Void Fraction Distribution in a Horizontal 37-Element Bundle
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Abstract
Void fraction measurements using fibre-optic void probes in a 37-element bundle string at CANDU1-equivalent operating conditions are presented. These measurements were obtained with 23 fixed probes and one traversable probe, to examine subchannel void fractions and void distributions in the bundle. The bundle-cross-sectional-average void fraction is computed using the measurements and compared against predictions of the Massena correlation and the homogeneous model.
Results show that void fraction depends strongly on the cross-sectional average thermodynamic quality. Void is initiated in inner subchannels of the bundle and spreads to intermediate subchannels with increasing power. The void distribution over the bundle cross section is relatively uniform (60% to 80% void) at high powers.
The differences between cross-sectional-average void fractions based on experimental data and those predicted using the Massena correlation are within 2% to 6% at cross-sectional-average void fractions of 10% to 40%. The differences with the homogeneous model are within 2% to 6% at cross-sectional-average void fractions exceeding 60%.
Results show that void fraction depends strongly on the cross-sectional average thermodynamic quality. Void is initiated in inner subchannels of the bundle and spreads to intermediate subchannels with increasing power. The void distribution over the bundle cross section is relatively uniform (60% to 80% void) at high powers.
The differences between cross-sectional-average void fractions based on experimental data and those predicted using the Massena correlation are within 2% to 6% at cross-sectional-average void fractions of 10% to 40%. The differences with the homogeneous model are within 2% to 6% at cross-sectional-average void fractions exceeding 60%.
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