Avoiding steam-bubble-collapse-induced water hammers in piping systems
- Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (USA)
In terms of the frequency of occurrence, steam bubble collapse in subcooled water is the dominant initiating mechanism for water hammer events in nuclear power plants. Water hammer due to steam bubble collapse occurs when water slug forms in stratified horizontal flow, or when steam bubble is trapped at the end of the pipe. These types of water hammer events have been studied experimentally and analytically in order to develop stability maps showing those combinations of filling velocities and liquid subcooling that cause water hammer and those which don't. In developing the stability maps, experiments with different piping orientations were performed in a low pressure laboratory apparatus. Details of these experiments are described, including piping arrangement, test procedures, and test results. Visual tests using a transparent Lexan pipe are also performed to study the flow regimes accompanying the water hammer events. All analytical models were tested by comparison with the corresponding experimental results. Based on these models, and step-by-step approach for each flow geometry is presented for plant designers and engineers to follow in avoiding water hammer induced by steam bubble collapse when admitting cold water into pipes filled with steam. 37 refs., 54 figs., 2 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- EPRI
- OSTI ID:
- 5530836
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-NP-6447; TRN: 89-029348
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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