Operational Testing and Thermal Modeling of a Topaz-2 Single-Cell Thermionic Fuel Element Test Stand.
Abstract
A TOPAZ-2 Thermionic Fuel Element (TFE) test stand is under study at the TOPAZ International Program. Extensive cross-sectional drawings of this system are presented along with detailed descriptions of its construction. A thermal analysis of the test stand is completed using a thermal resistance network method and data collected on the test stand. Critical resistances in the network include the 0.5 mm regulated helium gap, cooling water channel, and cesium interelectrode gap. The thermal analysis indicates that for an input power to the active zone of 3003 W, and a regulated helium gap pressure of 10 torr, the thermal conductivity of the regulated gap helium ranges from 0.0734).087 W/mK. This is much less than the thermal conductivity calculated as a function of temperature only of 0.276 W/mK. For a mass flow rate of 0.04 kgls, the convective heat transfer coefficients ranges from 528-1012 W/sq m K based on correlations for fully developed laminar and turbulent flow. This model may be used in conjunction with a thermionic emission model in order to more completely evaluate the operating characteristics of the test stand, and to better correlate results with actual operating conditions in the TOPAZ-2 reactor core. jg
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA293595
Entities
People
- Steven M. Benke
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School