Laser Anemometry Measurements of Natural Circulation Flow in a Scale Model PWR System

Abstract

Experimental studies were conducted to investigate the natural circulation of a singlephase fluid in a scale model pressurized water reactor system during a postulated degraded core accident. A half-section of a 1/7 scale model with a plexiglass adiabatic window was used. Water and sulfurhexafluoride (SF6 ) were used as the fluid. Laser-Doppler anemometry (LDA) was used in making the velocity measurements along the center plane of the model at five elevations.