6 - Thermalhydraulic Design

1
CHAPTER 6
Thermal-Hydraulic Design
Prepared by
Dr. Nikola K. Popov
Summary
This chapter covers the thermal-hydraulic design of nuclear power plants with a focus on the
primary and secondary sides of the nuclear steam supply system. This chapter covers the
following topics: evolution of the reactor thermal-hydraulic system; key design requirements for
the heat transport system; thermal-hydraulic design principles and margins; design details of
the primary and secondary heat transport systems; fundamentals of two-phase flow;
fundamentals of heat transfer and fluid flow in the reactor heat transport system; other related
topics.
Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015
©2014 UNENE, all rights reserved. For educational use only, no assumed liability.
2 The Essential CANDU
Table of Contents
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 10
1.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 10
1.2 Learning outcomes ........................................................................................................ 12
1.3 Summary of relationship to other chapters ................................................................... 12
1.4 Thermal-hydraulic design ............................................................................................. 12
2 Reactor Types ....................................................................................................................... 14
2.1 CANDU reactor design ................................................................................................. 14
2.1.1 Reactor core and calandria vessel ............................................................................. 17
2.1.2 Primary heat transport system design ....................................................................... 19
2.1.3 Steam generators ....................................................................................................... 20
2.1.4 Pressurizer ................................................................................................................. 21
2.1.5 Primary pumps .......................................................................................................... 22
2.1.6 Primary heat transport piping.................................................................................... 22
2.1.7 Secondary heat transport system design ................................................................... 22
2.1.8 Turbine ...................................................................................................................... 23
2.1.9 Condenser ................................................................................................................. 23
2.1.10 Heat exchangers and pumps.................................................................................. 23
2.2 Problems ....................................................................................................................... 23
3 CANDU Thermal-Hydraulic Design Evolution ................................................................... 25
3.1 CANDU reactor evolution ............................................................................................ 25
3.1.2 Steam generators ....................................................................................................... 27
3.1.3 Heat transport pumps ................................................................................................ 28
3.1.4 Reactor core .............................................................................................................. 28
3.1.5 Reduction in radiation exposure ............................................................................... 29
3.2 CANDU reactor types ................................................................................................... 30
3.2.1 Nuclear Power Demonstration station ...................................................................... 30
3.2.2 Douglas Point ............................................................................................................ 31
3.2.3 Pickering A and B ..................................................................................................... 32
3.2.4 Bruce A and B ........................................................................................................... 33
3.2.5 CANDU 6 ................................................................................................................. 34
3.2.6 Darlington ................................................................................................................. 34
3.2.7 Advanced CANDU designs ...................................................................................... 35
3.3 Non-PHWR CANDU designs....................................................................................... 37
3.3.1 CANDU-BLW .......................................................................................................... 37
3.3.2 CANDU-OCR ........................................................................................................... 38
3.4 Problems ....................................................................................................................... 39
4 Thermal-Hydraulic Design Requirements ............................................................................ 40
4.1 Fuel requirements.......................................................................................................... 40
4.1.1 Metallic fuels ............................................................................................................ 42
4.1.2 Ceramic fuels ............................................................................................................ 42
4.1.3 Dispersion fuels ........................................................................................................ 43
4.2 General fuel sheath (cladding) requirements ................................................................ 44
4.2.2 Zirconium .................................................................................................................. 45
4.3 Reactor coolant requirements ....................................................................................... 46
4.3.1 Ordinary water and heavy water coolants ................................................................. 46
Thermal-Hydraulic Design 3
4.3.2 Gaseous coolants ....................................................................................................... 48

4.3.3 Liquid metal coolants ................................................................................................ 48
4.4 Moderator requirements ................................................................................................ 48
4.5 Control material requirements ...................................................................................... 50
4.5.1 Hafnium .................................................................................................................... 50
4.5.2 Cadmium alloys ........................................................................................................ 50
4.5.3 Rare-earth oxides ...................................................................................................... 50
4.5.4 Gadolinium nitrate .................................................................................................... 51
4.5.5 Boron-containing materials ....................................................................................... 51
4.6 HTS design requirements and engineering considerations ........................................... 52
4.7 Problems ....................................................................................................................... 54
5 Thermal-Hydraulic Design Limits and Margins ................................................................... 55
5.1 Heat generation parameter definitions .......................................................................... 55
5.2 Thermal design limits ................................................................................................... 55
5.3 Thermal design margins ................................................................................................ 57
5.4 Problems ....................................................................................................................... 58
6 Thermal-Hydraulic Design Fundamentals ............................................................................ 59
6.1 Two-phase flow fundamentals ...................................................................................... 59
6.1.1 Key parameters and definitions ................................................................................ 59
6.1.2 Non-dimensional numbers ........................................................................................ 62
6.1.3 Flow patterns ............................................................................................................. 65
6.1.4 The boiling process ................................................................................................... 70
6.1.5 Two-phase flow models ............................................................................................ 74
6.1.6 Two-phase flow in fuel bundles ................................................................................ 75
6.1.7 Problems ................................................................................................................... 77
6.2 Thermodynamics of nuclear energy conversion ........................................................... 78
6.2.1 Definitions................................................................................................................. 78
6.2.2 First law of thermodynamics .................................................................................... 81
6.2.3 Reactor cycles ........................................................................................................... 83
6.2.4 Second law of thermodynamics ................................................................................ 86
6.2.5 Reactor power cycle .................................................................................................. 88
6.2.6 Improvements in reactor cycles ................................................................................ 93
6.2.7 Entropy and the laws of thermodynamics ............................................................... 102
6.2.8 Problems ................................................................................................................. 104
7 Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Design ................................................................................. 106
7.1 Heat transfer in the primary heat transfer system ....................................................... 106
7.2 Primary pumps ............................................................................................................ 107
7.3 Steam generator heat balance...................................................................................... 111
7.3.1 Steam generator without a pre-heater region .......................................................... 113
7.3.2 Approximate solution to steam generator without a pre-heater region................... 114
7.3.3 Calculation of main HTS parameters ...................................................................... 116
7.3.4 Steam generator with pre-heater (simplified analytical solution) ........................... 118
7.3.5 Steam generator with pre-heater (numerical solution)............................................ 123
7.3.6 Problems ................................................................................................................. 125
7.4 Heat transfer in the fuel elements ............................................................................... 127
7.4.1 General heat conduction equation ........................................................................... 127
7.4.2 Temperature distribution in the radial direction ..................................................... 128

7.4.3 Temperature distribution in the axial direction ....................................................... 133
7.4.4 Axial distribution of quality .................................................................................... 137
7.4.5 Thermal conductivity and fuel element material properties ................................... 138
7.4.6 Problems ................................................................................................................. 142
7.5 Fluid flow fundamentals ............................................................................................. 146
7.5.1 Introduction to pressure losses ................................................................................ 146
7.5.2 Pressure drop conservation equations ..................................................................... 148
7.5.3 Correlations for calculating pressure losses ............................................................ 150
7.5.4 Flow Instability ....................................................................................................... 167
7.5.5 Problems ................................................................................................................. 175
7.6 Heat transfer between the fuel elements and the coolant ............................................ 177
7.6.1 Heat transfer regimes .............................................................................................. 177
7.6.2 Convective heat transfer in turbulent forced flow .................................................. 178
7.6.3 Sub-cooled boiling heat transfer in forced flow ..................................................... 179
7.6.4 Critical heat flux (CHF) .......................................................................................... 181
7.6.5 Transition and film boiling heat transfer ................................................................ 204
7.6.6 Single-phase heat transfer to vapour ....................................................................... 218
7.6.7 Problems ................................................................................................................. 219
7.7 Critical flow ................................................................................................................ 222
7.8 Water hammer ............................................................................................................. 222
7.8.1 Types of water hammer .......................................................................................... 223
7.8.2 Analytical models and computer codes for water hammer analysis ....................... 227
7.8.3 Diagnostics and assessment of water hammer ........................................................ 228
7.8.4 Prevention, mitigation, and accommodation of water hammer .............................. 229
7.8.5 Problems ................................................................................................................. 231
7.9 Natural circulation ...................................................................................................... 232
7.9.1 Natural circulation phenomenon ............................................................................. 232
7.9.2 CANDU natural circulation .................................................................................... 236
7.9.3 CANDU natural circulation experimental studies .................................................. 241
7.9.4 Natural circulation calculations and predictions ..................................................... 242
7.9.5 Problems ................................................................................................................. 244
8 References ........................................................................................................................... 245
9 Further Reading .................................................................................................................. 248
10 Glossary .............................................................................................................................. 249
11 Nomenclature ...................................................................................................................... 250
12 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. 251
13 APPENDIX A – Reactor Types .......................................................................................... 252
13.1 General evolution of reactor designs .......................................................................... 252
13.2 Pressurized water reactors........................................................................................... 253
13.2.1 General information ............................................................................................ 253
13.2.2 Reactor vessel ..................................................................................................... 255
13.2.3 Steam generators ................................................................................................. 257
13.2.4 Primary pumps .................................................................................................... 257
13.2.5 Pressurizer ........................................................................................................... 258
13.2.6 Reactor refuelling and reactivity control ............................................................ 258
13.2.7 Fuel assembly and fuel pin design ...................................................................... 259

13.2.8 Reactor core design ............................................................................................. 263
13.2.9 WWER reactor design ........................................................................................ 263
13.3 Boiling water reactors ................................................................................................. 264
13.4 Gas-cooled reactors ..................................................................................................... 268
13.4.1 Magnox reactors.................................................................................................. 268
13.4.2 AGR reactors ...................................................................................................... 269
13.4.3 HTGCR Reactors ................................................................................................ 270
13.5 Channel-type reactors ................................................................................................. 270
13.5.1 SGHWR reactor .................................................................................................. 270
13.5.2 CANDU reactor .................................................................................................. 271
13.5.3 RBMK reactor ..................................................................................................... 271
13.6 Fast breeder reactors ................................................................................................... 273
List of Figures
Figure 1 Heat engine concepts ..................................................................................................... 13
Figure 2 Typical CANDU plant ....................................................................................................... 15
Figure 3 CANDU 6 reactor cooling loops....................................................................................... 16
Figure 4 CANDU reactor, fuel channel, and fuel bundle .............................................................. 18
Figure 5 CANDU calandria vessel and reactor vault ..................................................................... 18
Figure 6 CANDU primary heat transport system .......................................................................... 20
Figure 7 Typical steam generator design ...................................................................................... 21
Figure 8 Typical pressurizer design ............................................................................................... 21
Figure 9 Typical primary pump design .......................................................................................... 22
Figure 10 CANDU steam generator design evolution ................................................................... 28
Figure 11 Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD) heat transport system ...................................... 31
Figure 12 Douglas Point heat transport system ........................................................................... 32
Figure 13 Pickering A heat transport system ................................................................................ 32
Figure 14 Bruce heat transport system ........................................................................................ 33
Figure 15 Darlington heat transport system................................................................................. 34
Figure 16 ACR-1000 heat transport system .................................................................................. 36
Figure 17 CANDU BLW heat transport system ............................................................................. 37
Figure 18 CANDU OCR heat transport system .............................................................................. 38
Figure 19 Fuel rod design types .................................................................................................... 41
Figure 20 Critical heat flux ratio.................................................................................................... 56
Figure 21 Thermal margins ........................................................................................................... 58
Figure 22 Relationship between quality and void fraction [COL1972] ......................................... 62
Figure 23 Flow patterns in vertical two-phase flow ..................................................................... 66
Figure 24 Flow patterns in horizontal two-phase flow ................................................................. 66
Figure 25 Flow patterns and heat transfer regimes in horizontal heated tubes .......................... 67
Figure 26 Flow patterns and heat transfer regimes in vertical heated tubes .............................. 68
Figure 27 Flow pattern map in vertical flow [HET1982] ............................................................... 69
Figure 28 3-D representation of boiling surfaces ......................................................................... 71
Figure 29 Boiling curve.................................................................................................................. 71

Figure 30 Parametric trends of the boiling curve ......................................................................... 72
Figure 31 Quality effects on the boiling curve .............................................................................. 73
Figure 32 Heat transfer regimes in a boiling horizontal channel ................................................. 73
Figure 33 Details of sub-cooled boiling phases in horizontal flow ............................................... 74
Figure 34 Effect of tube diameter on quality and void fraction ................................................... 76
Figure 35 Effect of bundle geometry on quality and void fraction .............................................. 76
Figure 36 Change of thermodynamic states in a system .............................................................. 78
Figure 37 Concept of parameters of thermodynamic state in piston geometry ......................... 79
Figure 38 Ideal Carnot cycle .......................................................................................................... 84
Figure 39 The concept of entropy in closed cycles ....................................................................... 87
Figure 40 Carnot cycle for steam .................................................................................................. 89
Figure 41 Steam-water diagrams used in thermodynamic analyses (a, b, c) ............................... 90
Figure 42 Simplified Rankine cycle in a nuclear power plant ....................................................... 91
Figure 43 Typical impact of turbine outlet pressure on cycle thermodynamic efficiency ........... 92
Figure 44 Typical impact of turbine inlet pressure on cycle thermodynamic efficiency.............. 93
Figure 45 Rankine cycle with superheating .................................................................................. 94
Figure 46 Rankine cycle with superheating and reheating........................................................... 95
Figure 47 Rankine cycle with regeneration circuit ....................................................................... 96
Figure 48 Rankine cycle with open feedwater reheating ............................................................. 97
Figure 49 Rankine cycle with multiple open reheaters ................................................................ 97
Figure 50 Rankine cycle with closed feedwater reheating ........................................................... 98
Figure 51 Rankine cycle with multiple closed reheaters .............................................................. 99
Figure 52 Rankine cycle with dryer ............................................................................................. 100
Figure 53 Real Rankine cycle with losses .................................................................................... 101
Figure 54 Typical advanced PWR secondary cooling system ..................................................... 101
Figure 55 Typical CANDU 6 secondary cooling system ............................................................... 102
Figure 56 Reactor cooling systems ............................................................................................. 106
Figure 57 Primary pump flow diagram ....................................................................................... 107
Figure 58 Primary pump operating quadrants ........................................................................... 109
Figure 59 Typical primary pump characteristics ......................................................................... 110
Figure 60 Typical shutdown pump characteristics ..................................................................... 111
Figure 61 Reactor steam generator loop .................................................................................... 112
Figure 62 Steam generator simplified heat duty diagram .......................................................... 113
Figure 63 Steam generator heat duty diagram without pre-heating ......................................... 113
Figure 64 Process for calculating primary loop parameters ....................................................... 116
Figure 65 Steam generator heat duty diagram with pre-heating .............................................. 119
Figure 66 Reactor power versus heat-duty diagram of the SG .................................................. 123
Figure 67 Steam generator numerical calculation concept........................................................ 124
Figure 68 Nodalization concept for steam generator numerical calculation ............................. 124
Figure 69 Cross section of a cylindrical fuel pin .......................................................................... 128
Figure 70 Radial temperature distribution in a fuel element ..................................................... 132
Figure 71 Radial temperature gradient per unit thickness in a fuel pin ..................................... 133
Figure 72 Temperature distribution in the axial direction in a fuel element ............................. 136
Figure 73 Temperature distribution in the fuel cladding and the fuel element ........................ 137
Figure 74 Thermal conductivity in a fuel pin .............................................................................. 139
Figure 75 Impact of oxygen-to-metal ratio on the heat conduction coefficient in fuel ............. 139
Figure 76 Heat capacity of a fuel pin .......................................................................................... 140
Figure 77 Gap conductance in a fuel pin .................................................................................... 140
Figure 78 Fuel aging effect on temperature in a fuel pin ........................................................... 141
Figure 79 Impact of gap thickness and linear power on heat conductance............................... 141
Figure 80 Asymmetric temperature profiles in a fuel pin .......................................................... 142
Figure 81 Force-momentum balance in a control volume ......................................................... 148
Figure 82 Moody chart for friction factors ................................................................................. 153
Figure 83 Martinelli-Nelson two-phase multiplier in separated flow ........................................ 155
Figure 84 Single-phase pressure distribution over a square-edged orifice ................................ 157
Figure 85 Two-phase pressure distribution over a square-edged orifice .................................. 157
Figure 86 Bundle correction factor (37-element hexagonal bundle) ......................................... 158
Figure 87 Eccentricity effect ....................................................................................................... 159
Figure 88 Eccentricity correction factor ..................................................................................... 159
Figure 89 Bundle junction misalignment effect .......................................................................... 161
Figure 90 Typical single-phase pressure distribution over misaligned bundles ......................... 161
Figure 91 Typical pressure drop in misaligned fuel bundles ...................................................... 162
Figure 92 Typical misaligned junction pressure drop signatures ............................................... 162
Figure 93 Typical two-phase pressure distribution over misaligned bundles ............................ 163
Figure 94 Pressure gradient along a flow channel in boiling ...................................................... 164
Figure 95 Example of abrupt area changes and orifice .............................................................. 165
Figure 96 Pressure drop behaviour with abrupt area changes and orifice ................................ 165
Figure 97 Pressure drop components ......................................................................................... 166
Figure 98 Concept of channel flow instability ............................................................................ 169
Figure 99 Channel flow instability under low heat flux .............................................................. 170
Figure 100 Impact of different pump curves on channel flow instability .................................. 171
Figure 101 Definition of channel flow excursion instability in a single channel ........................ 172
Figure 102 Principles of flow excursion instability in two parallel channels .............................. 174
Figure 103 Results of flow excursion instability in two parallel channels ................................. 175
Figure 104 Concepts of CHF, dryout, and burnout ..................................................................... 182
Figure 105 Transitions among CHF mechanisms ........................................................................ 183
Figure 106 Pool boiling CHF mechanisms ................................................................................... 184
Figure 107 Flow boiling CHF mechanisms .................................................................................. 184
Figure 108 Effect of inlet temperature and mass flux ................................................................ 187
Figure 109 Effect of outlet pressure in pool boiling ................................................................... 187
Figure 110 Effect of outlet pressure on flow boiling .................................................................. 188
Figure 111 Effect of heated length on local CHF ........................................................................ 188
Figure 112 Effect of quality on local CHF .................................................................................... 189
Figure 113 Effect of tube diameter on local CHF ........................................................................ 189
Figure 114 Concept of operating margins .................................................................................. 195
Figure 115 Critical channel power .............................................................................................. 196
Figure 116 CHF margin definitions.............................................................................................. 197
Figure 117 CHF margin evaluation methods (a, b, c) .................................................................. 199

