Mass transfer experiments simulating the oxide pool in 2D and 3D geometries. MassTER-OP2 and MassTER-OP3

This study simulated the IVR-ERVC phenomena using 2D and 3D facilities: MassTER-OP2 and MassTER-OP3 (Mass Transfer Experimental Rig for a 2D and 3D Oxide Pool). The heights were varied: 0.042 m, 0.1 m and 0.167 m. Based upon analogy concept between heat and mass transfer, we performed the mass transfer experiments using a copper sulfate-sulfuric acid (CuSO₄–H₂SO₄) electroplating system instead of heat transfer experiment. The modified Rayleigh numbers ranged from 10¹² to 10¹⁵ with fixed Prandtl number of 2,014. The measured mean Nu was different comparing with existing studies due to difference of Pr. But the trends were similar. The measured local Nu for the curved surface and the top plate was compared between 2D and 3D geometries. Also, we specified the definition of the modified Rayleigh number allowing the proper comparison of 2D and 3D results. (author)