1 Introduction

The objective of this monograph is to show what work has been done worldwide in the area of heat transfer and hydraulic resistance of fluids at critical and supercritical pressures for the last five decades, including achievements in development concepts of SuperCritical Water-cooled nuclear Reactors (SC-WRs) and in operation of supercritical power-plant “steam” generators.

This monograph is the most exhaustive literature survey on this topic published so far. However, some reviews found in the open literature may complement materials presented in this monograph providing in-depth analysis on some specific topics. Therefore, short descriptions of these reviews are listed in Appendix A.

This monograph will help the reader to understand the main directions of investigations conducted so far, the problems encountered during the operation of supercritical units and development concepts of SCWRs, and will provide with practical recommendations for the calculation of heat transfer and hydraulic resistance at critical and supercritical pressures.