Tube sheet structural analysis of intermediate heat exchanger for fast breeder reactor 'Monju'

The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor 'Monju' is the first power generating fast breeder reactor in Japan. We have been designing the components of the plant for manufacturing. Among these is the intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) which exchanges heat between primary and secondary sodium loop. The tube sheet of IHX (shell to ligament junction) is a difficult area from the view point of structural strength design under elevated temperature. To validate the structural integrity of tube sheet we performed the series of inelastic analysis and tube sheet thermal shock test using test pieces and half scale model of actual design. The results of inelastic analyses showed there is little progressive deformation around shell to ligament structural discontinuous junction. Furthermore, thermal shock tests showed no increase of an accumulative deformation. By these analyses and experiments, structural reliability of tube sheet could be shown. (author)