Heat Transfer
HEAT GENERATION
If this corrosion layer is allowed to form, a larger temperature difference will be required
between the coolant and fuel to maintain the same heat flux. Therefore, operation at the same
power level will cause higher fuel temperatures after the buildup of corrosion products and crud.
Summary
The important information in this chapter is summarized below:
Heat Generation Summary
•
The power generation process in a nuclear core is directly proportional to the
fission rate of the fuel and the thermal neutron flux present.
•
The thermal power produced by a reactor is directly related to the mass flow rate
of the reactor coolant and the temperature difference across the core.
•
The nuclear enthalpy rise hot channel factor is the ratio of the total kW heat
generation along a fuel rod with the highest total kW, to the total kW of the
average fuel rod.
•
The average linear power density in the core is the total thermal power divided
by the active length of the fuel rods.
•
The nuclear heat flux hot channel factor is the ratio of the maximum heat flux
expected at any area to the average heat flux for the core.
•
The total heat output of a reactor core is called the heat generation rate.
•
The heat generation rate divided by the volume of fuel will give the average
volumetric thermal source strength.
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