CFD Modeling and Simulation of Heat and Mass Transfer in Passive Heat Removal Systems

This paper is presenting the CFD-modelling and simulation of condensation inside passive heat removal systems. Designs of future nuclear boiling water reactor concepts are equipped with emergency cooling systems which are passive systems for heat removal. The emergency cooling system consists of slightly inclined horizontal pipes which are immersed in a tank of subcooled water. At normal operation conditions, the pipes are filled with water and no heat transfer to the secondary side of the condenser occurs. In the case of some accident scenarios the water level may decrease in the core, steam enters the emergency pipes and due to the subcooled water around the pipe, this steam condenses. The emergency condenser acts as a strong heat sink which is responsible for a quick depressurization of the reactor core. This procedure acts passive i.e. without any additional external measures. The actual project is defined to model the phenomena which are occurring inside the emergency condensers. The focus of the project is on detection of different morphologies such as annular flow, stratified flow, slug flow and plug flow and also modeling of the laminar film which is occurring during the condensation near the wall.