Research in the field of nuclear energy focuses on several areas, encompassing both the primary and secondary circuits.
For the safe and reliable operation of a nuclear power plant, adequate cooling of fuel rods is crucial. The research team is engaged in experimental evaluation of the impact of impurities (e.g., deposits on the rod surface or clogging of the spacer grid) on the boiling crisis in the spent fuel storage pool using an unpressurized fuel rod simulator and a fuel rod bundle. Another activity associated with this setup is monitoring acoustic emissions from various types of boiling, which can serve in practice as an alternative preventive method to avoid the onset of a heat transfer crisis and subsequent material damage. Lastly, researchers also utilize flow visualization via Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to gain a better understanding of phenomena occurring between fuel rods with spacer grids.
In the context of flexible operation of the secondary circuit of a nuclear power plant, researchers focus on the design of the flow section of bladed machines and, in particular, on flow-induced vibrations. This includes blade flutter, vibration of tube bundles in heat exchangers, and vibrations of valves and piping. An example is transonic experimental measurement of aerodynamic stability in a linear blade cascade, performed on a unique setup capable of generating complex vibration modes representing the motion of blades with shrouds. The results are valuable for fundamental studies of blade cascade flutter and validation of numerical solvers.
An important part of the research also involves the design and calculation of thermodynamic cycles for various media and conducting analyses using analytical and numerical mathematical tools. For instance, work includes the design of a secondary cycle for high-temperature reactors, turbine generator run-down analysis with regard to ensuring safety during emergency reactor shutdown, and assessments of replacing wet cooling towers with hybrid ones and their impact on plant efficiency.