开式自然循环系统启动特性研究

针对开式自然循环系统启动特性进行了实验研究。实验表明:不同加热功率下,开式自然循环系统会经历不同的流动演化过程。低加热功率下,系统经历单相循环、喷泉不稳定,最终演化为闪蒸不稳定;中等以及高加热功率下,系统依次经历单相循环、喷泉不稳定和沸腾伴随闪蒸不稳定后,分别演化为稳定的汽液流动和密度波振荡。导致启动过程流动演化的主要原因是随着加热管入口水温的升高,管内沸腾现象持续增强,上升段内闪蒸现象则先增强而后减弱,两者相互作用,导致系统流量、相变位置及空泡份额等发生明显变化。最后,绘制了开式自然循环启动过程的无量纲化流动不稳定区域分布图,并拟合得到了喷泉不稳定及闪蒸主导的不稳定起始边界的经验关系式,拟合结果与实验结果符合良好。     

Experimental study of natural circulation instability with void reactivity feedback during startup transients for a BWR-type SMR

The natural circulation boiling type SMR can experience flow instability during the startup transients due to the void reactivity feedback. A BWR-type natural circulation test loop has been built to perform the nuclear coupled startup transient tests for Purdue Novel Modular Reactor (NMR). This test loop is installed with different instruments to measure various thermal hydraulic parameters. The testing process can be monitored and controlled through PC with the assistance of LabVIEW procedure. The effects of power ramp rate on the flow instability during the nuclear coupled tests were investigated by controlling the power supply based on the point kinetics model with coolant void reactivity feedback. Two power ramp rates were investigated and the results were compared with those of the thermal hydraulic startup transients without void reactivity feedback. The time trace of power supply, system pressure, natural circulation rate, and void fraction profile are used to determine the flow stability during the transients. The results show that nuclear coupled startup transients also experience flashing instability and density wave oscillations. The power curves calculated from point kinetics model for startup transients show some fluctuations due to void reactivity feedback. However, the void reactivity feedback does not have significant effects on the flow instability during the startup procedure for the NMR.     

Assessment of Some Cross Section Libraries through Analyses of Coupled-Core Critical Experiments by Monte Carlo Calculations

An experiment was performed on the natural circulation test loop HRTL-5, which simulates the geometry and system design of the 5 MW full power natural circulation nuclear heating reactor. Different flow modes, including density wave oscillation and flow excursion et al., were observed in a wide range of inlet sub-cooling at 1.5MPa. By means of self-developed computational codes, the bifurcation chart has been obtained. Consequently the flow excursion boundary has been determined. Through the analysis on the excursion boundary, the method to avoid the flow excursion during startup has been presented. Analytical results show: (1) with the decreasing heat flux or the increasing system pressure, the static flow excursion occurs at higher inlet temperature and its range in the instability maps becomes narrower correspondingly; (2) to decrease the outlet two-phase resistance or increase the inlet single-phase resistance is beneficial to avoid the flow excursion; (3) by means of increasing the system pressure to start up the reactor with low heat flux, the flow excursion and low steam quality density wave oscillation can be successfully avoided. This investigation is meaningful to the reactor safety and the design of the nuclear heating reactors.     

Experimental investigation of natural circulation instability in a BWR-type small modular reactor

The Purdue NMR (Novel Modular Reactor) represents a BWR-type small modular reactor with a significantly reduced reactor pressure vessel (RPV). Specifically, the NMR is one third the height and area of a conventional BWR RPV with an electrical output of 50 MWe. Experiments are performed in a well-scaled test facility to investigate the thermal hydraulic flow instabilities during the startup transients for the NMR. The scaling analysis for the design of natural circulation test facility uses a three-level scaling methodology. Scaling criteria are derived from non-dimensional field and constitutive equations. Important thermal hydraulic parameters, e.g. system pressure, inlet coolant flow velocity and local void fraction, are analyzed for slow and fast normal startup transients. Flashing instability and density wave oscillation are the main flow instabilities observed when system pressure is below 0.5 MPa. And the flashing instability and density wave oscillation show different type of oscillations in void fraction profile. Finally, the pressurized startup procedure is recommended and tested in current research to effectively eliminate the flow instabilities during the NMR startup transients.     

