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At least 37 records · Page 2

Heat-and-Mass Transfer Intensification in Saturated-Steam Generators in NPP with VVER as a Means for Increasing Efficiency and Reliability

The intensification of steam generation in combination with improvement of the temperature regime, specifically, with the elimination of temperature fluctuations of the loaded components of the apparatus (heat-exchange tubes, warming-medium headers) increases the steam-generation capacity and eliminates the factors causing damage to the structural elements of steam generators. The possibility of intensifying heat-and-mass transfer on the basis of the experience gained in operating steam generators in NPP with VVER (horizontal) and NPP in foreign countries (vertical) is examined. It is concluded on the basis of the analysis that it is expedient to develop a domestically produced apparatus of the vertical type, which will make possible well-founded production of steam generators for NPP with VVER in the future.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Pressure Drop-Flow Rate Curves for Single Phase Steam in Steam Generator U-tubes During Severe Accidents

Thermally induced steam generator tube rupture (TI-SGTR) can occur in pressurized water reactors (PWRs) with U-tube steam generators (SGs) during high pressure severe accident sequences resulting in containment bypass. Robust natural circulation patterns including in-vessel natural circulation and countercurrent flow to and from the SGs of superheated steam and other hot gases heats cooler structures in the reactor coolant system (RCS). The buoyancy driven flows return cooler and denser gases back to the core slowing the progression of some core degradation phenomena and failure of the lower head. As much as 50 percent of the decay energy and energy produced from core degradation oxidation reactions can be transported from the core to SGs resulting in the heat up and thermal creep of RCS pressure boundary components including hot leg nozzles, pressurizer surge line, and the SG tubes, many of which contain flaws. The creep failure of an individual tube is dependent on the transitory heating of the tube, a function of the mass flow rate through the tube and local temperature history of steam entering the tube. Buoyancy driven natural circulation flow rates are determined by changes in gravitational head, a combination of changes in fluid density due to heat transfer and change in elevation, and irreversible pressure drops resulting primarily from friction loss in the flow paths and other form losses. The nonuniform flow distribution in U-tubes of varying lengths and heights during single-phase liquid and two-phase natural circulation has been extensively studied in scaled test facilities and verified numerically in previous works. We hypothesize the countercurrent natural circulation of single-phase superheated steam in U-tube SGs is governed by the same characteristic pressure drop-flow rates curves of single-phase liquid and two-phase natural circulations in U-tubes connected to common plena derived in. Secondly, we propose flow distribution is a function of U-tube geometry - height, length, hydraulic diameter, etc., and the larger SGs of Combustion Engineering (CE) style 2 x 4 PWRs, which are the focus of this study, will show greater nonuniformity in tube by tube flow rates and ratio of forward flowing tubes to reverse flowing tubes. This work derives characteristic pressure drop-flow rate curves for single-phase superheated steam in CE-type SGs during a high pressure station blackout (SBO) sequence with failed auxiliary feedwater (AFW) and dry secondary side which is closely related to the TI-SGTR event. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Porphyrin Covalent Organic Framework (POF)-Based Interface Engineering for Solar Steam Generation

Through replacement of traditional energy sources with sunlight as the heat source, solar steam generation has emerged as a promising technology for water purification and residuals management. Despite significant efforts to develop efficient photothermal materials for solar steam devices, challenges associated with scalable fabrication of high-performance materials remain. Moreover, most existing methods cannot be easily engineered to produce steam-generating devices with both arbitrary control over shape and high photothermal efficiency. Herein, a flexible porphyrin organic framework (POF)-based interface engineering method is introduced to produce high-performance solar steam generators. POFs, a recently discovered class of materials, are demonstrated to grow readily on a diverse range of porous substrates, including membranes, fabrics, sponges, and wood. Wood@POF exhibits particularly strong performance, achieving approximate to 80% light-to-steam conversion efficiency. This study demonstrates a universal, simple, and scalable interface engineering strategy for the fabrication of solar steam generators based on POF materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Evaluation of CFD Methods for Simulation of Two-Phase Boiling Flow Phenomena in a Helical Coil Steam Generator

