• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.565-574
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• 2005

The CANFLEX Mk-V bundle is designed to improve upon the critical heat flux (CHF) characteristics of the CANFLEX Mk-IV bundle. The main difference between these two bundles is an increase in bearing pad height of about 0.3 mm in the CANFLEX Mk-IV bundle. This change in bearing pad height leads to an increase in gap flow at the bottom of the bundle, primarily eliminating the localized narrow-gap effect that limits the CHF of the CANFLEX Mk-IV bundle. The objective of this paper is to examine the effects of bearing pad height and pressure tube creep on the sheath-temperature distribution, dryout power, and dryout location, as observed ken full-scale bundle tests, between CANFLEX Mk-IV and Mk-V bundles In uncrept and crept channels. A comparison of surface-temperature differences between the top and bottom elements of the bundles showed that increasing the bearing pad height has led to a more homogeneous enthalpy distribution in subchannels of the bundle. Initial dryout locations of the CANFLEX Mk-V bundle were mainly observed at the mid-spacer plane of either the $10^{th}$ (about $80\%$) or $11^{th}$ ($20\%$) bundle in the 12-bundle string, as compared to the mid-spacer and downstream-button planes for the CANFLEX Mk-IV bundle. Dryout power and boiling-length-average (BLA) CHF values exhibit consistent trends and little scatter with varying flow conditions for both types of CANFLEX bundles in uncrept and crept channels. An increase in pressure tube creep has led to a reduction in dryout power (about $20\%$ far the $3.3\%$ crept channel and $27\%$ for the $5.1\%$ crept channel as compared to dryout powers for the uncrept channel). Increasing the bearing pad height of the CANFLEX bundle has led to an increase in the dryout power. Overall, the dryout power of the CANFLEX Mk-V bundle is 7 to $10\%$ higher than that of the CANFLEX Mk-IV bundle at the inlet temperature range of interest (i.e., between 243 and $290^{\circ}C$).

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.387-396
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• 2008

Many experimental analyses for annular film dryouts, which is one of the Critical Heat Flux (CHF) mechanisms, have been performed because of their importance. Numerical approaches must also be developed in order to assess the results from experiments and to perform pre-tests before experiments. Various thermal-hydraulic codes, such as RELAP, COBRATF, MARS, etc., have been used in the assessment of the results of dryout experiments and in experimental pre-tests. These thermal-hydraulic codes are general tools intended for the analysis of various phenomena that could appear in nuclear power plants, and many models applying these codes are unnecessarily complex for the focused analysis of dryout phenomena alone. In this study, a numerical model was developed for annular film dryout using the drift-flux model from uniform heated tube geometry. Several candidates of models that strongly affect dryout, such as the entrainment model, deposition model, and the criterion for the dryout point model, were tested as candidates for inclusion in an optimized annular film dryout model. The optimized model was developed by adopting the best combination of these candidate models, as determined through comparison with experimental data. This optimized model showed reasonable results, which were better than those of MARS code.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.969-978
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• 2009

The ASSERT-PV subchannel code developed by AECL has been applied as a design-assist tool to the advanced $CANDU^{(R)1}$ reactor fuel bundle. Based primarily on the $CANFLEX^{(R)2}$ fuel bundle, several geometry changes (such as element sizes and pitch-circle diameters of various element rings) were examined to optimize the dryout power and pressure-drop performances of the new fuel bundle. An experiment was performed to obtain dryout power measurements for verification of the ASSERT-PV code predictions. It was carried out using an electrically heated, Refrigerant-134a cooled, fuel bundle string simulator. The axial power profile of the simulator was uniform, while the radial power profile of the element rings was varied simulating profiles in bundles with various fuel compositions and burn-ups. Dryout power measurements are predicted closely using the ASSERT-PV code, particularly at low flows and low pressures, but are overpredicted at high flows and high pressures. The majority of data shows that dryout powers are underpredicted at low inlet-fluid temperatures but overpredicted at high inlet-fluid temperatures.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.2196-2203
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• 2020

