On the evaluation of the pressure losses in a lead-bismuth-eutectics cooled fuel assembly with TRACE and SUSA

The prediction of the pressure drop in a pool-type reactor operated with lead-bismuth-eutectics is of crucial importance. A pressure drop of e.g. 1 bar is equivalent to a lead-bismuth-eutectics column of about 1 m, which has a big influence on the financial aspects of the design proposal. The paper presents results on the hydraulic evaluation of a fuel assembly with the emphasis on uncertainties and variations of relevant parameters like the mass flow rate, form, and friction loss coefficients. With the subsequent uncertainty and sensitivity study, in connection with thermal hydraulic investigations, the influence of these uncertain parameters was evaluated. (author)