Critical heat flux experimentation in an annular test section. [PWR

Abstract

Steady-state critical heat flux experiments have been performed in the Forced Convection Test Facility (FCTF), an annular test section containing a single electrically heated rod, for the purpose of testing the applicability of existing critical heat flux correlations. Good accuracy has been obtained using the MacBeth-Barnett critical heat flux correlation for annuli, corrected for the ''stepped cosine'' power profile of the heater. The equivalent diameter of the test section, based on the wetted perimeter, is 2.1 cm (0.83 in.); the heated-to-wetted-perimeter ratio is 0.252. The heated length of the heater rod is 366 cm (144 in.). Nominal pressures for the tests have ranged from 7.2 to 15.5 MN/m/sup 2/ (1044 to 2250 psia); coolant flow rates have been 0.32 dm/sup 3//sec (5 gpm), 0.63 dm/sup 3//sec (10 gpm), and 1.26 dm/sup 3//sec (20 gpm); and heater powers of 72 kW, 122 kW, and 144 kW have been used. Maximum error in prediction of first observed critical heat flux is 21 percent; rms error is 11.7 percent. Attempts have also been made to predict the occurrence of critical heat flux during blowdowns (depressurization transients) of the FCTF. The results of these predictions are inconclusive at this time.