Periodic large-amplitude thermal oscillations occurring in a buoyant plume

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5701316

Oras, J J; Kasza, K E

Reactor events such as N-1 loop operation in conjunction with a leaky check valve in the down loop can cause flow to be convected back into the reactor outlet nozzle/piping region and to be back-flushed into the reactor outlet plenum. The preceding results in a temperature difference between pipe inflow and plenum. This temperature difference causes buoyancy forces which if large enough can cause: a pipe backflow and recirculation loop; and a thermal plume in the plenum. Both phenomena are being studied because they can produce undesirable pipe, nozzle and plenum wall thermal distributions, and hence undesirable thermal stresses. This paper discusses some features of the plume.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5701316
• Report Number(s): CONF-831047-70-Summ.; ON: DE83014812
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
COOLING SYSTEMS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUID MECHANICS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRAULICS
LEAKS
MECHANICS
NOZZLES
PIPES
POWER REACTORS
PRIMARY COOLANT CIRCUITS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTORS
SAFETY
STRESSES
TEST FACILITIES
THERMAL STRESSES
VALVES