High-Resolution FSI Modeling of a High-Aspect Ratio Involute Flow Channel in the HFIR at ORNL

A. I. Elzawawy [1], J. D. Freels [2], F. G. Curtis [2, 3],
[1] Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, East Elmhurst, NY, USA
[2] Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
[3] University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
发布日期 2015

The high flow rate within the HFIR cooling water flow channel causes the fuel plates to deflect which in turn, changes the coolant flow characteristics. This nonlinear feedback loop between the coolant and the fuel plate is the focus of the present simulation of the fluid-solid interaction between the coolant flow and the fuel plates to accurately predict the plate’s deflection using the Fluid-Structure Interaction interface in the COMSOL Multiphysics® software. These simulations, which are based on critical and nominal channel dimensions, require high resolution meshing and high computing capacity, which is provided by the RRD of ORNL. The results of this analysis in addition to nuclear and thermal analysis will be used to support ongoing best-estimate design and safety analysis by RRD.