Figure 118 CANDU bundle experimental simulator ................................................................... 201
Figure 119 Axial flux distribution in full-scale bundle test ......................................................... 201
Figure 120 CHF variation along a heated surface ....................................................................... 201
Figure 121 Different types of spacer devices for CHF robustness .............................................. 202
Figure 122 CHF behaviour around fuel bundle spacer devices .................................................. 202
Figure 123 Types of transition boiling and film .......................................................................... 205
Figure 124 Concept of transition boiling in pool boiling ............................................................ 206
Figure 125 Minimum film pool boiling – Taylor instability ......................................................... 207
Figure 126 Film boiling types ...................................................................................................... 208
Figure 127 Pool film boiling mechanisms with horizontal heated wall ...................................... 209
Figure 128 Pool film boiling patterns .......................................................................................... 209
Figure 129 Forced convection film boiling patterns ................................................................... 210
Figure 130 Film boiling heat transfer temperature and velocity profiles .................................. 211
Figure 131 Film boiling heat transfer mechanisms..................................................................... 212
Figure 132 Bundle dry patches in the dryout plane ................................................................... 216
Figure 133 Bundle circumferential temperature profiles ........................................................... 217
Figure 134 Rapid valve operation ............................................................................................... 223
Figure 135 Flow of sub-cooled water with steam condensing in vertical pipe (water cannon) 224
Figure 136 Counter-current flow of steam and water in a horizontal pipe ............................... 224
Figure 137 Pressurized water flowing in a vertical pipe filled with steam ................................. 225
Figure 138 Hot water entering a lower-pressure line ................................................................ 226
Figure 139 Steam-driven water slug in piping system ................................................................ 226
Figure 140 Filling of voided piping system.................................................................................. 227
Figure 141 Principles of natural circulation ................................................................................ 232
Figure 142 Various types of natural circulation .......................................................................... 233
Figure 143 Natural circulation in CANDU ................................................................................... 237
Figure 144 Onset of bi-directional flow in CANDU ..................................................................... 239
Figure 145 Criteria for flow reversal in a CANDU core ............................................................... 239
Figure 146 Intermittent buoyancy-induced flow in CANDU ....................................................... 240
Figure 147 Typical temperature histories in a CANDU channel in natural circulation ............... 241
Figure 148 Reactor generations .................................................................................................. 252
Figure 149 PWR primary reactor cooling system ....................................................................... 255
Figure 150 Typical PWR reactor vessel ....................................................................................... 256
Figure 151 Typical PWR square fuel assembly design ................................................................ 259
Figure 152 Typical PWR fuel design ............................................................................................ 260
Figure 153 Typical PWR fuel assembly support spacer plates ................................................... 261
Figure 154 Typical PWR reactor control sites ............................................................................. 261
Figure 155 Typical PWR control assembly (cluster) design ........................................................ 262
Figure 156 Typical PWR control-rod design................................................................................ 262
Figure 157 Russian WWWR reactor design ................................................................................ 264
Figure 158 BWR reactor design .................................................................................................. 265
Figure 159 Typical BWR reactor vessel coolant circulation ........................................................ 266
Figure 160 BWR reactor fuel assemblies in the core .................................................................. 266
Figure 161 BWR fuel and control assemblies ............................................................................. 267

Figure 162 Typical Magnox reactor design ................................................................................. 268
Figure 163 Typical AGR reactor design ....................................................................................... 269
Figure 164 Typical HTGCR reactor design ................................................................................... 270
Figure 165 SGHWR reactor ......................................................................................................... 271
Figure 166 RBMK reactor design ................................................................................................ 272
Figure 167 Fast reactor design .................................................................................................... 274
List of Tables
Table 1 Typical fuel characteristics for key reactor types ............................................................ 26
Table 2 CANDU main process parameters and features .............................................................. 27
Table 3 Evolution of D2O content in the core and of power in the fuel channel ......................... 29
Table 4 Summary of uranium fuel characteristics [POP2014] ...................................................... 41
Table 5 Summary of fuel cladding characteristics [POP2014] ...................................................... 44
Table 6 Summary of coolant characteristics [POP2014] .............................................................. 47
Table 7 Summary of moderator characteristics [POP2014] ......................................................... 49
Table 8 Factors affecting pressure drop ..................................................................................... 147
Table 9 CANDU distribution of pressure drop in the primary loop ............................................ 147
Table 10 Separate CHF effects in fuel bundles ........................................................................... 186
Table 11 Sample of CHF look-up table ........................................................................................ 192
Table 12 Sample of PDO look-up table [IAEA2001] .................................................................... 215
Table 13 Typical PWR reactor parameters ................................................................................. 254
1 Introduction
Section 1 provides an introduction to thermal-hydraulic design. It defines the expectations and
learning outcomes for this chapter and indicates the relationship of this chapter to other
chapters in this textbook.
The objective of this chapter is to describe the generic thermal-hydraulic design of nuclear
reactors under normal operating conditions, with a specific focus on design details of CANDU
reactors.
This chapter covers the thermal-hydraulic design of a CANDU nuclear power reactor, with
general comparisons to other reactor types and designs. Thermal-hydraulic design covers the
reactor primary and secondary heat transport systems. In fact, the primary heat transfer
design defines the maximum power levels (globally and locally) that can be safely generated in
the reactor core and thus defines the design characteristics of many systems and components,
such as the reactor core physics and the fuel design.
1.1 Overview
This section describes the objectives, principles, and methodologies of reactor thermal-
hydraulic design. The thermal-hydraulic design of the reactor process systems that are
required to transport heat energy away from the nuclear reactor source and transform this
heat energy into useful work (generally electrical energy) are the focus of nuclear engineering
and of this chapter.
Section 2 presents the principles of reactor design, with a focus on CANDU reactor design.
Designs of other reactor types are described in Appendix A, in which the focus is on providing a
historical perspective on reactor thermal-hydraulic and systems design and on pressurized
water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactors (BWRs).
Section 3 covers the design evolution of the CANDU reactor, including a general description of
the overall design of the CANDU heat transport system and the design and evolution of the
main components such as primary pumps, steam generators, and the reactor core.
Section 4 defines the thermal-hydraulic design requirements, including fuel cladding (fuel
sheath), coolant, fuel, moderator materials, and control materials. Reactor core component
materials are discussed and component requirements assessed. This section also discusses
various fuel-coolant-moderator arrangements, their optimization, and their performance
within the reactor design. Advantages and disadvantages of all the variations are discussed and
possible solutions suggested. Finally, the section provides general requirements for the
thermal-hydraulic design process.
Section 5 discusses reactor thermal-hydraulic design limits from the perspective of various
reactor designs. It explains the concepts of reactor thermal margins and their application to
reactor design assessment. Reactor thermal margins are an important parameter in reactor
thermal-hydraulic design because they provide assurance that the heat generated by the fuel is
removed from the reactor core under all possible operating conditions.
Section 6 covers thermal-hydraulic design fundamentals. The first part of this section presents
the fundamentals of single- and two-phase flow and heat transfer. Two-phase flow and heat
transfer present a number of thermal-hydraulic design challenges, which are explained and
discussed in this section. In addition, this section covers the thermodynamics of the reactor
primary and secondary heat transport systems. The concepts of thermodynamic laws and their
application to reactor design are presented. The concept of reactor thermodynamic efficiency
is defined and its application to reactor performance assessment explained. Various secondary
system designs are discussed, and a description of the secondary side components, such as
steam turbines, steam condensers, feedwater systems and pre-heaters, and feedwater pumps,
is provided.
Section 7 is the key section in this chapter because it describes the design of reactor heat
transfer and fluid flow. This section outlines primary heat transport system behaviour,
describes the various mathematical models, and discusses the most important characteristics
of the primary heat transport system. The design and operation of the primary pumps is
described. The design and operation of the steam generators is covered in detail because this
component connects the primary and secondary heat transport systems, and therefore
understanding its behaviour is essential for understanding overall reactor thermal-hydraulic
behaviour. Flow stability in single-channel and parallel-channel instability situations is
explained and its relevance to reactor and pump operation presented.
Also presented in Section 7 are heat transfer in the fuel elements and their heat transfer
behaviour and operation in the reactor. Various topics are covered, such as fuel pellet cladding
gap heat conduction, variability of heat conductivity in the fuel with temperature, and the
influence of other important parameters. Fluid flow fundamentals are also covered, including
calculation of pressure drop in the primary heat transport system under single- and two-phase
operating conditions, calculation of flow resistance and its impact, and other important
aspects.
Heat transfer between fuel and coolant is also discussed in Section 7, including heat transfer
regimes in single-phase and two-phase operation, with a particular focus on boiling heat
transfer in a CANDU fuel channel. The concept of critical heat flux is defined and discussed,
along with various critical heat flux approaches, experimental data, and prediction methods.
The impact of critical heat flux on reactor thermal margins is discussed and methods for
improvement identified. An important part of the critical heat flux prediction model is the
look-up table, which is explained and its application described. Part of this section is devoted
to post-critical heat flux heat transfer, i.e., transition boiling and film boiling. Various heat
transfer modes are discussed, with particular attention to CANDU fuel bundles. Most of the
important heat transfer correlations are listed and explained and their application discussed.
Finally, the last few sub-sections of Section 7 are devoted to special topics in reactor thermal-
hydraulic design. One section explains the critical flow phenomenon and its relevance to safety
analysis, as well as the water hammer phenomenon. It provides insights on the risk from the
water hammer hazard and provides high-level information on preventing this phenomenon in
reactor design.
The last part of Section 7 covers natural circulation, which is an important phenomenon
because it provides assurance that reactor decay heat will be removed from the core if forced-
flow cooling is lost. This section describes the natural circulation phenomenon and focusses on
its application in CANDU reactors. The CANDU-specific phenomena of core cooling in the
absence of forced flow and of intermittent buoyancy-induced flow in a CANDU fuel channel are
covered.
1.2 Learning outcomes

The goal of this chapter is to help the reader to develop:
 An understanding of the principles and concepts of thermal-hydraulic design of nuclear
reactors.
 An understanding of the evolution of the CANDU thermal-hydraulic design.
 Knowledge of general design principles, with a focus on the main parameters, design
limits, and thermal-hydraulic margins by which the thermal-hydraulic design is
characterized.
 An understanding of the design concepts and key features of the primary and secondary
heat transport systems.
 Knowledge of the details of heat transfer and fluid flow and the heat transfer
methodology used in the thermal hydraulics of the reactor heat transport system.
 A basic knowledge of unique CANDU thermal-hydraulic features and behaviour.
The reader needs to be generally familiar with other topics and disciplines related to thermal
hydraulics. In addition, it is assumed that the reader has a basic understanding of fluid flow
and heat transfer phenomena.
1.3 Summary of relationship to other chapters

Thermal-hydraulic design is fundamental to reactor design and behaviour. Therefore, a good
understanding of thermal-hydraulic topics is required to understand the other chapters in this
textbook.
This chapter is tightly connected to the chapters covering core physics, fuel design, and safety
design and analysis. Furthermore, this chapter provides the knowledge base for understanding
Chapter 7 on thermal-hydraulic analysis.
1.4 Thermal-hydraulic design

Nuclear reactor thermal-hydraulic design is concerned with designing the process systems
required to transport heat (energy) from the nuclear reactor core (i.e., fuel) and to transform
this heat energy into useful work (i.e., electrical energy) in the turbine-generator unit.
Thermal-hydraulic design is associated with a number of interrelated systems, including the
reactor core, the heat transport system, steam generators, turbines, the pressure control
system, the coolant inventory control system, and the power control systems. In addition, a
number of components are important, including valves, pumps, pipes, vessels, and heat
exchangers, and a number of engineering and scientific disciplines, including reactor physics,
heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, chemistry, metallurgy, control, and stress
analysis.
The most important role of reactor design from a safety perspective is to ensure that:
 the fission reaction can be achieved and controlled (addressed by the physical core
design and fuel design);
 heat can be removed from the core to the ultimate heat sink (addressed by the
thermal-hydraulic design);
 the reactor operation can be monitored (addressed by the instrumentation and control
design), and
 the radioactive material can be contained within the reactor facility (addressed by the
radiation protection and civil engineering design). Among the most important aspects
of reactor engineering with respect to safe operation is the heat transfer and fluid flow
(i.e., the thermal-hydraulic design).
The basic concept of a nuclear power plant is presented in Figure 1; it is similar to that of any
other thermal power plant. The overall objective is to produce useful shaft work using a
thermodynamic heat engine (a turbine) with a heat source (a reactor) and a heat sink (a lake,
the sea, or the atmosphere). Following this basic concept, a number of variations of the
nuclear power plant have been designed.
A number of inter-related systems and components are integrated into nuclear power plant
design and interact with each other. Understanding their limitations and characteristics is an
essential part of reactor design. Consequently, the process designer must appreciate the
characteristics and limitations of all the major components and systems to carry out the
detailed design of a particular system, i.e., to make intelligent choices. Design is, after all, the
process of constraining the possible alternatives (in reaching a design objective) down to one
choice. The overall goal is to provide an effective process within the context of the whole
operation. This means that the system must perform its process function safely and efficiently
at a reasonable cost. The interplay of these key concepts and systems constitutes “the design
process”.
The final arbitrators in resolving the conflicting demands of each subsystem are: adequate level
of safety, low overall cost, material limits (temperature, mechanical stress, erosion, corrosion,
etc.), regulations, past experience, standardized design requirements, and quality assurance
(QA).
Figure 1 Heat engine concepts
2 Reactor Types
A number of reactor types are operating around the world, and many more have been
designed in the past 50+ years of nuclear energy utilization, but never built. Many of these
reactor types use very different physical and thermal-hydraulic concepts; however, only a
handful have been able to ensure commercial viability over the past 50 years.
A number of these reactor types have proven to be commercially and economically
competitive, the most successful of which include [ELW1990]:
 Pressurized water reactors (PWRs)
 Boiling water reactors (BWRs)
 Gas cooled reactors
 Channel type reactors.
Although a detailed discussion of these reactor types is beyond the scope of this text, the
general evolution of reactor design and several of these designs are discussed in Appendix A.
The CANDU reactor design is a channel-type reactor, and a general overview, as relevant to the
topic of thermal hydraulics, is presented in Section 2.1.
2.1 CANDU reactor design

The CANDU reactor has been designed and built by the Canadian nuclear industry [AECL1978,
AECL1997], based on research and development undertaken by AECL, and has been
successfully operating for 50 years in Canada and internationally. This is an important reactor
type because, unlike other power reactors, it uses natural rather than enriched uranium and
therefore offers much flexibility for countries wanting to enter into nuclear programs and fuel
fabrication without requiring expensive uranium enrichment services. This section provides a
brief description of the thermal hydraulics of CANDU reactors. Other sections in this chapter
provide more detailed information about the thermal-hydraulic design of the CANDU reactor
and its other systems and components.
Figure 2 Typical CANDU plant
Figure 2 provides a schematic diagram of a typical CANDU heat transport system.

