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Transient two-phase channel flow for nonuniform axial heat fluxes

Conference · · Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6832001
The analysis of transients in boiling channels is essential in the evaluation of thermal margin. Indeed, the occurrence of critical heat flux is much more likely during transient conditions than for steady-state operations. This paper presents a closed-form analytical solution for a flow transient in a boiling channel having a nonuniform axial heat flux. Similar solutions have been obtained previously for uniform axial heat flux distribution using homogeneous and drift-flux models. No previous analytical solutions have been published for flow transients in boiling channels having nonuniform axial heat flux profiles. The flow transient to be investigated consists of a step change in inlet flow rate. Since all flow transients may be decomposed into a finite number of steps, this incurs no loss in generality. Moreover, this transient permits a simple solution to be readily derived. To maintain tractability, only the case of no inlet subcooling is considered in this paper. Although this problem has been simplified, the results are useful for the assessment of computer codes used in the transient analysis of two-phase flow.
OSTI ID:
6832001
Report Number(s):
CONF-8711195-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 55
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English