Numerical analysis of turbulent flow in periodically arranged ribs

Okagaki, Yuria*; Sugiyama, Hitoshi*; Kato, Naoto*; Hino, Ryutaro

Turbulent heat transfer enhancement using periodically arranged ribs processed on the graphite sleeve of a fuel rod aims to increase heat generation density of the fuel rod, which can potentially improve the economics of a block type high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. Rectangular cross section of rib is selected because of easy processing. Furthermore, it is important to find optimum rib topology such as pitch and height to maximize turbulent heat transfer performance. In order to develop a turbulent model as a design tool for rib-roughened fuel rod, numerical analysis has been conducted to verify applicability of an algebraic Reynolds stress model, which is computationally efficient, to non-isotropic turbulent flow in rib roughened channels. The results of the analysis on a square duct with periodically arranged ribs on the bottom wall are shown to reproduce very well the flow characteristics such as flow separation and reattachment behind the ribs. The model is therefore expected to be applicable to rib-enhanced fuel rod design.