Design and optimization of a fluted tube, counter flow intermediate heat exchanger for a molten salt fast reactor using a chloride salt as the coolant

An evaluation of a fluted tube, counter-flow heat exchanger (HEX), designed and optimized for heat transfer from the primary loop of a fast chloride salt reactor to an intermediate loop, is presented. The fluted-tube HEX was optimized for volume and pressure drop by altering tube length, flute number and pitch, and tube diameter for multiple commercially available fluted tubes. Three compositions of molten NaCl-KCl-ZnCl2 salt are used in the analysis. A fluted tube HEX design and salt composition are recommended and the HEX performance and physical size are compared to a conventional tube and shell HEX designed with tubes of equivalent diameter and length. Design of a fluted tube HEX and salt composition have the potential to improve the performance of Molten Chloride Salt Fast Reactors (MCSFRs). The MCSFR referenced in this evaluation is being developed by Elysium Industries and is a leading candidate for commercial deployment.