Modeling and Simulation of Subcooled Coolant Loss Through Circumferential Pipe Leakage

Abstract

This work demonstrates the leak flow behavior of subcooled water at high pressure and high temperature through a narrow slit analogous to a pipe crack. The modeling and simulations are based on the loss of coolant accident in the primary loop piping of pressurized heavy water reactors where a subcooled liquid is subjected to a rapid depressurization. Prediction of critical leak flow pattern is crucial in the design methodology of costly high energy pipelines in the perspective of leak before break consideration. For a variety of entry and exit conditions, the interphase mass transfer has been studied using computational techniques. Presence of thermodynamic nonequilibrium was detected on several occasions due to high transit velocities. A comparison with experimental findings indicates the validity of a flashing model for safety analysis of similar high energy thermal systems.