Research on Pneumatic Transportation of Fuel Elements in Pebble Bed Reactor

The pneumatic transportation of fuel elements in Pebble Bed Reactor was firstly analyzed and a mathematical model of the pneumatic force of near equal diameter sphere was then established. A variety of factors, such as working conditions, the pipe-sphere structure (the diameter ratio k) and the motion pattern of fuel elements were involved in the model. In addition, an experimental platform was established, and the experimental results were consistent with the computing results. The research on the pneumatic force using the mathematical model provides the basis to movement and collision analysis of fuel elements as well as the design and structural optimization of the fuel element cycling system.