Comparisons of 2-D and 3-D IVR experiments for oxide layer in the three-layer configuration

• Published in: Nuclear engineering and technology Vol. 52; no. 11; pp. 2499 - 2510
• Main Authors: Bae, Ji-Won, Chung, Bum-Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2020; 한국원자력학회
• Subjects: Analogy; In-vessel retention; Natural convection; Oxide pool; Three-dimensional; Three-layer configuration; 원자력공학; In-vessel retention; Three-layer configuration; Oxide pool; Natural convection; Analogy; Three-dimensional
• ISSN: 1738-5733; 2234-358X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2020.04.016

We performed 3-D (3-dimensional) IVR (In-Vessel Retention) natural convection experiments simulating the oxide layer in the three-layer configuration, varying the aspect ratio (H/R). Mass transfer experiment was conducted based on the analogy to achieve high RaH′s of 1.99 × 1012–6.90 × 1013 with compact facilities. Comparisons with 2-D (2-dimensional) experiments revealed different local heat transfer characteristics on upper and lower boundaries of the oxide layer depending on the H/R. For the 3-D shallow oxide layer, the multi-cell flow patterns appeared and the number of cells was considerably increased with the H/R decreases, which differs with the 2-D experiments that the number of cells was independent on H/R. Thus, the enhancement of the downward heat transfer and the mitigation of the focusing effect were more noticeable in the 3-D experiments.