EFFECT OF INTERNAL HEAT GENERATION ON HEAT TRANSFER COEFFICIENT AND PRESSURE DROP INSIDE MOLTEN SALT REACTORS

Abstract

The Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) is a small modular reactor (SMR) that has been a subject of development as a Generation IV reactor. It provides clean electricity and high temperature for different industrial processes, offering high plant efficiency and different commercial advantages. It uses fluoride molten salt as a fuel and coolant which is moderated using solid graphite. As a liquid fuel, molten salt releases heat due to fission and hence, internal heat generation (IHG) affects the flow and heat transfer inside the reactor. The effect of this heat release on heat transfer coefficient (HTC) is subject of assessment. In the present paper, CFD simulations were carried out using different turbulence models to accurately predict pressure drop and heat transfer inside circular pipes. This geometry was selected as it offers fundamental understanding of the effects of this phenomenon. Simulations included different flowrates including, laminar, transition and turbulent conditions of flow. Results from different pressure drop and heat transfer correlations were compared to the outcome of the CFD simulations to identify the most accurate correlations that may be used in system level codes.