A CFD based approach for thermal hydraulic design of main vessel cooling system of pool type fast reactors

► We study thermal hydraulic design of main vessel cooling system of fast reactors. ► A CFD based approach is proposed for determination of coolant flow rate. ► Effect of cooling system ovality on temperature asymmetry is quantified. ► Suitable flow distribution device is identified to achieve acceptable flow field. ► To compare efficacy of various devices, a flow mal-distribution index is defined.