Stress analysis and structural analysis and optimization of high temperature molten salt pump in TMSR-SF0 based on ANSYS

[Background] High temperature molten salt pump, the design temperature can go up to 700℃, is one of the key equipment in the primary loop in the simulator of Thorium-based Molten Salt Reactor with Solid Fuel (TMSR-SF0). The structural integrity of the pump is crucial to the safe operation of the reactor. [Purpose] This study aims to reduce the load-controlled stress level of the molten salt pump tank of TMSR-SF0 to meet the evaluation requirements of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) BPV code. [Methods] Three different schemes of the reinforcing rib for the bottom flat head including triangular shape, #Number sign#-shape, and dual-#Number sign#-shape were proposed and analyzed to optimize the initial tank design. The influence of the reinforcing rib spacing on the stress of pump tank in the dual-#Number sign# scheme had been studied, and the optimal combination of parameters was found. According to the results of above analyses, the final tank design scheme was obtained, and then evaluated in accordance with ASME BPV code section III, Division 5. [Results] The results show that all of the three schemes can significantly reduce the stress level of the pump tank, dual-#Number sign#-shape scheme was the best, and then followed by the #Number sign#-shape scheme and triangular shape scheme. [Conclusions] The final reinforcing rib design scheme for the bottom flat head of the pump tank is a dual-#Number sign# scheme, which can reduce its stress from 413.4 MPa to 65.4 MPa, with a drop of 84.2%, and meet the stress assessment limit of ASME standard. (authors)