Abstract
Rapid thermal elevation in boiling water reactor (BWR) is an important factor for nuclear safety and there is a need to develop an analysis code for the transient phenomenon and its validation process. To evaluate the thermal property of transient boiling and its uncertainty, corroborative experimental information is crucial. In particular, the lateral propagation behavior of a vapor bubble (void) in the cross-sectional direction of fuel assembly has yet to be determined. This study evaluates the void propagation behavior in a 5 × 5 rod bundle with cross-sectional heat distribution that causes only the 3 × 3 rod bundle to generate heat; assuming rapid heating under atmospheric pressure. In this paper, using the maximum heat output applied to the nine heated rods as a parameter, from the visualization of the void behavior and the measurement of the local void fraction, the heat output conditions under circumstances where lateral propagation of voids occurs and where voids are only localized in the heated region are summarized. We quantified the time difference initially detected and the time-averaged void fraction according to the lateral propagation level.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 447-456 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Nuclear Engineering and Design |
Volume | 340 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 Dec 15 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- 5 × 5 rod bundle
- BWR fuel
- Cross vapor propagation
- Rapid heating
- Transient boiling
- Wire mesh sensor
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nuclear and High Energy Physics
- Nuclear Energy and Engineering
- Materials Science(all)
- Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
- Waste Management and Disposal
- Mechanical Engineering