Figure 3a provides a detailed diagram of the CANDU 6 primary heat transport system (blue
solid lines) and the shutdown system (green dashed lines) [AECL1981]. Figure 3b provides a 3D
view of the CANDU 6 cooling system layout in the reactor building (the nuclear island)
[AECL2005].
A CANDU nuclear steam supply system’s power production process starts like that of any other
nuclear steam supply system, with controlled fission in the reactor core.
a) CANDU 6 primary and shutdown cooling loops
b) CANDU 6 cooling loops in containment – 3D view

Figure 3 CANDU 6 reactor cooling loops
2.1.1 Reactor core and calandria vessel

The core in a CANDU reactor is horizontal (Figure 4), with reactor channels in the core
containing the reactor fuel and heavy water coolant, whereas the heavy water moderator is in
the calandria vessel surrounding the reactor core [AECL2009a, AECL2010]. The reactor is made
up of a stainless-steel horizontal cylinder, the calandria, closed at each end by end shields that
support the horizontal fuel channels spanning the calandria and provide personnel shielding. In
the CANDU 6 design, the calandria is housed in and supported by a light water-filled, steel-lined
concrete structure, the reactor vault, which provides thermal shielding (Figure 5). In the
Darlington/Bruce CANDU reactor design, the calandria vessel is housed in a steel shield tank
assembly, which performs a similar function to the CANDU 6 calandria vault. The calandria
contains heavy water (D2O) moderator at low temperature and pressure, reactivity control
mechanisms, and several hundred fuel channels.
Figure 4a) Typical CANDU reactor and heat transport system
Figure 4b) Typical CANDU fuel channel
Figure 4c) Typical CANDU fuel bundle

Figure 4 CANDU reactor, fuel channel, and fuel bundle
Neutrons produced by nuclear fission are moderated (slowed) by the D 2O in the calandria. The
moderator D2O is circulated through systems that cool and purify it and control the
concentrations of the soluble neutron absorbers used to adjust reactivity.
The fuel channels are also shown in Figure 4c. Each fuel channel supports 12 fuel bundles in
the reactor core (13 in the Darlington/Bruce CANDU design). The fuel channel assembly
includes a zirconium alloy pressure tube, a zirconium calandria tube, stainless steel end-fittings
at each end, and four spacers that maintain separation of the pressure and calandria tubes.
Each pressure tube is thermally insulated from the cool, low-pressure moderator by the CO2-
filled gas annulus between the pressure tube and the concentric calandria tube.
The CANDU fuel bundle typically consists of 37 elements (although advanced 43-element
designs have been qualified, and 28-element designs are still in service at Pickering station)
arranged in circular rings, as shown in Figure 4c.
Figure 5 CANDU calandria vessel and reactor vault
Each fuel element consists of natural uranium in the form of cylindrical pellets of sintered
uranium dioxide contained in a zircaloy-4 sheath closed at each end by an end cap. The fuel
elements are held together by end plates at each end to form the fuel bundle. The required
fuel element separation is maintained by spacers brazed to the fuel elements at the transverse
mid-plane. The outer fuel elements have bearing pads brazed to the outer surface to support
the fuel bundle in the pressure tube.
The CANDU reactor assembly, shown in Figure 5, includes the fuel channels contained in and
supported by the calandria. Each end shield consists of an inner and an outer tube sheet joined
by lattice tubes at each fuel channel location and a peripheral shell. The inner spaces of the
end shields are filled with steel balls and are light water-cooled. The fuel channels, supported
by the end shields, are located on a square lattice pitch. The calandria is filled with heavy
water moderator at low temperature and pressure.
2.1.2 Primary heat transport system design

The CANDU primary heat transport system consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary loops,
as shown in Figure 2 [AECL2009a]. There are several variations of the CANDU heat transport
system design, the latest being the Pickering, Bruce/Darlington, and CANDU 6 designs. The
CANDU 6 heat transport system design is described in the following sections.
The heat transport system (HTS) circulates pressurized D 2O coolant through the fuel channels
to remove the heat produced by fission in the nuclear fuel. The coolant transports the heat to
steam generators, where it is transferred to light water to produce steam to drive the turbine.
Two HTS coolant loops (one in the Bruce design) are provided in CANDU reactors (Figure 6).
Each loop has one inlet and one outlet header, as well as one primary pump and one steam
generator at each end of the reactor core. D2O is fed to each fuel channel through individual
inlet feeder pipes from the inlet headers and is returned from each channel through individual
outlet feeder pipes to the outlet headers. Each heat transport system loop is arranged in a
“figure-of-eight”, with the coolant making two passes in opposite directions through the core
during each complete circuit and the pumps in each loop operating in series. The coolant flow
in adjacent fuel channels is in opposite directions.
Figure 6 CANDU primary heat transport system

In most CANDU reactors, the pressure in the heat transport system is controlled by a
pressurizer connected to the outlet headers at one end of the reactor. Valves provide isolation
between the two loops and the pressurizer in the event of a loss-of-coolant accident.
Figure 6 provides a view of the “figure-of-eight” design of the CANDU heat transport system.
On the right side, this figure shows the CANDU heat transport system to scale, with all feeders
connected to the reactor core. Coolant is transported from the outlet headers to the steam
generator by a large steam generator inlet pipe. Primary coolant from the steam generator
outlet is transferred to the primary pump by means of a large pump suction pipe and from the
pump to the inlet header by means of large pump discharge pipes.
The main components of the reactor primary heat transport system, in addition to the reactor,
are the steam generators, primary pumps, connecting piping to each channel, distribution
headers, large piping connecting these to the pumps and the steam generators, and the
pressurizer. These components are described in the next few sections.
2.1.3 Steam generators

The CANDU steam generators consist of an inverted U-tube bundle within a cylindrical shell.
Heavy water coolant passes through the U-tubes [AECL2009a, AECL2010]. The steam
generators include an integral pre-heater on the secondary side of the U-tube outlet section
and integral steam-separating equipment in the steam drum above the U-tube bundle. A
typical steam generator structure is shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7 Typical steam generator design Figure 8 Typical pressurizer design

Operation and design details and calculations for the steam generator are provided in Section
7.3. The steam generator plays an important role in reactor heat transport system operation
because it connects the reactor operation with the turbine-generator operation.
2.1.4 Pressurizer
The pressure in the reactor primary coolant system is maintained at a controlled level by a
pressurizer. Figure 8 shows a view of a typical pressurizer [AECL2009a, AECL2010]. The
pressurizer contains steam in the upper section of its cylinder and water in the lower section.
The pressurizer is connected to the primary loop through a surge nozzle at the bottom.
Heaters are provided at the bottom of the pressurizer internals, and a spray nozzle, relief
nozzle, and safety nozzle are installed at the top of the pressurizer head.
A “positive surge” of water from the primary loop because of increasing loop pressure is
compensated for by injecting cold water from the top of the pressurizer, which condenses the
steam in the upper portion and thus reduces system pressure.
A “negative surge” of water empties the pressurizer, reducing steam pressure at the top of the
pressurizer and thus loop pressure. In this situation, the electrical heaters at the bottom of the
pressurizer are automatically activated, converting a portion of the water into steam and
resulting in a loop pressure increase. By performing these sequences (i.e., creating steam when
the loop pressure is too low or decreasing steam when the loop pressure is too high), the
pressurizer maintains loop pressure within a certain design range and also ensures smooth
pressure changes in the primary loop.
2.1.5 Primary pumps

The primary pumps used in the CANDU heat transport system are vertical, centrifugal motor-
driven pumps with a single suction and a double discharge [AECL2009a, AECL2010]. As shown
in Figure 9, the pump impeller is at the bottom of the pump, and the pump shaft extends
upward to the pump motor, passing through a number of pump seals and holding the pump
flywheel.
Figure 9 Typical primary pump design

Cooling of the reactor fuel in the event of electrical power supply interruption is maintained by
the rotational momentum of the heat transport pumps during reactor power rundown and by
natural convection flow after the pumps have stopped. More information on pump function,
design, and operation is provided in later sections of this chapter.
2.1.6 Primary heat transport piping

The CANDU reactor contains a relatively large number of pipes, called feeders, and manifolds,
called headers, in the primary heat transport system, which are used to distribute coolant to
the fuel channels in the core. Although these components have important functions and are
mentioned in this chapter, a detailed discussion is beyond the scope of this textbook. Note
that feeders are unique to reactor designs with fuel channels and provide a number of design
advantages, but are also vulnerable to certain types of accidents and aging effects, as
mentioned in other chapters.
2.1.7 Secondary heat transport system design

The NPP secondary heat transport system transfers the generated energy from the primary
closed circuit to the secondary, where the heat energy is transferred into mechanical energy of
rotation in the turbine and then into electrical energy by the electric generator. The main
components of the secondary heat transport system are the steam turbine, condenser, heat
exchangers, feedwater pumps, valves, and piping; these are covered in the next few sections.
2.1.8 Turbine
The CANDU steam turbine is typically a tandem compound unit, directly coupled to an
electrical generator by a single shaft. It consists of one double-flow high-pressure cylinder
followed by external moisture separators, five steam reheaters, and three double-flow low-
pressure cylinders. The turbine is designed to operate with saturated inlet steam. The turbine
system includes main steam stop valves, governor valves, reheat intercept valves, and
emergency stop valves. All these valves close automatically in the event of a turbine protection
system trip.
In the following sections, more details are provided about turbine operation, efficiency, and
other relevant parameters.
2.1.9 Condenser
The turbine condenser consists of three separate shells. Each shell is connected to one of the
three low-pressure turbine exhausts. Steam from the turbine flows into the shell, where it is
condensed by flowing over a tube bundle assembly through which cooling water is pumped.
The condenser cooling water typically consists of a once-through circuit that uses water from
an ocean, lake, or river or is connected to cooling towers. The condensed steam collects in a
tank at the bottom of the condenser called the “hot well”. A vacuum system is provided to
remove air and other non-condensable gases from the condenser shell. The condenser is
designed to accept turbine bypass steam to permit reduction of reactor power from 100% to
70% if the turbine is unavailable.
2.1.10 Heat exchangers and pumps

On its return to the steam generators, condensate from the turbine condenser is pumped
through the feedwater heating system. Typically, it first passes through three low-pressure
feedwater heater units, each of which contains two heaters fed by independent regenerative
lines. (This arrangement permits maintenance work to be carried out on the heaters with only
a small effect on turbine generator output.) Two of the heater units incorporate drain cooling
sections and the third a separate drain cooling stage. Next, the feedwater enters a deaerator,
where dissolved oxygen is removed. From the deaerator, the feedwater is pumped to the
steam generators through two high-pressure feedwater heaters, each incorporating drain
cooling sections (see Figure 55).
Several stages of feedwater pumps are installed to raise the pressure from the condenser
pressure (vacuum) of 4–6 kPa to the steam generator pressure of 4.7 MPa. More information
on heat exchanger design and calculations is provided in later sections of this chapter.
2.2 Problems
1. Name and describe the function of the main components of the CANDU primary heat
transport system.
2. Describe the main components of the pressurizer in a CANDU reactor, with a detailed
explanation of the method it uses to control the primary heat transport system
pressure.
3. Provide a detailed description of the steam generator function, with specific reference
to its role in the relationship between the primary and secondary heat transport
systems. Comment on the relationship of these systems with the overall size of the
steam generators.
3 CANDU Thermal-Hydraulic Design Evolution

To obtain a better understanding of CANDU design concepts, one needs to understand how the
design has evolved over the past 50 years [AECL1978, AECL1997]. This section provides
information focussing on the reasons why certain evolutionary steps were taken and why
certain design solutions were abandoned, based on operating experience and on evolving
regulatory requirements. The design evolution is covered from two perspectives: general
evolution resulting from nuclear operating and regulatory experience around the world, and
CANDU-specific operating and regulatory experience in Canada.
3.1 CANDU reactor evolution

The evolution of the heat transport system is of primary importance in understanding the
evolution of power reactor technology. The primary heat transfer system contains the reactor
core and the fuel and is therefore an important link between the reactor thermal-hydraulics,
physics, and fuel.
The evolution of the heat transport system, which is described in this section, captures the
design evolution of the reactor core, the fuel and fuel channels in the CANDU reactor, the type
and number of primary heat transfer loops, and the primary pumps and steam generators.
Also covered are the evolution of the systems and components on the secondary side of the
heat transfer.
The CANDU design had its beginnings in the early 1950s, with preliminary engineering studies
on a 20 MWe and a 200 MWe plant [AECL1997]. The design concepts were based on
experimental confirmation at the ZEEP, NRX, and NRU experimental reactors at the AECL Chalk
River Laboratory facilities. These studies eventually culminated in commitments to the
construction of NPD and Douglas Point. NPD began operating in 1962 and Douglas Point in
1966. At the same time, commitments were made to construct Pickering in 1964 and Bruce in
1969. The 1970s witnessed the excellent operating performance of Pickering and Bruce and
further commitments to construct the Gentilly-2 (Quebec), Embalse (Cordoba, Argentina),
Point Lepreau (New Brunswick), Wolsong (Korea), Pickering B (Ontario), Bruce B (Ontario), and
Darlington (Ontario) plants.
In most cases, successive plants have meant an increase in reactor power output. Evolutionary
developments have been undertaken to fit the requirements of stricter safety goals, higher
ratings and sizes, new regulations, better reliability and maintainability, and lower costs. These
evolutionary changes have been introduced in the course of engineering parallel reactor
projects with overlapping construction schedules—circumstances which provide close contact
with the practical realities of economics, manufacturing, construction activities, and
performance in plant commissioning. Features for one project furnished alternative concepts
for other plants on the drawing board at that time, and the experience gained in first
application yielded a sound basis for re-use in succeeding projects. Thus, the experience
gained in NPD, Douglas Point, Gentilly-1, and KANUPP contributed to Pickering and Bruce. In
turn, all these plants contributed to the CANDU 6 design (i.e., Gentilly-2, Point Lepreau,
Wolsong, Cernavoda, Embalse, and Qinshan). The evolutionary changes that have taken place
are discussed in the following sections.
Table 1 provides a general comparison of key design features of other reactor types with those
of CANDU [GAR1999, POP2014, POP2015]. Table 2 provides information on the evolution of
various key components in CANDU heat transport systems.
Table 1 Typical fuel characteristics for key reactor types
Characteristic BWR PWR AGR LMFBR CANDU
Moderator H2O H2O Graphite - D2O
Coolant H2O H2O CO2 Molten Salt D2O
Neutron Energy Thermal Thermal Thermal Fast Thermal
Fuel Enriched UO2 Enriched UO2 Enriched UO2 PuO2/UO2 Natural UO2
Fuel Geometry Cylindrical Cylindrical pellet Cylindrical pellet Cylindrical pellet Cylindrical pellet
pellet in clad in clad tube in clad tube in clad tube in clad tube
tube
Fuel Assembly Up to 10 x 10 Up to 17 x 17 Concentric Hexagonal rod 37-element fuel

rod array rod array circles array bundles (typ.)
3.1.1 Primary heat transport system

The evolution of the CANDU design has involved a continuing quest for higher reliability, better
equipment maintainability, and reduced radiation doses to operating staff. This has been
manifested in a dramatic reduction in the number of components, as shown in Table 2. For
example, NPD had approximately 100 valves per MW in the nuclear steam supply system. This
was reduced to less than 1 valve per MW in the Bruce, Gentilly-2, and Darlington designs. In
addition, there are no valves in the large HTS main piping (past the Pickering design). The
number of steam generators has gone from 12 in Pickering, to 8 in Bruce, to 4 in the CANDU 6
and Darlington designs. Other evolutionary changes have included improvements in sub-
cooling margins, increased gross and channel flowrates, and increases in system pressure and
temperature. All materials in the heat transport circuit are now specified for very low levels of
cobalt to minimize radiation fields, thus improving CANDU radiation protection robustness.
Table 2 CANDU main process parameters and features
Parameter Douglas Point Pickering Bruce/Darlington CANDU 6

Power Output MWe
210 515 750 / 850 700
Number of Channels 306 390 480 380
Number of Pumps 10 16 4 4
Pump Type Vertical Vertical Vertical Centrifugal Vertical Centrifugal

Centrifugal Single Centrifugal Single Stage Single Stage
Stage Single Stage
Power per Pump kW 600 1170 > 8250 > 5250
Pump Code BPVC Sect. VIII BPVC Sect. VIII BPVC Sect. III Class 1 BPVC Sect. III Class
1
Pump Seismic None None DBE Category ‘A’ DBE Category ‘A’
Classification
Number of Steam 80 12 4 or 8 4
Generators
SG Power MW/boiler 2.5 ~ 45 ~ 95 150
SG Material M-400 M-400 I-600 I-800
Number of SG Tubes 196 2600 > 4200 3550

Steam generator size has been generally limited by the industrial capability to produce the
generators. Figure 10 [GAR1999] shows the evolution of the steam generator in terms of its
size and power. The power of the Darlington steam generators is close to 800 MW. Current
CANDU 6 plant designs typically have four steam generators.
Monel was used as the tubing material for Douglas Point, RAPP, KANUPP, and Pickering. This
material has proven quite satisfactory for the non-boiling coolant conditions of those plants.
Inconel 600 was used in NPD and in Bruce. This is a more costly material than Monel; however,
its corrosion resistance in a boiling environment (as in Bruce) is much superior. Currently,
Incoloy 800 is used in all 600-MW class CANDU 6 operating reactors. This material is more or
less equal in most respects to Inconel 600, has greater resistance to intergranular attack, and is
somewhat lower in cost.
Figure 10 CANDU steam generator design evolution
3.1.3 Heat transport pumps

Pump-motor sets have retained essentially the same configuration in all CANDU stations, i.e.,
vertical electric motor-driven, centrifugal, volute-type casing, one radial guide bearing in the
pump with pumped fluid as lubricant, a tilting pad-type guide and double-acting thrust bearing
in the motor, and mechanical shaft seals. Table 2 provides information on the evolution of the
primary pump [GAR1999].
Maintainability has been improved by providing interchangeable sub-assemblies. Appropriate
shielding placement has made it possible to change a pump motor on Bruce while the reactor
continues to operate at 60%–70% power.
There has been a trend away from solid rotor flywheels (Douglas Point to Gentilly-2) to
additional packages of rotor laminations located just outboard of the main rotor (Point
Lepreau, Bruce 'B'). This manner of fabrication eliminates the requirement for in-service
inspection because it is highly unlikely that a defect could grow from one lamination to
another.
Regulatory requirements for pumps have grown from minimal at the beginning to the present
time, at which the pump pressure boundary is considered in the same way as for nuclear
pressure vessels (ASME Section III, Class I). Consequently, non-destructive examination (NDE)
and quality assurance requirements have increased considerably.
3.1.4 Reactor core

In 1955, a detailed design of a demonstration natural uranium reactor was carried out. It was
called the Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD) and was based on a vertical pressure vessel
concept [AECL1997]. In 1957, this was changed to a horizontal pressure tube configuration—a
configuration which has remained in subsequent heavy water-cooled reactors. The horizontal
configuration aided the on-line fuelling scheme by making double-ended fuelling feasible. It
also permitted the use of vertical safety control rods, which did not interfere with the pressure
tubes and feeders.
Reactor core evolutionary changes have been intended to achieve:
a) large increases in core rating with the minimum increase in reactor size (higher power
density enabling reduction in capital cost);
b) reduction in shop fabrication costs through simplification and standardization;
c) reduction in field assembly and shortened construction schedules through more shop
fabrication and modularization.
Table 3 Evolution of D2O content in the core and of power in the fuel channel
Reactor Design D2O in Core per MW MW Thermal per Metre

Thermal [m3/MWth] Length of Fuel Channel
[MWth/m]
NPD 0.410 0.163
Douglas Point 0.169 0.453
KANUPP 0.182 0.443
Pickering A 0.157 0.752
Bruce A & B 0.112 0.881
Gentilly-2 0.105 0.931
The major impact of higher power densities on capital costs is to reduce the heavy water
inventory. The amount of heavy water in the reactor core per MW produced in the reactor is
listed in Table 3. Higher power densities required more MWs of power produced per metre
length of fuel channel.
3.1.5 Reduction in radiation exposure

