Investigation of thermal hydraulic mixing mechanism in T-junction pipe with a 90-degree bend in upstream side for mitigation and controlling of thermal-striping phenomena (Joint research)

In T-junction pipe, where two fluids of different temperatures mix together, temperature fluctuation is induced due to unstable fluid mixing. Since there is a possibility that high cycle thermal fatigue in structural materials is caused by this temperature fluctuation in fluid, the development of the mitigation and control techniques for the thermal fatigue is one of the most important issues in the future plant design. If a 90-degree bend exists in the upstream of T-junction pipe, a secondary flow formed in the bend makes the fluid mixing phenomena even more complex. This study aims to clarify the effects of curvature ratio of the bend on the temperature fluctuation in T-junction pipe, by the flow visualization with PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) and the measurement of fluid temperature in the vicinity of wall with thermo couples. From the visualization, it is clarified that a jet from branch pipe swings and sways near the wall and they brings strong temperature fluctuation in comparison of the case without the 90-degree bend. In the case of the short curvature bend, in which there exists flow separation, the fluid mixing and the temperature fluctuation characteristics are completely different from those in the case of the long curvature bend. Furthermore, in the case of long curvature bend, in which the flow separation doesn't occur, there are cautionary conditions that the temperature fluctuation is maximized in a transition regime of a stratified flow and a turn-jet flow. It seems that the cause for this phenomena is the repetition of generation and disappearance of a circulating flow formed behind the jet, due to the oscillation of jet caused by an interaction between unsteady behavior of a secondary flow and the wakes formed behind the jet. In the experiments, experimental correlation equations to predict the temperature fluctuation were obtained in each flow pattern. By using these equations, it's possible to predict the suitable flow condition and piping system configuration in viewpoint of thermal striping mitigation and control. (author)