Investigation of natural convection heat transfer in a unique scaled‐down dual‐channel facility |
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| Authors: | Ibrahim A Said Mahmoud M Taha Shoaib Usman Brian G Woods Muthanna H Al‐Dahhan |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Dept., Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO;2. Mining and Nuclear Engineering Dept., Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO;3. Dept. of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR |
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| Abstract: | Multiphase Reactors Engineering and Applications Laboratory (mReal) has designed and constructed a scaled‐down dual‐channel facility to investigate plenum‐to‐plenum natural circulation heat transfer through two channels for coolant flow that would be encountered during a loss of flow accident in the prismatic modular reactor (PMR). Heat transfer characterization of the current facility has been investigated under different upper plenum and cooled channel outer surface temperatures using sophisticated flush mounted heat transfer sensors. Results show a reduction in the values of local heat‐transfer coefficient and Nusselt number along the heated channel with increasing outer surface temperatures. One significant observation was the heat transfer reversal close to heated channel exit, where the heat flows from gas to the channel wall. This flow reversal is attributed to recirculation at the heated channel exit to the upper plenum. The average heat transfer results, when compared with previous literature, showed a similar qualitative trend. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 387–396, 2017 |
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| Keywords: | dual‐channel facility natural circulation prismatic modular reactor (PMR) heat transfer characterization |
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