Experiments on the counter-current flow limitation (CCFL) in a model of a pressurised water reactor hot leg


Experiments on the counter-current flow limitation (CCFL) in a model of a pressurised water reactor hot leg

Lucas, D.; Vallée, C.; Beyer, M.; Prasser, H.-M.; Deendarlianto

Experiments were done on co-current and counter-current flows of air-water and also steam-water for a flat geometry reflecting a hot leg and steam generator inlet chamber of a Pressurized Water Reactor. The focus of the experiments was on the phenomenon of Counter-Current Flow Limitation. For air-water flows the flooding curve was obtained for this special geometry. The main aim of the experiments is however to provide a detailed database for CFD code validation. For this reason a model of a part of the hot leg and the steam generator inlet chamber was equipped with large glass windows to enable high speed camera observations. To use this measuring technique also for steam-water flows a new technology, the so-called pressure tank technology was used for the first time. The test section itself is built-in into a large pressure tank which can be operated for pressures up to 5 MPa. A condenser at the end of the test section guarantees the pressure equilibrium between the inside of the test section and the tank atmosphere. This enables to manufacture the test section from thin materials and to use large glass windows. For the first time steam-water co-current and counter-current flows were observed by high speed video observations at a pressure of 1.5 MPa. Further experiments with pressure up to 5 MPa will follow.

Keywords: stratified flow; CCFL; experiment; high speed video observation; pressure tank

  • Contribution to proceedings
    HEAT 2008, The Fifth International Conference on Transport Phenomena In Multiphase Systems, 30.06.-03.07.2008, Bialystok, Poland
    Transport Phenomena In Multiphase Systems, Volume 1, Bialystok, 325-332
  • Poster
    HEAT 2008, The Fifth International Conference on Transport Phenomena In Multiphase Systems, 30.06.-03.07.2008, Bialystok, Poland

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Publ.-Id: 10926