Numerical thermal-hydraulic analysis of a gas cooling high temperature reactor

In this study alternative operating conditions for the Modular Helium Reactor (MHR) were investigated to increase coolant outlet temperature above 850°C, while keeping the fuel temperature below acceptable level at normal operation. Parametric thermal-hydraulic simulations were carried out by using Computational Fluid Dynamics software ANSYS CFD FLUENT. The simulated geometry was chosen as Unit Cell Model and Equivalent Cylinder Model. The porous media approach has been applied to model the complex structure in the core for the simulation with Equivalent Cylinder Model. The study began with an analysis of the current 600 MWt GT-MHR (Gas Turbine-Modular Helium Reactor). The numerical model was validated by other studies. Then, alternative operating conditions were simulated. The results have shown that the MHR with some alternative operating conditions have the coolant outlet temperatures about 1000 °C, while keeping the fuel temperature below acceptable level.Key Words :Modular Helium Reactor, Computational Fluid Dynamic, Energy, Nuclear Power