Chapter 5 Reactor

CHAPTER 5

REACTOR
The operational states of a reactor are the states defined under normal and
anticipated operational occurrences. These operational states of PARR-1 have been
described here and in Chapter 16 (Safety Analysis) & Chapter 17 (Operational Limits and
Conditions). In this chapter, states defined under normal operational conditions are stated
such that it can be demonstrated that PARR-1 is capable of fulfilling its safety functions.
The consequences of postulated failure and accidents are treated in Chapter 16.

5.1 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The information presented here is according to the Annexure-III of SS-35-G1.

PARR-1 is mainly utilized for radioisotope production, research and training. Thus
it may be considered as an irradiation facility.

PARR-1 (shown in Fig. 5.1) is a swimming pool research reactor, using LEU fuel,
having nominal power of 10 MW, for details refer to Chapter 4 (Buildings and Structure).
The fuel is of MTR type, brief description of the fuel type has been given in Chapter 1
(Introduction and General Description of the Facility) while details of the fuel element are
given in Section 5.2.

The demineralized water is being used as moderator.

PARR-1 core is totally reflected, i.e. reflected on all six sides. This core is
reflected by graphite on two sides (one by graphite thermal column and the other opposite
to the thermal column by using graphite reflector elements), see Fig. 5.14. Rest of the core
sides are reflected by water. Numerous core configurations can be arranged, however,
three prominent core configurations, i.e. i) first critical core, ii) first high power core, and
iii) equilibrium core, are described in this chapter.

The reactivity control mechanism consists of five control rods (of oval shape
with material composition: 80% Ag, 15% In, and 5% Cd) and their associated drive
mechanisms, however, the reactivity control mechanism for first critical core consists of
four control rods. All these 5 rods are used as safety rods while one of them can be used
as power regulating rod (i.e. control/shim rod). Table 5.1 summarizes main design and
performance characteristics of PARR-1.

The coolant at PARR-1 is the demineralized water, and is available for natural
convection as well as forced flow cooling. In forced flow cooling mode, coolant flow is
gravity driven. For details of the coolant system refer to Section 5.5 and Chapter 6
(Reactor Coolant Systems and Connected Systems).

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The mechanical reactor design comprises: i) PARR-1 reactor pool, ii) reactor
bridge, iii) core support structure, iv) beam tubes and in-core test facilities, and v) natural
circulation provision. Primary objective of maintaining a good quality of water is to
minimize corrosion of the mechanical components used in the reactor pool (10.2.2 Water
Purification System). The materials used in PARR-1 have been tested in MTR type
reactors worldwide and their resistance against fatigue and neutron doses is proven.
Moreover, fuel elements, control rods, control rod derive system are inspected
periodically.

 The reactor pool is approximately 11.58 m long, 6.06 m wide and 9.91 m deep
reinforced concrete enclosure. The inner sides of the pool are lined with stainless steel
sheets, 3 mm thick on the walls and 6 mm thick on the floor. PARR-1 pool consists of
two sections and has been described in Chapter 4 (Buildings and Structures), however,
some of the details are also presented here. One section of the pool contains beam
tubes and other experimental facilities and is called the 'stall pool' and the other section
is for bulk irradiation and is called the 'open pool'. The two sections of the pool are
provided with independent coolant water inlet and outlet connections. Reactor pool is
designed to withstand seismic activity of 0.2 g. In addition to this, pool foundation are
incorporated with the isolation joints, for details refer to Chapter 4 (Buildings and
Structures). Pool design covers criteria for seismic load, hydrostatic load and
temperature changes, plus the load of the pool itself (this includes the dead load of
pool itself and the load of the bridge).
 The core support bridge is a movable steel structure spanning across the width of the
pool. Two wide flange beams comprise the main span with various transverse members
serving as supports for a continuous walk-way across the bridge. Access to the bridge
at either end is provided by stairs. Two platforms on either side of the bridge center
permit: i) the mounting of certain reactor controls and instruments at the bridge level,
and ii) monitoring of the core. The main bridge beams are bolted to the bridge drive
assembly. The bridge is moved manually by the rotation of a crank handle which drives
the wheels through a gear and pinion. The wheel assemblies ride on the two rails
running along the length of the reactor pool. Two aluminum plates, for mounting the
control rod drive mechanisms, are attached to structural channels extending outward
to form the cantilevered wings at bridge level. Careful alignment is also established
between the holes in mounting plate and grid plate to assure proper operation of the
drive mechanism. For details, refer to Chapter 4 (Buildings and Structures).
 The core support structure consists of: i) core support tower, ii) core support frame,
and iii) reactor grid plate. The core support tower is an aluminum frame suspended
from the bridge vertically in the pool. One entire front of the tower, opposite to
thermal column, is without structural cross-bracing. This feature permits easy
manipulation of the core fuel assemblies from bridge level. The core support frame is
made of aluminum angle bars and is bolted to the lower end of the core tower. It holds
the reactor grid plate. The PARR-1 grid plate is made of 127 mm thick aluminum. It
has 54 holes in 96 pattern with a lattice spacing of 8177.11 mm (Fig. 5.2). These
holes accommodate the end fittings of the fuel elements.
 Six beam tubes, one through tube and three water boxes comprises beam tubes and
in-core experimental facilities. Six radial beam-tubes and one tangential through tube
are installed in the stall end of the reactor pool. Among these, three beam-tubes and

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Chapter 5 Reactor

the tangential through tube have a diameter of 152 mm while other three have a
diameter of 203 mm. Each beam tube assembly consists of an embedded stainless steel
liner, a retractable stepped aluminum tube, a set of aluminum canned barite concrete
and lead plugs and a gasket seal installed on the outer face (Fig. 5.3). The tangential
through tube is placed along one face of the reactor core and runs through the
concrete pool walls from one side to the other, see Fig. 4.3. It has the same structure
at both ends as a beam tube and possesses the same design features. A sketch of a
beam tube, alongwith necessary data and principal dimensions, is shown in Fig. 11.3.
In addition to these beam tubes, other in-core facilities include three water boxes at
different locations in the core (the location of water boxes in equilibrium core is shown
in Fig. 5.14). These water boxes are made up of 3 mm thick aluminum sheets.
 The natural circulation provisions consist of a plenum and it associated flapper valve
assembly. The flapper valve assembly consists of flapper valve, a lever, and adjustable
counter weights. This flapper valve is shown in Fig. 4.8.

The shielding at PARR-1 can be divided into two: i) biological shield, and ii)
thermal shield.

This part of the SAR summarizes the biological shielding aspects of different
components of PARR-1, its coolant systems and other sources of radiation at the facility.

