Measurements of impact loads and expansion of flashing water jets

Tests were carried out at Westinghouse Canada Inc., Hamilton, Ontario, to measure impact forces and axial depressurization of initially subcooled water jets discharging into the atmosphere. The purpose of the tests was to provide data for model studies investigating the consequences of a hypothetical nuclear reactor primary coolant circuit rupture. Break openings of 25 mm, 76 mm and 102 mm were tested using simple convergent nozzles. One of the two targets used was a 1 m diameter flat circular plate instrumented with load cells, pressure taps and thermocouples. The other was a length of 57 mm pipe with axis on the jet centreline and perpendicular to it, supported on load cells