The analysis of linear and nonlinear instability phenomena in heated channels. Topical report 5 Sep 78-5 Sep 80

Technical Report · Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6403804

Achard, J L; Drew, D A; Lahey, Jr, R T

This topical report presents the results of an analytical investigation into thermal-hydraulic instability modes in boiling heated channels. In particular, both linear and nonlinear analysis was performed on density-wave and excursive (Ledinegg) instability modes. Several new and important phenomena were discovered during this investigation. First, it was found that when frictional gravitational effects are properly considered, 'islands of instability' may occur in linearly stable regions. In addition, the nonlinear analysis indicated that finite amplitude disturbances in the flow could excite precipitous instabilities for conditions which are linearly stable (subcritical), while limit-cycle oscillations of small amplitude are possible for conditions which are linearly unstable (supercritical). The implications of these new findings on light water nuclear reactors (LWRs) safety is not clear; however, it is clear that such phenomena should be considered in the evaluations of LWR stability.

• Research Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., Troy, NY (USA). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
• OSTI ID: 6403804
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-1718; TRN: 81-012164
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
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FUEL CHANNELS
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BOILING
FRICTION FACTOR
STABILITY
FLUID FLOW
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
REACTOR CHANNELS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
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WATER MODERATED REACTORS
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
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Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
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