The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy charges participants in the Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program with the development of advanced modeling and simulation capabilities that can be used to address design, performance and safety challenges in the development and deployment of advanced reactor technology. The NEAMS has established a high impact problem (HIP) team to demonstrate the applicability of these tools to identification and mitigation of sources of steam generator flow induced vibration (SGFIV). The SGFIV HIP team is working to evaluate vibration sources in an advanced helical coil steam generator using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the turbulent primary coolant flow over the outside of the tubes and CFD simulations of the turbulent multiphase boiling secondary coolant flow inside the tubes integrated with high resolution finite element method assessments of the tubes and their associated structural supports. This report summarizes the demonstration of a methodology for the multiphase boiling flow analysis inside the helical coil steam generator tube. A helical coil steam generator configuration has been defined based on the experiments completed by Polytecnico di Milano in the SIET helical coil steam generator tube facility. Simulations of the defined problem have been completed using the Eulerian-Eulerian multi-fluid modeling capabilities of the commercial CFD code STAR-CCM+. Simulations suggest that the two phases will quickly stratify in the slightly inclined pipe of the helical coil steam generator. These results have been successfully benchmarked against both empirical correlations for pressure drop and simulations using an alternate CFD methodology, the dispersed phase mixture modeling capabilities of the open source CFD code Nek5000.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

A pulsed eddy current probe for inspection of support plates from within Alloy-800 steam generator tubes

Support plate degradation and fouling in nuclear steam generators (SGs) can lead to SG tube corrosion and loss of efficiency. Inspection and monitoring of these conditions can be integrated with preventive maintenance programs, thereby advancing station-life management processes. A prototype pulsed eddy current (PEC) probe, targeting inspection issues associated with SG tubes in SS410 tube support plate structures, has been developed using commercial finite element (FE) software. FE modeling was used to identify appropriate driver and pickup coil configurations for optimum sensitivity to changes in gap and offset for Alloy-800 SG tubes passing through 25 mm thick SS410 support plates. Experimental measurements using a probe that was manufactured based on the modeled configuration, were used to confirm the sensitivity of differential PEC signals to changes in relative position of the tube within the tube support plate holes. Models investigated the effect of shift and tilt of tube with respect to hole centers. Near hole centers and for small shifts, modeled signal amplitudes from the differentially connected coil pairs were observed to change linearly with tube shift. This was in agreement with experimentally measured TEC coil response. The work paves the way for development of a system targeting the inspection and evaluation of support plate structures in steam generators.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Once-Through Steam Generator Model Analysis Using Python and Advanced Optimization Tools (Summer Internship Report)

This study focuses on the parametric analysis of design parameters for a once-through steam generator (OTSG) model, using python and advanced optimization tools to facilitate applications such as the flowing autoclave steam generator (FASG) test cases. Building on previous research involving another OTSG with a different design, this project aims to enhance our understanding of how steam generators (SGs) behave and how their outputs are influenced by changes in design. The reason for this design change is to allow for more precise modeling and optimization of SG performance, to provide a comparative analysis between the two designs, and to set up the model for integration with the FASG test case. The OTSG python-model is a mathematical representation (including fluid flow and heat transfer equations/models/correlations) of a steam-generating unit in a pressurized water reactor-type small modular reactor system. Design studies involve changing the model’s input design parameters to observe the resulting effects on the output of the system. By using advanced optimization tools, such as the Risk Analysis Virtual Environment (RAVEN) developed at Idaho National Laboratory, detailed design parametric studies and model optimization were performed. Six input parameters—pressure, temperature, and mass flow rate for the inlet of the primary-side (hot fluid) and secondary-side (cold fluid), respectively, of the SG—were randomly perturbed via RAVEN’s Monte Carlo Sampler module, using uniform distributions (i.e., ±1%, ±5% and ±10% relative changes) for 600 samples. The analysis provides valuable insights into SG optimization and can be used for sensor placement optimization to effectively monitor and obtain experimental data in other tests.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Flexible Opportunity Fuels for Process Heat and Steam Generation

The majority of industrial process heating and steam generation is currently fueled by natural gas or coal. Other fuels that are not used throughout industry, such as biomass, anaerobic digester gas and petroleum coke can potentially supplement or replace natural gas and coal in various process heating and steam generation applications. These non-traditional fuel supply options, also known as opportunity fuels, can enhance energy security for industrial facilities by increasing fuel flexibility and reducing or eliminating reliance on traditional fossil fuels. They can also provide significant economic benefits, by reducing fuel costs and improving profit margins. Some fuels may even be available at a negative cost, as owners seek to dispose of waste products that may have energy content.

