(84b) The Effects of Dissolver Geometry on Nuclear Fuel Dissolution: Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer.

Small batch nuclear fuel dissolution experiments at PNNL’s Radiochemical Processing Laboratory displayed a week to month long difference in sample dissolution rates depending on the fuel rod orientation and basket geometry. Computational Fluid Dynamics was employed to investigate the effects of internal tank features and basket geometry on acid recirculation and heat transfer. Preliminary results indicate a bias in acid recirculation flow depending on the basket features and inlet flow position. The CFD models include the effects of flow, free surface motion, and conjugate heat transfer between the various materials in the dissolver. Results of this work will clarify the significant impact of dissolver design on dissolution rates.