Sensitivity of operational limits with respect to heat removal parameters in a high power MTR

Abstract This work aims at investigating the sensitivity of operational limits with respect to heat removal system parameters in a high power Material Testing Reactor (MTR). The analysis was done for Egypt Second Research Reactor (ETRR-2) using validated steady state model and is applicable to similar research reactors. The limits of core power and outlet temperature were determined first for the designed heat removal system. Then, sensitivity of these limits to variations in heat removal system parameters has been studied for each individual parameter keeping the others constant. In this analysis, ETRR-2 and its cooling systems are described and the results to variations in cooling tower outlet temperature, primary and secondary flow rates, and heat exchanger parameters are presented and discussed. It is shown that the operational limits are quite sensitive to primary flow rate and are low sensitive to secondary flow rate. The limits also show similar sensitivity when cooling tower outlet temperature or heat exchanger fouling or heat transfer area is varied in the range of investigation. The analysis results are useful in predicting the new limits with upgrading or possible modification and replacement of heat removal components.