Main biological shield for the reactor, i.e. the neutron shield (mainly water) and
gamma ray shield (mainly concrete), consists of concrete walls of the pool and water
contained in the pool. This shielding was found to be quite conservative as the radiation
fields experienced in all the accessible areas are below the working limits, see Chapter 12
(Operational Radiological Safety). The biological shield consists of barytic concrete of 3.5
g/cm3 density, ordinary concrete of 2.2 g/cm3 density and water. Main concrete shield of
the pool is shown in Figs. 4.5, 4.6 and 5.1. The three walls of stall pool are 1.83 m thick
barytes concrete up to a height of 4.5 m from the pool floor. The walls of open pool are of
same thickness but of ordinary concrete. The walls beyond 4.5 m are of ordinary concrete
and vary in thickness from 1.45 to 0.51 m. In the horizontal plane, the concrete shielding
is supplemented by water which is about 1.06 m in the stall pool and 2.81 m in the open
pool. During the reactor operation at full power the radiation level will be below 10 Sv/h
(1 mrem/h) at all points outside the shield, in the accessible areas. The top of the reactor
core is shielded by water which is 7.27 m thick above the fuel elements. The gamma
radiations at the pool surface is a water-dispersed activity due to: i) fuel cladding recoils
and, ii) activation of impurities in the water. At full power reactor operations of long and
continuous duration maximum radiation level measured are: i) directly over the core ~370
Sv/h (37 mrem/h), and ii) on the reactor bridge 30 Sv/h (3 mrem/h). The dose rate at
pool surface in the open pool is 200 Sv/h.

The experimental facilities consists of beam tubes and thermal column. Each
beam tube assembly consists of an embedded stainless steel liner, a retractable stepped
aluminum tube, a set of aluminum canned barite concrete and lead plugs and a gasket seal
installed on the outer face (Fig. 5.3). The beam tubes, when have no experimental set-up,
are shielded with 1.6 m baryte concrete, 0.27 m lead and about 1 m of water. This
composite shielding is provided in two steps to eliminate radiation streaming. Total
effective shielding obtained is equivalent to the concrete and water shield provided by the

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Chapter 5 Reactor

pool. For full power reactor operation the shielding is sufficient to reduce the direct
radiation from the core to less than 100 Sv/h (10 mrem/h). However, the radiation levels
at the beam tube face may rise due to the presence of N 16 and Na24 in water. These
radiation levels are reduced by periodically flushing the beam tubes with clean
demineralized water. When the facilities are in use (drained), supplementary shielding must
be provided to reduce the dose level.

The thermal column shield consists of a thick lead sheet of 12.8 cm between the
thermal column extension and the core, and concrete door at the outer end. Neutron flux
in the beam tubes depends upon: i) the beam tube location, and ii) the core configuration
at that particular time. For the first high power core average thermal neutron flux at the
innermost end of the flooded beam tube varies from 3.81013 (for beam-tube #6) to about
1.11014 (for beam tubes #2 and 5), for beam tube locations refer to Fig. 11.1.

The cooling system components consisting of cooling water drain lines, hold-up
tank and pump room are shielded to reduce radiation fields to below the limiting values.
The demineralizer is provided with additional shielding with removable concrete blocks.
Unnecessary access to the demineralizer is prevented by locked doors as it is not necessary
to approach this equipment during operation. Low level activity (up to a few hundred
Sv/h) may be encountered in the pump room. These areas are controlled regions, and
local shielding is provided where necessary.

The miscellaneous shielded at PARR-1 consists of the following:

i) The irradiated fuel elements are normally stored in the open end of reactor
pool. Vertical water shield attenuates the gamma dose to below the limits and the concrete
wall 1.83 m thick, provides sufficient shielding along the sides. If the open pool has to be
drained, e.g. for maintenance work, the fuel elements can be stored in the stall end or
shifted to the storage bay.
ii) A number of holes of different sizes are provided in the north and south
walls of the containment building to store the radioactive materials and components
used for experiments in the beam tubes.

Thermal shield is provided in the stall end to reduce gamma flux incident on the
concrete. A radial temperature gradient is created in the biological shield, particularly in a
plane passing horizontally through the core center-line, due to deposition of energy by the
attenuation of gamma rays. The thermal shield is in the form of 1.27 cm thick and 1.6 m
long lead sheets fixed on the pool walls where they are closest to the core. The pool has
been protected against leakage by providing on all its inner sides with 3 mm thick stainless
steel lining. This lining may also serve as an additional thermal shield.

The reactor structures comprise following: i) reactor pool, ii) core support and
grid plate, iii) reactor bridge, iv) reflector, v) shielding (including movable shielding for
beam tubes), vi) supports for core instrumentation, vii) beam tubes, viii) in-core test
facilities, and ix) natural circulation provisions. Among these reactor pool has been already
described in preceding sections of SAR. However, for detailed description of the items i-
iv, vi and viii-ix refer to Chapter 4 (Buildings and Structures). While item v and vii are
described in Chapter 4 and Chapter 11 (Reactor Utilization).

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Chapter 5 Reactor

The reactivity control system and reactor shutdown system comprises five oval
shaped control/shim rods and their associated drive systems. This system is basically an
electromagnetic based fail-safe system and has been described in Section 5.3.

A summary of the fuel elements used at PARR-1 is described here, while details
are presented in the rest of the chapter, particularly Section 5.2. The fuel used is uranium
having 19.99 % U235. The fuel material is U3Si2-Al sandwiched in between aluminum
cladding. For geometrical details of fuel elements refer to Section 5.2 while main
characteristics are summarized in Table 5.2.

Experience with the fuel comprises fuel utilization at PARR-1 since its upgradation
in 1991. The control fuel element is somewhat different from the standard fuel element, for
details refer to Section 5.2.

The reactivity control mechanism consists of five oval type control rods. The
details of the control rods material and shape are given in Section 5.6. The experience with
the reactivity control mechanism comprise utilizing these (same) control rods from 1966.

Plutonium Beryllium neutron source, which is kept under water in reactor pool,
is used during startup of PARR-1. It is a cylindrical sealed source, connected with stainless
steel string, which runs over a pulley, Up and Down movement of the source is managed
manually with the help of two hooks, on the reactor bridge. These hooks are 8 cm apart
from each other. The string rests at lower hook when the source is used for startup of
PARR-1. Before reaching the desired power level of 10MW, reactor power is leveled at
10kW and the source is removed from the core and the string is shifted to the upper hook.
This is an administrative action to be done by the reactor operator and is given in the
startup checklist of PARR-1.

The source contains 112 g of Pu-239, which is  emitter. Alpha particles react with
2 He  4 Be  6 C  0 n1
9 4 9 12
4Be as:

The source strength is 107 n/sec. Half-life of Pu-239 is 24360 years, therefore its
depletion due to radiation decay is negligible. Its burn up due to absorption of neutrons
and heating effects are also negligible because the source is removed from the core when
the reactor power reaches 10kW. It is a sealed source being used under water for about 35
years and no problem about chemical compatibility with coolant has been observed.
Plutonium is compatible with water.

5.2 FUEL ELEMENTS

The fuel elements at PARR-1 are of two types, i.e. the standard fuel elements and
the control fuel elements. Essentially these two types of fuel elements are same in fuel
material, enrichment, composition and metallurgical states. They only differ partially in
their geometry with respect to: i) the total number of fuel plates per fuel element, and ii)
presence or absence of channel for the control rod movement. These fuel elements are
described in the following.

