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Identification of two-phase flow patterns in a nuclear reactor by high-frequency contribution fraction

Journal Article · · Nuclear Technology; (USA)
OSTI ID:6629802
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. National Tsing Hua Univ., Hsinchu (Taiwan). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
  2. Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Lung-Tan (Taiwan)

A method based on noise analysis techniques that can be applied to the identification of two-phase flow patterns in nuclear reactors is proposed. The identifying criterion, the high-frequency contribution fraction (HFCF), offers new potential to the in-core recognition of two-phase flow patterns. By analyzing 76 sets of signals acquired from a research nuclear reactor where two-phase flow patterns are generated in an in-core air/water loop, the typical signal, autocorrelogram, and spectrum of each flow pattern are demonstrated and evaluated. The identification success rate is 87 or 93%, depending on whether churn flow is counted. A method to improve the identification rate is also presented. This study demonstrates that the fluctuation characteristics above 10 Hz are induced by two-phase flow itself and are independent of the driving source; thus, it is adequate to apply the HFCF to the identification of two-phase flow patters. This study shows that it is possible to identify two-phase flow patterns by HFCF values.

OSTI ID:
6629802
Journal Information:
Nuclear Technology; (USA), Journal Name: Nuclear Technology; (USA) Vol. 89:2; ISSN NUTYB; ISSN 0029-5450
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English