NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF VACUUM DRYING OF FUEL ELEMENTS

The problem of numerical simulation of vacuum drying of fuel elements is considered. The methodology of formation of design model for process study is suggested and described. The suggested models allow calculating the transition process in vacuum resistance furnace, evaluating energy and time required for the process. In the calculation one can set power magnitude emitted by fuel elements and its dependence from time, configuration of all elements of vacuum furnace, size and form of placing, materials and their properties. The example of numerical simulation of two basic constructions is given. The calculations are made by means of tools available in CFD package of ANSYS Fluent. The recommendations on application of various parameters for evaluation of radiant heat transfer in ANSYS package are provided. The comparative analysis of the results obtained with the usage of 3D and 2D models is carried out.