Modelling the Velocity Profile of Coolant Flow in the GHARR-1 Fuel Channel

Modelling the Velocity Profile of Coolant Flow in the GHARR-1 Fuel Channel

The velocity profile of coolant flow in the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) fuel channel has been determined using a mathematical model based on Navier-Stokes equation. A finite difference scheme for the discretization by Marker and Cell (MAC) method was used in the model. Solution algorithms were developed and MATLAB program implemented to simulate the velocity distribution of coolant flow at a 30 kW nominal power. The fluid dynamics module of the Navier- Stokes equation in COMSOL Multiphysics v 3.4 was used to verify and validate the results obtained. The results showed a velocity distributions range of 0.9 m/s to 1.9 m/s. Reynolds number values ranging from 460 to 970 were also obtained indicating a laminar flow of coolant.