Categorical Exclusion Determination
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
July 31, 2016
Estimated Read Time min
The primary focus of this research proposal would be on validating and verifying the structural integrity of continuous channel –type PCHEs such as the Heatric zig/zag or Marbond (otherwise known as Shimtec) continuous micro-channel heat exchanger opposed to fin-type geometries. The proposed research utilizes experimental and numerical framework to provide the technical basis for the development of ASME BPVC Section III, Division 5 Code Case for the proposed diffusion bonded heat exchangers in nuclear systems. Experimental pressurization and thermal stressing of PCHE sections will be used to verify the numerical modeling methods. Crack initiation and propagation through the PCHE designs will also be investigated by studying tensile test samples to understand the limitations of the diffusion bond due to possible imperfections.