自然循环反应堆全寿期流量分配多目标优化研究

堆芯流量分配设计是自然循环反应堆堆芯结构优化的重点内容,对提升堆芯经济性和安全性具有重要意义。基于反应堆闭式并联多通道模型构建了局部最优流量分配计算模型,并对现有的流量分配方案进行分析,针对其局限性,提出了一种基于最佳时区的多目标综合评价法,可实现反应堆全寿期多目标流量分配优化计算;根据所提出的理论,结合TOPSIS综合评价法,以自然循环下最大输出功率、反应堆寿期内出口最大温差以及最大温差随时间变化标准偏差为属性值,开展小型长寿命自然循环铅铋快堆SPALLER-100的堆芯流量分配方案优化研究。研究结果表明,基于运行时间为3182 d功率分布所得SPALLER-100反应堆堆芯流量分配方案最佳,与基于寿期初功率分布所得流量分配方案相比,所得方案堆芯出口最大温差降低30 K,堆芯出口最大温差随时间变化的标准偏差降低41%,反应堆自然循环最大输出功率提高2.35%。      

Numerical investigations on power ramping procedure for a natural circulation boiling water reactor

Startup of a natural circulation boiling water reactor (NCBWR) is studied numerically, using a thermal-hydraulic system code RELAP5. A number of numerical experiments are carried out using various power ramps, and a suitable heat-up rate is identified to pressurize the reactor to the desired operating conditions in a reasonable time without considerable void generation in the core. It is observed that the occurrence of flashing in the riser section is unavoidable. Although flashing helps in steam production, the amplitude of flow oscillations induced by flashing is the event of concern, as in the case of the pressure tube type NCBWR studied here. Therefore, the feasibility of a complete single-phase startup is also examined and found not attractive. A new startup procedure, which completely bypasses the unstable two-phase region, is conceptualized, and the method to take the system to the operating condition without encountering flow oscillations is numerically investigated.     

竖直管道内间歇式两相流动沸腾特性分析

自然循环或重力注水过程的热功率、冷却剂流量等操作条件较小,易出现各种流动不稳定现象,影响核反应堆事故的发展进程,间歇式流动沸腾现象就属于其中的一种。以去离子水为工质,采用2×2加热棒束,对内径为32 mm竖直通道内的间歇式流动沸腾现象进行了实验研究,分析了不同热流密度下间歇式流动沸腾不稳定现象的变化规律,讨论了热流密度对间歇式沸腾周期的影响。结果表明,在一定的热流密度条件下,当加热通道内流体达到饱和并过热时,会发生周期性地剧烈喷涌及冷液回流现象,期间伴随泡状流、弹状流、搅混流及环状流等多种流动形态;间歇喷涌周期取决于沸腾停滞时间,随热流密度的不断增大,沸腾停滞时间缩短,间歇喷涌周期也缩短。当热流密度增大到一定程度时,间歇式流动沸腾现象消失,从而转变为另一种两相流动不稳定现象。     

Thermo-hydraulic analysis for SCWR during power-raising phase of startup

The study of thermal characteristics during startup is one of the most important aspects for safety analysis of supercritical water-cooled reactor(SCWR).According to the given sliding pressure mode of SCWR,thermal analysis on temperature-raising phase and power-raising phase of startup are carried out.Considering the radial heterogeneity of power distribution,thermal characteristics for different assemblies during startup are also put forward.The results show that,during temperature-raising phase with core power increased only,the temperature of moderator,coolant and fuel cladding in inner assemblies are increased with little amplitude.During power-raising phase with core power and feed-water flow rate increased,the coolant temperature keeps unchanged,but the moderator temperature is decreased.With a greater variation of power,fuel cladding temperature shows a greater increase.Furthermore,considering the uneven distribution of radial power,thermo-hydraulic characteristics with uneven cladding temperature distribution shows a certain horizontal heterogeneity for different fuel assemblies,which becomes serious as flow rate and power increase.By adjusting flow rate distribution in different fuel assemblies or changing power setting during startup,the cladding temperature difference could be effectively reduced,which provides a certain reference for startup optimization of SCWR.     

