An improved water density feedback model for pressurized water reactors
Authors
Casadei, Alberto Luiz
Issue Date
1976-12
Type
Electronic thesis
Thesis
Thesis
Language
ENG
Keywords
Nuclear engineering
Alternative Title
Abstract
The water density evaluation model developed for incorporation in neutronic calculations includes both subcooled boiling and open channel effects, for the correct calculation of the water number density distribution in PWR cores. Open channel behavior was included on an assembly average basis, and numerical mesh compatibility between the open channel thermal-hydraulic and neutronic computational modules was accomplished by an interface program. In this interface program, water density calculations for all channels in the finer neutronic mesh were completed using a closed channel-subcooled boiling model, normalizing the resulting densities at each elevation to the assembly average density that the detailed open channel model predicted. This method allows relaxation of the requirement that equal numbers of mesh intervals be employed in the open channel thermal-hydraulic and neutronic models, and avoids the need to assume a constant water density over a few mesh intervals in the finer nuclear model. It was shown that this xii treatment produces accurate water density predictions with a considerable reduction in computer running time.
Description
December 1976
School of Engineering
School of Engineering
Full Citation
Publisher
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY