Preliminary Numerical Investigation of Cooling Fins Feature in the Frozen Salt Melting Performance
Anni Nuril Hidayati (a*), Asril Pramutadi Andi Mustari (b), Yulia Mifftah Huljanah (c), Nina Widiawati(a)

a) Research Center for Nuclear Reactor Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency, Building No. 80, BJ Habibie Integrated Science Area, South Tangerang 15310, Indonesia
*anni030[at]brin.go.id
b) Nuclear Physics and Biophysics Research Division, Physics Department Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jalan Ganesha 10, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia
c) Bachelor Program of Physics Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jalan Ganesha 10, Bandung, 40132, Indonesia

Abstract

The opening time of the freeze plug safety feature in a molten salt reactor is a crucial aspect that must be carefully considered. This relates to the reactor core^s drainage during a blackout or abnormal temperature rise due to a LOCA, Loss of Coolant Accident, while in operation. This study analyzes the impact of varying the geometry of the distance between the freeze plug and cooling fins on the opening time. Calculations were performed using a particle-based Lagrangian numerical simulation called MPS, Moving Particle Semi-implicit. The calculations were conducted using two-dimensional geometry, with the initial design being an in-line arrangement. The approach involves forced convective heat transfer between the liquid fuel, the freeze plug, and the cooling fins, while conductive calculations were performed among the freeze plug particles during melting. This study is essential to determine the variations that yield optimal values for supporting the safety system of molten salt reactors.

Keywords: Forced Convection, In-line arrangement, Molten Salt, Particle, Plug

Topic: Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems