Predicting thermal performance of heat exchangers using in-situ testing and statistical correlation: Computer code ST{_}XPERT
- Holtec International, Cherry Hill, NJ (United States)
- Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., Lusby, MD (United States)
This paper describes the methodology to ascertain the heat transfer capability of a tubular heat exchanger from steady state field test data. Periodic assessment of the heat duty capability of heat exchangers utilizing a fluid stream capable of inducing appreciable fouling and deemed to be critical to safety in operating nuclear power plants has become a common practice in the wake of USNRC`s issuance of the Generic Letter 89-13. Since the measured test data invariably have a measure of uncertainty due to bias in the measurement instrumentation and errors in the measuring process and the heat transfer coefficient can only be calculated as an approximate value with an associated uncertainty, the calculation of the fouling factor must utilize concepts from statistics of multivariate random phenomena. For simplicity, and without loss of appreciable accuracy, all variables and measurement parameters are assumed to follow Gaussian probability distribution. The solution process permits and utilizes redundant measurements to improve the quality of the result. Although work was specifically carried out to deal with the thermal performance safety issues raised by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 1989, it can be utilized in the performance assessment of any heat exchanger in any industrial application where in-situ testing is carried out. The methodology described herein is implemented in the computer code ST{_}XPERT, whose features are also described in this paper.
- OSTI ID:
- 78295
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941007-; ISBN 0-7918-1385-1; TRN: IM9531%%346
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1994 international joint power generation conference, Phoenix, AZ (United States), 2-6 Oct 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Heat exchange equipment and valve design and operability improvement. NE-Volume 14; Singh, K.P [ed.] [Holtec International, Cherry Hill, NJ (United States)]; Niyogi, K.K. [ed.]; PB: 92 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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