Brief Details of Research Projects Carried out

1.Thermal Hydraulic analysis of Thermal Stripping in the hot & cold pools of Liquid Metal Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR)

This project deals with the thermal striping in LMFBR components. Thermal striping is a phenomenon caused by interfacial low frequency oscillations between mixing streams of different temperature, which could lead to structural failure. For analyzing this problem, the complete 3 D thermal hydraulics of hot and cold pools in the main vessel of LMFBR has been modeled, using GAMBIT and simulated, using FLUENT software. The local analysis of thermal and velocity oscillations were carried out, using an in-house FORTRAN code developed, where thermal striping is imminent. FFT software has also been developed to analyze the spectral distribution of thermal and velocity oscillations.

2.Thermal Hydraulic Analysis of Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX)

This project deals with the non-uniformity of the outlet temperature between the innermost and outermost rows of tube bundle in secondary sodium flow from the Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX). This 8 problem has been modeled, using GAMBIT and simulated numerically, using FLUENT software for both primary and secondary sodium flows. To prevent the differential thermal expansion of the shell and the associated failures, it is desired to restrict the maximum allowable temperature difference of 370C by arranging suitable distribution of secondary flow rate and by providing an appropriate mixing device.

3.Fabricating and experimentally analysis the performance of GAX absorption system for cooling applications

Achieving higher COP without increasing complexity of absorption cycle is the major challenge for researchers. Absorption cycle is accomplishing higher COP with the cycle variation of multi effect or multi stage. However the COP is increases by internal heat recovered from absorber to generator (GAX) with a cycle configuration that essentially appears to be a single stage absorption system. In this project a GAX absorption system of capacity 21.08 kW (6 TR) using ammonia-water as working fluid for cooling applications is fabricated and its performances are analyzed experimentally.