Startup instability in natural circulation driven nuclear reactors

Natural circulation driven nuclear reactors are prone to flow instability during the startup transients. This paper intends to provide the state-of-the-art reviews on the theoretical analysis and experimental studies on flow instability in three types of natural circulation driven reactors, ranging from conventional nuclear reactors to small modular reactors. Brief overviews of three categories of startup flow instability, i.e., density wave oscillations, flashing instability, and Geysering instability, are provided. A critical review is conducted for the scaling analysis and design of small scaled test facility. The review of obtaining quasi-steady state stability maps in the dimensionless stability plane through frequency domain analysis and experimental tests provides the state-of-the-art methodology of analyzing the flow instability. Experimental startup instability during different initial startup procedures is reviewed. Although extensive efforts have been made to study the flow instability, further work is required to improve the scaling ability of experimental investigation and the accuracy of code analysis. Some discussions for future research directions are given.     

两相自然循环系统的静态漂移特性及输热能力限分析

基于分岔理论及其ＤＥＲＰＡＲ数值方法,运用最简单的均相模型计算出典型两相自然循环系统的静态分岔解图,详细讨论了由浮力和阻力随加热功率（含汽率）的非线性变化特性引起的静态分岔机理;导出对应于强迫循环系统的Ｌｅｄｉｎｅｇｇ不稳定性现象及其判断准则;定义稳定性裕度、自然循环系统输热能力限、静态分岔迟滞现象;讨论了系统压力、欠热度、阻力、几何构型等参数对运行稳定性及输热能力限的影响;强调指出了简单理论预测     

Startup transient simulation for natural circulation boiling water reactors in PUMA facility

In view of the importance of instabilities that may occur at low-pressure and -flow conditions during the startup of natural circulation boiling water reactors, startup simulation experiments were performed in the Purdue University Multi-Dimensional Integral Test Assembly (PUMA) facility. The simulations used pressure scaling and followed the startup procedure of a typical natural circulation boiling water reactor. Two simulation experiments were performed for the reactor dome pressures ranging from 55 kPa to 1 MPa, where the instabilities may occur. The experimental results show the signature of condensation-induced oscillations during the single-phase-to-two-phase natural circulation transition. The results also suggest that a rational startup procedure is needed to overcome the startup instabilities in natural circulation boiling water reactor designs.     

Two-phase instability analysis in natural circulation loops of China advanced research reactor

In this paper, two-phase flow instability in natural circulation loops of China Advanced Research Reactor (CARR) has been investigated. CARR is a low pressure and low power density research reactor. A natural circulation instability analysis model is developed for the natural circulation loop of CARR. The homogeneous flow model is used to establish the system control equations. The non-uniform heating and subcooled boiling heat transfer is included. The accumulation heat of the wall is also included. Numerical method of Gear is employed to solve the system equations documented in terms of ordinary differential equations. According to the calculation results, stability maps of the natural circulation loop, which confirm the presence of an instability region under the conditions of low equilibrium quality in the outlet and low pressure, are obtained. It is a special kind of density wave oscillation (DWO) that occurs in very low equilibrium quality region with the characteristics of geysering and ‘Type-I’ DWO at the same time. The calculation results show such oscillation course clearly. The variations of the mass flow rate, the pressure drop and the boiling boundary are analyzed separately. Especially, the phase-space trajectory of the boiling boundary and the mass flow rate is discussed. Finally the oscillation frequency is discussed. The calculated results have important significance for the safety operation and accidental analysis of CARR.     

