Heat Transfer Rate - Decay Heat Exchanger
John Abish (14BME0085); Narenther M S (14BME0092); Gowutham (14BME0579)
Guide: Dr. Balan A.S.S | SMEC
Introduction Results
• Nuclear reactors release large amounts of heat during atomic fission process. Theoretical Data
• Decay heat generated in the core has to be removed to keep the temperature
within the acceptable limits, to avoid the consequences like core structural SHELL SIDE
Primary sodium flow rate - 28.64 Kg/s
material melting.
Primary sodium inlet temperature - 820 K
• Decay Heat exchangers (DHX) is one such heat removal technique currently Primary sodium outlet temperature - 655 K
being used in various atomic power plants.
• This project focuses on the finite element analysis of the heat transfer taking TUBE SIDE
place in DHX along with further design improvements to increase heat transfer Intermediate sodium flow rate - 24.23 Kg/s
rates. Intermediate sodium inlet temperature - 575 K
Intermediate sodium outlet temperature - 768 K
Scope of the Project
Overall heat transfer coefficient (U) = 6063.4 W/m^2K
LMTD = (ΔT1 - ΔT2) / ln (ΔT1/ΔT2)
ΔT1 = T_Hot_In - T_Cold_Out = 52.00 K
ΔT2 = T_Hot_Out - T_Cold_In = 80.00 K
LMTD = 65 K
Heat transfer area (A) = 15.4 m^2
DHX rating (Q) = U*A*LMTD = 6.09 MW
Simulation Data
Methodology
• The model consists of 108 tubes spread in three concentric rows. The current
DHX model is one-twelfth of the circular section.
• Thus the model consists of nine tubes in a 30 degree sector.
• Diameter and area increased to improve heat transfer.
a) b)
Temperature Contour a) 6MW b) 11 MW
a) b)
• ANSYS FLUENT 13.0 was used for DHX modeling and simulation.
• Conformal meshing was done to obtain a structural grid joining the different
bodies. Quadratic meshes were generated to obtain better results.
• Nodes – 10,02,071; Elements – 10,37,188
Temperature along tube a) 6MW b) 11 MW
The total heat transfer rate between the shell and tube is 573992*12 = 6.8879 MW
The heat transfer taking place between the tube inlet and
outlet is 573880*12 = 6.8865 MW
From the above relation it can be seen that heat balance is achieved for 6 MW
DHX
The total heat transfer rate between the shell and tube is 878148*12 = 10.941 MW
The heat transfer taking place between the tube inlet and
outlet is 878635*12 = 10.9365 MW
Boundary Conditions:
From the above relation it can be seen that heat balance is achieved for 11 MW
• Down-comer – Velocity inlet – 1.2422 m/s; Temperature – 575K DHX
• Tube Outlet – Pressure outlet The increase in surface area increases the mass flow rate for the same
input conditions thereby increasing the heat transfer rate.
• Primary Na pool – Temperature – 820K
• Baffles – Porous jump – k=0.14 Conclusion
• Primary Na Inlet – Porous jump –K=0.408 The numerical modelling was done for the 6MW DHX and a modified DHX with
increased flow area for heat transfer.
• Primary Na Outlet – Porous jump –K=0.0627
The increase in flow surface area increases the mass flow rate. This causes an
• External wall – Symmetry increase in heat transfer rate for the same input conditions.
• Shell-Tube – Coupled wall
The modified design resulted in a 11 MW heat transfer rate which makes the DHX
• Three baffles were used at the shell side for a pressure drop of 55Pa as required more efficient for heat removal.
in the model. Accordingly the pressure jump coefficient (k) was calculated from
the zone velocity. Contact Details
johnabish.giftsonjoy2014@[Link] ; gowutham.e2014@[Link];
• Required pressure drop: P = kρv2/2 narenther.ms2014@[Link]
• Density was given as a piecewise linear variable dependent on temperature. Acknowledgments
Along with gravity, this helps in natural convection flow in the shell side. We would like to thank our guide Dr. Balan and IGCAR for providing the
theoretical data required to complete the project.