Enthalpy and Void Distributions in Subchannels of PHWR Fuel Bundles

Two different types the CANDU fuel bundles hue been modeled for the ASSERT-IV code subchannel analysis. From calculated values of mixture enthalpy and void paction distributions in the fuel bundles, it is found that net buoyancy effect is pronounced in the central region of the DUPIC fuel bundle when compared with the standard CANDU fuel bundle. It is also found that the central region of the DUPIC fuel bundle can be cooled more efficiently than that of the standard fuel bundle. From calculated mixture enthalpy distribution at the exit of fuel channel, it is found that the mixture enthalpy and void fraction can be highest in the peripheral region of the DUPIC fuel bundle. On the other hand, the enthalpy and the void fraction were found to be highest in the central region of the standard CANDU fuel bundle at the exit of the fuel channel. This study shows that the subchannel analysis is very useful assessing thermal behavior of the fuel bundle that could be used in CANDU reactors.