A Homogeneous Non-Equilibrium Critical Flow Model for Leak Rate Predictions

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K. Crentsil
S.I. Osamusali
R.Y. Chu

Abstract

A Homogeneous Non-Equilibrium Model (HNEM) for leak rate estimation in tube wall cracks is presented. This model is to be incorporated as an option in the next version of the LEAK- RATE code[1] to improve leak rate predictions at low crack length-to-diameter (LID) ratios. The predictions of two-phase critical mass flux and exit pressures provided by the model can be used in Leak-Before-Break (LBB) analysis of pressurized reactor components. Validation, parametric and sensitivity studies are also presented. Code-to-code comparisons were conducted and a good agreement of the present model with other existing codes was obtained. The model also yields crack leak rates and exit pressures which agree to within +/-25% of experimental data. The numerical algorithm used proved to be quite efficient and makes the code very suitable as a scoping tool for leak rate estimations.

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