HEAT GENERATION

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 Page 44 Rev. 0