Conceptual Structural Design of Core Components for a Horizontal, Compact HTGR
Name
Borman_bborman_MEng_CEE_2022.pdf
Description
Thesis PDF
Size
92.99 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
c05bd920f530e7911f479ed4d94aeedf
Author(s)
Borman, Brian William
Advisor(s)
Shirvan, Koroush
Ochsendorf, John A.
Date Issued
May 2022
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
This thesis investigates structural, thermomechanical, and fabrication-based challenges associated with a horizontally oriented High Temperature Gas Reactor (HTGR) concept and its core components. HTGRs hold significant potential in decarbonizing industrial process heat markets. Collaborators at MIT recently introduced the Horizontal, Compact HTGR (HC-HTGR), which expects to see a 20% reduction in overall cost with respect to vertical HTGRs. The horizontal re-orientation and modularization of the HC-HTGR and its accompanying structural challenges form the basis of this work.
First, a detailed thermal/irradiation expansion analysis is conducted to assess graphite interaction with reactor core spatial gaps. This also includes a study of the relative displacements that occur at horizontal control rod and/or control drum locations at various points along the core’s length, and addresses the resulting implications on potential support conditions for the control sleeve spans. Next, graphite element features and control element sleeves are analyzed for strength with consideration to varying material properties and reactor environment conditions. Finally, an assessment of perimeter graphite reflector elements for structural integrity and a design of metallic support components are performed. Through design and analysis, this thesis increases the feasibility of the HC-HTGR concept, provides cross-discipline implications from a structural perspective for reactor core components, and ultimately advances a potential carbon-free technology for high temperature process heat markets.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Terms of Use
In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Copyright MIT
Persistent DSpace Link
