Thermal–hydraulic modeling of the onset of flow instability in MTR reactors

Prediction of the onset of the flow instability (OFI) in steady and transient sub-cooled flow boiling is an important consideration in the design and operation of nuclear reactors, in particular for materials testing reactors (MTR). In this study, a predictive model for OFI in the MTR has been developed. The model is based on both the heat balance during the bubble generation and condensation processes, and the force balance for the detached bubbles at the onset of significant void (OSV). The only adjustable coefficient involved in the proposed model is quantified by comparison with the experimental data of Whittle and Forgan [Whittle, R.H., Forgan, R., 1967. A correlation for the minima in the pressure drop versus flow-rate curves for sub-cooled water flowing in narrow heated channels. Nucl. Eng. Des. 6, 89–99], which covers the wide range of MTR operating conditions. The model predictions are compared with predictions of some previous models, and it is shown that the present model results in smaller deviation from the experimental data. A correlation for the heat flux at OFI is also developed based on the present model. The developed correlation gives lower deviation from the experimental data than the well-known correlation of Whittle and Forgan. The model is also used to predict the OFI locus during a transient, where it shows good agreement with the short transient data of Lee and Bankoff [Lee, S.C., Bankoff, S.G., 1993. Prediction of the onset of flow instability in transient sub-cooled flow boiling. J. Nucl. Eng. Des. 139, 149–159] as well.