Boundaries of interchannel flow instability in channels with intermediate collectors

Results are given of an experimental and theoretical determination of the limits of interchannel instability in the parallel channels of reactor cooling systems and steam generators under conditions of unsteady vapor and liquid flow. Experimental results were derived from a system of two geometrically identical channels with vertical coolant flow. Uniform heating was obtained with an alternating current heater and the coolant used was distilled water. The intermediate collector was a tube with a pressure-sampling chamber. The model derived from the experiment is based on a parametric stabilization analysis of the channel configuration