• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.618-630
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• 1999

An analytical model that includes the steam condensation effect has been derived and a parametric study has been performed. In addition, a series of experiments were performed and a total of 34 experimental data for the onset of CCFL in nearly horizontal countercurrent two-phase How have been obtained for various flow rates of water. Comparisons of the present CCFL data with slug formation models show that the agreement between the present as well as the existing model and the data is about the same. However, the deviation between the Taitel and Dukler's model predictions and the data is the largest when if j$_{f}$<0.04 m/s. A parametric study of the effect of the steam condensation using the present model shows that, when all local conditions are similar, the model predicted local gas velocities that cause the onset of flooding are slightly lower when condensation occurred. Based on the visual observation and the evaluation of the present work, it has been concluded that the criterion derived for the onset of slug flow can be directly used to predict the onset of inner flooding in nearly horizontal two-phase flow within the experimental ranges of the present work.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.886-893
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• 2000

The Characteristics of dividing the dispersed bubble, plug, and slug steam-water flow in the horizontal junctions with horizontal branches have been experimentally investigated. The experimental investigation of the separation phenomena in a $45^{\circ}$ horizontal wye with equal pipe inner diameter of 25 mm is presented to provide a data base for the development and verification of the analytical models. The phase separation and pressure distribution in the three legs of each test section are obtained through the set of measurements made in the present work. And the dependence of phase separation on different parameters, such as inlet quality and mass flux, is discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nuclear Society Conference
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• 1995.05a
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• pp.509-516
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• 1995

The uncertainty analysis for the in-vessel steam explosion during severe accidents at a nuclear power plant is performed using a probabilistic approach. This approach consists of four steps; 1) screening, 2) quantification of uncertainty 3) propagation of uncertainty, and 4) output analysis. And the specific methods which satisfy the sub-objectives of each step are prepared and presented. Compared with existing ones, the unique feature of this approach is the improved estimation of uncertainties through quantification, which ensures the defensibility of the resultant failure probability distributions. Using the approach, the containment failure probability due to in-vessel steam explosion is calculated. The results of analysis show that 1) pour diameter is the most dominant factor and slug condensed phase fraction is the least and 2) fraction of core molten is the second most dominant factor, which is identified as distinct feature of this study as compared with previous studies.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.11
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• pp.3635-3642
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• 2021

Natural circulation systems (NCSs) are extensively applied in nuclear power plants because of their simplicity and inherent safety features. For some passive natural circulation systems in floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs), the ocean is commonly used as the heat sink. Condensation induced water hammer (CIWH) events may appear as the steam directly contacts the subcooled seawater, which seriously threatens the safe operation and integrity of the NCSs. Nevertheless, the research on the formation mechanisms of CIWH is insufficient, especially in NCSs. In this paper, the characteristics of flow rate and fluid temperature are emphatically analyzed. Then the formation types of CIWH are identified by visualization method. The experimental results reveal that due to the different size and formation periods of steam slugs, the flow rate presents continuous and irregular oscillation. The fluid in the horizontal hot pipe section near the water tank is always subcooled due to the reverse flow phenomenon. Moreover, the transition from stratified flow to slug flow can cause CIWH and enhance flow instability. Three types of formation mechanisms of CIWH, including the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, the interaction of solitary wave and interface wave, and the pressure wave induced by CIWH, are obtained by identifying 67 CIWH events.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.618-635
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• 2000

A total of 17 experimental data for the onset of slugging, which is assumed to be the precursor of the condensation-induced waterhammer (CIWH), have been obtained for various How rates of water Incorporating the most recent correlations of interfacial heat transfer and friction factor developed for a circular geometry and using an improved criterion of transition from stratified to a slug flow, two existing analytical models to predict lower and upper bounds for CIWH have been upgraded. Applicability of the present as well as existing CIWH models has been tested by comparison with two sets of CIWH data. The result of this comparison shows that the applicability of the present as well as existing models is reasonably good. Based on the present models for CIWH, a computer code entitled as“KAIST-CIWH”has been developed and sample guide charts to find CIWH free regions for a given combination of major flow parameters in a long horizontal pipe have been presented along with the results of parametric studies of major parameters (D, P, $T_{f,in}$, and L/D) on the critical inlet water flow rate（$W_{f,in}_crit$ for both lower and upper bounds. In addition, two simple formulas for lower and upper bounds that can be used in an emergency for quick results have been presented.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2021

Experiments of vertically upward steam-water two-phase flow have been carried out in single-side heated narrow rectangular channel with a gap of 3 mm. Flow patterns were identified and classified through visualization directly. Slug flow was only observed at 0.2 MPa but replaced by block-bubble flow at 1.0 MPa. Flow pattern maps at the pressure of 0.2 MPa and 1.0 MPa were plotted and the difference was analyzed. The experimental data has been compared with other flow pattern maps and transition criteria. The results show reasonable agreement with Hosler's, while a wide discrepancy is observed when compared with air-water two-phase experimental data. Current criteria developed based on air-water experiments poorly predict bubble-slug flow transition due to the different formation and growth of bubbles. This work is significant for researches on heat transfer, bubble dynamics and flow instability.