Experimental study of turbulent flow in a scaled RPV model by PIV technology

Luguo Liu; Wenhai Qu; Yu Liu; Jinbiao Xiong; Songwei Li; Guangming Jiang

Nuclear Engineering and Technology (Jul 2024)

Experimental study of turbulent flow in a scaled RPV model by PIV technology

Luguo Liu,
Wenhai Qu,
Yu Liu,
Jinbiao Xiong,
Songwei Li,
Guangming Jiang

Affiliations

Luguo Liu: Science and Technology on Reactor System Design Technology Laboratory, Nuclear Power Institute of China, No. 328, Section 1, Changshun Avenue, Shuangliu Subdistrict, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Wenhai Qu: School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan RD. Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China; Corresponding author.
Yu Liu: Science and Technology on Reactor System Design Technology Laboratory, Nuclear Power Institute of China, No. 328, Section 1, Changshun Avenue, Shuangliu Subdistrict, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Corresponding author.
Jinbiao Xiong: School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan RD. Minhang District, Shanghai, 200240, China
Songwei Li: Science and Technology on Reactor System Design Technology Laboratory, Nuclear Power Institute of China, No. 328, Section 1, Changshun Avenue, Shuangliu Subdistrict, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Guangming Jiang: Science and Technology on Reactor System Design Technology Laboratory, Nuclear Power Institute of China, No. 328, Section 1, Changshun Avenue, Shuangliu Subdistrict, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 56, no. 7
pp. 2458 – 2473

Abstract

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The turbulent flow in reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of pressurized water reactor (PWR) is important for the flow rate distribution at core inlet. Thus, it is vital to study the turbulent flow phenomena in RPV. However, the complicated fluid channel consisted of inner structures of RPV will block or refract the laser sheet of particle image velocimetry (PIV). In this work, the matched index of refraction (MIR) of sodium iodide (NaI) solution and acrylic was applied to support optical path for flow field measurements by PIV in the 1/10th scaled-down RPV model. The experimental results show detailed velocity field at different locations inside the scaled-down RPV model. Some interesting phenomena are obtained, including the non-negligible counterflow at the corner of nozzle edge, the high downward flowing stream in downcomer, large vortices above vortex suppression plate in lower plenum. And the intensity of counterflow and the strength of vortices increase as inlet flow rate increasing. Finally, the case of asymmetry flow was also studied. The turbulent flow has different pattern compared with the case of symmetrical inlet flow rate, which may affect the uniformity of flow distribution at the core inlet.

Published in Nuclear Engineering and Technology

ISSN: 1738-5733 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Korea, Republic of
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Nuclear engineering. Atomic power
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/nuclear-engineering-and-technology

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