Laboratory for Problems of Heat Physics in Nuclear and Thermonuclear Power

• We have modernized the mercury MHD-complex and its automation system, and developed sensors and new methods of probe measurements in flow of liquid metals and performed experiments.
• Our laboratory has performed experiments in heat transfer of liquid metal in magnetic field in a square-cut channel and on the model of the active zone of the BREST fast reactor.
• We have conducted a complex research of heat exchange of a model matter imitating molten salts (natrium and beryllium fluoride of alkali metals). The WALE model has been refined. Conducted test calculation of stabilized flows in flat channels with WALE and Smagorinskiy models of sub-grid viscosity have shown superiority of the latter.
• Our team has conducted numerical modeling. RAMS approach has been reviewed (using a two-parameter turbulence model) to modeling MHD heat transfer in ascending flows of liquid metals in vertical rectangular channel with accounting for impact of free convection and transverse magnetic field. We have separately assessed the problem of impact of magnetic field and thermal gravitational convection on MHD heat transfer in horizontal heated tubes. Our team has conducted RANS modeling of turbulent flow of mercury in vertical rectangular heated channel (aspect ratio 1:3). At the current state of work impact of magnetic field has not been taken into consideration. For modeling we use CFD-code ANES and three low-Reynold-number two-parameter models of turbulence (the two-layer k-e model, the Launder–Sharma k-e model ant the k-w model). We used two settings: a full 3D-model and a 2D-model of stabilized flow. To verify turbulence models we have applied DNS data on gas flow in round vertical heated tubes.
• Our researchers have developed device and a technology for plasma beam processing to create modules of the first wall with porous nanostructured surface that is a plasma trap with with linear   multi-casp configuration of the magnetic field. Parameters of plasma provide a possibility to produce powerful plasma-heat load that is expected on materials in stationary modes of the thermonuclear reactor. We have designed an automated scientific research system for the plasma processing test bench.
• We have obtained new data of measurements of viscosity of a model substance, molten salt – KOH solution – in the range of concentrations between 0 and 40% and the range of temperatures between 20 and 60°С. A method has been developed to research electric conductivity and heat conductivity of model substances. We have developed basis of the model of mass and energy transfer in irregular media substantiating variable order fractional differential equation of diffusion derived earlier. Obtained results will serve for describing diffusion of ions in liquids and for applications in the mathematical model of head transfer in media with complex internal structures.

Implemented results of research:

• The unique «Mercury MHD test bench» has been modernized.
• We have modernized the scientific test bench for research of heat transfer of fuel rod array.
• The Laboratory has created methods for measurements using the fuel rod array test bench of the Moscow Power Engineering Institute, measurements in flows of liquid metals and salt solution using mercury MHD test benches as well as a technology for plasma-beam processing of surfaces of materials

Education and career development:

• The leading scientist has read a lecture course for students and postgraduates «Wavelet-tool for spectral analysis of non-stationary and quasi-stationary signals».
• Employees of the Laboratory have participated in 9 Russian and international conferences.
• We have published 29 scientific articles devoted to results of our experiments on the 1st stage. One of the articles was published in a journal indexed by Web of Science.

Organizational and structural changes:

We have created a science and education center for physical and technological problems of power generation of the Moscow Power Engineering Institute on the grounds of the Joint Institute of High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Collaborations:

• Joint Institute of High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia): joint research and scientific publications
• Kurchatov Institute (Russia), NIKIET JSC (Russia), Efremov Institute (NIIEFA) JSC (Russia), A. I. Leypunskiy Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (Russia), University of Michigan (USA): joint training on professionals and joint research in the Laboratory's area of studies