Canada has accepted the recommendations made by the International Commission on
Radiological Protection (ICRP) on maximum permitted doses for occupationally exposed
persons.
Note that severe accident doses are different from these normal operating doses and that
discussion is ongoing about these doses, especially under the influence of the accident in
Fukushima, Japan in 2011.
The major factors affecting the radiation dose accumulated by a worker are:
a) Amount of equipment.
b) Frequency of failure.
c) Time required for repair, service, and inspection.
d) Radiation conditions (fields and airborne concentrations).
Because radiation dose is proportional to the product of these four factors, a reduction in any
factor will reduce the dose received. The following general classification of some solutions in
the design stage has emerged:
1) Avoid adding equipment.
2) Eliminate equipment and remove unnecessary redundancy.
3) Simplify equipment.
4) Provide necessary equipment of high reliability.
5) Relocate equipment to lower radiation fields.
6) Eliminate materials such as cobalt, which could become highly radioactive.
7) Provide better chemical control and purification.
8) Arrange for quick removal for shop maintenance.
9) Extend interval between maintenance periods.
10) Reduce in-situ maintenance times.
11) Provide adequate space around equipment.
12) Provide adequate shielding so that maintenance can take place in low fields.
3.2 CANDU reactor types

Over the past 60 years, AECL in Canada has designed many types of CANDU reactors, some of
which were built and operated, and some of which were never built or were abandoned. This
section provides a brief overview of these past CANDU designs, with a view to understanding
the evolution of the CANDU heat transport system and its thermal-hydraulic design
[AECL1997].
3.2.1 Nuclear Power Demonstration station

Figure 11 shows the simplified HTS schematic for the Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD)
CANDU design [GAR1999, POP2014]. This was the first reactor design prepared by AECL. The
HTS circuit contained in-line isolating valves for maintenance purposes. Pump reliability was
enhanced by using three 50%-capacity pumps with check valves to prevent reverse flow
through the non-operating pump. The check valves were placed at the pump discharge, of
course, rather than at the suction to meet net positive suction head (NPSH) requirements. The
66 inlet and 66 outlet feeders at each end of the core terminated in a reactor inlet and a
reactor outlet header respectively. Hence, bidirectional channel flow was used to limit spatial
reactivity feedback. Channel flow was trimmed to match the radial power distribution by
inserting an orifice plate into the inlet end fittings. All feeders were of the same diameter.
Pump flywheels were used to match the power rundown during a Class IV power failure to
ensure adequate fuel cooling, as in all CANDU stations. Boilers were placed above the core to
enhance thermo-siphoning. Feed and bleed provided pressure and inventory control.
Figure 11 Nuclear Power Demonstration (NPD) heat transport system

The NPD nuclear station had some significant design features that were quite different from
other CANDU stations. There was only one set of inlet and outlet headers, with relatively long
connecting pipes running from one side to the other of the reactor vessel. The end fittings of
the reactor fuel channels did not have shield plugs, leading to a large holdup of heavy water in
this region. The core itself consisted of two fuel bundle types. The central region had 19-
element bundles, and the outer region had 7-element bundles.
Another difference from later CANDU reactors is that the steam generator was a horizontal U-
tube vessel with the steam drum situated above and connected to the steam generator by a
series of four-inch risers and downcomers.
3.2.2 Douglas Point

The Douglas Point power plant was the first station to incorporate features typical of later
CANDU designs [GAR1999, POP2014]. Figure 12 shows a simplified HTS schematic for the
Douglas Point design. This station used the “figure-of-eight” loop layout. This configuration
had the advantage of reducing D2O holdup and pressure drop by eliminating the long piping
runs to the far end of the core, which were inherent in the NPD design. This introduced the
possibility of east-west (loop end-to-end) imbalances. Redundancy in pumps was required to
achieve adequate reliability. As in NPD, bidirectional channel flow, check valves at pump
discharges, and isolation valves were used. Channel flow was trimmed to match the radial
power distribution using different feeder sizes or orifice plates in inlet feeders and shield plugs.
Figure 12 Douglas Point heat transport system
3.2.3 Pickering A and B

The Pickering stations have a similar thermal-hydraulic design to Douglas Point. The Pickering
heat transport system is shown in Figure 13 [OPG2000]. Power output was increased to 540
MWe, and two loops were used to reduce the rate of blowdown in the event of a loss-of-
coolant accident (LOCA).
Figure 13 Pickering A heat transport system

A loop interconnect was provided to reduce loop-to-loop imbalance. Manufacturing limits on
steam generators and pumps led to the use of 12 operating steam generators and 12 operating
pumps with four reserve pumps. Component isolation was still possible, but check valves were
eliminated because of the leakage and poor reliability experienced at the Douglas Point plant.
Trimmed channel flow was achieved by varying feeder sizes and inlet feeder orifice plates. The
Pickering fuel bundle has 28 fuel elements and is the only CANDU design currently operating
with 28-element fuel.
3.2.4 Bruce A and B

Figure 14 shows the simplified schematic of the Bruce HTS system [BPR2000]. It shows a
significant difference in layout compared to the Pickering station. For Bruce (and later stations,
such as CANDU 6 and Darlington), the reliability experience gained from previous plants
justified the elimination of stand-by pumps. For radiation protection and maintenance
reasons, valves were eliminated. Manufacturing now permitted larger components, and
therefore eight steam generators and four pumps were included. Channel flow was not
trimmed to meet power distribution capability as in all other CANDUs. A constant radial flow
distribution was maintained by changing feeder sizes to account for geometry and feeder
length differences. As in all CANDU designs, fuel channel flow velocity was limited to 10 m/s
due to concerns about fretting of the fuel bundle and pressure tubes. The Bruce channel
design had thirteen 37-element fuel bundles located in the fuel channel, but the core length
was kept the same. Therefore, at each end of the core, half a fuel bundle protruded out of the
reactor core region.
Figure 14 Bruce heat transport system
3.2.5 CANDU 6
The CANDU 6 has been discussed in previous and following sections. The figure-of-eight loop
HTS design was adopted as of the Pickering design [AECL2009a, AECL2010]. However, also as in
the Bruce design, fewer components were used. Increased confidence in knowledge of two-
phase flow led to the use of boiling under normal conditions in the HTS. Erosion and corrosion
concerns at the steam generator inlet limited the quality to 4.5% at this position or nominally
4% at the reactor outlet header (ROH). Erosion/corrosion concerns also limited single- and
two-phase coolant flow velocities to a maximum value of 15.25 m/s to 16.75 m/s. The
presence of boiling required a surge tank or pressurizer to accommodate the larger shrink and
swell during transients. The pressurizer was used for pressure control (using heaters and steam
bleed valves), whereas inventory control remained as feed and bleed. This is the same
approach as in the Bruce design because the Bruce design is nominally single-phase. A heat
transport system schematic of the CANDU 6 design is shown in Figure 3.
3.2.6 Darlington
The HTS schematic for the Darlington design, shown in Figure 15, is similar to the CANDU 6
design. The Darlington reactor core design is similar to the Bruce reactor core design (480 fuel
channels with 13 bundles per channel) [OPG2002]. The Darlington HTS process conditions
were chosen to be very close to those of the CANDU 6 because that was the state of the art at
that time. An optimization program showed that higher tube pressures, higher qualities, and
higher velocities were economical. However, state-of-the-art engineering limits on pressure
tubes, qualities, and velocities forced the optimization to stop at these limits, which were the
same as for the CANDU 6 design.
Figure 15 Darlington heat transport system
The HTS for Darlington was designed by Ontario Hydro with design support from AECL. AECL
retained responsibility for the primary HTS between the headers (RIH, feeders, end-fittings, fuel
channels, and ROH), whereas Ontario Hydro assumed design responsibility for the rest of the
system.
The Darlington HTS design has four inlet headers, two on each side of the calandria vessel, and
two outlet headers, one on each side of the calandria vessel. This configuration enables mixing
in the outlet headers between the two loops, a feature that is useful for balancing the coolant
parameters in both loops. However, it also exhibits some weaknesses in achieving isolation of
the intact loop when the other loop is exposed to a break and a large LOCA situation.
3.2.7 Advanced CANDU designs

The advanced CANDU designs responded to continuing emphasis on safety, reliability, and
maintainability (R&M), quality assurance (QA), reduction in radiation doses, standardization,
modularization, and capital cost reduction. The excellent performance record of Pickering and
Bruce was maintained through a vigorous R&D program and a common-sense approach to QA.
Along with maintaining the above features, some of the high-level design directions were:
a) Reduction of capital cost;
b) Minimization of all areas of cost, from engineering to fabrication, construction, and
commissioning; and
c) Shortening of the overall construction schedule.
Heat transport system and process designs also reflected the evolution in the state of the art,
notably in the following areas:
1) Critical heat flux;
2) Erosion/corrosion velocity limits;
3) Single- and two-phase pressure drop and heat transfer correlations;
4) Thermo-siphoning;
5) Safety guidelines and requirements;
6) Stability aspects of two-phase flows;
7) Two-phase pump performance requirements;
8) Pump seals;
9) Process modelling (e.g., pressurizer, headers, boilers);
10) Creep of fuel channels;
11) Fuel design (fretting, hydraulic characteristics);
12) Power output and other constraints as required by clients;
13) Feeder sizing criteria.
3.2.7.1 CANDU 3, CANDU 9, and ACR-700

The CANDU 3, CANDU 9, and ACR-700 conceptual and preliminary designs were completed in
the 1990s and 2000s to meet a market need for small low-cost power reactors, large natural
uranium-fuelled reactors, and customer-specific needs respectively. Each of these reactor
types had different heat transport designs; however, no stations were built using these reactor
designs, and they were abandoned by AECL.
3.2.7.2 ACR-1000
The ACR-1000 conceptual and preliminary design was completed at the end of the 2000s;
however, no station was built using this reactor design. Figure 16 shows the key features of the
primary ACR-1000 heat transport system [AECL2009b]. The ACR-1000 reactor uses light water
as coolant with a low level of fuel enrichment (around 2.1%). This combination, along with
certain fuel design changes, resulted in negative void reactivity. The fuel design consisted of a
43-element bundle (CANFLEX) with low-enriched uranium fuel and with the central and
intermediate rings of larger diameter than the outer two rings. The central element did not
have fuel in it, and the outer two rings had pins with a certain percentage of neutron absorber
to achieve negative void reactivity. The fuel had target burn-up as high as 20,000 MWd/t.
Reactor power was about 3200 MWt with 520 fuel channels in the core.
Figure 16 ACR-1000 heat transport system

The heat transport system has two figure-of-eight loops with four steam generators, with four
pumps, two pumps, and two steam generators on each side of the loop. Although this reactor
design has a negative void reactivity and from this perspective does not need to have two
primary loops to reduce the power pulse in a large LOCA, it had two loops for a different
reason. Because the reactor power was high, in addition to other reasons, having one loop (as
in ACR-700) would require very large steam generators and primary pumps. Hence, splitting
the core into two loops brought the scale of the steam generators and primary pumps closer to
those readily available on the market.
The reactor pressure was high (about 13 MPa), along with high inlet and outlet temperatures,
resulting in better thermal efficiency than earlier models.
3.2.7.3 Enhanced CANDU 6
The Enhanced CANDU 6 (EC6) design followed the CANDU 6 design, but included a number of
design changes to enhance safety, operability, maintainability, constructability, and economics
[AECL2009a, AECL2010]. Most of these changes were made in the reactor safety systems, with
few in the thermal-hydraulic design. The EC6 heat transport system basically followed the
CANDU 6 design, which has been covered in previous sections.
3.3 Non-PHWR CANDU designs

A number of CANDU-generic reactor designs were completed that either did not use heavy
water coolant or were horizontal. These designs were never used in any CANDU stations, but
they present a particular set of design directions that were considered in the past. These
designs were later abandoned for various reasons, eventually focussing AECL’s design effort on
the horizontal heavy water reactor, known as CANDU, which was fuelled, moderated, and
cooled in a horizontal direction. Some of these early designs are covered in the following
sections.
3.3.1 CANDU-BLW
This was the second version of the basic CANDU concept to reach the prototype reactor stage
(the 250 MWe Gentilly-1 plant) [AECL1997]. Its major difference from the others lay in the
choice of coolant: boiling light (ordinary) water, hence its name, BLW. Its reactor coolant and
turbine systems were fundamentally the same as those of the BWR described earlier, i.e., a
direct cycle was used.
Figure 17 CANDU BLW heat transport system

For this version, a vertical orientation was chosen. A number of detailed considerations
relating to the boiling coolant led to this choice.
Figure 17 provides a schematic illustration of the design. Ordinary water is pumped to the
bottom of each fuel channel through an individual feeder pipe. As the water passes upwards
and absorbs heat from the fuel, a fraction (~18%) is evaporated to steam. The resulting
steam/water mixture then flows to a conventional steam drum where the steam and water are
separated. The steam then flows to the turbine, and the water, mixed with incoming
feedwater in the drum, flows down to the circulating pumps, completing the cycle.
The British developed a similar version, called the SGHWR (steam-generating heavy water
reactor). A 100 MWe prototype was built. It differed from the Gentilly-1 design in that it used
slightly enriched fuel. This enabled lower-purity heavy water moderator to be used, reducing
capital costs. The fuelling costs were, however, somewhat higher.
In Japan, another similar version, called the FUGEN reactor, was developed and operated for
about 20 years. The moderator cooling system was similar to the conventional CANDU version.
3.3.2 CANDU-OCR
A third version of the basic CANDU concept used an organic fluid as the coolant [AECL1997]. It
would have been similar to the PHWR concept, except that the boilers would likely be of the
“once-through” type, with some steam superheating provided. This was made possible
because the coolant temperature at the reactor outlet could be ~100°C higher than with heavy
water cooling.
Figure 18 CANDU OCR heat transport system

The Whiteshell Reactor-1 (WR-1) experimental reactor at the AECL Whiteshell establishment
used this concept, except that the heat was used only for building heating, i.e., no turbine was
provided. The reactor operated under coolant conditions which were the same as those used
in a commercial power plant.
Figure 18 shows a design drawing of the CANDU-OCR reactor with the key features explained
above. This reactor was never built because this concept was abandoned due to certain
weaknesses that were encountered, such as fire protection with coolant that is naturally
flammable, aging of the coolant (which required constant replacement and hence had a
negative impact on reactor availability (associated outage frequency)), and radiation protection
of the removed aged coolant.
One of the benefits of using organic coolant is that it is a mixture of several components and
therefore does not boil completely at a certain temperature. This helps to avoid going through
a two-phase region at one pressure and temperature, thus avoiding problems with critical heat
flux. Organic coolant also helps to achieve much higher coolant temperatures in the core
without the need to elevate the core pressure (as would be necessary for water). This
improves thermal efficiency significantly and makes the mechanical design easier and “lighter”
because of lower core pressures.
3.4 Problems
1. Describe and contrast the main similarities and differences between a CANDU primary
heat transport system and a PWR primary heat transport system design.
2. List three different CANDU reactor designs and explain the differences between each of
their heat transport system designs.
3. Identify four impacts of radiation doses on workers and list the general solutions that
have emerged at the design stage to mitigate their impacts.
4. Explain the benefits of using organic coolant in the CANDU-OCR design.
4 Thermal-Hydraulic Design Requirements

This section covers power reactor design requirements with a focus on the thermal-hydraulic
design of the reactor core [GAR1999, POP2014]. However, it should be kept in mind that the
thermal-hydraulic design is tightly linked to and interfaces with other aspects of reactor design,
particularly core physics and fuel design. Therefore, in various sections throughout this
chapter, these interfaces are mentioned and covered to the extent necessary to obtain a better
understanding of thermal-hydraulic design.
Relevant core configurations for various reactor types are covered, with a specific focus on the
CANDU design. Requirements for coolant, fuel, moderator, and key materials used for reactor
control and construction are covered, typical materials used for these components discussed,
options considered, and analysis provided.
When discussing fuel, coolant, and moderator requirements, note that neutron economy is
repeatedly mentioned as an important parameter [GLA1967]. This is true even for enriched
uranium reactors because the amount of fissile isotope enrichment, and hence the cost of the
fuel, is very sensitive to the neutron economy of the reactor. This is particularly so because
uranium enrichment is very costly because it involves an isotope separation rather than a
chemical separation process. In addition to cost, the fuel enrichment process involves a
number of safeguards, regulations, and rules, which make this process politically sensitive.
4.1 Fuel requirements

In all commercial power reactors, fuel is used in solid form and in various geometries such as
solid rods (cylindrical), plates, spheres, or annular configurations (see Figure 19). The key
parameter governing fuel design, with respect to thermal hydraulics, is the external surface
area-to-volume ratio. Good heat transfer to the coolant medium is promoted by high values of
this ratio, whereas low fuel manufacturing costs and good neutron economy generally are
promoted by low values of this ratio. This presents a “classical” optimization problem during
reactor design. Therefore, from this perspective, the annular fuel geometry best meets this
requirement; plate fuel is next, and cylindrical fuel is the worst. However, in most power
reactors in operation today, cylindrical fuel rods are used, primarily due to lower
manufacturing costs.
Figure 19 Fuel rod design types

Fuel requirements include (but are not limited to):
a) Low cost – both material and fabrication.
b) Good neutron economy.
c) Good corrosion resistance to coolant.
d) Physical stability under effects of radiation, temperature, and pressure.
Typical uranium-based fuel materials that have been considered or used include:
1) Uranium metal.
2) Uranium / other material alloy.
3) Ceramic uranium dioxide.
4) Uranium carbide.
5) Uranium silicide.
A summary of uranium fuel characteristics is presented in Table 4 [POP2014].
Table 4 Summary of uranium fuel characteristics [POP2014]
U Fuel Cost Neutron Corrosion Physical

Form Economy Stability
U Metal Lowest OK Poor Poor (swelling)
U Alloy Higher Lower OK OK
UO2 Higher Lower Excellent Excellent. High

