This study investigates the heat transfer characters of a volumetrically-heated melt pool in LWR lower plenum under different top and side boundary conditions. The inconsistency in parameter definitions in Nu-Ra correlations is addressed, and the effect of 2D geometry and crust formation are analyzed. A summary of test conditions of the previous experimental studies are given. The average upwards and downward Nusselt number from LIVE tests in 3D and 2D geometries are compared with each other and with other well-known correlations. The differences of heat flux distribution along the vessel wall are analyzed regarding boundary cooling condition and crust formation. This paper provides some explanations about the discrepant among the exiting heat transfer correlations and recommends most suitable descriptions of melt pool heat transfer under different accident management scenarios.

Volume Subject Area:
Safety, Security, and Cyber Security
Topics:
Boundary-value problems, Heat transfer, Accident management, Cooling, Geometry, Heat flux, Light water reactors, Vessels
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