A Comparative Study on Hydraulic Features of Supercritical Water Natural and Forced Circulation Loops

Abstract

With establishment of a unified hydraulic model for both natural and forced circulation loops, and with considering the unique variation of thermo-physical properties at supercritical pressures, along with the nonlinear momentum transport and system coupling characteristics, this paper, by applying appropriate nonlinear numerical computation based on continuation concept, presents a comparative study on the complex hydraulic features of both supercritical water systems. Special non-monotonic relationships of mass-flow rate vs. heating power of both natural and forced circulations are comparatively investigated. Meanwhile, effects of such factors as inlet bulk temperature of heating section, local resistances and/or pump characteristics on system hydraulic and heat transmission features are delivered. Furthermore, characteristics of forced circulation driven by both a real and ideal pump are compared.