Finite Element Analysis of Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger Core for High Temperature Creep and Burst Responses

Printed Circuit Heat Exchangers (PCHEs) have high compactness and efficiency for heat transfer, which makes them an attractive option for the Very High Temperature Reactors (VHTRs). Design methodology of PCHE for non-nuclear service is well established in the ASME Code, Section VIII; however, ASME Code rules for PCHE nuclear services are yet to be developed. Towards developing the ASME Section III code rules for PCHE, the study started with the design of PCHE core specimens for testing following the ASME section VIII methodology. The failure responses of these PCHE specimens are investigated by using Finite Elements Analyses (FEA). Two dimensional isothermal plane strain analyses are performed using an uncoupled constitutive material model. Parametric studies by varying shape and size of semicircular channels, PCHE core size, and loading cases are performed to quantify the critical parameters which influence the PCHE failure responses under pressure creep and pressure burst loadings. Results indicate that the maximum creep strain and its location are dependent on the PCHE core size. Significant reduction in creep strains are observed at the channel sharp corners by considering a realistic semielliptical channel shape instead of a semicircular channel in the analysis.