In addition to acquiring data for code verification, the recent rapid Boron dilution (RBD) test program at the University of Maryland 2×4 Thermalhydraulic Loop Facility (UM 2×4 Loop) aimed to resolve several issues related to physical phenomena that can affect the reboration of a boron dilute slug as it travels to the core. Among these issues, confirmation was sought that buoyancy plays a minimal role in the mixing of the slug as it travels through the downcomer. The tests showed, however, that the Froude (Fr) number substantially impacts the downcomer flowpattern. The slug distribution in the downcomer clearly changes from penetrating downwards along a single jet when the Fr number is smaller than approximately 6 to splitting into two jets that form a stagnation region under the injection site when Fr exceeds approximately 10. This observation was initially made evaluating the evolution histories of Fr numbers throughout individual tests. Closer examination of a broad family of tests showed that the flowpattern can actually be predicted based on Fr numbers determined from initial and boundary test conditions. Even though global figures of merit for mixing, e.g., azimuthally averaged scalar descriptors of mixing at a horizontal level of the downcomer, are only weakly affected by Fr number changes, this finding has substantial implications to the computational assessment of rapid Boron-dilution (RBD) consequences. A thorough understanding of the flow field is an essential prerequisite in computational fluid dynamics modeling.
Skip Nav Destination
10th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering
April 14–18, 2002
Arlington, Virginia, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Nuclear Engineering Division
ISBN:
0-7918-3597-9
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
FR Number Effect on Downcomer Flowpattern Development in Cold Leg Injection Scenarios
Mirela Gavritas,
Mirela Gavritas
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Search for other works by this author on:
Brian G. Woods
Brian G. Woods
Dominion Generation, Richmond, VA
Search for other works by this author on:
Mirela Gavritas
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Brian G. Woods
Dominion Generation, Richmond, VA
Paper No:
ICONE10-22728, pp. 1109-1120; 12 pages
Published Online:
March 4, 2009
Citation
Gavritas, M, & Woods, BG. "FR Number Effect on Downcomer Flowpattern Development in Cold Leg Injection Scenarios." Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering. 10th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, Volume 3. Arlington, Virginia, USA. April 14–18, 2002. pp. 1109-1120. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/ICONE10-22728
Download citation file:
2
Views
0
Citations
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
Experimental and Numerical Modeling of Transition Matrix From Momentum to Buoyancy-Driven Flow in a Pressurized Water Reactor
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (January,2009)
Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence Experiments and Modeling Study of Jets in Crossflow
J. Fluids Eng (August,2016)
Study of a Quench Device for the Synthesis and Hydrolysis of Zn Nanoparticles: Modeling and Experiments
J. Sol. Energy Eng (August,2009)
Related Chapters
Risk-Based and Risk-Informed Design Bases
Design of Hazardous Mechanical Structures, Systems and Components for Extreme Loads
Out-Of-Order Matrix Processor: Implementation and Performance Evaluation
International Conference on Advanced Computer Theory and Engineering (ICACTE 2009)
Study of the Diffusible Hydrogen in Aluminized Boron Steel
International Hydrogen Conference (IHC 2016): Materials Performance in Hydrogen Environments