Development of a bundle correction method and its application to predicting CHF in rod bundles

A bundle correction method, based on the conservation laws of mass, energy, and momentum in an open subchannel, is proposed for the prediction of the critical heat flux (CHF) in rod bundles from round tube CHF correlations without detailed subchannel analysis. It takes into account the effects of the enthalpy and mass velocity distributions at subchannel level using the first derivatives of CHF with respect to the independent parameters. Three different CHF correlations for tubes (Groeneveld's CHF table, Katto correlation, and Biasi correlation) have been examined with uniformly heated bundle CHF data collected from various sources. A limited number of CHF data from a non-uniformly heated rod bundle are also evaluated with the aid of Tong's F-factor. The proposed method shows satisfactory CHF predictions for rod bundles both uniform and non-uniform power distributions.     

Assessment of the interchannel mixing model with a subchannel analysis code for BWR and PWR conditions

The influence of the interchannel mixing model employed in a traditional subchannel analysis code was investigated in this study, specifically on the analysis of the enthalpy distribution and critical heat flux (CHF) in rod bundles in BWR and PWR conditions. The equal-volume-exchange turbulent mixing and void drift model (EVVD) was embodied to the COBRA-IV-I code. An optimized model of the void drift coefficient has been devised in this study as the result of the assessment with the two-phase flow distribution data for the general electric (GE) 9-rod and Ispra 16-rod test bundles. The influence of the subchannel analysis model on the analysis of CHF was examined by evaluating the CHF test data in rod bundles representing PWR and BWR conditions. The CHFR margins of typical light water nuclear reactor (LWR) cores were evaluated by considering the influence on the local parameter CHF correlation and the hot channel analysis result. It appeared that the interchannel mixing model has an important effect upon the analysis of CHFR margin for BWR conditions.     

CHF Experiments under Steady-State and Transient Conditions for Tight Lattice Core with Non-Uniform Axial Power Distribution

Abstract

Steady-state and transient critical heat flux (CHF) experiments were performed using triangular pitched 7-rod assemblies with non-uniform axial power distributions under the maximum pressure of 15.5 MPa. The onset of steady-state CHF was predicted within the uncertainty of 10% with the KfK correlation using the local flow conditions calculated by the subchannel analysis code COBRA-IV-T. On the other hand, various mechanistic CHF models did not agree with the steady-state CHF data. The transient CHFs under the conditions of flow reduction, power increase or flow and power simultaneous variation were predicted with the quasi-steady-state method within approximately the same uncertainty as the steady-state CHF experiments. The predictive capability did not depend on the transient speed within 30%/s of the flow reduction rate and within 120%/s of the power increase rate. It was also revealed that there exists large CHF margins under the thermal hydraulic conditions simulating the locked rotor accident and the control rod cluster ejection accident of the double-flat-core type high conversion pressurized water reactor (HCPWR).     

A compilation of rod array critical heat flux data sources and information

The geometric characteristics of rod array test sections employed in critical heat flux (CHF) tests with water coolant, and the ranges of the operating parameters for the tests, are presented for 126 test sections. The corresponding 4277 CHF data points have been stored on a magnetic tape for ease of reference and analysis. A versatile computer program associated with the data library has been used to determine the distributions of the data with respect to geometric and operating parameters. The dependence of CHF on operating parameters and the importance of subchannel conditions are shown through the use of some of the data. Tables are given for CHF data with a Freon coolant, for CHF data from test sections which only simulate a rod array, and for CHF data for transient situations.     

