Results
Title

Three-dimensional effects in RBMK fuel temperature calculations.

Authors

Babaytsev, V.; Davydova, G.; Zakharova, L.; Krayushkin, A.

Abstract

The fuel temperature is one of the important parameters which are analyzed during an accident. It is often calculated in a one-dimensional model of a fuel element. The present work studies the three-dimensional effects arising because of the nonuniformity of the RBMK lattice and the position of the fuel assemblies in a channel, giving rise to azimuthal asymmetry of power release which is exacerbated by nonuniform plutonium accumulation along the radius and azimuth of a fuel assembly. The axial nonuniformity engendered by the presence of a water gap between the top and bottom bundle of fuel elements is consequential.

Subjects

ASYMMETRY (Chemistry); NUMERICAL calculations; NUCLEAR fuel elements; TEMPERATURE measurements; PLUTONIUM; NUCLEAR reactors; NUCLEAR accidents; THERMAL properties

Publication

Atomic Energy, 2012, Vol 112, Issue 5, p348

ISSN

1063-4258

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1007/s10512-012-9568-8