T.
UC Lower than UO2<UC<U Good, except Good. High T.

UO2 Metal against water
US ~UC ~UC Good even ~UC

with water
Among uranium-based fuels, uranium metal is generally lowest in manufacturing cost and
highest in neutron economy, the latter because of its high density and the absence of other
neutron-absorbing elements. However, it has poor corrosion resistance to most coolants,
which is important in the event of fuel cladding failure. Its geometric stability in reactor use is
poor, primarily because of the swelling effects of fission products with specific volume greater
than that of the parent uranium.
Large quantities of alloying agents, such as zirconium, can be used, which effectively solve the
geometric stability and coolant corrosion problems. Unfortunately, both cost and neutron
economy suffer.
Uranium dioxide is the form in which uranium fuel is used in the vast majority of today’s power
reactors. It is somewhat more expensive to manufacture and less neutron-economical than
uranium metal because of its lower density, but possesses excellent corrosion resistance to
most coolants and a high degree of geometric stability. Being a ceramic, it can withstand high
operating temperatures, which has been the deciding factor.
Uranium carbide may be attractive as a fuel for future reactor designs. It is relatively
inexpensive to manufacture (comparable to UO2) and has somewhat better neutron economy
than UO2 (because of its higher density), but not as good as that of uranium metal. It has good
corrosion resistance against many coolants, but unfortunately not to water. Its dimensional
stability is good, and it can operate at high temperatures.
Uranium silicide is a more recent development with most of the advantages of uranium carbide
and in addition adequate resistance to corrosion by water coolants.
4.1.1 Metallic fuels

Unalloyed uranium metal is a very poor reactor fuel because it exhibits substantial growth
under irradiation. Highly irradiated specimens have been known to show axial growth equal to
more than 60% of the original sample length.
Uranium metal is highly chemically reactive and can be used at high temperatures with only a
few coolants, e.g., carbon dioxide and helium. Low-alloy uranium fuel (with a small amount of
alloying material) has been demonstrated to increase corrosion resistance to high-temperature
water and to improve irradiation stability. Good results have been obtained with U3Si (U-3.8
wt.% Si). Irradiation stability is somewhat improved, and corrosion resistance is about 500
times greater than that of unalloyed uranium. More satisfactory fuels can be obtained by
addition of alloying materials, for example, 10–20 wt.% Mo or Nb alloys containing 10%–13.5%
molybdenum; this option has appeared most promising.
Fuels that are highly satisfactory from both the irradiation-damage and water-corrosion
standpoints can be obtained with large additions of alloying material. The only high-alloy
uranium fuels in current power-reactor application are alloys of uranium and zirconium
because of the good neutron economy features of zirconium.
4.1.2 Ceramic fuels

Uranium dioxide is the most widely used of all reactor materials [POP2014]. It has an
irradiation stability far superior to that of metallic fuels and can withstand the high burn-up
required for economical power-reactor application. When properly prepared, it exhibits
excellent resistance to high-temperature water or sodium.
Uranium dioxide is obtained from the gaseous UF6 product of the diffusion plant. Hydrolysis of
UF6 produces UO2F2, which is reacted in a dilute ammonia solution to form a precipitate of
ammonium diuranate. This precipitate is calcined to UO3, which is then reduced to UO2 by
hydrogen at about 800°C. The oxide is produced as a fine powder, which needs to be pressed
into a high-density compact form followed by sintering at high temperature into cylindrical
pellets.
The thermal conductivity of uranium dioxide is quite low. At the high power output required in
power-reactor service, this leads to very high temperature gradients across the fuel element.
The resulting thermal stresses generally lead to radial cracking of the pellets during operation.
However, this cracking does not appear to cause any deterioration in fuel performance,
provided that the pellets are suitably restrained by cladding. Fuel element centreline melting
does remain a concern and imposes an important safety margin criterion.
The chief limitation on UO2 fuel performance is the swelling caused by gaseous fission products.
At low and moderate burn-up, the swelling is slight and roughly linear with burn-up. Above a
critical burn-up, the swelling increases markedly, and continued exposure of the fuel leads to
unacceptable dimensional changes. The critical burn-up is primarily a function of fuel density, a
value of about 17x103 MWd/tHE (heavy elements) being obtained with fuel of 97% oxide
density and a value on the order of 42x103 MWd/tHE with 93% density fuel.
Thorium dioxide (ThO2) behaves similarly to UO2 under irradiation. Thermal stress-induced
cracking is also observed in ThO2 fuels.
Carbide fuels are intended primarily for use in fast-breeder reactors (where they provide better
breeding ratios). Because these reactors operate on the U-Pu cycle, the fuel consists of mixed
uranium and plutonium oxides. Thermal conductivity of UC is substantially better than that of
UO2. Hence, considerably higher specific powers are possible without risk of centreline
melting. However, at higher temperatures, the swelling rate becomes excessive. The higher
thermal conductivity of carbide fuel leads to a much lower Doppler coefficient than that
obtained with an oxide core (the Doppler effect is the change in frequency of a wave for an
observer moving relative to its source). Because the Doppler coefficient in the fuel is the main
component of negative reactivity feedback in most accident situations, designing a safe
carbide-fuelled core may be more difficult than designing an oxide core.
Nitride fuels have also been considered for use in fast reactor fuel.
4.1.3 Dispersion fuels

In a dispersion-type fuel, particles of fissile material are embedded in a metallic ceramic matrix
[POP2014]. Such fuels can generally withstand significantly higher burn-up than alloy fuels. If
the fuel particles are separated sufficiently, the areas damaged by fission fragments will not
overlap, and a continuous metal phase will remain.
UO2 and PuO2 can be dispersed in aluminum, stainless steel, and zirconium alloys. The low-
temperature limitation on the use of aluminum eliminates these dispersions from
consideration for use in power reactors. Although stainless steel suffers from no such
limitation, poor neutron economy eliminates it from consideration in commercial reactors.
Dispersion of UO2 in zirconium alloys forms highly satisfactory fuels if highly enriched uranium
is used. Fuel performance is still limited by fuel swelling.
The most important dispersion fuel in use today is the dispersion of mixed uranium-thorium
carbides or oxides in graphite. These dispersions are used in high-temperature gas-cooled
reactors. Dispersion is achieved by multiple layers of pyrolytic carbon.
4.2 General fuel sheath (cladding) requirements

During fission, new isotopes of a wide variety of elements are produced. Many of these remain
radioactive for a significant time after they are generated and hence constitute a potential
radiation hazard to plant operators and the public at large. It is therefore clearly desirable to
keep these fission products “bottled up” within the fuel where they are generated. This is the
primary function of the fuel sheath (or cladding in light water reactor technology).
The fuel cladding takes the form of an impervious “skin” or “shell” which encloses the fuel
material. The most important requirements that cladding material should meet are [GAR1999,
POP2014]:
a) Corrosion resistance to coolant.
b) Mechanical durability.
c) High operating temperature capability (high melting temperature).
d) Good neutron economy.
e) Low cost, both material and fabrication.
f) Impermeability to fission products.
The following cladding materials have been considered or are currently used in operating
reactors:
1. Aluminum.
2. Magnesium (Magnox).
3. Stainless steel.
4. Ceramics.
5. Zirconium (used in CANDU reactors).
A summary of fuel cladding characteristics is presented in Table 5.
Table 5 Summary of fuel cladding characteristics [POP2014]
Cladding Corrosion Mechanical High T Neutron Cost FP
Type Resistance Durability Capability Economy Containment
Al Good, Low Low Good Low Good
except at
high T
Mg ~Al, Ok for ~ Al > Al ~ Al > Al ~ Al
CO2
Stainless Good Good Good Poor Good Good
Steel
Zr OK OK OK Excellent High Good
Ceramic Good Brittle Excellent OK OK OK
4.2.1 Aluminum, magnesium, stainless steel, and ceramic

Aluminum and its alloys possess many attractive properties such as low cost, easy fabrication,
high ductility (important in preventing cladding failures), good neutron economy, and
impermeability to fission products. Their major disadvantages for power reactor use are poor
mechanical properties at high temperatures and poor high-temperature corrosion resistance
with most coolants. Because the latter are temperature-dependent, aluminum alloys are
widely used in research reactor fuels where cladding operating temperatures are low, but are
not currently used in power reactors.
Magnesium alloys are similar to aluminum alloys in most regards. An alloy called “Magnox”
has, however, better high-temperature properties and adequate corrosion resistance to permit
its use in some CO2-cooled power reactors (i.e., Magnox reactors, used in the past and
described in Appendix A).
Stainless steel is a very attractive material in all major regards except for its poor neutron
economy. It has been and still is used in a number of reactors where its poor neutron economy
is somewhat less important because enriched uranium fuel is used. Stainless steels are used as
cladding in reactors where high-temperature service is needed. This type of cladding was used
in the British high-temperature, CO2-cooled reactors. Both gas-cooled and sodium-cooled fast-
reactor designs use stainless-steel cladding.
Most cladding materials in current use are metals, although ceramic-type materials have seen
limited use in certain applications.
4.2.2 Zirconium
Zirconium, in its various low-alloy forms, is by far the most common cladding material in
current use. It is the primary material type used for CANDU reactor fuel cladding. Despite its
relatively high base material cost, it combines to a large degree all the desirable cladding
properties for use with most coolants.
The primary advantage of zirconium as a cladding material is its very low cross section for
thermal neutrons, which greatly improves neutron economy. Zirconium has very good water
corrosion resistance at high temperatures. Adding tin, iron, and chromium to zirconium greatly
improves its mechanical properties. The best-known zirconium alloys are Zircaloy 2, 3, and 4,
which have found wide application as cladding for power reactor fuel elements.
Zirconium alloys are unsuitable for use at very high temperatures, even though the melting
point of zirconium is 1852°C. At 862°C, zirconium transforms from a close-packed hexagonal
structure to one that is body-centred cubic, and it is necessary to stay below this phase change.
At these temperatures, a reaction with UO2 can occur at the cladding inner interface of the
zirconium.
Zirconium alloys exhibit significant creep at the temperatures and stresses typical of PWR
reactor design. Creep rates increase markedly with temperature and are accelerated by
reactor irradiation.
At high temperatures (beginning at above 800°C), zirconium chemically reacts with steam to
release hydrogen in an exothermic reaction. This reaction must be considered in evaluating
any LOCA event that could expose the fuel elements to steam. Reaction of an appreciable
fraction of the cladding could add significantly to the severity of the accident. Moreover, the
mechanical properties of ZrO2 are not as favourable as those of zirconium.
The last point to be made about zirconium cladding is its cost. Zirconium tubes are more
expensive than stainless-steel tubes. Fabrication costs are also higher because all welding must
be done in an inert atmosphere. However, the decrease in fuel costs more than offsets the
increased material and fabrication costs.
Most power reactors in operation today use zirconium alloy as cladding material.
4.3 Reactor coolant requirements

The purpose of reactor coolant is to transport the heat generated in the reactor fuel either to
the turbine (direct-cycle reactor) or to intermediate heat exchangers (indirect-cycle reactor).
The coolants may be liquids, two-phase liquid/vapour mixtures, or gases.
Reactor coolant must meet the following general requirements [POP2014]:
a) High heat capacity
b) Good heat transfer properties
c) Low neutron absorption
d) Low neutron activation
e) Low operating pressure at high operating temperature
f) Non-corrosive to fuel cladding and coolant system
g) Low cost.
The following coolant materials have been considered or are currently used in operating
reactors:
1. CO2 gas
2. Helium
3. Ordinary water
4. Heavy water
5. Organic fluid
6. Molten salt
7. Liquid metal.
The main commercial power reactor coolant types are described briefly in the following
sections.
The CANDU reactor design is the only reactor design that uses heavy water as both a
moderator and a coolant and is fuelled by natural uranium fuel.
A summary of coolant characteristics is presented in Table 6.
4.3.1 Ordinary water and heavy water coolants

Of the candidate HTS liquid coolants, ordinary (light) water is by far the most commonly used.
It is inexpensive, has excellent heat transfer properties, and is adequately non-corrosive to the
zirconium alloys used for fuel cladding and reactor structural components and to ferritic or
austenitic steel coolant system materials. Its disadvantages include only moderate neutron
economy and relatively high vapour pressure under coolant temperatures at power reactor HTS
conditions. It is activated by neutrons in the reactor core, but this activity dies away rapidly,
permitting reasonable access to the coolant system for shutdown maintenance. A further
disadvantage is that water transports system corrosion products, permitting them to be
activated in the reactor core. These activated corrosion products then create shutdown
radiation fields in the coolant system. The water coolant may be used as a liquid in an indirect-
cycle system or may be permitted to boil, producing steam in a direct-cycle system.
Table 6 Summary of coolant characteristics [POP2014]
Corrosi
Neutro
Activat
Coolant
Capaci
Econo
Coeff.
Coeff.
Heat
Cost
Type
ion
my
HT
HT
ve
ty
CO2 Gas < He n
Good OK, except Low Low Low Low
high T
He Higher Good Good, if Low Low Low Low
pure
H2O Very Low Moderate OK High Excellent Excellent Yes, short
T1/2
D2O High Excellent OK High Excellent Excellent Yes, short
T1/2
Organic Moderate H2O < organic Excellent High Excellent Excellent None
< D2O
Liquid High Moderate Select High Excellent Excellent Yes, long
Metal Materials T1/2
Heavy water is used as both coolant and moderator in CANDU-type reactors. Its outstanding
advantage is much better neutron economy than ordinary water. Its primary disadvantage is
its high cost, plus a somewhat higher tendency to activate into tritium. Otherwise, its
properties are similar to those of ordinary water.
The relatively ionizing irradiation (including γ’s released because of neutron-radiative capture)
causes decomposition (radiolysis) of water. Decomposition occurs in both H2O and D2O by the
same mechanism. The rate of gas evolution (radiolysis) is proportional to radiation flux and
decreases with increasing temperature.
Radiolysis of water is an important phenomenon that must be considered in analysis of
accident events (as well as in normal operation) in a power reactor. Hydrogen is produced by
radiolysis of water discharged from any break and can accumulate in the reactor building.
Radiolysis of discharged water can occur because of γ-radiation from the sources within the
discharged water (high contribution) or from the reactor fuel (low contribution). Above a
certain concentration, hydrogen will burn at an explosive rate, creating a high risk to reactor
components and building structures (e.g., in the Fukushima accident). The accumulation of
hydrogen produced by radiolysis of discharged water in a LOCA event can be controlled by
passive autocatalytic recombiners.
Water circulated through a reactor core exhibits appreciable induced radioactivity. The γ
activity induced is primarily due to the 7.4 s half-life 16N produced by fast-neutron interaction
with 16O. Additional activity may be introduced by activation of dissolved impurities and
dissolved or suspended corrosion products. Hence, water purification is an important process
that is continuously performed by dedicated systems.
4.3.2 Gaseous coolants

Two common gaseous coolants are in use: CO2 and helium. CO2 has the advantages of low
cost, low neutron activation (important in minimizing radiation fields from the coolant system),
high allowable operating temperatures, good neutron economy, and for gases, relatively good
heat transfer properties at moderate coolant pressures. At very high temperatures, CO2 tends
to corrode neutron-economical fuel cladding materials and the graphite moderator used in
most gas-cooled reactors. Its chief drawback, as for all gases, is its poor heat transfer
properties relative to liquids. As a result, coolant pumping power requirements tend to be very
high, particularly if high reactor power densities are to be achieved (which is desirable to
minimize reactor capital costs).
A good gaseous coolant should have a low neutron-absorption cross section, high heat
capacity, and high thermal conductivity.
All gaseous coolants have the disadvantage that a significant fraction of the plant energy
output must be used to circulate the coolant. Furthermore, the low heat transfer coefficient
requires a large heat transfer area. This may require a larger core or the use of extended
surfaces (fins).
4.3.3 Liquid metal coolants

Certain liquid metals can be used as coolants. Of these, only sodium and a sodium-potassium
eutectic called NaK have achieved significant use. Their advantages include excellent heat
transfer properties and very low vapour pressures at high temperatures. Fuel cladding and
coolant system materials require careful selection to avoid “corrosion”. Their chief
disadvantages include incompatibility with water (the turbine working fluid), relatively high
neutron absorption, a relatively high melting point (leading to coolant system trace heating
requirements), and high coolant activation with sustained radiation fields after reactor
shutdown.
Liquid metal coolants are important only for fast reactors because these metals are poor
neutron moderators. Sodium is one of the most suitable liquid-metal coolants.
Sodium becomes radioactive when 24Na is formed by neutron capture. This radioisotope has a
15-h half-life and emits gamma rays of 1.37 and 2.75 MeV [GAR1999]. Hence, shielding of the
cooling system is necessary. Care must be taken to ensure a leak-tight system. Sodium is
chemically reactive and will burn on exposure to air, evolving the oxide as dense smoke.
Furthermore, it reacts violently with water, producing NaOH and hydrogen gas.
4.4 Moderator requirements

Most currently operating power reactors are of the thermal type, i.e., the energy of the
neutrons causing fission is in the thermal range. Because the neutrons produced by fission
have very high energies, they must be slowed down, or “thermalized”. The medium used for
this is called the moderator. It is deployed as a continuous medium surrounding the fuel
“cells”. The fuel cells form a geometric pattern, called the reactor “lattice”. The optimum
spacing between these fuel cells is a function of several variables, including the mass of fuel per
cell, the mean free path of the neutrons being thermalized, the degree to which the moderator
wastefully absorbs neutrons, and the cost of the moderating medium. A summary of
moderator characteristics is presented in Table 7 [POP2014].
The best moderator is something that is the same size as a neutron, i.e., the hydrogen atom,
1
H1. However, hydrogen does absorb neutrons as well. The deuterium atom, 2H1, at twice the
mass of hydrogen, is almost as good a slowing-down agent, but because it already has an extra
neutron in the nucleus, it has a very low absorption cross section. Therefore, deuterium is a far
better moderator overall than hydrogen. By using deuterium in the form of heavy water,
natural uranium can be used as a fuel. If ordinary water is used, the fuel must be enriched in
235
U.
A good moderator has a high scattering cross section, a low absorption cross section, and slows
down the neutron in the least number of collisions (high lethargy, ξ).
The desirable properties of moderators are:
a) High moderating efficiency
b) Low neutron absorption
c) Resistance to irradiation and corrosion
d) Low cost, including material, manufacture, and installation.
The following materials have been considered or are currently used as moderators in operating
reactors:
1. Graphite
2. Ordinary water
3. Heavy water.
Graphite has been widely used as a moderator for power reactors. The carbon atom is
relatively “light”, graphite is relatively inexpensive, and carbon is a relatively weak absorber of
neutrons. Nevertheless, the carbon atom is sufficiently large, leading to relatively long neutron
mean free paths for thermalization, that graphite-moderated reactors tend to be large.
Furthermore, the relatively large amount of graphite required leads to significant neutron
wastage through absorption.
Table 7 Summary of moderator characteristics [POP2014]
Moderator Cost Neutron Moderator Irradiation Activation Mean Free
Type Economy Efficiency Stability Path
Graphite OK H2O < Medium Excellent Irrelevant Long
Graphite <
D2O
H2O Very Low Moderate Low Excellent Good Small
D2O High Excellent Highest Excellent Good Medium
Ordinary water is a much more efficient moderator in terms of the neutron mean free path for
thermalization because of its hydrogen atoms. It is also very inexpensive. Unfortunately,
however, hydrogen also has a significant “appetite” for absorbing thermal neutrons, which
hurts neutron economy. Most of the reactors operating in the world use ordinary water as
coolant and moderator.
Heavy water is almost as good as ordinary water in terms of neutron mean free path because
the deuterium atoms (which replace the hydrogen atoms in ordinary water) are relatively
“light”. Its outstanding advantage relative to ordinary water is that it has a very small
“appetite” for absorbing neutrons. Hence, it promotes a high level of neutron economy. Its
major disadvantages are its high cost and the possibility of its activation into tritium.
4.5 Control material requirements

