Cold model experiments and numerical study on crystallization two-phase flow in molten salt pump

In order to reveal the regularity of the crystallization two-phase flow in the molten salt pump, Buckingham theorem was adopted to establish the similarity criterion for the solid-liquid two-phase flow in molten salt pump. According to the designed molten salt pump model test schemes, the internal flow was numerically simulated. At the same time, the high speed photography technology was employed to capture the flow. The differences between experimental and numerical simulation results were elaborated. The effects of particle diameter and density on external performance and internal flow of molten salt pump were researched. The obtained results were shown as follows: the error between the numerical simulation results and the test results was less than 10%. The absolute velocity of particles at the impeller outlet decreased from the blade pressure surface to the suction surface. The relationship of the velocity triangles between the solid and liquid phases in the impeller was obtained. When the particle density was greater than the liquid density, the circumferential component of the particle absolute velocity was less than that of liquid phase. Furthermore, the relationship of the velocity triangles at the impeller outlet was obtained for particles with the density of 2000, 2250, 2500, 2750, 3000kg/m3. The larger particle density meant the smaller circumferential component of the absolute velocity and the lower pump head. © 2018, Editorial Department of Journal of Aerospace Power. All right reserved.