Flow distribution in spherical header of a liquid metal-cooled fast breeder reactor

Liquid sodium from primary pump of a typical Liquid Metal-cooled Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR) reaches a spherical header through a vertical pipe and flows to the inlet plenum of the reactor through two discharge pipes, which connect the header to the plenum. The header is provided with a central cone and flow directing baffles for the purpose of having a smooth propagation of sodium flow and hence a reduced pressure drop. 3D hydraulic analyses of sodium flow in header for various design configurations have been carried out to investigate the effectiveness of flow baffles and to assess the pressure drop in the header. It has been found that a configuration of 3D baffle combined with a central cone reduces the pressure drop in the header to the desirable level. (author)