Special instrumentation for evaluation of total decay power released from nuclear systems components

• Grant number: 17/00634-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2017
• End date: November 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Nuclear Engineering - Reactor Technologies
• Principal Investigator: Delvonei Alves de Andrade
• Grantee: Delvonei Alves de Andrade
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Adelk de Carvalho Prado ; Pedro Ernesto Umbehaun ; Walmir Maximo Torres

Abstract

Heat release rate after nuclear reactor shutdown is important matter for determining cooling requirements as well as for predicting postulated accident consequences. The research herein proposed aims at manufacturing a calorimeter dedicated to the measurement of total decay heat released from fuel assemblies and samples irradiated at the IEA-R1 reactor, which is operated by the Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN-SP). Calorimetry methods will be applied. Technical challenges are foreseen, particularly regarding the measurement of relatively small amounts of heat released over a large boundary surface (heat flux below 0.1W/cm2 must be accurately measured). Experiments must also be performed in a way that ensures removal of the decay heat released from samples. Primary target is set at obtaining experimental data with uncertainties not greater than 10% for decay heat in the range 10W-200W. Project deadline is set at 24-month time after approval. (AU)