Experimental Measurements of Local Axial Gas Velocity and Void Fraction in Simulated PWR Steam-Generator Rod Bundles

Authors

Samir F. Moujaes, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Richard S. Dougall, University of PittsburghFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1990

Publication Title

Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering

Volume

68

Issue

2

First page number:

211

Last page number:

219

Abstract

A dual spherical tipped optical fiber probe is used to obtain new data on local axial gas velocity and void fraction in a 4 × 3 rod bundle simulating a PWR steam generator. The average volumetric fluxes used were J_g = 1.52 - 2.44 m/s and J, = 0.47 - 0.68 m/s. Significant variations of V_g and α were found to exist downstream from the support plate. However the α range did not show any significant change between the flow holes and that downstream position, while V_g showed a more substantial variation. Values of V_g and α were very different between locations in the clearance gap around the tubes and that in the main flow holes. The gas flow rate was estimated to be only between 1–2.0% of that in the flow holes which could explain in part the existence of deposits in the clearance gap, due to decreased liquid velocity, leading eventually to tube denting in a PWR application.

Keywords

Gas flow; Optical fiber probe; Pressurized water reactors; Probes (Electronic instruments); Rod bundles; Steam-boilers; Steam generator voids: Two-phase flow

Disciplines

Acoustics, Dynamics, and Controls | Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics | Aerospace Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Nuclear Engineering

Language

English

Permissions

Use Find in Your Library, contact the author, or interlibrary loan to garner a copy of the item. Publisher policy does not allow archiving the final published version. If a post-print (author's peer-reviewed manuscript) is allowed and available, or publisher policy changes, the item will be deposited.

Repository Citation

Moujaes, S. F., Dougall, R. S. (1990). Experimental Measurements of Local Axial Gas Velocity and Void Fraction in Simulated PWR Steam-Generator Rod Bundles. Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 68(2), 211-219.