Model for subchannel friction factors and flow redistribution in wire-wrapped rod bundles

Abstract

The fuel element of LMFBR consists of a bundle of rods wrapped with an helical wire as spacer, surrounded by an hexagonal duct. In the present work, a semi-empirical model is developed to calculate bundle average and subchannel based friction factors and flow redistribution. The obtained results were compared to experimental data and they were considered satisfactory for wide range of geometrical parameters

Review and proposal for best fit of wire-wrapped fuel bundle friction factor and pressure drop predictions using various existing correlations

“…Along with the experimental data, Fig. 13 also presents calculation results by Carajilescov et al (curves -'Present Method') using their own developed method for friction factor calculation in wire-wrapped rod bundles (Carajilescov P. and Fernandez E. F., 1999), as well as calculation results obtained using friction factor correlations proposed by Hawley, Engel and Novendstern. Rod bundle parameters for the Chiu et al (Chiu C. et al, 1979) experimental setup are: number of pins/rods is 61, pitch to diameter ratio is 1.063, wire lead length to diameter ratio is 8.0 and pin/rod diameter is 12.73 mm.…”

“…13. Comparison of results for bundle average friction factors: (water, Chiu et al, 1979(Chiu C. et al, 1979Carajilescov P. and Fernandez E. F., 1999)) Fig. 14. Comparison of the SIM-ADS calculated and the experimental friction factor values for the wire-wrapped fuel assembly (compare with Fig.…”

“…15. Comparison of results for bundle average friction factors: (water, Tong/Bishop, 1968 (Carajilescov P. andFernandez E. F., 1999;Tong L.S., 1968)) Fig. 16.…”

“…Rod bundle parameters for the Chiu et al (Chiu C. et al, 1979) experimental setup are: number of pins/rods is 61, pitch to diameter ratio is 1.063, wire lead length to diameter ratio is 8.0 and pin/rod diameter is 12.73 mm. Chiu et al, 1979(Chiu C. et al, 1979Carajilescov P. and Fernandez E. F., 1999))…”

“…Based on the Chiu et al (Chiu C. et al, 1979) data provided in Ref. (Carajilescov P. and Fernandez E. F., 1999), corresponding calculations were performed with the SIM-ADS code and the calculation results compared to the experimental data (presented in Fig. 13).…”