Published March 2022 | Version v1
Journal article

Investigation of two-phase natural circulation with the SMART-ITL facility for an integral type reactor

  • 1. Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)
  • 2. Pusan National University, Busan (Korea, Republic of)

Description

A two-phase natural circulation test using SMART integral test loop (SMART-ITL) was conducted to explore thermo-hydraulic phenomena of two-phase natural circulation in the SMART reactor. Specifically, the test examined the natural circulation in the primary loop under a stepwise coolant inventory loss while keeping the core power constant at 5% of the scaled full power. Based on the test results, three flow regimes were observed: single-phase natural circulation (SPNC), two-phase natural circulation (TPNC), and boiler-condenser natural circulation (BCNC). The flow rate remained steady in the SPNC, slightly increased in the TPNC, and dropped abruptly and maintained in the BCNC. Using a natural circulation flow map, the natural circulation characteristic in the SMART-ITL was compared with those in pressurized water reactor simulators. In the SMART-ITL, a BCNC regime appeared instead of siphon condensation and reflux condensation regimes because of the use of once-through steam generators

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Nuclear Engineering and Technology
Journal Volume
54
Journal Issue
3
Series
22 refs, 14 figs, 2 tabs
Journal Page Range
p. 826-833
ISSN
1738-5733