Analysis of the Various Material Impact on the Freeze Plug Melting Performance using MPS Method

Abstract

The Molten Salt Fast Reactor (MSFR), a prominent Generation IV reactor design, offers improved safety by eliminating graphite as a moderator and incorporating a passive safety system. Understanding the fuel salt relocation mechanism is crucial in ensuring the reactor's safety and performance. This study presents a particle-based approach to the MSFR safety plug melting process using the Semi-Implicit Moving Particle (MPS) method, accurately representing fluid as particles carrying essential physical properties. A simulation was carried out with a 7-plugs design with DTsub variations. Then, the results are compared with the simulation results of the COMSOL. The simulations were also carried out with variations of frozen salt, such as LiF-ThF4, FLiBe, FLiNaK, and FNaB. The MPS simulation results are similar to the COMSOL simulation results. LiF-ThF4 is one of the promising candidates for freeze plug material due to its excellent thermal conductivity. This research contributes to enhancing the safety and efficiency of advanced molten salt reactor designs.