Advanced Thermalhydraulic Method Using 3X3 Pin Modeling

Abstract

Advanced thermal hydraulic methods are being developed as part of the US DOE sponsored Nuclear Hub program called CASL (Consortium for Advanced Simulation of LWRs). One of the key objectives of the Hub program is to develop a multi-physics tool which evaluates neutronic, thermal hydraulic, structural mechanics and nuclear fuel rod performance in rod bundles to support power uprates, increased burnup/cycle length and life extension for US nuclear plants. Current design analysis tools are separate and applied in series using simplistic models and conservatisms in the analysis. In order to achieve key Nuclear Hub objectives a higher fidelity, multi-physics tool is needed to address the challenge problems that limit current reactor performance. This paper summarizes the preliminary development of a multi-physics tool by performing 3x3 pin modeling and making comparisons to available data.