Comparative study of the contribution of various PWR spacer grid components to hydrodynamic and wall pressure characteristics

Flow-induced vibrations in a pressurized water reactor (PWR) core can cause fretting wear in fuel rods. These vibrations can compromise safety of a nuclear reactor. So, it is necessary to know the random fluctuating forces acting on the rods which cause these vibrations. In this paper, simplified 3D models like square spacer grid, circular spacer grid and symmetric mixing vanes have been used inside an annular pipe. Hydrodynamic and wall pressure characteristics are evaluated using large eddy simulations (LES). Structured meshes are generated as far as possible. Simulations are compared with an experiment. Results show that the grid and vanes have a combined effect: grid accelerates the flow whereas the vanes contribute to the swirl structures. Spectral analysis of the simulations illustrate vortex shedding phenomenon in the wake of spacer grids. This initial study opens up interesting perspectives towards improving the modeling strategy and understanding the complex phenomenon inside a PWR core.

Saptarshi Bhattacharjee, Guillaume Ricciardi, Stéphane Viazzo. Comparative study of the contribution of various PWR spacer grid components to hydrodynamic and wall pressure characteristics. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2017, 317, pp.22-43. ⟨10.1016/j.nucengdes.2017.03.011⟩. ⟨hal-01590274⟩

Journal: Nuclear Engineering and Design

Date de publication: 01-06-2017

Auteurs:
  • Saptarshi Bhattacharjee
  • Guillaume Ricciardi
  • Stéphane Viazzo

Digital object identifier (doi): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2017.03.011

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