The Scaling Analysis and Numerical Simulation of Single-phase Natural Circulation

Abstract

In this work, scaling analysis and numerical simulation of the single-phase natural circulation loop with water are presented. First, grid-dependency testing and model validation are performed. Then, according to the assumption of the boundary conditions, the effect of the heat input and structural parameters on the heat transfer characteristic is studied, including the boundary condition and temperature of the steam fluid. The results show that the scaling model can accurately express the flow heat transfer characteristics of the original model, and can reach a steady state under different working conditions. The formation of stable natural cycles is the result of coupling the boundary conditions of the heating and cooling segments under the fixed structure reference. The mass flow rate on the steady state decrease with the increase of the external fluid temperature in the cooling section, and as the heat transfer coefficient of the external convection heat transfer coefficient increases.