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Chapter 5 Reactor

The fuel material is uranium having 19.99% U235. This fuel is in the form of silicide,
i.e. U3Si2. This fuel material is sandwiched between aluminum cladding, to form a single
fuel plate. These fuel plates of PARR-1 fuel element are supported by two aluminum side
plates. Both fuel elements, i.e. standard fuel element and control fuel element, are shown
in Figs. 5.4-5.7 to elaborate their geometry and associated tolerances. The material
properties of the fuel elements are shown in Table 5.2.

The clad melting point temperature is 570 C thus these fuel elements should be
subjected to temperatures well below this temperature to avoid any deformation. In the
lifetime of a fuel element (including core, storage, and handling and transport period)
severest thermal conditions are met when fuel element is present in an operating core and
a fuel element can withstand these thermal conditions by avoiding burnout, i.e. by avoiding
nucleate boiling. This has been shown in Chapter 16 (Safety Analysis) that in almost all the
postulated accidents, except LOCA, PARR-1 fuel element does not observe nucleate
boiling conditions.

The maximum coolant velocity in any coolant channel of representative PARR-1

cores, i.e. first high power core and equilibrium core, is 3.35 m/sec. The critical velocity
(also called Miller velocity) is the velocity at which hydraulic vibrations can result in
deflection of fuel plates causing local overheating and possibly a complete blockage of the
coolant channel. This velocity is stated to be 10.5 m/sec. It shows that the fuel plates of
PARR-1 fuel element are subjected to much less velocities than the critical velocity and
consequently these fuel plates can withstand hydraulic forces, i.e. mechanical forces.

The fuel element will remain submerged in demineralized water during its use and
subsequent storage. This water is demineralized represent the chemical environment to
which fuel element is subjected. The pH value and conductivity of the of the demineralized
water are maintained at 6.00.5 and 2Scm-1, respectively. This helps in maintaining low
rates of corrosion for aluminum.

Estimated average fissioning density in the core is 3.281012 fissions/sec and end
of cycle burnup is 27%. For information relating to the irradiation conditions and limits,
i.e. power density and burnup, refer to Section 5.4 and Chapter 17 (Operational Limits
and Conditions).

Time to time experiments are performed to verify some of the information related
to the fuel element, i.e. estimation of enrichment, estimation of burnup in a fuel element,
etc.. The summary of the generalized information is provided in Tables 5.1 and 5.2.

5.3 REACTIVITY CONTROL SYSTEM

In this section only the technical safety functions are addressed, while the reactivity
aspects have been presented in Section 5.4 and the instrumentation aspects (i.e. protection
and power regulating systems) are presented in Chapter 8 (Instrumentation and Control).

Reactivity control system of PARR-1 can be divided into two segments, i.e. the
reactivity control mechanisms and their drive systems. Information regarding reactivity
control mechanisms include the main dimensions and the neutron absorber material used.

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Chapter 5 Reactor

The main dimensions of the hollow oval shaped control rods are shown in Fig. 5.8, while
control rod with control fuel element and guide tube assembly is shown in Fig. 5.9. The
main characteristics of the control mechanisms are summarized in Table 5.3 and 5.4.

The experience with these reactivity control mechanisms spans the entire life of
PARR-1, i.e. more than 30 yrs.

Reactivity control system at PARR-1 is designed to effectively control the reactor

without causing unnecessarily large perturbations in the power distribution and without
causing undesirable reactor shutdown due to control system malfunction. The PARR-1
core have only five control rods and all five of them are used for reactor shutdown. Fine
control of reactivity is achieved with anyone of the control rods according to its reactivity
worth and with the adjustment of its withdrawal and insertion speed. All control rods are
held in position with independent rod drive and release system by means of
electromagnets. In case of unsafe conditions, rods can either be reversed or scrammed
independently by interrupting the current supply to these electromagnets, thereby
providing multiplicity of control. In the event of reactor scram the control rods fall into the
core under gravity. This satisfy the conditions of redundancy and diversity, and fail-safe
features.

The control rods were supplied by AMF, USA about 35 years back and we do not
know its fabrication method. Changes in reactivity worth of control rods due to burnup
are negligible because of the following reasons.

During reactor operation the control rods are out of the core from 35% to about
95% due to Xe effect and fuel burnup, etc. On the average only 20% of the control rods
remain in the core.

Due to strong absorption of neutron and self-shielding, there is flux depression

inside the control rods. Most of the neutrons are absorbed in the outer layer of the control
rods.

It has been experimentally observed that control rods worth for 1 st operational core
(HEU) in 1966 was about 15% k/k. After using these rods for about 25 years, worth of
these rods for 1st operational core (LEU) in 1992 was about 15% k/k.

The upper and lower limits of travel of all drives are indicated by the lights on the
console, see Chapter 8 (Instrumentation and Control). In addition 'ON', 'MAG', 'GANG'
and 'RS' lights are provided for each control rod. The travel speed of control/shim rods is
102 mm/min.

The control rod drive mechanism is an electro-mechanical device which can

position the rod with respect to the reactor core (Figs. 5.10 & 5.11). Each control rod has
an independent drive mechanism consisting of a motor, a worm and two spur reducing
gears with a rack and pinion drive. Position indication is taken from the rack pinion shaft
by means of bevel gears. Limits of the stroke are defined by adjustable cam operated snap
action switches mounted on the rack guide cover plate. The housing for the mechanism
has space provided for mounting of an electromagnetic clutch. The drive mechanism is

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Chapter 5 Reactor

attached to the mounting plate by means of two hold-down screws on the front and rear.
The insertion time of drive system is 6 mins.

In the existing system low inertia, two phase motors are used at constant or
variable speed or driven with a servo control. The position transmitter uses a
potentiometer which is driven by a pair of bevel gears attached to rack pinion shaft. Rack
speed ranges from 0.0675 to 5.66 m/min. The movement stroke is adjustable and
mechanically limited by the length of rack and rack guide. The magnets operate completely
out of water thus eliminating such problems as magnet switch failure, leakage of water,
corrosion, radiation damage and the deterioration of break-away time and lifting power.
However, they are water proof.

5.4 NUCLEAR DESIGN

The geometrical data about the fuel elements have been presented in Section 5.2.
This data can be supplemented with the data presented here, i.e. the basic data for nuclear
design, to complete the nuclear design. The basic nuclear data of PARR-1 fuel elements is
shown in Table 5.5.

Using the fuel elements, described in Section 5.2, different PARR-1 core
configurations can be assembled on the reactor grid plate. Here only three configurations
will be discussed i.e. the first critical core, the first high power operation core and the
equilibrium core. The neutronic calculations of these cores were performed using
computer codes: WIMSD-4, CGM and CITATION.
Analysis of the initial startup core was performed, in 3-D using five energy groups
Table 5.6, by the help of computer code CITATION. The average mesh spacing employed
was less than 1.5 cm. The calculations of equilibrium core i.e. fuel management and
equilibrium cycle calculations were performed using 2 energy groups, see Table 5.7, in 2 &
3 spatial dimensions. The burnup and fuel management calculations were performed using
the computer code, FCAP.