棒束子通道CHF机理模型开发及初步验证

目前棒束通道中临界热流密度的预测多基于实验关系式,受限于特定的适用范围,无法有效外推或外推后预测精度下降。为满足不同轻水堆中临界热流密度的预测要求,有必要开发适用于不同几何尺寸及热工边界的宽范围临界热流密度预测方式。本文以子通道分析方法为基础,考虑偏离泡核沸腾和干涸两类临界现象,通过耦合子通道分析程序与临界热流密度机理模型,实现对棒束通道中临界热流密度的计算。通过与临界热流密度实验数据的对比,初步证明了耦合程序对棒束通道中临界热流密度具有较好的预测精度。     

Mass velocity and cold-wall effects on critical heat flux in an advanced light water reactor

The characteristics of Critical Heat Flux (CHF) were investigated for a square array of rod bundles which could possibly be loaded into an integral-type advanced light water reactor. The parametric effects of the mass velocity and the unheated rod were examined by conducting CHF experiments with 5 × 5 test bundles in a Freon-loop. The influence of a cold wall on the CHF was interpreted by introducing a simple phenomenological model which accounts for the influence of a thermal mixing inside the boiling channel. A local parameter CHF correlation applicable to an integral-type reactor was developed from the CHF data base for square-arrayed rod bundles. The local thermal–hydraulic conditions calculated by the subchannel analysis code MATRA were used for the optimization of the correlation coefficients. Correction factors for the low mass velocity, spacer grids, and the non-uniform axial power shapes have been devised which reflected the results of the data assessment and the experimental observations. As a result of the thermal margin evaluation at steady state conditions, it was revealed that the integral-type reactor core has a greater DNBR margin than a typical 1000 MW_e PWR core.     

测量和预测棒束CHF数据对比方法研究

通过采用子通道程序FLICA建模分析5×5棒束临界热流密度试验,并分别采用直接代入法(DSM)和能量平衡法(HBM)两种方法利用已有临界热流密度关系式获得计算的临界热流密度,并将计算的临界热流密度与试验获得的临界热流密度对比分析,探讨了棒束临界热流密度试验数据的处理方法。结果表明,在棒束临界热流密度试验数据与已有关系式计算数据的对比中,HBM是一种更合理的方法。     

关于核电站燃料棒束临界热流密度研究中一些问题的讨论

本文分析了定位格架对临界热流密度(CHF)影响的机理,讨论了如何判断定位格架热工性能的好坏;对我院已做过的几种带不同定位格架的核电站燃料棒束的 CHF 实验结果作了对比分析,并与国外最新的 CHF 经验公式作了对比。     

环形通道内棒偏心和弯曲工况临界热流密度机理研究

本文分别从两种不同类型的临界热流密度（CHF）的触发机理出发,分析了内棒偏心和弯曲对CHF的影响。以氟利昂（R-134a）作为流动工质,在竖直向上流动的环形通道内开展了仅内棒加热的CHF实验研究。实验段包含3种形式：同心、偏心和弯曲。偏心实验结果表明：在高过冷工况下,内棒偏心将对CHF造成惩罚,且偏心率为0783的实验段对CHF惩罚更严重;在低过冷工况下,偏心效应减弱。高压高质量流速工况,空泡漂移效应会导致偏心率为0783的CHF大于偏心率为0435的CHF。弯曲实验结果表明：小闭合度的弯曲对CHF几乎没有影响。大闭合度的弯曲对于低质量流速的Dryout型CHF,弯曲棒会破坏液膜的稳定性;对于低质量流速的DNB型CHF,空泡漂移效应远小于偏心通道,弯曲的CHF小于相同最小间隙下偏心的CHF。     

CHF prediction for square arrays by the bundle enthalpy imbalance method

For both economic and safety reasons, the reactor designer should be able to predict accurately the conditions under which critical heat flux (CHF) is reached. Consequently, extensive experimental and analytical studies have been carried out in many nations. The laboratory work discussed in this paper has involved tests on round tubes, annuli, rod bundles having from three to at least 49 rods, and other geometries, and very accurate data have been obtained. This paper evaluates the McPherson method for CHF prediction for rods in square channels or arrays.     