CSR1000启动过程控制特性研究

启动系统和启动特性分析是超临界水堆（SCWR）设计的重要组成部分，为了实现全系统启动分析，以SCWR瞬态分析程序SCTRAN为基础，提出了新的宽参数范围的壁面换热模型，在此基础上设计了启动过程的控制系统，包括冷却剂流量、堆芯入口温度、系统压力、堆芯功率、汽鼓水位控制。根据启动各阶段的不同控制目标建立不同的控制方案，并以中国百万千瓦SCWR（CSR1000）为研究对象，建立了包括再循环回路和直流冷却回路的分析模型，提出了采用控制系统的SCWR的4个启动过程。计算结果表明，再循环回路和直流冷却回路在各个启动过程中，各热工参数变化符合预期，最高包壳表面温度不超过限值温度650℃，验证了启动方案的可行性和启动过程的安全性。      

自然循环工况非对称U型管的倒流特性研究

自然循环工况蒸汽发生器部分U型管可发生倒流。为缓解倒流,本文提出一种非对称U型管的初步设计方案,采用理论分析和数值模拟的方法对自然循环工况非对称U型管的倒流特性进行研究,建立非对称U型管流量 压降关系模型进行理论分析。针对某型核动力装置建立非对称U型管计算模型与系统分析模型,利用RELAP5/MOD32程序对不同优化方案的运行特性进行数值模拟,结果表明：增大非对称U型管的下降段与上升段的高度差,发生倒流的U型管组数减少,自然循环总流量增加。在二次侧非能动余热排出工况,非对称U型管对倒流有更为明显的缓减作用。     

Analysis of startup oscillations in natural circulation boiling systems

The aim of the present work is to get an insight of the phenomena behind the low-pressure low-power transients that occur during startup of a natural circulation boiling system. A RELAP5 model developed for a test facility and its prototype is used to record additional system parameters that were not included in the data obtained from experiments. The flow oscillations observed during experimental and numerical studies are analyzed and classified. It is inferred that the low amplitude oscillations are not condensation induced geysering instabilities, but a density wave instability supported by flashing. The similarity between the nature of startup transients observed in the test facility and the prototype is also examined. The effect of flashing is more pronounced in the prototype due to the strong variation of saturation temperature as the length scale is 4 times that of the model. The time series data obtained from experimental observations and numerical simulations are analyzed to identify the structural nature of flow oscillations. The power spectral density estimated using fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm illustrates the chaotic nature of the signals. The nonlinear time series analysis (TISEAN) package has been used for the estimation of Lyapunov exponent and the Poincaré section. The Poincaré section and the Lyapunov exponent confirm the chaotic nature of the flow oscillations.     

失水事故排放过程中的不稳定性

叙述了低温供热堆发生上空腔小破口失水事故后，自然循环系统的不稳定性，揭示了在排放过程中，由于冷却剂闪蒸现象引起的系统两相流不稳定性，以及在排放不同阶段中流量振荡特性。     

零功率摇摆条件下自然循环试验回路中流动规律实验研究

以清华大学研发的多用途小型堆NHR为基础,建立全尺寸、全参数1∶1自然循环试验回路研究零功率摇摆条件下自然循环的流动规律。通过分析几组不同摇摆运动下的实验结果,探讨了单自由度摇摆运动摆角幅值ψ_m和摇摆周期T对自然循环速度的影响,并给出自然循环流速波幅V_o和摇摆运动参数ψ_m与T之间的线性关系。研究结果表明：ψ_m对加热段两侧流速影响最为显著,V_o随ψ_m的变大而增大且两侧流速波动相位相差90°;V_o随T的增大而减小,流速波动相位差与T无关;在零功率摇摆条件下,流速波幅的平方V²_o与ψ_m、频率平方w²_d及当量摇摆半径R_eq的乘积呈线性关系。     

喷射泵对自然循环过渡特性影响分析

分析了喷射泵在压水堆－回路自然循环过渡过程中的作用以及在不同流动条件下的阻力特性。分析结果表明：选择结构合理的喷射泵，可以改善压水堆一回路的过渡特性和自然循环能力；强迫循环条件下；压水堆一回路主循环泵有效压的损失随喷射泵阻力系数的增加而增加；自然循环条件下，喷射泵流动阻力系数影响压水堆一回路过度过程时间及自然循环流量的大小。为了改善压水堆一回路过度特性和提高一回路自然循环能力，可以采用无扩散段形式     

