Numerical Simulation of Flow in 3×3 Rod Bundle in Vertical and Inclined Conditions

The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the thermal-hydraulics of rod bundle in vertical condition and inclined condition, and the fuel assembly with 3×3 rod bundle is simulated with Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The flow field is analyzed. The results show that the inclination will decrease the value of bulk velocity in gaps and the bulk velocity decreases with the increased angle of inclination in conditions of same inlet velocity. Inclination changes the distribution of temperature and the maximum temperature of the wall increases with increased angle of inclination which is not benefit for the safety of nuclear reactors.