Reactor control is most commonly accomplished by moving control rods or control mechanisms
in the reactor core or by injecting liquid containing material (poisons) with high neutron-
absorption cross section in the thermal and near-thermal range [POP2014] into the coolant
and/or moderator.
4.5.1 Hafnium
Hafnium is one of the best control-rod materials for water-cooled reactors. It is found together
with zirconium and is created as a by-product of the separation process for zirconium. Hafnium
is chemically similar to zirconium and shows the same high resistance to corrosion by high-
temperature water.
Hafnium consists of four isotopes, each of which has an appreciable neutron absorption cross
section. Note that the capture of neutrons in one isotope leads to the production of the next
higher isotope, which is also an effective absorber. Therefore, hafnium remains an effective
poison for a significant time.
4.5.2 Cadmium alloys

By alloying cadmium, which has a high thermal-absorption cross section, with silver and
indium, which have high resonance absorption, a highly effective absorber is produced. The
alloy is typically composed of 80% Ag, 15% In, and 5% Cd, can be readily fabricated, and has
adequate strength at water-reactor temperatures.
These alloys have exhibited moderate resistance to corrosion by hot water after plating with
nickel. Bonding of the base to the nickel was ensured by heating the control rod to an elevated
temperature before reactor exposure. Corrosion under reactor conditions was good, but in
subsequent use of the alloy, it was encapsulated in stainless-steel tubes so that direct contact
with the coolant was eliminated.
Cadmium is typically used in several types of CANDU reactivity mechanism designs. For
example, the shut-off rods in CANDU reactors are composed of a thin layer of tubular cadmium
sandwiched between stainless steel layers.
4.5.3 Rare-earth oxides

Several of the rare earths (e.g., samarium, europium, and gadolinium) have both high thermal-
neutron-absorption cross sections and significant resonances in the epithermal region. The
oxides, the only chemical form in which the rare earths have been considered, can be formed
into refractory ceramic pellets. Because the oxides hydrate rapidly in hot water with attendant
swelling, their use in water-cooled reactors could lead to difficulties. They may, however, be
suitable for use in gas-cooled reactors. Dispersions of rare-earth oxides in metals such as
stainless steel have been prepared. Such dispersions, when suitably clad, can be used as water-
cooled reactor-control rods because in the event of a cladding fracture, only the oxide particles
on the dispersion surface would become hydrated.
4.5.4 Gadolinium nitrate

The CANDU reactor uses a gadolinium nitrate (GdNO3) solution in water as a reactor control
(shutdown) poison. Tanks full of concentrated GdNO3 solution are maintained under pressure
by helium gas. The solution can be injected into the moderator system at a reactor shutdown
trip signal, which provides a fast and effective reactor shutdown mechanism. To restart the
reactor, the gadolinium nitrate is removed from the moderator by a purification system.
Because the poison is introduced into a low-temperature, low-pressure moderator, there are
no corrosion-related concerns.
4.5.5 Boron-containing materials

The very high neutron absorption cross section of 10B and the low cost of boron have led to
wide use of boron-containing materials in thermal-reactor control rods and burnable poisons.
Unalloyed metallic boron is not suitable for control-rod use.
Boron alloyed or dispersed in stainless steel forms inter-metallic compounds with iron, nickel,
and chromium in the metal matrix. The result is a major decrease in ductility. Acceptable
materials can be obtained by limiting the boron concentration to 2–3 wt.% B. The boron-
stainless steel materials have adequate corrosion resistance in water-cooled reactors.
The performance of boron-stainless steel materials is limited because of the 10B (n, α) reaction,
which leads to severe swelling localized at the surface of the element (due to the short travel
distance of the alpha particles).
Boron carbide (B4C) is of much greater interest than elemental boron. Boron carbide can be
formed into pellets and effective control elements produced by placing these within stainless-
steel tubes. In high-temperature gas-cooled reactor designs, control elements can also be
produced by dispersing B4C in graphite.
In addition to its use in control elements, boron has been used (in PWRs) to control reactivity
changes with fuel burn-up by dissolving boric acid in the coolant. Immediately after refuelling,
enough boric acid is added to the coolant so that the reactor is just critical with all control rods
nearly completely withdrawn. As burn-up proceeds, the boric acid concentration in the coolant
is reduced to maintain criticality exactly (“chemical shim control”). However, one significant
disadvantage of boric acid in coolant is that it is corrosive to heat transport system and reactor
components (i.e., Davis-Besse pressure vessel head corrosion) and must be carefully monitored
and mitigated.
Boron may also be used to compensate for the change in reactivity with fuel lifetime through
“burnable poison”. In this scheme, a small amount of boron is incorporated in the fuel or into
special burnable poison rods to reduce the beginning-of-life reactivity. Boron burn-up causes a
reactivity increase that partially compensates for the reactivity decrease due to fuel burn-up
and accumulation of fission products. Stainless-steel-boron alloys and dispersions can be used
successfully for this purpose because the boron burn-up in such rods can be kept low.
Alternatively, pellets of boron-silicate glass encapsulated in hollow stainless-steel tubes may be
used.
4.6 HTS design requirements and engineering considerations

This section provides a discussion of design requirements and engineering considerations for
the heat transport system and associated systems, which transfer fission heat to the reactor
coolant to produce steam in the steam generators.
This sub-section will discuss some of the thermal-hydraulic features that characterize the
CANDU system.
The main objectives of the heat transport system are to provide heat transfer at high thermal
efficiency and to enable the maximum amount of energy to be extracted from the fuel without
surpassing safe operating limits.
The requirements for such a system can be summarized as follows:
a) Due to the decay heat produced by the fuel even when the reactor is shut down,
continuous coolant flow must be provided. This leads to requirements for pumps,
pump flywheels, stand-by cooling, thermo-siphoning, and various other system
functions.
b) Costs should be minimized with due regard for other requirements. This usually leads
to trade-offs between, for example, heavy water (D2O) costs, pumping power costs,
equipment and piping size and costs, and layout and engineering constraints.
c) Layout should minimize radiation exposure and maximize maintainability and
accessibility within other constraints.
d) Provision must be made for pressure and inventory control of the heat transfer system.
Excessively high pressure could damage fluid boundaries (pipes, etc.). Low pressure
could lead to high coolant voiding and possible fuel damage as well as pump damage
from cavitation. Low inventory jeopardizes coolant circulation and pressure control.
e) The system must be sufficiently reliable because downtime leads to high replacement
energy costs, high person-rem exposure, and high repair costs.
f) The design should provide high process efficiency.
g) The system should exhibit ease of constructability to reduce the initial cost and time of
construction and to enhance maintainability.
h) The system should meet, and preferably surpass, all safety and licensing requirements.
Various coolants can be used in the CANDU design to achieve these objectives and
requirements.
Any nuclear station design involves trade-offs in design features to achieve the lowest-cost
power within safety limits.
Another nuclear consideration is that the coolant should have a low induced radioactivity.
Both H2O and D2O produce 16N and 19O, which emit γ’s in the 6–7 MeV range. This leads to
reduced accessibility and maintainability while on power. The short half-life (<1 minute) allows
shutdown accessibility. Tritium, abbreviated as 3H or T, has a 12-year half-life and represents a
major dose challenge for the CANDU station. Because tritium is a β-emitter, the problem is one
of leakage, leading to possible absorption or ingestion by humans. Organic coolant has very
little induced reactivity and aids in ease of operation and accessibility.
Coolants should also be stable in a radiation environment. At the high system pressure of the
heat transport systems of H2O and D2O, radiolysis is not a problem.
The choice of coolant also depends on other factors such as pumping power, heat capacity,
heat transfer coefficients, flow rates, pressure drop, boiling point, freezing point, corrosion,
flammability, thermal stability, and cost.
Water (both D2O and H2O) is an attractive heat transport fluid because it offers a good balance
of the considerations described above. In addition, water requires less pumping power for a
given amount of heat removal.
For the Bruce reactors (which generate about 750 MWe), approximately 24 MWs of pumping
power are required for each reactor. This represents over 2% of the electrical power generated
[GAR1999]. Because a MW saved here by reducing pumping power is gained as electrical
output, considerable emphasis is placed on lowering pumping power.
Limiting flow rates for coolant water, in addition to ensuring adequate heat transfer rates from
the fuel and to the steam generator tubes, depend on many factors such as temperature, the
presence of boiling, water chemistry, geometry, and flow regime. Fretting considerations have
led to a 10 m/sec limit on fuel channel velocity in single-phase water. Erosion/corrosion
considerations have led to limits of 4.3 to 6.1 m/s in the steam generator tubes and 16.8 m/s in
heat transport piping.
The fuel distribution in the coolant is designed to maximize the fuel surface-to-volume ratio so
that the largest heat transfer surface can be exposed to the coolant for maximum heat transfer
without drying out the fuel surface. However, if this approach is carried to extremes, the fuel
volume in the core will be less than the optimum, and parasitic neutron absorption by the
sheath will increase. Present designs use 37 or 28 elements in a fuel bundle.
Use of boiling in the coolant permits higher heat transfer due to the high heat transfer
coefficient of nucleate boiling, but introduces challenges to the attempt to minimize pressure
drop and pump size, as well as other two-phase flow effects.
Ideally, the coolant temperature should be as high as possible for maximum overall thermal
efficiency. Therefore, a high-boiling-point, low-vapour-pressure liquid is desirable so that the
heat transport system can operate at the lowest possible pressure. This reduces the thickness
of the pressure boundary and hence is important for reducing parasitic burn-up in the core.
Organic coolant is far superior to water from this point of view.
In the case of organic coolant, the secondary-side H2O pressure is higher than the primary-side
pressure. Hence, boiler tube leaks will cause a water leak into the primary coolant system.
Corrosion of heat transport system materials must be minimized because of possible

deterioration, flow restrictions, and contamination with active isotopes.
The CANDU-PHW heat transport system has water coolant, low-cobalt carbon steel piping,
stainless-steel end fittings, Zircaloy pressure tubes, and Monel or Incoloy steam generator
tubes. A pH of 10.2 to 10.8 is maintained by lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas added to keep
the dissolved oxygen content low to help minimize corrosion. The intent is to produce and
maintain a continuous and adherent film of magnetite on all carbon steel surfaces. Corrosion
with organic coolant is a lesser problem and can be controlled by degassing, using N2 cover gas,
and using a dechlorinator system.
No flammability or thermal stability problems exist with water (except for the possible Zr-water
reaction producing H2 during a LOCA).
The cost of D2O is high, making it the more expensive coolant. This contributes to a high capital
cost for the CANDU-PHW, but a low operating cost due to the efficient use of natural U.
4.7 Problems
1. Identify and explain the primary reasons that natural uranium ceramic is used as the
traditional fuel in the CANDU reactor design.
2. Identify and explain the primary reasons that zirconium and zirconium alloys are used as
the fuel cladding material in the CANDU reactor design.
3. Identify and explain several advantages and drawbacks of using heavy water as a
moderator and coolant in the CANDU reactor design.
4. Summarize and explain the main heat transport system design requirements for the
CANDU reactor design, as related to the main objectives of the system.
5 Thermal-Hydraulic Design Limits and Margins

This section covers the basic design principles of power reactor design, including reactor
thermal-hydraulic characteristics, along with an overview of these for different reactor types,
but with an emphasis on the CANDU design. It also covers the energy production and transfer
parameters, the thermal design limits, and the thermal design margins, with a discussion on the
reactor thermal-hydraulic figure of merit.
5.1 Heat generation parameter definitions

This section covers the reactor power production parameters generally used in reactor
engineering. Energy production in a nuclear reactor is expressed in a variety of terms that are
used by various disciplines.
The volumetric energy (heat) generation rate, q″′ (kW/m3), is mostly used by reactor physicists
because they deal with the fission reaction rate that results in a volumetric energy generation
rate in the fuel. This term does not provide any information about heat transfer in the core,
nor does it indicate any level of core margin.
The surface heat flux, q″ (kW/m2), is most important to the core thermal-hydraulic designer
and is directly related to reactor thermal margins. The thermal-hydraulic engineer deals with
heat transfer from the fuel element surface to the coolant.
The linear heat generation rate or power rating, q′ (kW/m), is important to both the
thermal/fuel designer and the metallurgical designer because it expresses fuel performance
characteristics in terms of linear power rating. Fuel design, testing, and qualification are
usually described using this parameter.
The rate of energy generation per fuel element, q (kW), is useful in expressing heat generated
separately in each fuel element, which is used in modelling heat transfer phenomena in the
core.
The core power, Q (kW), is used in overall calculations of core energy output. Usually, for
marketing purposes, this core power is expressed in terms of electrical power delivered by the
plant to the grid, or occasionally in terms of net electric power accounting for plant internal
energy consumption. However, for thermal-hydraulic design purposes, reactor power is
expressed in terms of reactor thermal power. Roughly speaking, reactor electric power is equal
to reactor thermal power divided by reactor thermal efficiency.
The core power density, Q″′ (kW/m3), is used as a figure of merit for core thermal performance.
This power level accounts for various materials in the core and thus provides information on
reactor core compactness and effectiveness.
The core specific power, Q/(mass of fissionable atoms) (i.e., kW/kg), is used as a figure of merit
for core thermal performance from the nuclear physics perspective.
5.2 Thermal design limits

Core thermal design limits are expressed in terms of several parameters, including heat flux
from the fuel elements to the coolant, fuel centreline maximum temperature in the core, fuel
cladding maximum temperature in the core, bundle maximum power, and channel maximum
power.
Figure 20 presents the important concept of reactor thermal limits with respect to the critical
heat flux (CHF). The definition, assessment, and calculation of the CHF are covered in the
following sections. Reactor thermal-hydraulic design must ensure that the CHF is not reached
in any fuel element or bundle in the reactor core. The CHF is the heat flux at the surface of the
fuel element that results in a sudden change in heat transfer regime from liquid in good contact
with the heated surfaces, to loss of local liquid contact with surfaces because of vapour
blanketing the fuel-element surface. This phenomenon leads to severe reduction of the heat
transfer coefficient, and for heat flux-controlled surfaces (like fuel rods in a reactor), in a
significant increase in fuel temperature as well as damage to or failure of fuel sheaths.
Figure 20 Critical heat flux ratio

Figure 20 shows a typical variation of the heat flux and the critical heat flux along a fuel
element. For simplicity, the reactor heat flux in the core is assumed to be represented by a
cosine function that peaks at the centre of the core. As will be seen later, the CHF follows a
decreasing curve from the fuel channel inlet to the fuel channel outlet. In Figure 20, the ratio
of CHF and local heat flux is also illustrated, which is one way to assess how close the reactor is
to the occurrence of CHF anywhere in the core.
The key objective of thermal-hydraulic reactor core design, for a desired core power, is to
ensure that the heat flux in all fuel elements in the core will remain below the CHF. The CHF is
among the important parameters in core thermal-hydraulic design. Note that local power in
the core will vary with position along the fuel channel, including the end flux peaking at bundle
ends, and from channel to channel in the radial direction of the calandria.
Fuel melting and cladding melting are other important factors and are dealt with in later
sections of this chapter.
CANDU reactor design-related CHF phenomena are further described in Section 7.6.4.
5.3 Thermal design margins

This section defines thermal design margins in terms of heat generation rate and the resulting
heat flux from the fuel to the coolant. Variation of the reactor parameters in the reactor core is
taken into account to define the core average quantities, maximum hot channel quantities, and
maximum fuel element quantities that are used in the design space to optimize reactor design
options. The heat generation rate during normal operation and the postulated design basis
events define the key design limit for which power reactors need to be designed with a certain
margin.
Design margins are applied to parameters of primary importance to ensure that the reactor can
be safely operated without exceeding important limits. These important operating parameters
are assumed to be inside a so-called safe operating envelope, which defines the range of values
that a particular parameter can take on during reactor operation. The left side of Figure 21
shows a general definition of the safe operating envelope, identifying the optimal operating
range, the lower and upper alarm range, the lower and upper buffer zone, and the range where
reaching the failure point will be immanent for any of the important thermal margin
parameters.
Some of the key operating parameters that are usually considered by thermal-hydraulic
designers are:
 Coolant temperature
 Coolant pressure
 Critical heat flux
 Fuel maximum temperature (centreline)
 Fuel cladding maximum temperature
 Bundle maximum power
 Channel maximum power
 Reactor total thermal power.
The thermal design margins function as the most important parameter for demonstrating the
robustness, operability, and flexibility of a given reactor design and serve as the main standard
of comparison for the safety level of various reactor types. One of the key thermal design
margin parameters is the ratio of the critical heat flux to the operating surface heat flux, which
must satisfy a reference allowable value that meets economic as well as regulatory
requirements.
Figure 21 Thermal margins

