Denise is pursuing research in the area of fast spectrum small modular reactors and helically coiled heat exchangers for use with liquid metals. SMRs have many advantages that make them a viable energy source for more remote locations. Because they are compact and try to incorporate major components inside the vessel to avoid construction costs on-site, it’s beneficial to contain the heat exchanger inside the vessel rather than outside of it. Helically coiled heat exchangers are good not only because they have large heat transfer areas per unit volume, but they are also compact. Furthermore, the geometry promotes improved mixing of the fluids so that the heat is more evenly distributed across the tubes and increases the heat transfer coefficient of the fluid in the coil(s).
Fast spectrum SMRs, specifically those using liquid metals, are of interest in research and possible production, but in order to model these liquid metal SMRs, it’s also of interest to model the liquid metals flowing in helically coiled heat exchangers and even determine ideal layouts for the coil(s). This needed modeling is due to the varying heat transfer of liquid metals versus non-metallic fluids in helical coils. The modeling is done using CFD programs such as STAR-CCM+, OpenFOAM, and/or SolidWorks.