An Experimental Investigation of Steam Condensation in the Presence of Non-Condensable Gases for Nuclear Plant Containment

Abstract

The condensation heat transfer occurring in containment atmospheres during the loss of coolant accident (LOCA), is one of the most important areas in research related to the safety of nuclear reactors. In the advanced Generation III and III+ nuclear reactors, decay heat is removed by passive containment cooling system (PCCS). For the system, the study of condensation of steam in the presence of non-condensable gases is prior to be investigated because when LOCA happens steam flashes into the containment which contains air and other non-condensable gases (helium, argon, etc.). An experimental investigation has been conducted to evaluate the steam heat removal capacity over a vertical tube external surface with air. Condensation heat transfer coefficients have been obtained under the total pressure ranging from 0.4MPa to 0.6MPa, the wall subcooling ranging from 13 to 25°C and air mass fraction ranging from 0.07 to 0.52. The influence of the wall subcooling on the steam condensation heat transfer with the fixed pressure and air mass fraction have been researched. The effect of wall subcooling on condensation heat transfer coefficient with air is negative. The developed empirical correlation for the heat transfer coefficient covered all data points within 15%.