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Experimental investigation of non-condensable gas effects in a natural circulation system

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Abstract

Condensation heat transfer is a crucial aspect of designing passive containment cooling systems (PCCS) for nuclear reactors. Non-condensable gases (NCG) hamper this process, and their quantitative effect has been extensively studied. However, studies regarding wall temperature distribution during condensation are scarce. Therefore, to address this gap in the literature, this study focuses on analyzing the wall temperature distribution during the condensation of an air-steam mixture inside a vertical tube. Experimental measurements were performed with a variable amount of NCG and power output of the heater. The impact of NCG on steam condensation was quantitatively analyzed, with temperature distribution data with high spatial resolution obtained using two optical fiber sensors attached to the wall exterior. Experimental results from the test facility can be used to validate the computer code for nuclear accident analysis.

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Abbreviations

C p :

Specific heat [kJ/kg]

h fg :

Latent heat of vaporization [kJ/kg]

k :

Thermal conductivity [W/m K]

L :

Length [m]

\({\dot m}\) :

Mass flow rate [kg/s]

\({\dot Q}\) :

Heat-transfer rate [kW]

r :

Radius [m]

T :

Temperature [°C]

\({\dot V}\) :

Volumetric flow rate [L/min]

c :

Cooling water

c, in :

Cooling water in

c, out :

Cooling water out

cir :

Circulating

cond :

Condensed water

i :

Inner

latent :

Latent heat

NCG :

Non-condensable gas

o :

Outer

sensible :

Sensible heat

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Acknowledgments

This work was partly supported by Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) grant funded by the Korea government (MOTIE) (20214000000520, Human Resource Development Project in Circular Remanufacturing Industry) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT and MOE) (No. 2022R1F1A1065553, 2023M2D2A1A01074092 and “Leaders in Industry-university Cooperation 3.0” Project).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Korea

    Dahoon Jeong & Hyungmo Kim

  2. School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Korea

    Seyeon Hwang, Hyewon Kim, Juheon Kim & Hyungmo Kim

Authors
  1. Dahoon Jeong
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  2. Seyeon Hwang
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  3. Hyewon Kim
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  4. Juheon Kim
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  5. Hyungmo Kim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hyungmo Kim.

Additional information

Dahoon Jeong is an undergraduate student at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea. As an undergraduate student at Gyeongsang National University, he studied on thermal-hydraulics.

Hyungmo Kim received his Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) from POSTECH. He is currently an Assistant Professor in Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea. His research interests include various kinds of heat and mass transport phenomena in practical systems.

Seyeon Hwang was an undergraduate student at Kyungpook National University (South Korea), studying for a Bachelor’s degree at the Department of Precision Mechanical Engineering, and now working in Gyeongsang National University for her Master’s degree.

Hyewon Kim was an undergraduate student at Gyeongsang National University (South Korea), studying for a Bachelor’s degree at the School of Mechanical Engineering, and now working in Gyeongsang National University for her Master’s degree.

Juheon Kim is a master course student of the School of Mechanical Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea. His research interests include micro-fabrication and heat transfer.

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Jeong, D., Hwang, S., Kim, H. et al. Experimental investigation of non-condensable gas effects in a natural circulation system. J Mech Sci Technol 37, 6057–6064 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-1044-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-1044-y

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