The required core thermal margins are shown on the right side of Figure 21. Variations in
neutron flux and the resulting power generation rate in the core in the radial and axial
directions are represented by the corresponding peaking factors. These must be added to the
nominal value (the core average value) to obtain the nominal peak steady-state value of the
margin parameter. Then uncertainties in the calculated parameters and other engineering
uncertainties are “stacked” on top of the peaking factors to arrive at the maximum peak
steady-state condition.
During transients, the appropriate overpower factor must be stacked on top of the maximum
peak steady-state power to obtain the limit value for design transients. On top of this limit,
there should be a margin for all uncertainties in calculating the margin parameter values and
the uncertainties in monitoring global and local reactor parameters. This brings the margin
parameter to the failure limit.
The left side of Figure 21 indicates that if reactor operation drifts to the lower or upper alarm
point, the reactor control systems will provide corrections to certain reactor parameters to
bring the reactor operation back within the safe operating envelope. Beyond the safe
operating envelope is the safe design envelope. If any of the reactor key safety parameters
drifts into this buffer zone, a reactor trip may occur and shut down the reactor. The reactor
trip parameters have their own margins, which are required to manage reactor shutdown
adequately and to ensure safe reactor shutdown while preventing spurious trips.
5.4 Problems
1. Explain the relationship among the reactor core thermal parameters: reactor core
power, core volumetric generation rate, heat flux, critical heat flux, and linear power.
2. Draw a diagram of core thermal margins to explain the relationship among the various
elements that must be considered to ensure that appropriate margins are available.
6 Thermal-Hydraulic Design Fundamentals

This section covers the fundamental aspects of thermal-hydraulic design, heat transfer, and
fluid flow in the reactor primary and secondary cooling system. It also provides the
fundamentals of two-phase flow and the thermodynamics of the nuclear energy conversion
process.
6.1 Two-phase flow fundamentals

Heat transfer and fluid flow with boiling water play an important role in nuclear reactor
thermal hydraulics. This section discusses two-phase flow definitions and basic theory. It
covers flow regimes, experimental observations and data, and application to reactor thermal
hydraulics. It also provides a brief description of various two-phase flow models.
6.1.1 Key parameters and definitions

Two-phase flow is encountered in many engineering systems in the chemical, process, power
generation, and petroleum industries, including oil-gas pipelines, boilers, heat exchangers,
refrigeration equipment, and evaporators, as well as in nuclear reactor applications. Fully
understanding the implications and models of two-phase flow is important for proper design of
reactor cooling systems and for modelling fluid flow and heat transfer in the reactor under
different conditions. Two-phase flow has a profound impact on the ability to remove heat from
the nuclear reactor, which is the primary objective of thermal-hydraulic design.
As a simple approximation, two-phase flow can be treated as an extension of single-phase flow.
However, in reality, two-phase flow can be very complex due to uncertainty in various
interfacial parameters. To simplify the situation, often experimentally obtained correlations
are used in design calculations.
Two-phase flow is simultaneous flow of any two phases (liquid-gas/vapour, solid-gas, or liquid-
solid) of a single substance. Examples include reactor fuel channels and steam generators. This
phenomenon is also referred to as “single-component two-phase flow”. However, two-phase
flow can consist of two components, and in this case, it is referred to as simultaneous flow of
the liquid and gas phases of two substances, for example in oil-gas pipelines. This is also
referred to as “two-component two-phase flow” [HET1982].
The primary parameters used in two-phase flow modelling are:
 Thermal: thermal power, temperature, heat flux, etc.
 Hydraulic: pressure, mass flow rate, fluid temperature, pressure drop, etc.
 Geometric: flow and heated areas, hydraulic and heated equivalent diameters, etc.
Along with these primary parameters, in two-phase flow analysis, the following calculated
parameters are commonly used:
 Mass flux, heat flux
 Mass quality, equilibrium quality, thermodynamic quality
 Void fraction.
In addition, two-phase flow calculations require fluid property information such as density,
viscosity, enthalpy, thermal conductivity, and heat capacity, which are functions of the primary
fluid parameters listed above.
Void fraction is the ratio of the cross-sectional area occupied by vapour and gaseous phases to
the total flow area of a pipe [WAL1969]. The opposite of void fraction is the liquid fraction, as
given by Eq. (1):
Ag Af
 ; (1   )  . (1)
A A
Equation (2) defines mass quality as the ratio of vapour mass flow to total mass flow. The
opposite is the liquid quality:
Wg Wg Wf Wf
x  ; (1  x)   . (2)
W W f  Wg W W f  Wg
Mass flux is the mass flow rate per unit flow area and is given by Eq. (3):
W 
G    . (3)
A 
Gas and liquid mass fluxes are defined using the steam quality, as in Eq. (4):
Gg  G x; G f  G (1  x) . (4)
Volumetric flux (usually referred to as superficial velocity) is the volumetric flow rate over total
flow area, as in Eq. (5) [WAL1969]:
Q
j . (5)
A
The corresponding vapour and liquid volumetric fluxes are given by relationships similar to the
void fraction, as in Eq. (6):
Qg Qf
jg  ; jf  . (6)
A A
Using the relationships defined in the previous equations, the vapour and liquid phase
velocities can be expressed as in Eqs. (7) and (8):
Wg Qg Gx
vg    , (7)
 g Ag Ag g 
Wf Qf G (1  x)
vf    . (8)
 f Af Af  f (1   )
These equations assume that no relative motion exists between the two phases. However, if a
two-phase mixture is moving, the vapour, because of its buoyancy, density, and different
resistance characteristics, tends to move at a higher velocity than the liquid. In a homogeneous
system, a slip ratio S is defined as equal to one in the absence of flow or in homogeneous flow
and greater than one in non-homogeneous two-phase systems. S is defined as the ratio of the
average velocity of the vapour to that of the liquid. Hence, the slip ratio is defined as the ratio
between the vapour velocity and the liquid velocity, as in Eq. (9) [WAL1969]:
 g Wg  f Af  x    f   1 .
S      (9)
 f W f  g Ag  1  x    g  


Experimental data or theoretical correlations for S covering all possible operating and design
variables do not exist. In boiling-water reactor studies, values for S may be estimated from
data that closely approach those of interest. To do this, a certain amount of individual
judgment is necessary. Otherwise, experimental values of S under conditions similar to a
particular design must be obtained. This procedure is usually expensive and time-consuming,
but may be necessary in some cases.
The importance of obtaining accurate values of S may best be emphasized by the following
discussion. One step in the core channel design procedure is to set a maximum value of alpha
at the channel exit. This is usually determined from nuclear (moderation) considerations. A
corresponding value of x at the selected S is then determined from the above equations. The
latter determines the heat generated in the fuel channel. In design, the usual procedure is to
assume a constant value of S along the length of the fuel channel. This simplification may
introduce error into the results. However, S has been observed to be fairly constant over most
of the channel length, indicating this assumption to be a good one.
The quality of the flowing liquid-vapour mixture can be expressed using Eq. (2) in terms of
liquid and vapour mass flow rates. There is an equivalent quality of a stationary liquid-vapour
mixture, which can be expressed by a similar relationship involving liquid and vapour mass.
The mass flow quality varies between 0% and 100%, i.e., no vapour to 100% vapour in the flow.
Note that mass quality does not carry information about the thermal state of the fluid.
However, where appropriate in experimental or theoretical work, if the two phases are in
thermal equilibrium (at the same enthalpy or temperature), mass quality can be called
equilibrium mass quality.
Often in thermal-hydraulic experiments or calculations, thermodynamic quality is used. It is
expressed in terms of a ratio of enthalpies, as in Eq. (10), where hm is the mixture enthalpy and
hg and hf are vapour and liquid saturation enthalpies. Thermodynamic enthalpy can be
negative when the liquid is below saturation condition (sub-cooled) or greater than one when
steam is superheated. From Eq. (10), thermodynamic quality does not carry information about
the flows (velocities) of the two phases. Usually, thermodynamic quality is expressed for a
mixture at hydrodynamic equilibrium (i.e., both phases travelling at the same velocity) and is
sometimes referred to simply as equilibrium quality [COL1972, DEL1981]:
hm  h f
xth  . (10)
hg  h f
It is very important to understand the relationship between mass flow quality and void fraction.
There is no meaningful relationship between thermodynamic quality and void fraction because
void fraction refers to flow geometry, whereas thermodynamic quality refers to the thermal
properties of the phases. The relationship between mass flow quality and void fraction is
obtained by manipulating the above equations and can be expressed as in Eq. (11) [WAL1969]:
x  vg 1
  . (11)
1  x  v f  x  vg  1 x   v f 
1   
 x   vg 
Figure 22 shows the relationship between void fraction and mass flow quality. As expected, at
or above the critical pressure of 22.12 MPa, the void fraction and quality are identical because
the liquid and vapour phases no longer exist for water regardless of pressure and temperature.
Further examination of Figure 22 shows the following:
1. For constant quality, void fraction decreases with pressure.
2. For any pressure, dα/dx decreases with quality.
3. At low quality values, dα/dx increases as pressure decreases and becomes very large at
low pressure.
4. At atmospheric pressure, a low quality (about 2%) generates almost 100% void fraction
because of the low vapour density.
Figure 22 Relationship between quality and void fraction [COL1972]

For CANDU fuel channel exit conditions, because the pressure is approximately 10 MPa and the
quality is typically 2%–4%, the void fraction can be as high as 30%.
6.1.2 Non-dimensional numbers

Dimensionless numbers in fluid mechanics are an important tool to capture various parameters
and phenomena into a relationship that is applicable to a wide range of parameter values. This
section covers the most important dimensionless numbers that are used throughout this
chapter and are important in analyzing mass, momentum, and heat transfer. The most
important dimensionless numbers are listed in the following sections.
6.1.2.1 Reynolds number
The Reynolds number (Re) is a dimensionless number that measures the ratio of inertial to
viscous forces and consequently quantifies the relative importance of these two types of forces
under a given flow condition. The Reynolds number can be defined for a number of different
situations where a fluid is in motion relative to a surface. These definitions generally include
the fluid properties of density and viscosity, plus a velocity and a characteristic length or
characteristic dimension. This dimension is a matter of convention; for example, a radius or a
diameter is equally valid for spheres or circles, but one is chosen by convention. For flow in a
pipe or a sphere moving in a fluid, the internal diameter is generally used today. Other shapes
such as rectangular pipes or non-spherical objects have an equivalent diameter defined. The
velocity may also be a matter of convention in some circumstances, notably stirred vessels.
With these conventions, the Reynolds number is defined by Eq. (12) [HET1982, ELW1978]:
  v 2 L2   v  L v  L
Re    , (12)
 v L  
where:
 v is the mean velocity of the object relative to the fluid (m/s)
 L is a characteristic linear dimension (the length travelled by the fluid; the hydraulic
diameter when dealing with river systems) (m)
 µ is the fluid dynamic viscosity (Pa·s or N·s/m² or kg/(m·s))
 υ is the kinematic viscosity (υ = µ/ρ) (m²/s)
 ρ is the fluid density (kg/m³).
For flow in a pipe, the Reynolds number is given by Eq. (13) [WAL1969]:
  v  DH v  DH Q  DH
Re    , (13)
  A
where:
 DH is the hydraulic diameter of the pipe, i.e., its characteristic length travelled (m)
 Q is the volumetric flow rate (m3/s)
 A is the pipe cross-sectional area (m²).
For shapes such as square, rectangular, or annular ducts where the height and width are
comparable, the characteristic dimension for internal flow situations is taken to be the
hydraulic diameter DH as defined by Eq. (14):
4A
DH  , (14)
P
where A is the cross-sectional area and P is the wetted perimeter. The wetted perimeter for a
channel is the total perimeter of all channel walls that are in contact with the flow. This means
that the length of the channel exposed to air or steam is not included in the wetted perimeter.
6.1.2.2 Nusselt number
In heat transfer at a boundary (surface) within a fluid, the Nusselt number (Nu) is the ratio of
convective to conductive heat transfer across (normal to) the boundary, as in Eq. (15)
[HET1982, ELW1978]. In this context, convection includes both advection and conduction.
Named after Wilhelm Nusselt, it is a dimensionless number. The conductive component is
measured under the same conditions as the heat convection, but with a (hypothetically)
stagnant (or motionless) fluid.
A Nusselt number close to one, meaning that convection and conduction are of similar
magnitude, is characteristic of “slug flow” or laminar flow. A larger Nusselt number
corresponds to more active convection, with turbulent flow typically in the 100–1000 range.
The convection and conduction heat flows are parallel to each other and to the surface normal
of the boundary surface and are all perpendicular to the mean fluid flow in the simple case:
Convective heat transfer h  L
NuL   , (15)
Conductive heta transfer k f
where:
 L is the characteristic length (m)
 kf is the thermal conductivity of the fluid (kW/m °K)
 h is the convective heat transfer coefficient (kW/m2 °K).
The characteristic length should be selected in the direction of growth (or thickness) of the
boundary layer. Some examples of characteristic length are the outer diameter of a cylinder in
(external) cross flow (perpendicular to the cylinder axis), the length of a vertical plate
undergoing natural convection, or the diameter of a sphere. For complex shapes, the length
may be defined as the volume of the fluid body divided by the surface area. The thermal
conductivity of the fluid is typically (but not always) evaluated at the film temperature, which
for engineering purposes may be calculated as the mean (average) of the bulk fluid
temperature and the wall surface temperature.
For relations defined as a local Nusselt number, the characteristic length should be taken as the
distance from the surface boundary to the local point of interest. However, to obtain an
average Nusselt number, this relation must be integrated over the entire characteristic length.
Typically, for free convection, the average Nusselt number is expressed as a function of the
Rayleigh number and the Prandtl number as: Nu=f(Ra, Pr) [HET1982]. For forced convection,
the Nusselt number is generally a function of the Reynolds number and the Prandtl number, or
Nu=f(Re, Pr). Empirical correlations are available for a wide variety of geometries that express
the Nusselt number in the forms described above.
6.1.2.3 Prandtl number
The Prandtl number (Pr) is a dimensionless number that represents the ratio of momentum
diffusivity (kinematic viscosity) to thermal diffusivity [HET1982, ELW1978]. It is named after
the German physicist Ludwig Prandtl and is defined by Eq. (16):
 viscous diffisuion rate c p 

Pr    , (16)
 thermal diffusion rate k
where:
 υ is the kinematic viscosity, υ=µ/ρ (m2/s)
 α is the thermal diffusivity, α=k/(ρcp) (m2/s)
 µ is the dynamic viscosity (Pa s = N s/m2)
 k is the thermal conductivity (W/(m K))
 cp is the specific heat (J/(kg K))
 ρ is the density (kg/m3).
Note that whereas the Reynolds number is subscripted with a length scale variable, the Prandtl
number contains no such length scale in its definition and is dependent only on the fluid and
the fluid state. As such, the Prandtl number is often found in property tables alongside other
properties such as viscosity and thermal conductivity.
6.1.2.4 Weber number
The Weber number (We) is a dimensionless number in fluid mechanics that is often useful in
analyzing fluid flows with an interface between two different fluids, especially for multiphase
flows with strongly curved surfaces. It can be thought of as a measure of the relative
importance of the fluid’s inertia compared to its surface tension [HET1982, ELW1978]. The
quantity is useful in analyzing thin film flows and the formation of droplets and bubbles. It is
named after Moritz Weber and can be expressed by Eq. (17) [HET1982, ELW1978]:
fluid inertia   v2  l
We   , (17)
surfacetension 
where
 ρ is the density (kg/m3 )
 v is the mean velocity of the object relative to the fluid (m/s)
 l is the characteristic length, typically the droplet diameter (m)
 σ is the surface tension (N/m).
6.1.3 Flow patterns

