Session: 04-05: SMRs, Advanced Reactors and Fusion

Paper Number: 135657

135657 - Optimization Design Study of a Radiant Heat Exchanger for a Small-Scale Underwater Nuclear Power Plant's Residual Heat Removal System. 

Abstract: 

There is increasing attention to small-scale underwater nuclear power plants for exploring the rich ocean resources. Currently, the Russian Poseidon serves as a sodium-cooled fast reactor, which realizes the application of nuclear reactors on small-scale underwater nuclear power plants. In addition, China's Xi'an Jiaotong University has designed a nuclear power plant for an underwater nuclear power plant based on the UPR reactor. The residual heat removal capacity is an important element in the thermal-hydraulic analysis of a reactor. With the continuous development of underwater nuclear power plants, the need to study the residual heat removal system of small-scale underwater nuclear power plants has become urgent. The radiant heat exchanger in the residual heat removal system of a MW-class small-scale underwater nuclear power plant has a large proportion of mass and volume. Therefore, a highly efficient and lightweight radiant heat exchanger in a residual heat removal system is one of the key research directions that needs to be developed in the future.

The residual heat removal system of the MW-class small-scale underwater nuclear power plant’s liquid metal-cooled nuclear reactor uses radiant heat exchange technology. The fins of the heat exchanger are composed of graphitic carbon fiber composite material (C-C) with a rectangular structure. The radiation heat exchanger and heat trap are filled with inert gases. The radiation heat exchanger transfers heat to the inner wall of the drying chamber primarily through the thermal radiation film. The heat removal capacity of the residual heat removal system is mainly influenced by the temperature and flow rate of the coolant in the radiant heat exchanger. The radiant heat exchangers in the hot and cold sections are arranged symmetrically. Since the main heat exchange of the residual heat removal system occurs in the radiant heat exchanger of the hot section. The simulation analysis focuses primarily on the hot section of the system to simplify the calculations. The thermal performance of the primary loop radiant heat exchanger is parameterized by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation under the given boundary conditions of primary loop coolant inlet flow rate, temperature, and drying chamber temperature.

This paper proposes optimizing the design of heat transfer fins in radiant heat exchangers by changing their rectangular cross-sections to triangular ones. Through an analysis of the triangular fins' radiant heat exchanger's radiant heat transfer power of the residual heat removal system at different temperatures and different flow rates by Fluent, and calculating the weight of the different structures separately, we conclude that the triangular fins have good radiant heat transfer efficiency and at the same time are lighter in weight as compared to the rectangular fins.

Presenting Author: Yinan Guo Harbin Engineering University

Presenting Author Biography: Yinan Guo is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Nuclear Science and Technology at the esteemed College of Nuclear Science and Technology in Harbin Engineering University, which is located in the Heilongjiang Province of China. She enrolled in the year 2022 and is studying at the College's Nuclear Power Simulation Experiment Centre, where she is receiving country-class education and training in the field of nuclear science and technology. Guo's research interests are vast and primarily revolve around the areas of thermal and hydraulic analysis as well as reliability analysis. She is particularly interested in exploring the intricacies of thermal and hydraulic behavior in nuclear reactors.

Guo graduated from the College of Nuclear Science and Technology at Harbin Engineering University in the year 2018. Guo has a deep understanding and a strong foundation in the nuclear professional knowledge base. During her postgraduate course study, Guo demonstrated exceptional academic performance and achieved outstanding grades, which led her to be awarded a first-class scholarship from the university. Furthermore, Guo's hard work and dedication towards her studies didn't go unnoticed as she was recognized as one of the provincial three good students, a prestigious title awarded to high-performing students in the region.

Guo's knowledge and proficiency in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis are noteworthy. She can use software proficiently and conduct relevant academic research with ease.

Authors:

Yinan Guo Harbin Engineering University
Lei Li Harbin Engineering University
Yongsheng Wen Harbin Engineering University