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Supercritical natural circulation loop is a compelling technology for cooling of modern nuclear reactors, which promises enhanced thermal-hydraulic performance in a simple design. Being a new concept, related knowledge base is relatively thin and involves several conflicting theories and controversies. The chapter summarizes the observation till date, starting from the very fundamentals. The phenomenon of natural circulation under steady state condition and suitability of supercritical medium as working fluid are discussed in detail. Different methods of analyses, including analytical, simple 1-d numerical, and multidimensional computational codes, as well as experimental, are elucidated. A comprehensive discussion is presented about the effect of various geometric and operating parameters on the system behavior, from both thermal-hydraulic and stability point of view. Finally, a few recommendations are included about the operation of such loops and future direction of research.

Supercritical natural circulation loop is a compelling technology for cooling of modern nuclear reactors, which promises enhanced thermalhydraulic performance in a simple design. Being a new concept, related knowledge base is relatively thin and involves several conflicting theories and controversies. Present chapter summarizes the observation till date, starting from the very fundamentals. The phenomenon of natural circulation and suitability of supercritical medium as working fluid are discussed in details. Different methods of analyses, including analytical, simple 1-D numerical and multidimensional computational codes, as well as experimental, are elucidated. A comprehensive discussion is presented about the effect of various geometric and operating parameters on the system behavior, from both thermalhydraulic and stability point of view. Finally, a few recommendations are included about the operation of such loops and future direction of research.