An experimental study on the critical heat flux for low flow of water in a non-uniformly heated vertical rod bundle over a wide range of pressure conditions

An experimental study of the critical heat flux (CHF) has been performed for a water flow in a non-uniformly heated vertical 3 × 3 rod bundle under low flow and a wide range of pressure conditions. The experiment was especially focused on the parametric trends of the CHF and the applicability of the conventional CHF correlations to a return-to-power conditions of a main steam line break accident whose conditions might be a low mass flux, intermediate pressure, and a high inlet subcooling. The effects of the mass flux and pressure on the CHF are relatively large and complicated in the low pressure conditions. At a high mass flux or a low critical quality, the local heat flux at the CHF location sharply decreases with an increasing local critical quality. However, at a low mass flux or a high critical quality, the local heat flux at the CHF location shows a nearly constant value regardless of the increase of the critical quality. The CHF data at the very low mass flux conditions are correlated well by the churn-to-annular flow transition criterion or the flow reversal phenomena. Several conventional CHF correlations predict the present return-to-power CHF data with reasonable accuracies. However, the prediction capabilities become worse in a very low mass flux of below about 100 kg/(m² s).     

Critical heat flux prediction in rod bundles under upward low mass flux densities

The analysis of experimental data and results of calculations for heat transfer crisis in heated channels under low upward coolant mass flux densities is presented. This analysis allows the determination of the basic features of the boiling crisis phenomenon. It is shown that the methods currently used for critical heat flux (CHF) prediction have insufficient accuracy in the given range of parameters. A new relationship for the CHF calculation is presented. It should be used for the water–water energy reactor (WWER) and uran–graphite channel reactor—Chernobyl-type (RBMK) rod bundles, and is verified by the test data. The comparison of results obtained by a new CHF correlation and the relationship used in RELAP5/MOD3.1 Code is presented. It is shown that the latter overpredicts the CHF values at atmospheric pressure and for x_cr>0.4 and does not provide conservative estimations for the RBMK fuel bundles.     

基于CFD方法的棒束通道内临界热流密度预测

为研究棒束通道内临界热流密度现象,采用基于对气、液两相分别建立基本守恒方程的欧拉两流体六方程模型和改进的壁面热流密度分配模型,利用CFD商用软件FLUENT 14.5对捷克大型水介质实验回路上开展的临界热流密度（CHF）实验进行数值模拟。通过计算获得CHF发生前、后计算域内重要热工水力参数的分布及CHF发生值,将CFD计算获得的CHF与实验测得值进行对比,结果表明,大多数工况的偏差在±30%以内,证明了欧拉两流体模型结合改进的壁面热流密度分配模型对CHF预测的准确性。本研究可为复杂结构的CHF预测提供依据。     

Fluid-to-fluid modeling of critical heat flux in 4 × 4 rod bundles

Fluid-to-fluid modeling of critical heat flux (CHF) is to simulate the CHF behaviors for water by employing low cost modeling fluid, and the flow scaling factor is the key to apply the technique to fuel bundles. The CHF experiments in 4×4 rod bundles have been carried out in Freon-12 loop in equivalent nuclear reactor water conditions (P=10.0–16.0 MPa, G=488.0–2100.0 kg/m² s, X_cr=−0.20–0.30). The models in fluid-to-fluid modeling of CHF is verified by the CHF data for Freon-12 obtained in the experiment and the CHF correlation for water obtained by Nuclear Power Institute of China (NPIC) in the same 4×4 rod bundles. It has been found that the S.Y. Ahmad Compensation Distortion model, the Lu Zhongqi model, the Groeneveld model and Stevens–Kirby model overpredict the bundles CHF values for water. Then an empirical correlation of flow scaling factor is proposed. Comparison of the CHF data in two kinds of test sections for Freon-12, in which the distance of the last grid away the end of heated length is different, shows that the spacer grid, which is located at 20 mm away from the end of the heated length, has evidently influenced on the CHF value in the 4×4 rod bundles for Freon-12. This is different from that for water, and the need for further work is required.     

