Pressure Tube-Calandria Tube Thermal Contact Conductance

Abstract

A critical review of publications concerning thermal contact conductance between two conforming microscopically rough surfaces is described. Various existing models, developed for different applications, such as the Ross-Stout model are examined. An outline for the development of a new contact conductance model is established. The new model will focus on contact conductance between the pressure tube and calandria tube of a CANDU reactor under a pressure tube deformation event resulting in mechanical contact between the two tubes. The methodology of model development for the interaction between randomly rough surfaces under transient contact pressure for this specific application is described.