Study of Thickness Effect on Freeze-Valve Scheme for MSR (Molten Salt Reactor) Safety System
Asril Pramutadi Andi Mustari, Virgo Eben, Muhammad Rizqie Arbie

Institut Teknologi Bandung

Abstract

Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) is a liquid fuel reactor type candidate for Generation IV reactors due to its excellent safety system. A freeze valve is one of the safety systems used in MSR to prevent reactor accidents due to uncontrolled fuel temperature increases. The freeze valve is designed to melt when the fuel temperature approaches the melting point of the reactor wall and opens the fuel path to the subcritical tank. Several experiments have been successfully carried out in this research to study the mechanism of action of the freeze-valve. This research was conducted to analyze the effect of different thicknesses on the freeze-valve (paraffin material) with hot fluid at 900C. The thickness variations used were 9, 11, and 16 mm with the same diameter, namely 28 mm. It is found about 9 mm thickness is needed in order to have an opening within 10 minutes.

Keywords: Freeze-valve, paraffin, thickness, temperature, Molten Salt Reactor (MSR)

Topic: Engineering