Application of an EHD Technique to a Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Core Cooling System

Using an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) technique, some schemes have been proposed that may find application in emergency cooling of the nuclear reactor core during loss of coolant accidents (LOCA). By application of a dc, pulsed, or ac electric field of appropriate strength, it has been found that the following can be achieved: 1) the change of the flow regime of two-phase flow in a horizontal cylindrical annulus, 2) enhancement of heat transfer in a cylindrical annulus, and 3) change of flooding condition in a vertical two-phase system. The primary results of the findings have been presented and are discussed with relevant parameters encountered in the problem.