HEAT GENERATION
Heat Transfer
HEAT GENERATION
Heat generation and power output in a reactor are related. Reactor
power is related to the mass flow rate of the coolant and the
temperature difference across the reactor core.
EO 2.1
DESCRIBE the power generation process in a nuclear
reactor core and the factors that affect the power
generation.
EO 2.2
DESCRIBE the relationship between temperature, flow,
and power during operation of a nuclear reactor.
EO 2.3
DEFINE the following terms:
a.
Nuclear enthalpy rise hot channel factor
b.
Average linear power density
c.
Nuclear heat flux hot channel factor
d.
Heat generation rate of a core
e.
Volumetric thermal source strength
EO 2.4
CALCULATE the average linear power density for an
average reactor core fuel rod.
EO 2.5
DESCRIBE a typical reactor core axial and radial flux
profile.
EO 2.6
DESCRIBE a typical reactor core fuel rod axial and
radial temperature profile.
Heat Generation
The heat generation rate in a nuclear core is directly proportional to the fission rate of the fuel
and the thermal neutron flux present. On a straight thermodynamic basis, this same heat
generation is also related to the fluid temperature difference across the core and the mass flow
rate of the fluid passing through the core. Thus, the size of the reactor core is dependent upon
and limited by how much liquid can be passed through the core to remove the generated thermal
energy. Many other factors affect the amount of heat generated within a reactor core, but its
limiting generation rate is based upon how much energy can safely be carried away by the
coolant.
HT-02
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