COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS MODELING APPROACH TO EVALUATE VSC – 17 DRY STORAGE CASK THERMAL
A numerical simulation of flow and heat transfer in a ventilated concrete dry storage cask system–17 (VSC–17) is performed and results compared with experimental data to assess the validity of the computational approach. The measurements of steady state temperature distributions on the cask surface, concrete surface, air flow channels, and fuel canister guide are available. Numerical simulations were carried out for normal operating conditions, where both the inlet and outlet vents are open, and for off-normal condition when normal air circulation is interrupted because of blocked vents. Results include the flow and temperature pattern in the ventilated storage system. Computed results were compared with experimental data for axial temperature distribution along the fuel assembly and radial temperature distribution along the storage assembly system. The effect of the turbulence model on temperature distribution pattern was also studied. For all the simulated cases, the computed results showed a trend similar to the experimental observation but did not model exactly. Computed peak cladding temperature in all the simulation cases was slightly higher than the experimental data. Heat transfer results showed some variation due to difference in backfill gas. A study of different k-ε and k-ω turbulence models showed very little effect on temperature distribution.
Thermal hydraulic analysis compared with tests of full-scale concrete casks
Abstract To develop a thermal analysis method for the concrete cask, numerical calculation based on thermal hydraulic phenomena was performed. In the present calculation model, calculation area was divided into two parts. One is inside of the canister and the other is outside of the canister. These two parts were combined at the surface of the canister. In the model of the outside, k – ɛ turbulence model was adopted for air flow region. Comparing calculation results with test results, it was found that the analysis method was valid for normal and accident conditions of the storage.
Influence of pressure and fluidization velocity on the hydrodynamics of a fluidized bed containing horizontal tubes
Abstract An experimental investigation of the influence of horizontal tubes on the bubble behaviour and through-flow velocity of gas inside bubbles was carried out and the influence of pressure and fluidization velocity was studied. The visible bubble flow rate and the gas velocity through the bubbles were measured simultaneously in a pressurized fluidized bed, using capacitance and Pitot-static pressures probes respectively. Silica sand with a mean particle diameter of 0.7 mm was fluidized at pressures between 01. and 1.6 MPa, in a bed of 0.2 × 0.3 m cross-section. Six different horizontal tube configurations were used and comparisons were made with results obtained in the same bed operated without tubes. The results from the bed with tubes show that the influence of pressure and fluidization velocity is basically the same as in the bed without tubes; an increase in pressure and fluidization velocity increases the bubble activity. At low excess gas velocities, the influence of immersed tubes on the bubble behaviour is less pronounced than at high excess gas velocities. Measurements and visual observations show that a small tube pitch gives a more uniform distribution of the visible bubble flow over the bed cross-section. At a combination of high pressure, high excess gas velocity and a large tube pitch, a preferred bubble path was observed in the centre of the bed cross-section. The pressure probe measurements show that the through-flow velocity of gas inside the bubbles is in most cases higher when tubes are present in the bed. The through-flow velocity consistently decreases with increasing pressure in the bed without tubes. The tendency is largely the same at a low excess gas velocity when tubes are present, but at a high excess gas velocity the through-flow velocity first decreases and then increases as the pressure is increased.