5.4.1 Critical Loading

The most compact, totally water reflected core which can become critical, is
shown in configuration No.1 of Fig. 5.12. It comprises 12 standard and 4 control fuel
elements arranged in a 44 matrix. The core is slightly supercritical with maximum
reactivity of 315 pcm. The extent to which reactivity can be increased by adding one more
standard fuel element, at four of the possible locations, is assessed and have been shown in
configuration No.2-5 in Fig. 5.12. However, if the core configuration No.1 is assembled
adjacent to the graphite thermal column then the reactivity is increased by about 1100
pcm. In this case a core with 11 standard and 4 control elements could be just critical or
slightly subcritical.

5.4.2 First High Power Core

The first core, assembled for power operation is shown in Fig. 5.13. It is a 64
core and comprises 17 standard and 5 control fuel elements with two vacant positions.

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Chapter 5 Reactor

The core is reflected by water on all sides except one facing the thermal column. Total U 235
loading of the core is 5.75 kg and its reactivity in clean cold state is about 6400 pcm. The
core becomes critical when all the control rods were drawn to 53% out position. When all
control rods are inserted the core reactivity is about -14700 pcm. The integral worth of a
control rod can be estimated by determining the core reactivity difference between two
instances, i.e. i) when that particular rod is fully withdrawn, and ii) when that particular
rod is fully inserted, while the remaining rods are kept at the same position. The sum of
the individual rod worths approximated in this way comes out to be 16.30% k/k. The
reactivity required for equilibrium Xenon is about 3100 pcm so that the reactivity available
for burn-up and other loads is about 3300 pcm. The maximum reactivity reserved for
samples etc. is 1300 pcm. Thus about 2000 pcm will be available for burn-up.

5.4.3 Equilibrium Core

Configuration of the equilibrium core for long term operation is shown in Fig.
5.14. This core consists of 29 standard and 5 control fuel elements. There are two
irradiation positions inside the core at the positions C-4 and C-7. The core is reflected by
graphite on two sides and water on other sides. The locations C-2 and F-2 are meant for
fission chambers. The criticality position of the core at BOC is 51% rods withdrawn.
Integral worth of the control rods is 10760 pcm. The excess reactivity is about 5000 pcm
for cold clean core. Out of this 3000 pcm is required for Xe and Sm while 2000 pcm will
compensate for experimental load and fuel burnup.

The core will be operated in a cycle of 40 full power days. A total of 4 standard
and 1 control fuel element will be loaded at the beginning of each cycle. Fresh fuel
elements will be loaded in low flux regions to flatten the flux profile, i.e. on core sides, and
will be moved to higher flux zones as their burnup increases. The fuel elements will remain
in core for 5 to 6 cycles, i.e. 200 to 240 full power days.

Average power density in various fuel elements at the beginning of cycle (BOC) is
given in Fig. 5.15. Average values of thermal and fast neutron fluxes in fuel and non-fuel
regions are shown in Fig. 5.16. These fluxes are unperturbed, i.e. it is assumed that no
experimental set-up or irradiation sample is present. At BOC the average thermal fluxes at
C-4 (water box) and C-7 (water box) is 11014 n/cm2-s and 1.581014 n/cm2-s,
respectively. Thermal fluxes in water adjacent to the core sides averaged up to a distance
of 7.7 cm from the core are also shown. These fluxes vary from 3.871013 to 8.31013
n/cm2-s. Average fluxes in the graphite reflector elements are of the order of 51013 n/cm2-
s. Average thermal flux in fuel region varies from 2.41013 to 8.01013 n/cm2-s. At the end
of cycle (EOC), the flux values may increase slightly.

For equilibrium core, axial fast and thermal neutron flux distribution at locations of
fission chambers is given in Fig. 5.17 and locations of water boxes is given in Fig. 5.18.
Hot spot lies in standard fuel element at core location C-6. Axial fast and thermal neutron
flux distribution in the hot channel is given in Fig. 5.19. Axial and radial peaking factors of
the equilibrium core are 1.303 and 2.228, respectively.

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The burn-up is calculated in units of percent consumption of initial U 235 loading

235
(%U ). Average burn-up of the fuel elements at the beginning of cycle (BOC) and end of
cycle (EOC) are shown in Fig. 5.20 & 5.21, respectively. It may be noted that the fuel
elements around central flux trap, i.e. around core position C-7, are ready for discharge
and new fuel elements will be loaded at front face of the core in column 4.

The discharge burnup values of the fuel elements with 290 g of U235 loading, when
used in the equilibrium core, can attain an average burn-up of about 40% of U 235. In order
to achieve higher burn-up one has to increase the fuel loading per element.

Average core burn-up at the beginning of the cycle (BOC) is 22.6 %U 235 and it
goes up to 27.7%U235 at the end of cycle (EOC).

5.5 THERMAL AND HYDRAULIC DESIGN

Steady-state thermal hydraulic analysis of the first high power core (Fig. 5.13) and
equilibrium cores (Fig. 5.14) was performed using the computer codes, DP, PARET,
TERMIC and NATCON and other empirical models from relevant literature. Due to the
nature of the analysis, hydraulic analysis is presented in the first part of this sections and
thermal analysis in the second part.

5.5.1 Hydraulic Analysis

A PARR-1 core has different types of coolant channels. Prominent among these
include: i) coolant channel made within a fuel element, ii) coolant channel made by the end
fuel plates of two adjacent fuel element, and iii) coolant channel formed by the side plates
of adjacent fuel elements. As pressure drop across the core is same for all channels, the
coolant velocities will vary according to: i) the cross sectional area (i.e. friction between
the coolant and the channel surfaces), and ii) the changes in cross-sectional area, i.e.
enlargements, contractions, etc.). From safety point of view, it is important to determine
the core-wide velocity distribution in all types of coolant channels, particularly those
involving the fuel plates. This helps in analyzing the cooling conditions for fuel plates, both
standard and end plates, and to determine the bypass flow.

Computer code 'DP' was used to calculate pressure drop, velocity and flow
distribution in the core, effective and bypass flow etc.. Since the pressure drop varies with
the temperature of the coolant, only one case with coolant temperature of 45 oC has been
considered. It has been further assumed that the flux traps in the equilibrium core, contain
water boxes with the same outer dimensions as graphite reflector elements. A summary of
the results is presented in Table 5.8.

However, for thermal hydraulic analysis (of Section 5.5.2) it is necessary to

determine the pressure drop only along the active length of fuel element. Total pressure
drop up to end of the active region in the first high power and equilibrium cores are 0.241
bar and 0.200 bar, respectively. These include effect of entrance, friction and elevation in
upper box and along fuel plates. Under normal conditions, the pressure drop across
different coolant channels is equal since the coolant flow is parallel through all the
channels.

