Investigating hydrodynamic characteristics and peculiarities of the coolant flow behind a spacer grid of a fuel rod assembly of the floating nuclear power unit

Abstract

The results of experimental investigations of local hydrodynamics of a coolant flow in fuel rod assembly (FA) of KLT-40C reactor behind a plate spacer grid have been presented. The investigations were carried out on an aerodynamic rig using the gas-phase diffusive tracer test. An analysis of spatial distribution of absolute flow velocity projections and distribution of tracer concentration allowed specifying a coolant flow pattern behind the plate spacer grid of the FA. On the basis of obtained experimental data the recommendations were provided to specify procedures for determining the coolant flow rates for the programs of cell-wise calculation of a core zone of KLT-40C reactor. Investigation results were accepted for the practical use in JSC “OKBM Afrikantov” to assess heat engineering reliability of cores of KLT-40C reactor and were included in a database for verification of CFD programs (CFD-codes).