Criteria for the onset of flow recirculation and onset of mixed convection in vertical rod bundles

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Heat Transfer; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3248034· OSTI ID:6804789

Symolon, P D; Todreas, N E; Rohsenow, W M

In a vertical rod bundle with forced upflow and a nonuniform radial power profile, the potential for flow reversal into the low power side of the bundle exists due to buoyancy forces. In this paper a criterion is developed to predict the onset of flow recirculation in rod bundles. The criterion is validated with experimental data for flow recirculation in water-cooled bare rod bundles and with the results of a standard multichannel rod bundle code. A criterion for the onset of mixed convection is also given. Thus, the boundaries between the forced convection, mixed convection, and recirculation regimes are identified. Results are expressed on a flow regime map in terms of the dominant dimensionless parameters (the Reynolds number and a buoyancy parameter B*) as a closed-form equation.

• Research Organization: General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY 12301
• OSTI ID: 6804789
• Journal Information: J. Heat Transfer; (United States), Journal Name: J. Heat Transfer; (United States) Vol. 109:1; ISSN JHTRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420400* -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
C CODES
COMPUTER CODES
CONVECTION
CROSSFLOW SYSTEMS
ENERGY TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MOMENTUM TRANSFER
ROD BUNDLES