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5.5.2 Thermal Analysis

Assumptions for Thermal Analysis

Two channel model was utilized in the code PARET where one channel
represented the “hottest” while the other an “average” channel in the core. Axial power
distribution has been represented by 21 axial mesh points having a peak to average power
ratio of 1.936 for the first high power core and 1.303 for the equilibrium core. Radial
peaking factors of 1.622 and 2.228 multiplied by the power distribution in the respective
hot channels of the first high power and the equilibrium cores. Additional factors, often
called "engineering hot channel factors" have been used to further multiply the power in
hot channel. These factors [5.16] include: i) 1.2 for the coolant temperature rise due to
manufacturing tolerances in the coolant channel spacing, ii) 1.2 for the film temperature
rise due to uncertainties in the heat transfer coefficient and in-homogenities in U 235
distribution, etc., and iii) 1.1 for uncertainties in the calculated power distribution.

Power generated in the fuel was estimated to be 90% of total fission energy with
the balance going to moderator and other structures. All the calculations were done with
coolant inlet temperature of 38 oC, inlet pressure of 1.712 bar and total flowrate of 950
m3/h. The pressure at inlet corresponds to static height of water from core top to a point
15 cm below the normal pool level (low level alarm set point). It is also important to note
that the coolant flowrate through the core cannot be increased beyond 950 m3/h because
the changes in embedded piping of the primary cooling circuit are not feasible.

5.5.2.1 Determination of maximum operating power level

The steady-state operating power of PARR-1 was assessed, for flowrate of 950
m3/h, using the criterion that nucleate boiling should not commence at any point in the
core even with the simultaneous occurrence of: i) the reactor power approaches 115%
(the overpower trip level), and ii) the flow reduces to 90% of the normal value (low flow
trip). This criterion was chosen because void formation in the core will induce reactivity
oscillations and cause flow redistribution. Since the flow through the core is due to gravity
and there are numerous parallel channels, the reduction of flow due to boiling in one or
more channels can be severe enough to cause thermal insulation of fuel plates and an
eventual meltdown. Power level at the onset of nucleate boiling (ONB) was assessed using
two different approaches in the application of uncertainty coefficients. The first is the
multiplicative method in which engineering hot channel factor of 1.584 is multiplied by the
power distribution in the channel. In the second approach, statistical method of
uncertainties is applied [5.13]. Values of the uncertainties considered for this approach are
listed in Table 5.9.

Two computer codes, i.e. PARET and TERMIC, were used for thermal analysis.
Results of the study are presented in Table 5.10.

Although the use of multiplicative method ensures that there will be no boiling in
the hot channel, it gives lower power level. On the other hand, the use of statistical
method showed that reactor could be operated at much higher power level with the
probability of ONB in 1.4 cases per 1000. The multiplicative method is conservative but

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Chapter 5 Reactor

somewhat unrealistic. The statistical method recognizes that all adverse conditions do not
occur at the same time and location. Since not much information is available on the use of
statistical method in designing already operating reactors, the conservative approach of
multiplicative method has been adapted for PARR-1. Based on this method steady-state
power level of 9 MW (with over-power trip at 10.35 MW) was assessed for the first high
power core. For equilibrium core steady-state power level of 10 MW (with over-power
trip at 11.5 MW) was assessed.

5.5.2.2 Steady state thermal analysis

Steady state thermal analysis of both the first high power and equilibrium cores
was carried out for predetermined power levels (These power levels were determined on
the basis of material presented in Section 5.5.2.1). Most of the calculations were
performed using computer code PARET, but some of the parameters like saturation
temperature and critical heat flux were calculated using mathematical models. Results of
the study are presented in Tables 5.11 (a & b). The important parameters are discussed in
the following subsections.

Saturation temperature of water

Being a function of local pressure, the saturation temperature of water decreases
along the channel length. The saturation temperatures at lower end of active regions in the
first high power and equilibrium cores were calculated to be 112.2 oC and 113.5oC,
respectively. It is important to note that sub-cooled nucleate boiling will commence when
the clad surface temperatures for the first high power and equilibrium cores are about
15.4oC and 12.0oC higher than the respective saturation temperatures of water, see Table
5.11(a) and 5.11(b), respectively.

Steady state temperature distributions

Peak clad surface temperatures, in the first high power and equilibrium cores are
109.4 and 102.5 oC at about 44.3 cm from the top of fuel plate. These temperatures are
about 18 oC and 23 oC below the respective temperatures at which sub-cooled nucleate
boiling will commence. Due to small meat thickness and good thermal conductivity of the
fuel, peak plate temperatures at the center line of the meat are only about 3.5 oC and 2.2
o
C higher than respective peak clad temperatures.

Safety margins for standard cooling channel

In order to determine the safety margins, heat fluxes at Onset of Nucleate Boiling
(ONB), Onset of Flow Instability (OFI) and Departure from Nucleate Boiling (DNB) were
determined using different universally accepted correlations. These safety margins are
determined for the general core cooling channel conditions, i.e. standard cooling channel
with forced cooling. Details of these parameters are as follows.

1. Onset of nucleate boiling (ONB)

Heat flux at the onset of nucleate boiling has been calculated as a function of local
coolant pressure, local clad surface temperature and saturation temperature using the

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Chapter 5 Reactor

Bergles and Rohsenow correlation option in PARET Code. Which shows that, for
normal flowrate, nucleate boiling will commence at 44.3 cm from the top of active
region when reactor power approaches to 11.57 MW in the first high power and 14.1
MW in the equilibrium core. Clad surface temperatures in these cores at the point of
ONB will be 127.59 oC and 125.5 oC which are 18.2 oC and 23 oC higher than the
normal steady state temperatures of their respective “hot spots”. These calculations
also show that a safety factors of about 1.28 and 1.4, for first high power and
equilibrium cores, respectively, are available while operating at full power steady-state
conditions.

2. Onset of flow instability (OFI)

Limiting heat flux at onset of flow instability has been calculated using
Forgan and CEA correlations where the value of bubble detachment parameter has
been taken to be 48. Peak heat flux calculated by Forgan correlation is slightly lower
and is considered conservative. This gives a safety margin of 2.6 and 1.7, respectively,
for the first high power and equilibrium cores.

3. Departure from nucleate boiling (DNB)

For reactor design, acceptable data on burnout heat flux is needed since DNB is
potentially a limiting design constraint. The data on DNB correlations applicable to
low pressure plate-type research and test reactors having rectangular channels is very
limited. Most of the correlations are for round tube. A round tube correlation
“Labuntsov” and a narrow channel correlation “Mirshak” applicable in low pressure
range have been used to calculate DNB.
Although the computer code PARET supports options to determine critical heat
flux (CHF) using the Mirshak and Labuntsov correlations, it also calculates the degree
of sub-cooling corresponding to steady state heat flux. However, it is preferable to
determine the degree of sub-cooling at the actual critical conditions since this would
give conservative estimates. Based on this new concept, a computer program was
developed to calculate critical heat flux using Mirshak and Labuntsov correlations.
DNB heat fluxes calculated by Mirshak correlation are conservative. Safety margins
calculated by this correlation for the first high power and equilibrium cores are 2.3 and
3.1, respectively.

