Investigations on Role of Mechanical Gadgets in Controlling Flow Instability in Single-Phase Natural Circulation Loops
Kapil Bodkhaa, Naveen Kumarb, P. K. Vijayanc and Dilip Sahad
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India.
akbodkha@barc.gov.in
bknaveen@barc.gov.in
cvijayanp@barc.gov.in
ddsaha@barc.gov.in
ABSTRACT
Natural circulation systems offer simplicity, enhanced safety and reliability and thus are advantageous over their forced circulation counterpart. However, natural circulation is susceptible flow instabilities. These instabilities are undesirable for various reasons. Literature suggests the use of orifices at the inlet to suppress instability. However, orificing introduces pressure drop which limits the flow rate and hence the heat carrying capacity of the fluid. In the present study, the role of axial diffusion in controlling instability has been brought out. In the present study, low pressure drop mechanical gadgets have been designed to control the natural circulation flow instabilities. Extensive experiments have been carried out in a single-phase rectangular natural circulation loop to study the effect of these mechanical gadgets on instability. The paper brings out the results of experimental investigations carried out on the role of mechanical gadgets in controlling instabilitly.
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