High-Temperature Structural Analysis of a Lab-Scale Alloy 800HT PCHE
The IHX (Intermediate Heat Exchanger) of a VHTR (Very High Temperature Reactor) transfers 950°C heat generated from the VHTR to a hydrogen production plant. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has manufactured a lab-scale Alloy 800HT PCHE (Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger) prototype under consideration as a candidate of the IHX (Intermediate Heat Exchanger). In this study, as a part of a structural integrity evaluation of the PCHE prototype, an elasto-plastic structural analysis including a thermal analysis was carried out under the designed test conditions of the PCHE prototype in a helium experimental loop (HELP). The analysis results were reflected to re-design the pipeline layout of HELP and to determine the actual test conditions of the PCHE prototype in the re-designed HELP in view of experimental safety.