Cooling conditions for end fuel plates

End plates in the standard and control fuel elements of PARR-1 core contain
fissionable material, i.e. uranium, and form an outer heated channel. Inner sides of such
channels have a closed passage and are cooled in normal way whereas cooling conditions
on outer side need to be analyzed in detail. Small side holes of diameter 2.2 cm have been
provided in the grid plate, see Fig. 5.2, for the cooling of outer channels of the fuel
elements.

There are several active outer channels in the core. These channels have different
cross-sectional area depending on whether they face irradiation boxes, graphite reflector
elements or other fuel elements. As the pressure drop across the core is same for all
channels, coolant velocities and hence the flowrates will vary depending upon the cross-
sectional area, enlargements, contractions and friction along the surfaces in these channels.

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Chapter 5 Reactor

It is possible that some of the channels may have lower coolant velocity on outer side than
inner side (which has a closed passage). This lower velocity may not be sufficient for
proper cooling of the end fuel plates and may put a separate reduced upper limit on
maximum operating power level of the reactor. To analyze such a situation velocity
distribution in different types of channels in the first high power and equilibrium cores
have been determined (Section 5.5.1). The computer code PARET calculated minimum
velocities of 2.845 m/s and 2.212 m/s, respectively. This is the coolant velocity in active
channels formed by the end fuel plates of two adjacent fuel elements loaded at the
boundary of the core. Reason for such a low velocity is that there is no small hole in the
grid plate on the outer edge of these fuel elements (Fig. 5.2). Since all the channels which
have lower velocity are at the boundary of the core, the power peaking reduces
significantly. A maximum nuclear peaking factor of 1.405 and 1.463 has been calculated
for these channels in the first high power and equilibrium cores, respectively.

Detailed thermal hydraulic analysis of such active channels have been carried out.
Results of the study are presented in Table 5.12. While comparing these results with those
of hot channel (see Table 5.11), it can be seen that the peak temperature in the end fuel
plate remains well below the temperature of hottest spot in the core. It is therefore
concluded that cooling of end fuel plates will not pose any problem.

5.5.2.3 Natural Convection Cooling

While operating PARR-1 at low power levels, i.e. > 100 kW, the heat generated by
nuclear reaction is dissipated by natural convection. Computer code NATCON was used
to determine the maximum operating power level of first high power and equilibrium cores
under natural convection cooling. Only the hot channels were modeled according to the
methods given in Section 5.5.2.2. Calculations were carried out with coolant inlet
temperature of 38 oC and a pressure of 1.722 bar. Results of the study are presented in
Tables 5.13(a & b) and 5.14. Analysis shows that nucleate boiling will start in the hot
channel when reactor power approaches to 450.9 kW and 743 kW in the first high power
and equilibrium cores, respectively. These power levels correspond to peak heat flux of
6.62 W/cm2 and 6.20 W/cm2, respectively.

According to the reference [5.27] burnout heat flux, at conditions similar to those
at PARR-1, is of the order of 25.9 W/cm2. However, it is important to note that the heat
flux corresponding to pulsed boiling, at which the expulsion and re-entrance of water from
both ends of the channel starts, is of the order of 6.5 W/cm2 which may possibly lead to
burn out. If a safety margin of 1.25 to pulsed boiling is considered, maximum operating
power levels of the first high power and equilibrium cores will have to be limited to 360
and 575 kW, respectively.

It is important to note that the maximum operating power level is sensitive to

coolant inlet temperature and static height of water column above the core top. For
example, if we consider the first high power core, power levels at ONB corresponding to
coolant inlet temperatures of 40 and 60 oC are 441 and 335 kW, respectively. For the
equilibrium core these values are 735 and 556 kW. Similarly, decrease in static height of
water from 7.8 to 5 m will reduce power level from 450 to 416 kW for the first high power

5-14 Rev. 3, Mar. 2001

Chapter 5 Reactor

core. For similar conditions in equilibrium core the power level reduces from 743 to 685
kW.

Although the analysis has been carried out to determine the maximum operating
power level under natural convection give higher values, the existing limit of 100 kW will
be adopted for the cores operating at 10 MW power level. Peak heat flux corresponding to
this power level in the first high power and equilibrium cores will be 1.48 W/cm2 and 0.83
W/cm2, respectively. These heat fluxes provide a very large safety margin against the
pulsed boiling and burn out.

5.6 REACTOR MATERIALS

This section provide information regarding material used in the following: i) core
support and hold-down structure, ii) safety relevant reactor internals such as guides of the
reactivity control mechanism, iii) components constituting the primary coolant
containment barrier, iv) support structure for safety instrumentation, irradiation facilities
and beam-tubes. A material surveillance program is adopted to verify the essential
properties. This program is augmented with the experience of more than 30 yrs of PARR-
1 operation.

This section shall show that all materials (of safety components and structures) can
withstand nuclear and chemical environment.

Ageing effects due to deterioration of properties.

5.6.1 Core Support Structure

The core support bridge is a movable steel structure, for details refer to Chapter
4 (Buildings and Structures). Two platforms on either side of the bridge center permit the
mounting of certain reactor controls and instruments at the bridge level and monitoring of
the core. Two aluminum plates are provided for mounting the control rod drive
mechanisms. These plates are attached to structural channels extending outward to form
the cantilevered wings at bridge level. The core support bridge is not subjected to nuclear
and chemical environment, i.e. bridge is exposed to ambient air in the containment
building. Thus it can be easily concluded that the bridge materials, i.e. steel and aluminum,
can withstand the environment. So far no ageing effects have been noticed at the bridge
structure.

The core support tower is a structural aluminum frame suspended vertically in the
pool from the bridge. An aluminum guide is mounted at the rear of the tower in a position
close to the reactor core to provide horizontal support for neutron detection instruments
suspended from the core bridge. Two additional neutron detector stainless steel guides to
the north side of the core have been installed for log-N and Linear-N channels. The
support tower is immersed in water (having pH of 6.00.5 and conductivity of 2 Scm-1).
Reactor operating experience of more than 30 yrs shows that materials used can withstand
the environment they are subjected to. So far no ageing signs have been noticed.

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Chapter 5 Reactor

The core support structure is an aluminum angle frame which is bolted to the
lower end of the core tower and serves as its extension. Reactor operating experience of
more than 30 yrs shows that aluminum frame can withstand the environment they are
subjected to. So far no ageing signs have been noticed.

The PARR-1 grid plate is made of 127 mm thick aluminum. Reactor operating
experience of more than 30 yrs shows that aluminum grid plate can withstand the
environment they are subjected to. So far no ageing signs have been noticed.

The reactor core consists of an assembly of standard and control fuel elements
mounted on the grid plate. The material properties of fuel elements have been described in
preceding sections. Reactor operating experience of more than 30 yrs shows that materials
used in LEU fuel element construction can withstand the environment they are subjected
to. So far no ageing signs have been noticed.