Lemar, Jr, Paul L.↗

Influence of protective actions on ingress-water mass in steam generator tube rupture of HTGR - 18479

Steam generator tube rupture(SGTR) accident is one characteristic accident of High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR), which may cause a potential hazard to reactor system. Because the amount of water ingress into reactor core is related closely to the severity of the accident, the research on water-ingress is significant for the evaluation on inherent safety characteristics of HTGR. Both different accident scenario and the system design will have influence on the amount of the ingress-water under SGTR. In this paper, a pebble-bed high temperature gas cooled reactor is modeled by thermal-hydraulic system analysis code and the water-ingress transient under SGTR is simulated to study the influence of the protective action of emergency shutdown on the water ingress. The research indicates that the protective action has no obvious influence on the amount of the ingress-water within the current studied range. The amount of ingress-water is controlled below the design value to satisfy the demand of reactor safety. The analysis results will provide some support for the HTGR research. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Operational Efficiency Evaluation of a Setup for Removing Stresses in the Steam Header of PGV-1000 Steam Generator

The effectiveness of a setup for removing stresses in the steam header of a PGV-1000 steam generator is evaluated. The evaluation is based on an investigation of the stress state by means of magnetic anisotropy measurements performed in the zone of the No. 111 weld seam of the hot header of steam generators operating in one of the power-generating units with a V-320 series reactor arrangement. Inspections made it possible to obtain cartograms of the distribution of the difference of the principal mechanical stresses along the perimeter of the weld connection of a PGV-1000 header equipped with a cooling mantle and headers without such a mantle. By means of statistical analysis of the data, a diagram of the distribution of the principal mechanical stresses was obtained. In addition, the distribution of the standard deviation of the principal mechanical stresses as a measure of the dispersion of a random quantity relative to its mathematical expectation was determined.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Experimental Study for Two Phase Flow Instability in the PCHE Type Steam Generator in SMR

Conventional U-tube type heat exchangers have some limitations when applied to Small Modular Reactor (SMRs). In particular, the size of steam generators is important in the SMR, as it greatly affects the size, and thus the cost, of the reactor vessel.. Therefore, the circuit heat exchanger (PCHE) is suggested as an alternative. PCHE, a compact type heat exchanger manufactured by HEATRIC, has several advantages such as the reduced size, wide operation range until 900? and 900 bar and high power density due to the large heat transfer area over volume ratio. Recently, it is newly suggested as an application of a steam generator. MIT and KAIST have already conceptually suggested PCHE as a steam generator. Under boiling condition, flow instability is one of the critical issues-resulting in unstable mass flow rate, sudden temperature change and system control failure. According to the flow mechanism, there are various types of instabilities in the heat exchanger and each flow tendency is different. Typical examples are Ledinegg instability of the static instability and pressure-drop oscillation and density-wave oscillation of the dynamic instability. The characteristic of Ledinegg instability is that the flow under unstable condition changes into the stable flow. The characteristic of dynamic instability is that the flow fluctuates continuously. Pressure-drop oscillation has the period of tens of seconds and the system pressure also highly oscillates with the period of flow instability. In comparison, the density-wave oscillation has the period of few seconds and the system pressure is relatively stable. Previous studies on flow instability are focused on the single channel flow and helical tube type heat exchanger. There has been very limited experimental research on flow instability using PCHE. In KAIST, the test facility was constructed to study the thermal hydraulics in PCHE. The objectives of our test facility are: (1) to identify the occurrence of instability under two phase and super-heated steam flow in PCHE, and (2) to examine whether it can operate normally using throttling effect. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Steam generator model design parameter sensitivity study for small modular reactor system

Here, this study focuses on design parameter sensitivity studies pertaining to several Once-Through Steam Generator (OTSG) model cases both with and without a riser using python and advanced risk assessment and optimization tool, i.e. Risk Analysis Virtual Environment (RAVEN) developed at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), to support a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) system. The presented Steam Generator (SG) python-based model is a mathematical representation of a steam-generating unit for a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)-type SMR system, including fluid flow and heat transfer equations, models, and correlations. Design studies involve changing the model’s input design parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure, mass flow rate) to observe the resulting effects on the output of the system, such as the Heat Transfer Coefficient (HTC), Reynolds number, Nusselt number, and heat transfer performance. Sensitivity studies analyze the degree to which system output and/or desired parameters (e.g., HTC or heat transfer performance) are sensitive to changes in the input parameters. By using RAVEN, detailed design parametric sensitivity studies. Six input parameters—namely, the pressure, temperature, and mass flow rate for the inlet of the primary-side (hot fluid) and secondary-side (cold fluid) of the SG—were randomly perturbed via RAVEN’s Monte Carlo Sampler module, using uniform distributions (i.e., ±1%, ±5% and ±10 % relative changes) for 600 samples. The analysis results give valuable insights into SG system performance, and provide justification for further research and development such as optimized sensor placement, design verification, validation, and optimization.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Numerical investigation of the flow inside the helical coil steam generator test section - 18589

