Numerical investigation on the enhancement capability of annular chimney towards natural convective heat transfer in the interior zone of scaled down FBR core catcher

Full text of publication follows: A numerical study has been carried out to determine the influence of annular cylindrical chimney on buoyancy-induced flow in the dished end cavity of scaled down Fast Breeder Reactor. Results are presented for (i) cylindrical chimney configuration and (ii) annular chimney configuration occupying the center of the circular plate. Two dimensional laminar simulations are obtained by solving the fully elliptical governing equations of flow and energy. The fluid is Newtonian and incompressible and satisfies the Boussinesq approximation. Results for the upward facing isothermal circular plate with chimney configurations in confined enclosure are analyzed. The velocity fields and isotherms are studied extensively to assess the impact of both geometries on the flow structure, dynamics and overall heat transfer characteristics in the cavity, towards enhancement of natural convective heat transfer. The predicted results for the cylindrical chimney are compared with known experimental results. The results are of interest to post accident heat removal in fast breeder reactors (FBR). (authors)