• 한국전산유체공학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.95-103
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• 2011

In the block type VHTR core, there are inevitable gaps among core blocks for the installation and refueling of the fuel blocks. These gaps are called bypass gap and the bypass flow is defined as a coolant flows through the bypass gap. Distribution of core bypass flow varies according to the reactor operation since the graphite core blocks are deformed by the fast neutron irradiation and thermal expansion. Furthermore, the cross-flow through an interfacial gap between the stacked blocks causes flow mixing between the coolant holes and bypass gap, so that complicated flow distribution occurs in the core. Since the bypass flow affects core thermal margin and reactor efficiency, accurate prediction and evaluation of the core bypass flow are very important. In this regard, experimental and computational studies were carried out to evaluate the core bypass flow distribution. A multi-block experimental apparatus was constructed to measure flow and pressure distribution. Multi-block effect such as cross flow phenomenon was investigated in the experiment. The experimental data were used to validate a CFD model foranalysis of bypass flow characteristics in detail.

• 한국전산유체공학회지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.59-67
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• 2009

An accurate prediction of the bypass flow is of great importance in the VHTR core design concerning the fuel thermal margin. Nevertheless, there has not been much effort in evaluating the amount and the distribution of the core bypass flow. In order to evaluate the behavior and the distribution of the coolant flow, a unit-cell experiment was carried out. Unit-cell is the regular triangular section which is formed by connecting the centers of three hexagonal blocks. Various conditions such as the inlet mass flow rate, block combinations and the size of bypass gap were examined in the experiment. CFD analysis was carried out to analyze detailed characteristics of the flow distribution. Commercial CFD code FLUENT 6.3 was validated by comparing with the experimental results. In addition, SST model and standard k-$\varepsilon$ model were validated. The results of CFD simulation show good agreements with the experimental results. SST model shows better agreement than standard k-$\varepsilon$ model. Results showed that block combinations and the size of the bypass gap have an influence on the bypass flow ratio but the inlet mass flow rate does not.