A dryout mechanism model for rectangular narrow channels at high pressure conditions is developed by assuming that the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability triggered the occurrence of dryout. This model combines the advantages of theoretical analysis and empirical correlation. The unknown coefficients in the theoretical derivation are supported by the experimental data. Meanwhile, the decisive restriction of the experimental conditions on the applicability of the empirical correlation is avoided. The expression of vapor phase velocity at the time of dryout is derived, and the empirical correlation of liquid film thickness is introduced. Since the CHF value obtained from the liquid film thickness should be the same as the value obtained from the Kelvin-Helmholtz critical stability under the same condition, the convergent CHF value is obtained by iteratively calculating. Comparing with the experimental data under the pressure of 6.89-13.79 MPa, the average error of the model is -15.4% with the 95% confidence interval [-20.5%, -10.4%]. And the pressure has a decisive influence on the prediction accuracy of this model. Compared with the existing dryout code, the calculation speed of this model is faster, and the calculation accuracy is improved. This model, with great portability, could be applied to different objects and working conditions by changing the expression of the vapor phase velocity when the dryout phenomenon is triggered and the calculation formula of the liquid film.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.297-304
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• 2010

In the design of advanced light water reactors (ALWRs) and in the safety assessment of currently operating nuclear power plants, it is necessary to evaluate the possibility of experiencing a degraded core accident and to develop innovative safety technologies in order to assure long-term debris cooling. The objective of this experimental study is to investigate the enhancement factors of dryout heat flux in debris beds by coolant injection from below. The experimental facility consists mainly of an induction heater, a double-wall quartz-tube test section containing a steel-particle bed and coolant injection and recovery condensing loop. A fairly uniform heating of the particle bed was achieved in the radial direction and the axial variation was within 20%. This paper reports the experimental data for 3.2 mm and 4.8 mm particle beds with a 300 mm bed height. The dryout heat density data were obtained for both the top-flooding and the forced coolant injection from below with an injection mass flux of up to $1.5\;kg/m^2s$. The dryout heat density increased as the rate of coolant injection increased. At a coolant injection mass flux of $1.0\;kg/m^2s$, the dryout heat density was ${\sim}6.5\;MW/m^3$ for the 4.8 mm particle bed and ${\sim}5.6\;MW/m^3$ for the 3.2 mm particle bed. The enhancement factors of the dryout heat density were 1.6-1.8.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.528-533
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• 1997

A CANFLEX(CANdu FLEXible fuelling) 43-element bundle has developed for a CANDU-6 reactor as an alternative of 37-element fuel bundle. The design has two diameter elements (11.5 and 13.5㎜) to reduce maximum element power rating and buttons to enhance the critical heat flux(CHF), compared with the standard 37-element bundle. The freon CHF experiments have performed for two series of CANFLEX bundles with and without buttons with a modelling fluid as refrigerant H-l34a and axial uniform heat flux condition. Evaluating the effects of buttons of CANFLEX bundle on CHF and Critical Channel Power(CCP) with the experimental results, it is shown that the buttons enhance CCP as well as CHF. All the CHF's for both the CANFLEX bundles are occurred at the end of fuel channel with the high dryout quality conditions. The CHF enhancement ratio are increased with increase of dryout quality for all flow conditions and also with increase of mass flux only lot high pressure conditions. It indicates that the button is a useful design lot CANDU operating condition because most CHF flow conditions for CANDU fuel bundle are ranged to high dryout quality conditions.

