimulated within the facility by electrically heating one channel and cooling the second one. The HT sophisticated technique is implemented to measure the local heat transfer coefficient (h) axially along the heated channel which is subjected to constant applied heat flux. Four values of heating intensity were investigated (i.e., 37, 40, 45, 50 watt). Results show that the local heat transfer coefficient (expressed in Nusselt number) is directly proportional to the heating intensity (expressed in Rayleigh number). Also, the results show that natural circulation behavior at channel ends is significantly influenced by the coolant mixing phenomena occurring in the reactor two plena.

Biography

Born and raised in San Angelo, Texas, Cesar Ramirez is currently pursuing a B.S. in chemical engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He plans on graduating in the spring semester of 2016. On campus, Cesar is involved in AIChE and has acquired skills in MATLAB, Aspen Plus and various programs in Microsoft Office.

Research Category

Engineering

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Document Type

Poster

Location

Upper Atrium/Hallway

Presentation Date

11 Apr 2016, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Comments

Joint Project with Joe Collum

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Apr 11th, 1:00 PM Apr 11th, 3:00 PM

Natural Convection in Missouri S&T Prismatic Scaled Down Facility Subject to Constant Heat Flux

Upper Atrium/Hallway

Previous findings suggest that natural circulation in simplified geometries cannot be directly extended to Prismatic Modular high temperature nuclear Reactor (PMR). Therefore, Missouri S&T constructed a prismatic scaled down dual channel facility and developed advanced fast response flash mounted heat transfer probes (HT) technique. Natural circulation is stimulated within the facility by electrically heating one channel and cooling the second one. The HT sophisticated technique is implemented to measure the local heat transfer coefficient (h) axially along the heated channel which is subjected to constant applied heat flux. Four values of heating intensity were investigated (i.e., 37, 40, 45, 50 watt). Results show that the local heat transfer coefficient (expressed in Nusselt number) is directly proportional to the heating intensity (expressed in Rayleigh number). Also, the results show that natural circulation behavior at channel ends is significantly influenced by the coolant mixing phenomena occurring in the reactor two plena.