Structural analysis on the hot plenum design of experimental power reactor

Abstract

The bottom reflector plays an important role in the internal core structure of Experimental Power Reactor (RDE). However, it must be able to bear the load either the pebbles that is situated inside the core reactor and from its self-load. The Bottom reflector has column to distribute helium gas from small hole in the cone shaped to through the larger hole in the hot gas chamber. This column, known as hot plenum, is a simple column that consist of circular graphite block. However, this type of structure is vulnerable to collapse. Therefore, this paper will simulate the strength of the bottom reflector based on height of the graphite block that corresponds to the load and analyse Factor of Safety (FOS) to predict the bottom reflector safety. The higher FOS value mean the design is safe. This simulation employs finite elements method under the SolidWork software. The models of hot plenum are named H.250mm, H.200mm, H.150mm, H.100mm and H.50mm, which resulting the minimum FOS of 40.782, 40.891, 41.374, 42.257, 43.394, respectively. Based on calculation among these results, model H.50mm has the maximum value of FOS. This result will be benefit for Experimental Power Reactor design criteria of failure, the design brittle fracture behavior, and the design material selection.