A Helical Coil Steam Generator (HCSG) is one type of heat exchangers used for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of heat transfer with low pressure drop in recent design of high temperature reactors (HTRs). To investigate the fluid phenomena around the coil bundle of HCSG, the experimental facility had been designed and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations had been conducted to compare the results of experimental ones. In this study, various types of turbulent models in the commercial CFD code (STAR-CCM+) were tested with various grid sizes on the target Reynolds number, Re{sub D} = 163,000, to enhance the validity of the simulation result. The computational domain used to run the CFD simulation had the same geometry of the experimental test section which had the half-coil shaped ribs on each curved channel wall. The working fluid properties employed in the simulation was scaled to the target Reynolds number at room temperature. The averaged static pressure drop induced by coil bundle inside the test section was obtained between the inlet and outlet of the test section. In addition, flow structures inside the flow channel were examined going through the velocity field distribution around the coil and the effect of vortical structures in the flow channel. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Coupled Calculations in Helical Steam Generator: Validation on Legacy Data

The NEAMS program aims to develop an integrated multi-physics simulation capability “pellet-to-plant” for the design and analysis of future generations of nuclear power plants. In particular, the Reactor Product Line code suite's multi-resolution hierarchy is being designed to ultimately span the full range of length and time scales present in relevant reactor design and safety analyses, as well as scale from desktop to petaflop computing platforms. Flow-induced vibration (FIV) is widespread problem in energy systems because they rely on fluid movement for energy conversion. Vibrating structures may be damaged as fatigue or wear occurs. Given the importance of reliable components in the nuclear industry, flow-induced vibration has long been a major concern in safety and operation of nuclear reactors. In particular, nuclear fuel rods and steam generators have been known to suffer from flow-induced vibration and related failures. Advanced reactors, such as integral Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) considered for Small Modular Reactors (SMR), often rely on innovative component designs to meet cost and safety targets. One component that is the subject of advanced designs is the steam generator, some designs of which forego the usual shell-and-tube architecture in order to fit within the primary vessel. In addition to being more cost- and space-efficient, such steam generators need to be more reliable, since failure of the primary vessel represents a potential loss of coolant and a safety concern. A significant amount of data exists on flow-induced vibration in shell-and-tube heat exchangers, and heuristic methods are available to predict their occurrence based on a set of given assumptions. In contrast, advanced designs have far less data available. Advanced modeling and simulation based on coupled structural and fluid simulations have the potential to predict flow-induced vibration in a variety of designs, reducing the need for expensive experimental programs, especially at the design stage. Over the past five years, the Reactor Product Line has developed the integrated multi-physics code suite SHARP. The goal of developing such a tool is to perform multi-physics neutronics, thermal/fluid, and structural mechanics modeling of the components inside the full reactor core or portions of it with a user-specified fidelity. In particular SHARP contains high-fidelity single-physics codes Diablo for structural mechanics and Nek5000 for fluid mechanics calculations. Both codes are state-of-the-art, highly scalable tools that have been extensively validated. These tools form a strong basis on which to build a flow-induced vibration modeling capability. In this report we discuss one-way coupled calculations performed with Nek5000 and Diablo aimed at simulating available FIV experiments in helical steam generators in the turbulent buffeting regime. In this regime one-way coupling is judged sufficient because the pressure loads do not cause substantial displacements. It is also the most common source of vibration in helical steam generators at the low flows expected in integral PWRs. The legacy data is obtained from two datasets developed at Argonne and B&W.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Demonstration of Fully Coupled Calculations in Helical Steam Generator: Toward Predictions of Fluid Elastic Instability