5.6.2 Safety Relevant Internals

These include the guides of the reactivity control mechanism, i.e. the oval shaped
control rods mentioned in Section 5.3. These guide tubes are made up of stainless steel.
The physical dimensions of these guide tubes are shown in Fig. 5.9. Reactor operating
experience of more than 30 yrs shows that the material used in the construction of guide
tubes can withstand the environment they are subjected to. So far no ageing signs have
been noticed.

5.6.3 Primary Coolant Containment Barrier

The materials of the primary coolant containment barrier have been mentioned in
Chapter 6 (Reactor Coolant Systems and Associated Systems). Experience of more than
30 yrs shows that primary containment barrier can withstand the environment they are
subjected to. So far no ageing signs have been noticed in the piping, etc.. However,
reactor pool has been strengthened by the stainless steel lining.

5.6.4 Support Structure for Safety Instrumentation and Irradiation

Facilities
The information regarding these have been provided in Chapter 4 (Buildings and
Structures) and elsewhere in the SAR. The support structure for instrumentation is the
reactor bridge while the support structure for irradiation facilities, i.e. beam tubes, is the
reactor pool. The material used in both the cases have withstood the environment for more
than 30 yrs.

The experience with reactor materials range from 8 yrs (in case of pool lining) to
more than 30 yrs (in case of grid plate, etc.). Furthermore, an effective surveillance
program of periodic inspection and testing is carried out (by the help of administrative
measures and manual inspections).

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Chapter 5 Reactor

Table 5.1
Summary of main design and performance characteristics of PARR-1
General
Reactor Type Swimming pool
Type of Fuel MTR type, U3Si2-Al
Coolant H2O
Moderator H2O
Reflector H2O + graphite
Reactivity control mechanism for power 1 control/shim rod
regulation
Reactivity control mechanism for 5 safety rods
shutdown
Shield Heavy concrete + H2O
First critical core
No. of standard fuel elements 12
No. of control fuel elements 4
Reactivity control mechanism 4 control/shim rods
First high power operational core
No. of standard fuel elements 17
No. of control fuel elements 5
No. of in-core irradiation sites 2
Reactivity control mechanism 5 control/shim rods
Present equilibrium core
No. of standard fuel elements 29
No. of control fuel elements 5
No. of in-core irradiation sites 2
No. of graphite reflector elements 10
Reactivity control mechanism 5 control/shim rods
Performance Characteristics
Rated power 10 MW
Neutron flux 14
1.710 (max. central flux trap)
Core coolant flow 950 m3/h (for 10 MW operation)
Core inlet/outlet Temperature 38/46 C

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Chapter 5 Reactor

Power density 103 w/cm3

Table 5.2
Description of Design Parameters of PARR-1 Fuel
Parameter Description
Fuel Material U3Si2-Al
Fuel Enrichment(% by wt.) 19.99
Cladding Material Aluminum
Fuel Element, Dimensions:
. Total Length (mm) 873.28
. Cross-Section (mm) 79.6375.92
Shape of the Plates Flat
No. of Fuel Plates:
. Standard Fuel Element 23
. Control Fuel Element 13
No. of Non-fuel Plates:
. Standard Fuel Element 0
. Control Fuel Element 2
Total Plate Width (mm) 66.92
Total Plate Length (mm):
. Inner Plates 625
. Outer Plates 724
Thickness of the Plates (mm):
. Inner Plates 1.27
. Outer Plates 1.50
Aluminum Clad Thickness (mm):
. Inner Plates 0.38
. Outer Plates 0.495
Thickness of Side Plates (mm) 4.5
Length of Side Plates (mm) 724
Fuel Meat Dimensions (mm):
. Length 600
. Width 62.75
. Thickness 0.51
235
U Contents (g):
. Standard Fuel Element 290
. Control Fuel Element 164
. Fuel Plate 12.61

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Chapter 5 Reactor

Uranium density in Fuel Meat (g/cc) 3.325

U-235 density in Fuel Meat (g/cc) 0.657
Water Channel Thickness (mm) 2.10

Table 5.3
Control Rod Material
Absorber material Ag-In-Cd alloy
Density of the absorber material (g/cm3) 9.32
Absorber dimensions (mm)
- Straight portion along fuel width (twice) 34.53.12600
- Diameter of the curved portion across the 16.1
half circle of fuel width
Active height of the control rod (mm) 600
Coating material Ni
Coat Thickness (mm) 0.04
3
Density of Ni (g/cm ) 8.9
Atomic weight of Ni 58.687

Table 5.4
Composition of the Absorber Material
Element Weight Density in the Alloy Atomic
Weight
(%) (g/cm3) (amu)
Ag 80.5 7.50 107.868
In 14.6 1.36 114.818
Cd 4.9 0.46 112.426

Table 5.5
Basic data for the nuclear design
No. density (#/cm31024) Description
Fuel
U235 1.36919610-3
U238 6.64510-3
Si 5.342810-3
Al 0.038526
H 1.029510-3
O 0.5147510-3
Clad
Al 0.05933
H 1.029510-3
O 0.5147510-3
Coolant/Moderator Channel
Al 0.00684

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Chapter 5 Reactor

H 5.913210-2
O 2.9566210-2
Table 5.6
Five Group Energy Structure
Group Energy Range
1 10 MeV - 0.821 Mev
2 821 KeV - 5.530 KeV
3 5.53 KeV - 0.625 eV
4 0.625 eV - 0.140 eV
5 < 0.140 eV

Table 5.7
Two Group Energy Structure
Group Energy Range
1 10 MeV - 0.625 eV
2 <0.625 eV

Table 5.8
Hydraulic Analysis of First High Power and Equilibrium Core
Parameter First High Equilibrium
Power Core Core
3
Total flow rate (m /h) 900 950
3
Effective flow rate (m /h) 814.3 874.1
Bypass flow rate (m3/h) 85.7 75.9
Total pressure drop across the 0.241 0.200
core (bar)
Coolant velocity (m/s)
- Inner standard channels 3.35 2.46
- Outer active channels
a). Maximum 3.825 2.804
b). Minimum 2.845 2.212

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Chapter 5 Reactor

Table 5.9
Values of Uncertainties Used in the Calculations
Parameter Uncertainty
Weight of uranium per plate 2%
Uranium distribution 8%
Uranium thickness 10%
Power measurement 5%
Velocity measurement 10%
Active area 5%
Channel cross section 10%
Colburn equation 25%
Atmospheric pressure 4%
Pool level 1%
Specific weight of water 0.5%
p for friction 10%
Tsat equation 20%
Inlet temperature 2%

Table 5.10
Power Level at Onset of Nucleate Boiling
Parameter First High Equilibrium
Power Core Core
3
Total Flow Rate (m /h) 900 950
Effective Flow Rate (m3/h) 810 855
Coolant Velocity (m/s) 3.01 2.46
Power Peaking Factors
. Axial 1.936 1.303
. Radial 1.622 2.228
. Engineering 1.584 1.584
Power at ONB (MW) 10.51 12.9

