Lecture 1

Introduction:
Importance of Thermal Hydraulics
Different Reactor Types
1
Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics
Heat transfer phenomena play a significant role in the following:
Design
Operation
Safety of nuclear reactors
Amount of power which can be extracted from the reactor core depends on the
following:
Heat removal rate
Material limitations
For a given reactor core, higher the heat extraction capability, lower will be the
cost of power
Hence, the importance of thermal hydraulics
Strong inter-relationship between heat transfer and fluid flow phenomena
Different reactor designs
Different thermal hydraulic phenomena encountered
2
Fission Energy
This is released in various forms, but mainly as kinetic energy of the following:
Fission fragments
Fission neutrons
Beta particles, resulting from the decay of fission products
Distribution of energy deposition (approximate)
90% in fuel element
5% in moderator
5% in structures (gamma heating)
Of the total energy generated, approximately 90% to 95% is released to the
coolant
3
Fission Energy
Depending on the coolant used and the operational state
One or more of the following three modes of heat transfer may come into
play:
Conduction
Convection
Radiation
4
Reactor Thermal Hydraulics
Heat is generated in the fuel rods due to nuclear fission
Heat is transported from the fuel by the circulating primary coolant
The mechanisms include:
Forced convection
Natural convection
Heat is transferred from the primary coolant to the secondary coolant in the steam
generator
However, in boiling water reactors:
High pressure steam is generated in the reactor itself
Low pressure steam may be generated in a steam generator (dual cycle)
Even after the reactor is shutdown, decay heat continues to be generated (at a reduced
level) owing to the decay of fission products
It is removed by the primary coolant system/shutdown cooling system
5
Reactor Thermal Hydraulics
The interaction between (and also the effects of) a number of factors need to be
taken into account while deciding the design limits
These factors include the following:
Neutronics
Metallurgy
Fuel rod characteristics
Core geometry
Water chemistry
Instrumentation and control
Power removal capability, operability, maintainability, reliability and safety are also
important factors

6
General Framework of Analysis
Neutron kinetics
Reactor power and heat generation
Fuel conduction
Radial, except for transients
such as rewetting
Fuel and clad temperature
Thermal hydraulics
Conservation and constitutive
equations; state equation/
property tables
Pressure, flow rate, void fraction, density
and fluid temperature
7
Fig. 1.1: Nuclear Reactor: Sectional
View
8
Fig. 1.2: Pressurized Water Reactor
(PWR): Schematic
9
Fig. 1.3: Pressurized Water Reactor:
Pressure Vessel and Internals
10
Fig. 1.4: Boiling Water Reactor (BWR):
Schematic
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STEAM DRYER
ASSEMBLY
STEAM SEPARATOR
ASSEMBLY
FEEDWATER INLET
FEEDWATER SPARGER
CORE SRAY LINE
TOP GUIDE
CORE SHROUD
CONTROL BLADE
CORE PLATE
RECIRCULATION
WATER OUTLET

SHIELD WALL
CONTROL ROD DRIVE
HYDRAULIC LINES
IN-CORE FLUX MONITOR
CONTROL ROD DRIVES
VESSEL SUPPORT SKIRT
CONTROL ROD GUIDE TUBE
FUEL ASSEBLIES
JET PUMP/RECIRCULATION WATER
INLET
JET PUMP ASSEMBLY
CORE SPRAY SPARGER
LOW-PRESSURE COOLANT
INJECTION INLET
STEAM DRYER LIFTING LUG
VENT AND HEAD SPRAY
STEAM OUTLET
CORE SPRAY INLET
Fig. 1.5: Boiling Water Reactor Details
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Fig. 1.6: Simplified Schematic of a Fast
Breeder Reactor
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Fig. 1.7: Schematic of a PHWR (CANDU
Reactor)
Legend
1. Fuel bundle
2. Calandria (reactor core)
3. Adjuster rods
4. Heavy water pressuriser
5. Steam generator
6. Light water pump
7. Heavy water pump
8. Fueling machines
9. Heavy water moderator
10. Pressure tube
11. Steam going to steam turbine
12. Cold water returning from turbine
13. Containment building made of
reinforced concrete
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Fig. 1.8: Primary Heat Transport
System (PHTS) of a 220 MWe PHWR
Storage Tank
Steam Generator
PCP-1
PCP-2
PCP-3
PCP-4
North Bank South Bank
Reactor core
RIH RIH
ROH
ROH
Feed Valve
Bleed Valve
Instrumented Relief Valves
Primary Pressurising Pump
Reflux Valve
15
Fig. 1.9: Simplified Schematic of
Primary Coolant and Moderator
Systems of PHWR
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Fig. 1.10: Primary Heat Transport
System of a 500 MWe PHWR
Storage Tank
Primary Pressurising Pump
Reflux Valve
Steam Bleed Valves
Bleed Condenser
Steam Generator
Feed Valve
Primary Cir.
Pump
ROH
ROH
RIH
RIH
Pressuriser
17
Fig. 1.11: Perspective View of Steam
Generators and PHT System (One
Bank)
Legend
1. Calandria
2. End shield
3. End fittings
4. Feeders
5. Reactor inlet header
6. Reactor outlet header
7. Primary heat transport pump
8. Steam generator
9. Steam outlet
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Fig. 1.12: PHWR Calandria
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