Prioritizing pressure drop research in nuclear thermal hydraulics

Abstract

Prediction of pressure drop by wall friction and at geometric discontinuities is important in nuclear thermal hydraulics simulation. Pressure-drop models were established and upgraded for decades; however, errors in predictions of experimental data are up to 40%, namely in low flow and two-phase conditions and particularly at geometric discontinuities. In order to clarify the impact in situations of interest for nuclear reactors, noticeably accident scenarios investigated in scaled experimental facilities, we propose a virtual benchmark on Reverse Natural Circulation (RNC) in the PKL test facility.