INVESTIGASI MODIFIKASI LUBANG PENGISIAN GAS HELIUM PADA DESAIN END PLUG BATANG UJI BAHAN BAKAR NUKLIR MENGGUNAKAN ANALISIS COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS

Abstract

A modified design of the helium gas filling hole in the end plug of the PRTF test rod was investigated using CFD simulation method. The simulation is conducted to predict whether helium gas can flow properly into the cladding through the modified design. From this simulation, it is expected that data will be obtained on the effect of changes in the shape and dimensions of the helium gas filling hole. The data will then be used as a guide to determine whether the modified design can function better so that it can replace the original design. The input data required for CFD simulation are the geometry of the model, the type of material used, and the condition parameters for the preparation of the welding process such as pressure and time. Then, the CFD simulation process is carried out in accordance with the conditions that occur in the TIG orbital welding machine. The simulation results show that the modified design is able to flow helium gas into the cladding twice as fast as the original design. In addition, the simulation results also show that the modified design is as stable as the original design in maintaining helium gas pressure at 1.5 bar.