The NEAMS program aims to develop an integrated multi-physics simulation capability “pellet-to-plant” for the design and analysis of future generations of nuclear power plants. In particular, the Reactor Product Line code suite's multi-resolution hierarchy is being designed to ultimately span the full range of length and time scales present in relevant reactor design and safety analyses, as well as scale from desktop to petaflop computing platforms. Flow-induced vibration (FIV) is widespread problem in energy systems because they rely on fluid movement for energy conversion. Vibrating structures may be damaged as fatigue or wear occurs. Given the importance of reliable components in the nuclear industry, flow-induced vibration has long been a major concern in safety and operation of nuclear reactors. In particular, nuclear fuel rods and steam generators have been known to suffer from flow-induced vibration and related failures. Advanced reactors, such as integral Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) considered for Small Modular Reactors (SMR), often rely on innovative component designs to meet cost and safety targets. One component that is the subject of advanced designs is the steam generator, some designs of which forego the usual shell-and-tube architecture in order to fit within the primary vessel. In addition to being more cost- and space-efficient, such steam generators need to be more reliable, since failure of the primary vessel represents a potential loss of coolant and a safety concern. A significant amount of data exists on flow-induced vibration in shell-and-tube heat exchangers, and heuristic methods are available to predict their occurrence based on a set of given assumptions. In contrast, advanced designs have far less data available. Advanced modeling and simulation based on coupled structural and fluid simulations have the potential to predict flow-induced vibration in a variety of designs, reducing the need for expensive experimental programs, especially at the design stage. Over the past seven years, the Reactor Product Line has developed the integrated multi-physics code suite SHARP. The goal of developing such a tool is to perform multi-physics neutronics, thermal/fluid, and structural mechanics modeling of the components inside the full reactor core or portions of it with a user-specified fidelity. In particular SHARP contains high-fidelity single-physics codes Diablo for structural mechanics and Nek5000 for fluid mechanics calculations. Both codes are state-of-the-art, highly scalable tools that have been extensively validated. These tools form a strong basis on which to build a flow-induced vibration modeling capability. In the last two years a significant effort was devoted to 1) develop and validate a fully coupled capability in SHARP for Fluid-Structure calculations (FSI) and 2) validate the use of SHARP for one-way coupled calculations in helical steam generators on legacy data available as well as novel experiments. In this report we discuss an extension of previous one-way coupled calculations performed with Nek5000 and Diablo aimed at simulating available FIV experiments in helical steam generators in the turbulent buffeting regime. It was demonstrated that in the buffeting regime one-way coupling was judged sufficient because the pressure loads do not cause substantial displacements. However, higher speeds led to a reduction in accuracy and the need for a fully coupled capability for velocity or approaching the critical velocity and fluid elastic instability. In this report we demonstrate such fully coupled capability on the Argonne test case discussed in previous reports.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a New Technology for Extraction of Insoluble Impurities from Nuclear Power Plant Steam Generators with Purge Water

An experimental technology for the removal of insoluble impurities from a horizontal steam generator with purge water during planned shutdowns of the power generating unit is improved through a more representative determination of the concentration of impurities in the purge water ahead of the water cleanup facility and a more precise effective time for the duration of the purge process. Tests with the improved technique at power generating unit No. 1 of the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant show that the efficiency with which insoluble impurities are removed from the steam generator volume was more than two orders of magnitude greater than under the standard regulations.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Supports with integrated sensors for nuclear reactor steam generators, and associated systems and methods

Supports with integrated sensors for nuclear reactor steam generators, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative method for forming a nuclear-powered steam generator includes forming an instrumented support, the instrumented support including a carrier portion and a retainer portion, with at least one of the carrier portion or the retainer portion being integrally formed with a sensor via an additive manufacturing process. The method can further include coupling the sensor to a communication link, supporting a helical steam conduit on the instrumented support, and installing the helical steam conduit and the instrumented support in a nuclear reactor. The helical steam conduit is positioned along a primary flow path, which is in turn positioned to circulate a heated primary flow in thermal communication with the helical steam conduit.

Welter, Kent↗

Numerical Analysis of Flow Instability in Once-through Steam Generator

Two-phase flow instability is a critical area to consider in the design of steam generators. Oscillation of the flow rate and the system pressure caused by heating may cause several problems and is unfavorable in an extreme case because it causes a burnout of the heat transfer surface. A large amplitude variation in the heat transfer tube wall temperature generally occurs under density wave oscillation (DWO) conditions, and a continuous cycling tube wall temperature may lead to damage to the tube, causing thermal fatigue problems. Therefore, instability of the flow should be avoided, and a two-phase flow system should be designed to have a sufficient margin to avoid this. A computer program was developed for predicting a two-phase flow instability in a steam generator heated by liquid sodium, and the results of numerical studies for several parameters are presented in this paper.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Large Eddy Simulations for a Helical Coil Steam Generator

The desire for scalable power plants in remote locations and specialized applications has brought forth the small modular reactor (SMR). Now, smaller light water reactors are seen as viable means for meeting global energy requirements. Generally, straight or U-shape tubes are used to exchange heat from the primary to secondary coolant; however this is not ideal when size is a criterion. Helical coil steam generators (HCSGs) are advantageous for SMRs due to their enhanced heat transfer in compact spaces. Still, there is the concern of safety as steam generator tubes could rupture due to vibrations and fatigue on the material. Understanding flow characteristics and quantifying pressures for these tubes are important components for the design of safety and efficiency in these steam generators. The current study uses the spectral element computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code, Nek5000, to develop large eddy simulations (LES) for validation against experiments that will be conducted at Texas A and M University. Time-averaged pressure data will be compared with pressure tap readings, and velocity profile with particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. The presented preliminary results investigate the differences between 5.-, 7.-, and 9.-order polynomial simulations. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