Projects of interest Nuclear Energy Unit

Structural analysis of a high temperature gas reactor pressure vessel. 

The structural analysis of a helium-graphite HTGR vessel was carried out. These kinds of reactors are suitable for electric energy generation, heat sources, and also for hydrogen production and water desalination.

Maintenance and operation costs are small due to their modular design and the benefit of in-operation fuel renewal. The thermal and mechanical stresses were obtained for the vessel and nozzles. Fatigue and fracture mechanics evaluation were done according to ASME code requirements.

Thermal hydraulic analysis of spent fuel pool. 

In this project a thermal hydraulic analysis of a spent fuel pool was carried out by means of Computational Fluid Dynamics 3D models. The analysis demonstrates the capability of the pool and the rack designed to maintain the water temperature  below the limits and saturation conditions for several scenarios (normal and abnormal operation). Thus, the cooling capability is assured.

The use of Computational Fluid Dynamics 3D models allows for obtaining a detailed temperature distribution and also a detailed evaluation of the pool streams. This is a powerful analysis tool to apply to those NPP projects where the possibility of an increase in the number of fuel elements stored is evaluated.  

Mechanical failure prediction and analysis of a rubber drying machine speed reducer output shaft under alternating loads and aggressive environment. 

The frequent failure of a high strength speed reducer output shaft was the origin of this work. First, the material was analyzed at the laboratory and the failed cross section was evaluated by means of microscopy. As a result of these evaluations and following the FITNET procedure, several failure mechanisms were identified and classified. In the end, preventive and corrective actions were proposed in order to prevent the failure.

Other projects: 

• Thermal and structural analysis of III Gen Boiling Water Reactor pressure vessel.
• Seismic  evaluation of a spent fuel elements elevator.