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.120-125
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• 1997

In the present work the influence of various physical parameters on the two-phase flow behavior in a self-heated porous medium has been studied using a numerical model, that is, the effects of heat generation rate, of porosity, of particle size, and of system pressure on the dryout process. To analyze the effect of these parameters, the variation of both liquid volumetric fraction (i.e., liquid saturation) and liquid axial velocity is evaluated at the steady state or at the onset of a first boiled-out region. The analysis of computational results indicate that a qualitative tendency exists between the parameters such as heat generation rate, porosity, effective particle diameter and the temporal development of the liquid volumetric fraction field up to dryout. In addition to these parameters, a variation of fluid properties such as phase density, phase viscosity due to a change of system pressure can be used for gaining insight into the nature of two-phase flow behavior up to dryout.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.721-733
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• 2020

In nuclear engineering, the occurrence of critical heat flux (CHF) is complicated for rod bundle, and it is much more difficult to predict the CHF when it is in natural circulation under motion condition. In this paper, the dryout-type CHF is investigated for the rod bundle in a natural circulation loop under rolling motion condition based on the coupled analysis of subchannel method, a one-dimensional system analysis method and a CHF mechanism model, namely the three-fluid model for annular flow. In order to consider the rolling effect of the natural circulation loop, the subchannel model is connected to the one-dimensional system code at the inlet and outlet of the rod bundle. The subchannel analysis provides the local thermal hydraulic parameters as input for the CHF mechanism model to calculate the occurrence of CHF. The rolling motion is modeled by additional motion forces in the momentum equation. First, the calculation methods of the natural circulation and CHF are validated by a published natural circulation experiment data and a CHF empirical correlation, respectively. Then, the CHF of the rod bundle in a natural circulation loop under both the stationary and rolling motion condition is predicted and analyzed. According to the calculation results, CHF under stationary condition is smaller than that under rolling motion condition. Besides, the CHF decreases with the increase of the rolling period and angular acceleration amplitude within the range of inlet subcooling and mass flux adopted in the current research. This paper can provide useful information for the prediction of CHF in natural circulation under motion condition, which is important for the nuclear reactor design improvement and safety analysis.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.446-454
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• 2021

Critical heat flux (CHF) has traditionally been evaluated using look-up tables or empirical correlations for nuclear power plants. However, under complex moving condition, it is necessary to reconsider the CHF characteristics since the conventional CHF prediction methods would no longer be applicable. In this paper, the additional forces caused by motions have been added to the annular film dryout (AFD) mechanistic model to investigate the effect of moving condition on CHF. Moreover, a theoretical model of the natural circulation loop with additional forces is established to reflect the natural circulation characteristics of the loop system. By coupling the system loop with the AFD mechanistic model, a CHF prediction program called NACOM for natural circulation loop under moving condition is developed. The effects of three operating conditions, namely stationary, inclination and rolling, on the CHF of the loop are then analyzed. It can be clearly seen that the moving condition has an adverse effect on the CHF in the natural circulation system. For the calculation parameters in this paper, the CHF can be reduced by 25% compared with the static value, which indicates that it is important to consider the effects of moving condition to retain adequate safety margin in subsequent thermal-hydraulic designs.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2000.04b
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• pp.795-800
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• 2000

A CCFL(Counter Current Flow Limit) test have been performed in narrow annular gaps with large diameter, because it has been confirmed that the CCFL phenomena affected the critical power in hemispherical narrow gap geometries from the SONATA(Simulation Of Naturally Arrested Thermal Attack)-IV (In-Vessel)/VISU(Visualization)-II experiments. The objectives of the CCFL experiments are to investigate the small gap sizes(1, 2mm) effect on CCFL under the large diameter condition and to confirm the findings of the VISU-II study that global dryout in hemispherical narrow gaps was induced by the CCFL. The test section was made of acrylic resin to allow visual observation on the two-phase flow behaviors inside annular gaps. It was observed from visualization that a part of water supplied was accumulated in the upper plenum and a significant increase in the differential pressure across the gap was occurred, which was the definition of the CCFL occurrence in this experimental study. From the experimental results in annular gap with large diameter it can be known that an increase in the differential pressure was not big at small air flow-rates. When the CCFL was occurred, the differential pressure across gaps was increased significantly and a water accumulated in the upper plenum. The occurrence of CCFL was correlated using the Wallis parameter.