Simulation of the Motion of Spherical Fuel Pellets in the Core of a High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor

Two computational models - potential flow and quasinewtonian viscous liquid - are developed for describing a motion of spherical fuel pellets in the core of a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. Two types of boundary conditions are obtained. They take account of the slipping of the fuel pellets on the vertical and inclined walls of the core and the coefficient of internal friction. This makes it possible to close correctly the system of equations describing the motion of spherical fuel pellets in an axisymmetric core. Experimental investigations characterizing the motion of the spherical fuel pellets on core models with different geometries are performed. The experimental results agree satisfactorily with the calculations. 6 figures, 1 table, 5 references.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]