Investigation of Heat Transfer and Distribution in the Core of Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) using STAR-CCM+ CFD Code

ABSTRACT

In the present work, STAR-CCM+ CFD code was used to investigate steady state thermal hydraulic parameters in the core of Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1). The core was segmented into 21 axial segments. 3D-CAD parametric solid modeler embedded in STARCCM+ was used to model the geometry. The geometry was discretized by the use of appropriate meshing models. GHARR-1 operating conditions were set as boundary conditions for the STAR-CCM+ simulation conducted. Heat flux specific to individual axial segment computed based on segment power peaking factors and surface area was applied at the wall of the flow channel. For each power level, mass flow rate and temperature were imposed as boundary conditions at the inlet. Standard k-ɛ turbulence model was adopted for the solution of the transported variables namely turbulent kinetic energy and its dissipation rate. The results obtained were validated with experimental data from GHARR-1 operation and observed to be in appreciable agreement. The plots of the evaluated flow parameters show that the heat applied at the surface of the flow channel is efficiently transferred to the bulk of the fluid. In addition, effective distribution of temperature in the domain was observed. With effective heat transfer coupled with uniform heat distribution, it could be stated that cooling of GHARR-1 fuel which is needed for safety operation of the facility is assured.