CHF prediction in nuclear fuel elements by using round tube data

The 1995 CHF table for uniformly heated round tubes, developed jointly by Canadian and Russian researchers, has been used for the prediction of critical heat flux (CHF) in 5×5 test sections simulating fuel elements of pressurized water reactors. Comparisons between measured and calculated CHF indicates that the table with an appropriate diameter correction can be applied to rod bundles of the type considered in this study. The relation for the diameter correction factor was derived from the CHF data. The tolerance limits associated with the departure from nucleate boiling ratio (DNBR) are evaluated by using statistical analysis.     

平板滞止区过冷水喷流沸腾临界热流密度实验研究

对高温平板滞止区内过冷水圆形喷流冲击沸腾的临界热流密度进行了系统的稳态实验研究。考察了水过冷度、流速、喷流直径等流动条件对喷流沸腾临界热流密度的影响。建立了一个预示临界热流密度的经验型方程。研究结果证明,过冷水喷流冲击沸腾的临界热流密度取决于过冷度、滞止冲击速度及喷流直径、过冷度的影响尤为强烈。经验式能较好的预示本实验和他人结果。     

人工神经网络在棒束临界热流密度预测中的应用

基于已有的棒束临界热流密度数据库，采用COBRA-Ⅳ程序计算得到子通道局部临界热流密度数据库。用人工神经网络（ANN）理论对数据库进行训练，得到基于ANN理论的棒束临界热流密度预测模型。预测模型的预测精度显著高于常用经验关系式的预测精度，其预测值的均方差为5.63%。     

基于流固共轭传热的两相流动数值模拟及燃料子通道CHF预测研究

为对过冷沸腾两相流动进行准确模拟,并探索临界热流密度（CHF）预测方法,本文基于共轭传热和两相CFD分析的方法,通过流固界面耦合,建立流固共轭传热两相流动耦合求解的数值模型。首先通过典型燃料棒栅元过冷沸腾两相流动的模拟,验证数值模型的正确性。随后对燃料子通道内两相流动进行模拟,并在两相流动模拟的基础上,通过准瞬态的方法,建立与CHF试验过程非常近似的CHF预测方法,将加热壁面的温度飞升作为CHF判定的标准,实现对燃料组件子通道CHF的数值预测。研究表明,本文建立的数值模拟方法,可为燃料组件或其他换热系统的CHF预测奠定基础,为燃料组件的设计提供新的辅助手段。     

Experimental research progress on critical heat flux of Chinese PWR

One of the most important requirements in the design of pressurized water reactor (PWR) is to avoid the occurrence of critical heat flux (CHF). The design criteria for PWR specify that they must be operated at a certain percentage below CHF at all times and locations so as to the cladding temperature of fuel element at safe values. So in the process of safety assessment, CHF is one of important thermal-hydraulic parameters limiting the available power, whose size directly affects safety and economy of PWR nuclear power plant. This paper deals with a summary of experimental research progress on CHF of Chinese PWR. It mainly presents CHF experimental researches of Φ10 fuel assembly, CHF experimental researches of standard fuel assembly, and CHF experimental progress of non-uniform heated rod bundles. It should be emphasized that it also presents experimental research programs on CHF of Chinese advanced fuel assembly with self-reliance copyright. All CHF data obtained will be used for design improvement of Chinese PWR and R&D program of New Generation 1000 MWe PWR.     

2×2棒束内超临界水传热特性实验研究

以中国超临界水冷堆（CSR1000）燃料组件研发为研究背景,采用实验辅以理论分析的方法,开展2×2棒束结构内超临界水工质的传热特性研究。实验工况范围为:压力（P）23~25 MPa;质量流速（G）680~1400 kg/(m2?s);热流密度（q）174~968 kW/m2。实验结果表明,随着q的增加、G的减小,2×2棒束的传热性能减弱;随着P从23 MPa变化到25 MPa,2×2棒束的传热性能变化微弱; 2×2棒束内超临界水的传热特性既与边界层和主流的物性差异程度有关,又受流道各子通道之间的流动传热不均匀性影响;基于实验数据进行多元线性回归分析,获得2×2棒束内超临界水换热关系式,约88.9%的实验数据与该换热关系式的计算值偏差范围在±25%内。