Multiphysics Simulations in Complex 3D Geometry of the High Flux Isotope Reactor Fuel Elements using COMSOL

J. Freels, and P. Jain
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN
Published in 2011

A current research and development project is ongoing to convert the operating High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) from highly-enriched uranium (HEU U3-O8) fuel to low-enriched uranium (LEU U-Mo) fuel. Because LEU HFIR-specific testing and experiments will be limited, we are relying on COMSOL to provide the needed multiphysics simulation capability to validate against the HEU design data and calculations and predict the performance of the LEU fuel for design and safety analyses.