EFFECTS OF FLOW CIRCULATION ON HOT-WIRE TEMPERATURE AT TOP AND BOTTOM OF THERMAL-DIFFUSION COLUMN FOR ISOTOPE-SEPARATION

By using the two-dimensional rigorous numerical solution of equations of change, the change in hot-wire temperature caused by flow circulation near the top and bottom plates of thermal diffusion column with 14.7 mm-radius and 80 K cold-wall was analyzed with constant heat flux condition on hot-wire temperature boundary by parametrically changing the pressure. Flow field analysis for H2-HD (tracer level) gas mixture in total-reflux operation has revealed: (i) The magnitude of the change in hot-wire temperature is almost proportional to the square of the pressure, while the magnitude of the free convection is almost proportional to the pressure. (ii) The magnitude of the change in hot-wire temperature at the bottom is larger than that near the top plate, while the magnitude of the radial flow component is almost the same at the top and bottom, and (iii) The range of temperature change is wider than the range at the top and bottom part of the column where convective flow turns around (i.e. radial velocity components significantly exist).