Potential of thermosyphon for passive cooling of nuclear fuel storage vault

• Published in: International journal of thermal sciences 2025-02, Vol.208, p.109477, Article 109477
• Main Authors: Mishra, Vivek K., Panda, Saroj K., Sen, Biswanath, Samantaray, Dipti, Maiya, M.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computational fluid dynamics; Heat transfer; Nuclear fuel storage; Passive cooling; Thermosyphon
• ISSN: 1290-0729
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2024.109477

This study evaluates the potential of thermosyphon for passive cooling of nuclear fuel storage vaults. For this work, a thermosyphon was specifically designed and manufactured. Experiments were conducted by varying heat load (300–600 W) and filling ratio (40–120 %). Optimal performance was obtained with a 60 % filling ratio. The experimental data obtained with the optimal filling ratio were used to calculate the effective thermal conductivity of thermosyphon and determine the number of thermosyphons needed for the vault. Two geometric vault ventilation models; one featuring a thermosyphon and the other without these were developed. The operations of these vault ventilation systems were simulated using the CFD model. The airflow patterns and temperature distributions within the storage vault were compared. The findings ascertain the utility of thermosyphons as an effective passive cooling device in the nuclear fuel storage vault. •Design of thermosyphon-based passive cooling system for nuclear fuel storage vault.•Optimization of filling ratio on the basis of experimental data.•Two full-scale 3-D model of the nuclear fuel storage vaults are studied.•Experimental results are provided as inputs for the CFD simulations.•Air velocity & temperature distribution are studied for performance analysis.