Table 5.11(a)

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Chapter 5 Reactor

Steady State Thermal Hydraulic Analysis of the First High Power Core
Operating Power (MW) 9.0
Overpower trip (MW) 10.35
Total Flow Rate (m3/h) 900
Coolant Velocity (m/s) 3.35
Power Peaking Factors:
. Axial 1.936
. Radial 1.622
. Engineering 1.584
. Total 4.974
Pressure at the Core Top (bar) 1.712
Pressure at the End of Active Region (bar) 1.542
Total Pressure Drop Across the Core (bar) 0.241
Tsat at the End of Active Region (oC) 112.2
Steady State Temperatures (oC)
- Coolant Temperature Rise Across
(a) Average Channel 9.58
(b) Hot Channel 24.58
(c) Core (including bypass flow) 8.28
- Peak Clad Surface Temperature (oC) 109.40
- Peak Center Line Temperature (oC) 112.87
Average Heat Flux (W/cm2) 23.59
Peak Heat Flux (W/cm2) 117.34
Onset of Nucleate Boiling (ONB)
. Average Heat Flux(W/cm2) (Total Power, MW) at ONB 30.33(11.57)
. Peak heat flux (W/cm2) 150.86
. Location of ONB from Top (cm) 44.3
Peak Temperatures at ONB (oC)
. Fuel Center Line 132.05
. Clad Surface 127.59
. Coolant Exit 69.58
Peak Heat Flux at Onset of Flow Instability (OFI), (W/cm2)
. Forgan 315.55
. CEA 330.99
Critical Heat Flux (W/cm2)
. Labuntsov 369.48
. Mirshak 273.60
Safety Margins
. Margin to ONB 1.29
. Margin to OFI
(a) Forgan 2.69
(b) CEA 2.82
. Margin to DNB
(a) Labuntsov 3.15
(b) Mirshak 2.33

Table 5.11(b)
Thermal Hydraulic Analysis of the Equilibrium Core Loading # 94
Parameter

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Chapter 5 Reactor

Operating power (MW) 10

Overpower trip (MW) 11.5
Total flow rate (m3/h) 950
Effective flow rate (m3/h) 855
Coolant velocity (m/s) 2.46
Power peaking factors:
- Axial 1.303
- Radial 2.228
- Engineering 1.584
- Total 4.598
Pressure at core top (kPa) 171
Pressure at the end of active region (kPa) 161
Tsat at the end of active region (C) 113.5
Steady-state temperatures (C) :
- Coolant temperature rise across:
. Average channel 9.47
. Hot channel 33.65
. Core (including bypass flow) 8.55
- Peak clad surface temperature 102.47
- Peak centerline temperature 104.64
- Peak Coolant temperature 71.65
Average heat flux (W/cm2) 18.1
Peak heat flux (W/cm2) 83.4
Onset of nucleate boiling (ONB):
- Average Heat Flux(W/cm2) (Total Power, MW) at ONB 25.52 (14.1)
- Peak heat fIux (W/cm2) 117.34
- Location of ONB from top (cm) 44.3
Peak temperatures (C):
- Fuel centerline 128.5
- Clad surface 125.5
- Coolant exit 85.4
Onset of Flow Instability (OFI):
- Peak heat flux (W/cm2):
. Forgan 138
. CEA 170
Departure from Nucleate Boiling (DNB):
- Critical heat flux (W/cm2):
. Labunstov 326
. Mirshak 257
Safety margins:
- Margin to ONB 1.7
- Margin to OFI:
. Forgan 1.6
. CEA 2.0
- Margin to DNB:
. Labuntsov 3.9
. Mirshak 3.1

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Chapter 5 Reactor

Table 5.12
Thermal Hydraulic Analysis of End Fuel Plates
Operating Power Level 10 MW
Coolant Power Peaking Avg. Power Peak clad
Core Velocity Factor per Channel Temp.
(m/s) (kW) (oC)
Axial = 1.524
First High Power 2.847 Radial = 0.922 19.74 78.0
Engg. = 1.584
Total = 2.226
Axial = 1.322
Equilibrium 2.212 Radial = 1.001 13.66 74.8
Engg. = 1.584
Total = 2.096

Table 5.13 (a)

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Chapter 5 Reactor

Natural Convection Cooling Conditions in the Hot Channel

of the First High Power Core
Core Power Peak Clad Coolant Exit Coolant Velocity
(kW) Temperature Temperature (cm/s)
(oC) (oC)
Inlet Outlet
100 64.60 62.04 4.398 4.439
200 82.18 67.37 6.545 6.634
300 97.47 72.89 8.261 8.400
400 111.84 77.26 9.788 9.982
451* 119.14 79.25 10.499 10.721
*Power level at which ONB starts.

Table 5.13 (b)

Natural Convection Cooling Conditions in the Hot Channel
of the Equilibrium Core
Core Power Peak Clad Coolant Exit Coolant Velocity
(kW) Temperature Temperature (cm/s)
o o
( C) ( C)
Inlet Outlet
100 65.31 62.61 2.586 2.613
200 76.64 71.06 3.848 3.907
300 85.65 77.16 4.870 4.964
400 93.51 82.12 5.761 5.891
500 100.65 86.37 6.566 6.733
600 107.29 90.13 7.309 7.515
700 113.59 93.53 8.002 8.247
743* 118.4 94.92 8.290 8.553
*Power level at which ONB starts.

Table 5.14
Steady State Thermal Hydraulic Analysis of PARR-1
With Natural Convection Cooling at 100 kW.
Parameter First High Power Equilibrium
Core Core
Operating Power (kW) 100 100
Power Peaking Factors :

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Chapter 5 Reactor

. Axial 1.936 1.303

. Radial 1.622 2.228
. Engineering 1.584 1.584
. Total 4.974 4.598
Average Heat Flux (W/cm2) 0.29 0.18
Peak Heat Flux (W/cm2) 1.45 0.83
Flow Rate (m3/h) :
. Average Channel 2.61 1.66
. Hot Channel 4.42 3.58
Saturation Temperature at :
Channel Exit (oC) 115.5 115.5
Steady State Temperatures (oC) :
. Coolant Temperature Rise Across:
(a) Average Channel 14.4 17.3
(b) Hot Channel 21.9 24.1
. Peak Clad Temperature
(a) Average Channel 53.4 56.4
(b) Hot Channel 65.5 65.31
Onset of Nucleate Boiling :
. Average Heat Flux (W/cm2) 1.31 1.34
. Peak Temperatures (oC)
(a) Clad Surface 119.1 116.2
(b) Coolant Exit 79.3 94.9
Pulsed Boiling Heat Flux (W/cm2) 6 - 12 6 - 12
Burnout Heat Flux (W/cm2) 24.0 24.0
Safety Margins :
. Margin to ONB 4.5 7.4
. Margin to Pulsed Boiling 4.1 - 8.2 7.2 - 14.5
. Margin to Burnout 16.5 28.0

5-26 Rev. 3, Mar. 2001