Design and Thermal/Structural Analysis of a Supercritical Water Thermohydraulics Loop

Abstract

The Carleton University thermal-hydraulic water loop is a high-temperature high-pressure test loop developed for the study of forced-convection heat transfer in ducted water flow at supercritical conditions. The loop is designed to operate at pressures as high as 28 MPa and temperatures up to 600°C. The supercritical water loop is housed at Carleton University’s high-temperature test facility. This paper describes this high-temperature test facility, the design features of the supercritical water loop, and the results of thermal and structural analyses performed as part of the design process.