A Homogeneous Equilibrium Model for Analysis of Spent Fuel Shipping Containers

Manson, S. J.; Klein, D. E.; ,

A Homogeneous Equilibrium Model for Analysis of Spent Fuel Shipping Containers

by S. J. Manson, Univ of Texas at Austin, Austin, United States,
D. E. Klein, Univ of Texas at Austin, Austin, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1993

Abstract:

Transportation of nuclear spent fuel is inevitable over the coming years. However, in order to ensure the safety of such transport, computational models must be established, which are capable of evaluating the thermal characteristics of the containers in which spent fuel is shipped. In an effort to further the development of a satisfactory computational tool, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin (UT) have developed a numerical algorithm which utilizes a homogeneous equilibrium model (HEM) to calculate the effects of two phase water on the thermal performance of the containers. This model has been incorporated into TEXSAN, the Texas-Sandia thermal hydraulic analysis program. In this study, the TEXSAN routine was employed in order to calculate single and two phase mass and energy transport in a simple driven cavity configuration. The temperature, enthalpy, pressure and velocity distributions were determined and were found to exhibit the expected behavior. The TEXSAN HEM has thus been demonstrated to be a viable predictive tool, capable of analysis of two phase multi-mode heat transfer. This establishes the potential for improved spent fuel transportation analysis, which is required for ensuring the safety of shipping container designs.

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