Abstract
Unsteady flow induced by rotor-stator interaction is detrimental to the safe operation of the nuclear reactor coolant pump, so it is essential to clarify flow structures and pressure pulsation in such pumps, especially within the spherical casing. In this paper, unsteady flow characteristics in a mixed-flow nuclear reactor coolant model pump were investigated using large-eddy simulation (LES) method. Results show that at the nominal flow rate, in two particular diffuser channels near the spherical casing discharge nozzle, the flow structures are uneven compared with that in the other flow channels. The reason is associated with the position of the flow channel with respect to the spherical casing nozzle. Large- scale flow separation and backflow structures easily occur at the regions near these two channels. In the right and the middle region of the casing nozzle, due to the large-scale separate flow and high vorticity magnitude, unsteady flow structures are more complicated in comparison with the other regions. It has been found that the vorticity spectra and the pressure spectra almost have the same main excitation frequencies. Therefore, it has been confirmed that for particular regions pressure pulsations are determined by the shedding vortex wake from the diffuser blade trailing edge of the nuclear reactor coolant model pump.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Strojniški vestnik - Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
