Applicability of Annular Flow Model to Counter-Current Flow in Debris Beds.

Abstract

Counter-current flow limitation (CCFL) is dominant phenomena for dryout in a debris bed which may be formed during a severe accident as observed in the Three-Mile Island unit-2. Actual CCFL situation in debris bed is very complex. It is difficult to treat the CCFL in the debris bed as it is. On the other hand, an annular flow model was developed to predict CCFL in a pipe by assuming a two-dimensional turbulent flow. If hypothetical flow channel were assumed for CCFL in the debris bed, CCFL in the debris bed could be treated with the same manner as for CCFL in a pipe. 'The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the annular flow model developed for CCFL in a pipe is applicable for CCFL in the debris bed or not. As the results, it is clarified that qualitative tendency of the CCFL in the debris bed consisting of larger particles than 3 mm is estimated by the annular flow model developed for CCFL in a pipe, although the difference between the calculation and the data is large in higher and lower gas ...