Remote-controlled micro locking mechanism for plate-type nuclear fuel used in upflow research reactors
Fuel locking mechanisms (FLMs) are essential in upward-flow research reactors to prevent accidental fuel separation from the core during reactor operation. This study presents a novel design concept for a remotely controlled plate-type nuclear fuel locking mechanism. By employing electromagnetic fie...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Nuclear Engineering and Technology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573323003911 |
| _version_ | 1797448150609297408 |
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| author | Jin Haeng Lee Yeong-Garp Cho Hyokwang Lee Chang-Gyu Park Jong-Myeong Oh Yeon-Sik Yoo Min-Gu Won Hyung Huh |
| author_facet | Jin Haeng Lee Yeong-Garp Cho Hyokwang Lee Chang-Gyu Park Jong-Myeong Oh Yeon-Sik Yoo Min-Gu Won Hyung Huh |
| author_sort | Jin Haeng Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fuel locking mechanisms (FLMs) are essential in upward-flow research reactors to prevent accidental fuel separation from the core during reactor operation. This study presents a novel design concept for a remotely controlled plate-type nuclear fuel locking mechanism. By employing electromagnetic field analysis, we optimized the design of the electromagnet for fuel unlocking, allowing the FLM to adapt to various research reactor core designs, minimizing installation space, and reducing maintenance efforts. Computational flow analysis quantified the drag acting on the fuel assembly caused by coolant upflow. Subsequently, we performed finite element analysis and evaluated the structural integrity of the FLM based on the ASME boiler and pressure vessel (B&PV) code, considering design loads such as dead weight and flow drag. Our findings confirm that the new FLM design provides sufficient margins to withstand the specified loads.We fabricated a prototype comprising the driving part, a simplified moving part, and a dummy fuel assembly. Through basic operational tests on the assembled components, we verified that the manufactured products meet the performance requirements. This remote-controlled micro locking mechanism holds promise in enhancing the safety and efficiency of plate-type nuclear fuel operation in upflow research reactors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:06:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d95039b646c04d4280481d91ecab9313 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1738-5733 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:06:19Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nuclear Engineering and Technology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d95039b646c04d4280481d91ecab93132023-11-30T05:06:22ZengElsevierNuclear Engineering and Technology1738-57332023-12-01551244774490Remote-controlled micro locking mechanism for plate-type nuclear fuel used in upflow research reactorsJin Haeng Lee0Yeong-Garp Cho1Hyokwang Lee2Chang-Gyu Park3Jong-Myeong Oh4Yeon-Sik Yoo5Min-Gu Won6Hyung Huh7Corresponding author.; Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 111, Daedeok-daero 989 beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-353, Republic of KoreaKorea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 111, Daedeok-daero 989 beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-353, Republic of KoreaKorea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 111, Daedeok-daero 989 beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-353, Republic of KoreaKorea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 111, Daedeok-daero 989 beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-353, Republic of KoreaKorea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 111, Daedeok-daero 989 beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-353, Republic of KoreaKorea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 111, Daedeok-daero 989 beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-353, Republic of KoreaKorea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 111, Daedeok-daero 989 beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-353, Republic of KoreaKorea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 111, Daedeok-daero 989 beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-353, Republic of KoreaFuel locking mechanisms (FLMs) are essential in upward-flow research reactors to prevent accidental fuel separation from the core during reactor operation. This study presents a novel design concept for a remotely controlled plate-type nuclear fuel locking mechanism. By employing electromagnetic field analysis, we optimized the design of the electromagnet for fuel unlocking, allowing the FLM to adapt to various research reactor core designs, minimizing installation space, and reducing maintenance efforts. Computational flow analysis quantified the drag acting on the fuel assembly caused by coolant upflow. Subsequently, we performed finite element analysis and evaluated the structural integrity of the FLM based on the ASME boiler and pressure vessel (B&PV) code, considering design loads such as dead weight and flow drag. Our findings confirm that the new FLM design provides sufficient margins to withstand the specified loads.We fabricated a prototype comprising the driving part, a simplified moving part, and a dummy fuel assembly. Through basic operational tests on the assembled components, we verified that the manufactured products meet the performance requirements. This remote-controlled micro locking mechanism holds promise in enhancing the safety and efficiency of plate-type nuclear fuel operation in upflow research reactors.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573323003911Research reactorPlate-type nuclear fuelFuel locking mechanismPerformance testEndurance testReactivity control mechanism |
| spellingShingle | Jin Haeng Lee Yeong-Garp Cho Hyokwang Lee Chang-Gyu Park Jong-Myeong Oh Yeon-Sik Yoo Min-Gu Won Hyung Huh Remote-controlled micro locking mechanism for plate-type nuclear fuel used in upflow research reactors Nuclear Engineering and Technology Research reactor Plate-type nuclear fuel Fuel locking mechanism Performance test Endurance test Reactivity control mechanism |
| title | Remote-controlled micro locking mechanism for plate-type nuclear fuel used in upflow research reactors |
| title_full | Remote-controlled micro locking mechanism for plate-type nuclear fuel used in upflow research reactors |
| title_fullStr | Remote-controlled micro locking mechanism for plate-type nuclear fuel used in upflow research reactors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Remote-controlled micro locking mechanism for plate-type nuclear fuel used in upflow research reactors |
| title_short | Remote-controlled micro locking mechanism for plate-type nuclear fuel used in upflow research reactors |
| title_sort | remote controlled micro locking mechanism for plate type nuclear fuel used in upflow research reactors |
| topic | Research reactor Plate-type nuclear fuel Fuel locking mechanism Performance test Endurance test Reactivity control mechanism |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573323003911 |
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