Simplified Reactor Core Model Using Induction Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and time required to build and install a miniature model of a reactor core for simulating reactor coolant flow phenomena are significant, as they need to replicate the complex structure of hundreds of fuel assemblies and the reactor vessel, making conventional methods inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method of simulating reactor coolant flow by simplifying and modeling fuel assemblies using induction plates with penetration holes to create a lattice-like structure, allowing for the measurement of pressure drops and flow distribution, which can be modified to match reference values, reducing the need for a full-scale experimental facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a miniature model of a reactor core is built to simulate coolant flow, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the reactor core that replicates only the essential flow characteristics rather than the complete physical structure. The model uses simplified geometries and boundary conditions that capture the dominant flow physics while eliminating unnecessary structural details, achieving measurement accuracy without full-scale complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and isolates the critical flow path elements from the complete reactor core system. By taking out only the essential components needed to represent coolant flow behavior (such as simplified fuel assembly geometries and key boundary conditions), the model achieves measurement capability while removing extraneous structural complexity
2Measurement precision
If a miniature model of a reactor core is built to simulate coolant flow, then measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simplified model uses standardized geometries and modular components that can be manufactured more quickly than a detailed miniature replica. By copying only the essential flow characteristics rather than the complete structural detail, the manufacturing process is significantly accelerated while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The model is divided into discrete, standardized segments that can be manufactured independently and assembled systematically. This segmentation allows for parallel manufacturing processes and reduces the overall manufacturing time compared to creating a monolithic detailed model
3Measurement precision
If a detailed miniature model is used to simulate coolant flow, then flow distribution measurement is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a functional copy that replicates flow distribution characteristics using simplified geometries. By copying only the hydrodynamic behavior rather than the complete physical structure, the model achieves measurement precision at a fraction of the cost of a detailed miniature model
Solution Approach 2:
The model uses scaled and simplified geometric parameters that maintain dynamic similarity for flow distribution measurement. By changing the parameters to simplified values that preserve the essential flow physics, the manufacturing cost is reduced while maintaining measurement capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for accurate measurement of pressure drops, flow mixing ratios, and flow distributions, reducing time and cost while providing data for reactor design and safety analysis, and can be applied to various reactor types.
Implementation Method 1
pressure drops occurring in the core were measured
Implementation Method 2
flow distribution, which can be modified to match reference values
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a method for simulating the flow of a reactor coolant in a core and a core simplified model used therein. The method includes forming a simplified model by arranging a plurality of induction plates to be apart from one another in a vertical direction, each of the induction plates including a plurality of penetration holes for inducing a pressure drop when the reactor coolant flows in the core; performing a reactor coolant flow experiment by using the simplified model to measure a pressure drop when the reactor coolant flows in the core; and checking whether the measured pressure drop of the reactor coolant is within an error range by comparing the measured pressure drop to a reference value.