Study on the stability behaviour of two-phase natural circulation systems using a four-equation drift flux model

Theoretical investigations were carried out to study the influence of two-phase flow parameters such as friction factor multiplier, drift velocity and void distribution parameter on the stability of boiling two-phase natural circulation systems. The theoretical model considers a four-equation drift flux model which solves the linearised conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy applicable to boiling two-phase natural circulation systems. The model was applied to three boiling natural circulation loops wherein Type I and Type II instabilities were observed over a wide range of operating pressures. The two-phase friction loss was predicted using different friction factor multiplier models available in literature. It was found that these models influence the steady state and threshold powers for stability, especially the Type II instabilities in natural circulation significantly. Since the void fraction depends on the drift velocity and the void distribution parameter in two-phase flow, these parameters were varied and their effects on the natural circulation flow stability were investigated. It was found that an increase in either the drift velocity or the void distribution parameter reduces the unstable regions observed in the Type I or Type II flow instabilities in two-phase natural circulation systems.Further, investigations were carried out to study the effect of loop diameter on the Type I and Type II instabilities in natural circulation. This study is important to reveal the capability of the reduced diameter scaled facilities of the prototype systems to simulate natural circulation instabilities. The results indicate that with increase in the loop diameter, the threshold power of the Type I instability and the Type II instability increases. Moreover, the stability of natural circulation greatly enhances with increase in the diameter of the loop.     

Capability of the RELAP5 code to simulate natural circulation behavior in test facilities

Many advanced reactor designs incorporate passive systems mainly to enhance the operational safety and possible elimination of severe accident condition. Some reactors are even designed to remove the nominal fission heat passively by natural circulation without using mechanical pumps e.g. ESBWR, AHWR, CHTR, CAREM, etc. while in most other new reactor concepts, the decay heat is removed passively by natural circulation following the pump trip conditions. The design and safety analysis of these reactors are carried out using the best estimate codes such as RELAP5, TRAC and CATHARE, etc. These best estimate codes have been developed for pumped circulation systems and it is not proven about their adequacy or applicability for natural circulation systems wherein the driving mechanism is completely different. Some of the key phenomena which are difficult to model but are significantly important to assess the natural circulation system performances are – low flow natural circulation mainly because the flow is not fully developed and can be multi-dimensional in nature; flow instabilities; critical heat flux under oscillatory condition; flow stratification particularly in large diameter vessel; thermal stratification in large pools; effect of non-condensable gases on condensation, etc. Though, these best estimate codes use a six equation two-fluid model formulation for the thermal-hydraulic calculation which is considered to be the best representative of two-phase flows, but their accuracies depend on the accuracies of the models for interfacial relationships for mass, energy and momentum transfer which are semi-empirical in nature. The other problem with two-fluid models is the effect of ill-posedness which may cause numerical instability. Besides, the numerical diffusion associated due to truncation of higher order terms can affect the prediction of flow instabilities. All these effects may lead to inability to capture the important physical instability in natural circulation systems and instability characteristics i.e. amplitude and frequency of flow oscillation. In view of this, it is essential to test the capability of these codes to simulate natural circulation behavior under single and two-phase flow conditions before applying them to the future reactor concepts.In the present study, one of the extensively used best estimate code RELAP5 has been used for simulation of steady state, transient and stability behavior of natural circulation based experimental facilities, such as the High-Pressure Natural Circulation Loop (HPNCL) and the Parallel Channel Loop (PCL) installed and operating at BARC. The test data have been generated for a range of pressure, power and subcooling conditions. The computer code RELAP5/MOD3.2 was applied to predict the transient natural circulation characteristics under single-phase and two-phase conditions, thresholds of flow instability, amplitude and frequency of flow oscillations for different operating conditions of the loops. This paper presents the effect of nodalisation in prediction of natural circulation behavior in test facilities and a comparison of experimental data in with that of code predictions. The errors associated with the predictions are also characterized.