Thermal analysis of the fluidized bed nuclear reactor

The fluidized bed nuclear reactor is suggested as a IV generation nuclear reactors. This reactor concept has characteristics of inherent safety and passive cooling. A heat transfer analysis on the spherical fuel element, without phase change, was made. The critical heat flux was evaluated and compared with mean heat flux of the core, in normal operation condition. The optimized power density for operational flow velocity of the coolant was found. It is found that the reactor can operate at much higher power density than the ordinary pressurized water reactor. (author)