Preliminary hydraulic analysis of the distribution zone in the Dual Fluid Reactor concept

This article focuses on the validation of the basic design of the distribution zone of the Dual Fluid Reactor (DFR), which is based on the Generation IV Molten-Salt Reactor concept and the Liquid-Metal Cooled Reactor. The distribution zone located under the core joins the core and input pipes of both fluids. On the top of the core, another distribution zone specified for output is also symmetrically set up; however it will not be mentioned in the paper. This distribution zone partitions the inlet flow of the salt, determines the pressure and velocity distribution of the core inlet and influences the neutronic behaviors in the core. This article uses COMSOL as the tool to develop models and to study the pressure and velocity differences of fuel salt and coolant lead in the “original” and “alternative” configurations/designs of the distribution zone in the DFR concept. COMSOL is also used to determine the initial/boundary conditions of configuration variations of the distribution zone by hydraulic modelling and calculations. The simulation results are analyzed and the optimized design is delivered.