Nuclear Engineering ETDs
Publication Date
Spring 1-15-2025
Abstract
Fluoride-salt-cooled High-temperature Reactors (FHRs) encounter considerable challenges in developing reliable molten salt pump bearings for extreme conditions. This dissertation presents research on scalable fluoride salt pump bearings focusing on hydrodynamic performance and material compatibility. A dual approach combining numerical modeling and experimental testing assessed bearing designs suitable for FHR primary loop pumps. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling explored different journal bearing configurations, validated with analytical benchmarks and experimental data to evaluate load capacity, power loss, and dynamic coefficients under FHR-simulated conditions. The experimental phase employed a custom high-temperature test facility using molten FLiNaK salt at temperatures exceeding 590°C, evaluating various designs, including graphite bearings with unique surface features. Testing over 220 hours indicated that helical-grooved bearings demonstrated superior hydrodynamic performance while graphite proved viable with acceptable wear levels. This research advances FHR technology by providing validated bearing designs and suggesting future avenues for long-term durability studies and performance optimization.
Keywords
FHR, Primary loop pump, journal bearing, CFD, FLiNaK, FLiBe
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Nuclear Engineering
Level of Degree
Doctoral
Department Name
Nuclear Engineering
First Committee Member (Chair)
MINGHUI CHEN
Second Committee Member
ERIC LANG
Third Committee Member
AMIR ALI
Fourth Committee Member
ADAM BURAK
Recommended Citation
Liu, Yuqi. "Development and Demonstration of Scalable Fluoride Salt Pump Bearings for FHRs." (2025). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/ne_etds/137
Comments
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