Research of the Vortex Flows Influence on the NPP Elements

Abstract

The mechanisms of generation of stable large-scale eddies and flow swirling in complex channels of the 1st and 2nd circuits of transport nuclear power plants (NPP) are revealed. An analysis is given of the influence of vortex formation and flow swirling processes on failures in NPP systems. It is shown that with a complex geometry of the channels of the pipe systems of the thermohydraulic tract and the reactor plant (RP), the unauthorized swirl arising in certain dynamic modes can lead to the effect of blocking the flow caused by the swirl flow crisis. It has been established that the phenomenon of the crisis is accompanied by the generation of low-frequency acoustic vibrations and large pressure losses required to form a recirculation flow zone, which prevents the flow of fluids in complex channels of the nuclear power plant. In the presented work, the manifestation of a swirling flow crisis is considered by examples of modeling the processes of hydrodynamics and heat transfer in the channels of steam generators and the pressure compensation system of transport nuclear power plants. It is shown that the generation of stable vortex formations in the elements of the NPP equipment of the integral type can be directly related to the mechanism of excitation of hazardous vibroresonance effects. Methods for improving the design of pipe systems of steam generating plants are proposed to increase their thermal-hydraulic efficiency and vibration resistance.