When a liquid is vaporized in a heated tube or a heated channel, the liquid and vapour
generated take on a variety of configurations known as flow patterns. The particular flow
pattern depends on pressure, flow, heat flux, entrance conditions (i.e., local phase distribution
at the inlet), and channel geometry; however, the strongest influences on the flow pattern are
the phase mass flow rates or velocities. Because the name given to a flow pattern is largely
subjective, many terms exist in the literature which purport to describe the various possible
phase distributions. The sequence of flow patterns generally encountered in vertical upwards
concurrent flow for increasing levels of thermodynamic quality is shown below. As steam mass
flow increases (i.e., velocity increases) and steam temperature increases, the fluid flow
patterns change from single-phase sub-cooled liquid to single-phase steam flow, passing
through the flow regimes as indicated from left to right on the diagram below. Indications are
provided in this diagram of the values of thermodynamic quality x for various flow regimes.
Single- Single- Bubbly Slug Churn Wispy Single-phase Single-phase

phase phase flow flow flow annular saturated superheated
sub-cooled saturated flow steam flow steam flow
liquid flow liquid flow
(x < 0) (x = 0) (0 < x < 1) (x = 1) (x > 1)
Figure 23 shows the flow patterns for vertical flow. These flow patterns are generally
symmetrical across the pipe cross section.
In horizontal flow, the flow patterns are similar. However, in horizontal flow, gravity has a
different effect, and depending on the mass flow rate in the tube or channel, stratified flow
may occur with bubbly flow, slug flow, and wispy annular flow patterns. The flow patterns
typical of horizontal two-phase flow are shown in Figure 24. A cross-sectional view of various
flow patterns in horizontal flow is shown in Figure 25, in which gravity plays a significant role,
so that the combination of gravity and drag force at the liquid-vapour interface can result in
various cross-sectional flow patterns.
Figure 23 Flow patterns in vertical two- Figure 24 Flow patterns in horizontal

phase flow two-phase flow
a) Flow regimes in a horizontal heated channel
b) Evolution of flow regimes in a horizontal tube
Figure 25 Flow patterns and heat transfer regimes in horizontal heated tubes
The distribution of phases inside a confined area strongly depends on:
 Liquid and vapour velocities.
 Fuel channel geometry and fuel bundle geometry, particularly in reactors where fuel
channels are interconnected in the radial direction, like PWRs and BWRs.
 Surface (wall) heating, which influences near-wall flow patterns, resulting in an internal
void gradient.
 Appendages, which homogenize flow patterns at downstream locations; the patterns
transition back to a basic pattern at locations farther away.
Figure 26 shows the flow patterns and heat transfer regimes for two different situations in
vertical flow [DEL1981]. On the left side, a reactor channel is shown with the following
parameters: high liquid mass flow rate, high heat flux from the walls, and high water sub-
cooling, which is typical of PWRs. To the left of the reactor channels on the first vertical line,
corresponding flow patterns are shown for this situation, whereas the leftmost line shows the
heat transfer regimes for these flow patterns. Starting from bottom to top, the following pairs
of flow pattern and heat transfer regime (note that “film” on this figure refers to steam film
next to the heated walls) are typically observed:
a) Single-phase liquid – single-phase forced convection to liquid;

b) Bubbly flow – nucleate boiling;
c) Inverted annular flow – inverted annular flow film boiling;
d) Dispersed droplet flow – dispersed flow film boiling; and
e) Single-phase vapour – single-phase forced convection to vapour.
Note that in Figure 26, the point where the wall loses contact with the liquid is shown at the
transition between bubbly flow and inverted annular flow.
Figure 26 Flow patterns and heat transfer regimes in vertical heated tubes
On the right side of Figure 26, a reactor channel is shown with the following parameters:
low liquid mass flow rate, medium heat flux from the walls, and saturated water; this is
typical of BWRs. To the right of the reactor channel on the first vertical line, corresponding
flow patterns are shown for this situation, whereas the rightmost line shows the heat
transfer regimes for these flow patterns. Starting from bottom to top, the following pairs of
flow pattern and heat transfer regime (note that “film” in this figure refers to steam film
next to the heated walls) can be observed:
a) Single-phase liquid – single-phase forced convection to liquid;
b) Bubbly flow and slug flow – nucleate boiling;
c) Annular flow – forced convective evaporation;
d) Dispersed droplet flow – dispersed flow film boiling;
e) Single-phase vapour – single-phase forced convection to vapour.
Figure 27 Flow pattern map in vertical flow [HET1982]
Note that in Figure 26, the point where the wall loses contact with the liquid is shown at the
transition between annular flow and dispersed droplet flow. Figure 26 indicates that the flow
patterns at the entry and exit of the fuel channel are similar for the two cases. The difference
is how and where the wall and the liquid lose contact. In addition, the amount of water or the
void fraction percentage in the channel does not necessarily determine the contact of liquid
with the heated walls. Therefore, as long as the walls are in contact with liquid water, heat
transfer is good, and the amount of water in the channel is not important.
Two-phase flow parameters change significantly from one flow pattern to another, in particular
the interfacial area between the two phases, and this has a significant impact on the exchange
of mass, momentum, and heat between phases. In principle, the degree of thermal and
hydraulic disequilibrium between phases has a significant impact on the sustainability of
certain flow patterns. Therefore, certain flow patterns, like churn flow, exhibit instability and
fast transitions. Various two-phase flow parameters are affected differently by flow patterns,
and hence various correlations and models are needed to capture phenomena for each flow
pattern. This implies the need for well-defined and predictable flow patterns in two-phase
flow modelling.
Many scientists and researchers in recent decades have tried to correlate flow patterns using
selected parameters.
Figure 27 shows such an attempt for a vertical flow regime. In this figure, the flow patterns are
defined as a function of gas and liquid momentum fluxes. In this example, the flow patterns
are correlated by several dimensionless number groups.
6.1.4 The boiling process

Because water as the working fluid in LWRs and CANDUs undergoes a change of phase during
heat transfer from the nuclear reactor primary to the secondary cooling system, it is important
to understand the boiling process, its phenomena, and its parametric trends.
As liquid is being heated to saturation, with additional heating, boiling starts. Hence, boiling
initiation is strongly dependent on pressure, i.e., the saturation temperature. There are two
distinctive types of boiling: one is referred to as pool boiling, and the other is forced convective
boiling. Vapour formation can take the following forms:
 at the liquid surface to the open environment, when the liquid is superheated;
 homogeneous (internal heating within the fluid at the molecular level); and
 heterogeneous (requires nucleation sites in the fluid or at the heated surface).
Heterogeneous boiling from nucleation sites is a complex boiling mechanism that depends on a
number of forces acting on a vapour bubble, including dynamic forces, buoyancy, and surface
tension forces. Much research has been devoted to bubble formation at nucleation sites and is
presented in a number of two-phase flow textbooks [TON1965, TON1975]. Further discussion
of bubble dynamics and formation at nucleation sites is beyond the scope of this textbook.
Figure 28 shows a three-dimensional representation of the two-phase boiling water region as a
function of heat flux, temperature, and thermodynamic quality. This figure indicates different
flow and heat transfer regimes along the path of changing thermodynamic quality. At high
water sub-cooling, the critical heat flux is high, but it diminishes as quality increases. The
definition of critical heat flux and its impact on heat transfer in the two-phase region are
discussed in Section 7.7.
The boiling process can be analyzed in two distinct situations: pool boiling and forced
convective boiling. Pool boiling refers to conditions typical of vessels with unlimited volume
and under near-atmospheric pressure. Forced convective boiling refers to boiling in enclosed
piping and vessels in which pressure may reach very high values, and in which flow is ensured
by an operating pump.
Figure 29 shows a pool boiling process in a diagram relating heat flux to the degree of wall
temperature superheating (i.e., the temperature difference between the wall temperature and
the saturation temperature). This figure shows a cross section of the 3-D curve in Figure 28 at
low quality. Three heat transfer regimes can be seen: nucleate (or sub-cooled) boiling,
transition boiling, and film boiling. These three regimes are separated by two important points:
the critical heat flux, and the minimum film boiling temperature. The minimum film boiling
temperature, sometimes called the Leidenfrost temperature, represents the maximum
temperature at which wetting of the heated surface is possible.
Figure 29 also indicates in which direction the process evolves from left to right and vice versa.
If heat flux is increasing, then after the CHF point is reached, the surface becomes detached
from liquid contact. Beyond this point, heat transfer by liquid evaporation (latent heat of
vaporization) is severely reduced. Therefore, because heat transfer to liquid is severely
reduced, but heat flux continues to be delivered from internal regions of the wall to the wall
surface, the wall surface temperature significantly increases, as represented by the horizontal
dashed line on the diagram from CHF to the film boiling curve (sometimes referred to as the
heat flux-controlled region). This significant increase in wall surface temperature can lead to
surface damage and melting, which is very troubling in a nuclear reactor where the fuel rod
cladding is a major barrier to fission product release.
Figure 28 3-D representation of boiling surfaces

On the other hand, as the heat flux is reduced from the region of film boiling back to the CHF
point, moving along the bottom part of the curve, it reaches the minimum film boiling
temperature. From this point, the heat flux starts to increase in the transition boiling region,
during which the heated surface becomes intermittently wetted and dried while the wall
temperature is reduced. Once the CHF point is reached by moving from right to left in the
diagram, the wall surface is in continued and sustainable contact with the liquid coolant, and
heat flux is reduced below the CHF value. This path is sometimes referred to as the
temperature control part of the boiling curve.
Figure 29 Boiling curve
Figure 29 shows a boiling curve with heat transfer regimes clearly marked. This figure
represents one cross section of Figure 28. It shows the heat flux below saturation (in the sub-
cooled region), where forced convection to liquid occurs. The transition point between forced
convection to liquid and nucleate boiling is called the onset of nucleate boiling and designates
the conditions under which the first bubbles start to grow on the wall surface.
Figure 30 shows the parametric trends on the boiling curve [LEU2004, POP2014]. As the mass
flux increases in an annular flow regime, the minimum wetting temperature increases, and the
boiling curve flattens out. As the mass flux increases in forced convective sub-cooled or low-
quality boiling, the CHF and the minimum wetting temperature increase, but the boiling curve
retains its shape.
Figure 30 Parametric trends of the boiling curve

A similar effect is seen when increasing the degree of liquid sub-cooling; the CHF point and the
minimum wetting temperature increase, but the boiling curve retains its shape. The effect of
quality is more complex and is shown in Figure 31.
Figure 31 [LEU2004, POP2013] shows the impact of thermodynamic quality on the boiling
curve. For quality equal to or greater than one, the boiling curve is transformed into a straight
line, and therefore the CHF concept is not relevant, but the wall temperature increases as the
quality increases above one. For saturated boiling (x = 0), the boiling curve has the usual S-
shape. As quality increases above zero, the CHF significantly decreases. Moreover, if the
quality drops further below zero (i.e., the liquid becomes more sub-cooled), the CHF also
increases, and the boiling curve becomes steeper in the nucleate boiling region.
Figure 31 Quality effects on the boiling curve

Figure 32 shows the flow patterns and heat transfer regimes in a boiling channel. In the top
part of the figure, the temperature distributions along the heated channel in the coolant and at
the wall surface are shown. It is possible to recognize the flow patterns that are most likely to
occur given the temperature difference between the coolant and the wall. Note that nucleate
boiling starts after the wall surface temperature has risen above the water saturation
temperature by a certain amount. Nucleate boiling continues in areas C through F, and then at
the point of dryout, when the CHF has been reached, the wall surface temperature exhibits a
rapid increase as wall cooling decreases due to loss of contact between the wall and the liquid.
Figure 32 Heat transfer regimes in a boiling horizontal channel
Figure 33 provides model details on the transition from forced convection to liquid and
nucleate boiling. It also shows the point of initiation of nucleate boiling, when the first bubbles
appear on the wall surface. At the point of net vapour generation, the bubbles can detach
from the walls and move to the bulk liquid. A further increase in heat flux at the wall surface
happens when the liquid temperature reaches saturation, which creates an opportunity for
bubbles to become detached from the wall in great numbers and move with the liquid flow,
leading to significant phase separation and disequilibrium.
Figure 33 Details of sub-cooled boiling phases in horizontal flow

Three main types of models are used to analyze two-phase flow:
 “homogeneous” flow models,
 “separated” flow models, and
 “flow pattern” or “drift flux” models.
The basic equations are solved within the framework of each of these idealized
representations. To apply these models, it is necessary to know when each should be used and
to be able to predict the transition from one pattern to another.
6.1.5 Two-phase flow models

The homogeneous model and the separated flow model are the two most widely used and
tested models of two-phase flow that are presently available. The homogeneous model
considers two-phase flow as a homogenized mixture (pseudo-fluid) possessing average fluid
properties. It neglects any local effect that flow patterns may have on two-phase flow and
ignores interaction between phases. In other words, the homogenous model considers the
phases to be in hydrodynamic and thermodynamic equilibrium.
The homogeneous model is applicable only if the flow parameters do not vary rapidly and
thermal disequilibrium has little influence. Although the homogeneous model predicts the
dependence of the two-phase friction multiplier on pressure and quality reasonably well, it has
two unsatisfactory features: (a) the friction multiplier is a function of pressure and quality only
and is independent of mass flux; and (b) it generally under-predicts low-quality data. Many
early software codes used in CANDU design, such as SOPHT [SOP1980], used this type of
modelling.
The separated flow model considers the two phases to be segregated into two streams: one of
liquid, and one of vapour. Conservation equations are written separately for each phase, and
interaction between phases is taken into account by constitutive relationships. The basic
equations for the separated flow model are not dependent on the particular flow configuration
adopted. The basic assumptions of the separated flow model in analyzing two-phase pressure
drop are:
a) The velocities of each phase are constant, but not necessarily equal in any given cross
section within the zone occupied by the phase.
b) Thermodynamic equilibrium exists between the two phases.
c) Empirical correlations can be used to relate the two-phase friction multiplier and the
void fraction to the dependent flow variables.
Among the various flow patterns, this model would be expected to be most valid for the
annular flow pattern. Newer versions of the separate flow model can accommodate both
thermodynamic and hydrodynamic disequilibrium between the flow phases.
The drift flux approach satisfactorily accounts for the influence of mass velocity on the void
fraction as seen in the separated flow model, and an empirical expression may be used to
provide the required relationship between the void fraction and the independent flow pattern.
With the separate flow model and the drift flux model, appropriate void fraction calculations
must be performed to ensure model fidelity. Many correlations have been proposed and used
in various models; a listing of these correlations is beyond the scope of this handbook (further
details can be found in [WAL1969]). Very often used as a void fraction correlation is the
homogeneous equation given by Eq. (18):
xa  g
 . (18)
(1  xa )  f  xa  g
Another often-used void fraction correlation is the Armand-Massina correlation [LEU2004],

which is given by the following equation:
(0.833  0.167 xa ) xa  g
 . (19)
(1  xa )  f  xa  g
6.1.6 Two-phase flow in fuel bundles

Two-phase flow in fuel bundles is very complex and requires significant experimental support
to understand important phenomena and develop adequate models and correlations. Further
information about fuel bundle effects will be given in later sections of this chapter.
The CANDU fuel bundle experimental void fraction database includes data for bundles with 3 to
37 fuel pins, in addition to tube and annulus data. The experimental database includes a wide
range of flow conditions with uniformly heated fuel elements or fuel elements with certain
radial and axial heating profiles. Figure 34 illustrates that bundle geometries with 6 and 37 fuel
elements do not significantly affect the relationship between void fraction and quality
[LEU2004, POP2013].
Figure 35 also shows that the impact of the hydraulic diameter of a 7-element bundle does not
have a significant impact on the relationship between void fraction and thermodynamic quality,
except for very low quality values (representing highly sub-cooled conditions) [LEU2004,
POP2013].
Figure 34 Effect of tube diameter on quality and void fraction
Figure 35 Effect of bundle geometry on quality and void fraction
6.1.7 Problems
1. Explain the relationship between the mass quality and the void fraction in two-
phase flow.
2. Explain the difference between the mass quality and the thermodynamic quality in
two-phase flow.
3. Explain the main characteristics of the boiling curve, the main parameters that are
important for two-phase flow calculations, and the main parameters that influence
its shape.
4. Explain the key flow patterns that can occur in vertical and horizontal two-phase
flow in heated channels. Explain how the flow regime maps are developed and used
in reactor thermal-hydraulic design.
5. Explain the possible models used in two-phase flow calculations, their range of
applicability and key features.
6. A BWR reactor operates at a thermal power of 1400 MWt. Water enters the bottom
of the reactor core at 275 °C, and passes through the core at a flow rate of 6050
kg/s. the reactor operates at pressure of 7 MPa. Calculate the steam flow rate
produced in the reactor.
6.2 Thermodynamics of nuclear energy conversion

This section discusses the thermodynamics of energy conversion in nuclear reactor systems,
including a description of the laws of thermodynamics. It provides definitions of basic
thermodynamic laws, followed by a description of reactor power cycles, starting with the
Carnot cycle, and followed by the Rankine cycle. The definition and analysis of cycle thermal
efficiency is discussed, and methods for improving efficiency are described.
6.2.1 Definitions
This section describes the most important concepts and parameters in reactor thermodynamic
analysis. Consider a system undergoing a change from state 1 to state 2, as shown in Figure 36.
Initially, the system is at energy level E1. Then, after a certain amount of energy, Q, is added to
the system and a certain amount of work, W, is performed by the system, the system is
brought to energy level E2. It would be interesting to discover by what parameters this change
is driven and how effective is the energy exchange between the system and its surroundings.
Figure 36 Change of thermodynamic states in a system
6.2.1.1 Work
Figure 37 shows a practical example of the general concept shown in Figure 36. In Figure 37, a
piston is moved from a position 1 to a position 2 by sequentially moving small amounts of
weight applied at the piston stem. Initially, the piston is under pressure p1, with volume V1 and
temperature T1. After moving a certain amount of weight, the piston ends up at pressure p2,
volume V2, and temperature T2. The system volume changed by dV=Aˑdx each time a weight
was removed.
Figure 37 Concept of parameters of thermodynamic state in piston geometry

The infinitesimal amount of work done by the system (shown in Figure 37) is given by Eq. (20)
[SAA1966]:
dW  f dx  p A dx  p dV . (20)
Assuming that the fluid is an ideal gas and that the above process has been performed at a
constant temperature (i.e., is an isothermal process), then the total work performed by weight
removal is given by Eq. (21):
2 2 dV V 
W1 2   p dV   mRT  mRT ln  2  . (21)
1 1 V  V1 
For a constant-pressure process (i.e., an isobaric process), the total work is given by Eq. (22):
2
W1 2  p  dV  p (V2  V1 ) . (22)
1
For a constant-volume process, because the piston does not move, no work is performed, as
stated by Eq. (23):
2
W1 2   p dV  0 . (23)
1
One can use the ideal gas law from thermodynamics of gases, as given by Eq. (24):
p V  m  R  T , (24)
where P is pressure [MPa or N/m2]; V is volume [m3]; m is mass [kg]; T is temperature [°K]; and
R is the gas constant [Nˑm/(kg °K) or J/(kg °K)].
6.2.1.2 Heat
Heat as a form of energy exists in all bodies and is essential for energy transfer. The nature of
heat is associated with the movements or vibration of molecules or atoms at the microscopic
level in any body, solid, liquid, or gas. Each energy transfer process eventually ends up being a
heat transfer process, i.e., it involves transfer of molecular movement or vibration from one
body to another. Even the energy exchanged by radiation eventually ends up being transferred
into molecular movement. Transfer of energy as heat is a microscopic process because it

represents the microscopic motion and interactions of microscopic constituents such as
molecules and photons.
The level of molecular movement in a certain body or system is measured in terms of its
temperature. The higher the level of excitement of the microscopic constituents of a system,
the higher will be its temperature. Hence, a temperature difference between two bodies or
two systems is essential to the heat transfer process because it sets up the potential for energy
transfer.
Often assumptions and simplifications are made in heat transfer processes to analyze and
understand certain aspects more effectively [BIR1960, ROH1985]. One of these is the
assumption of an adiabatic process, which means that during the process, no heat transfer to
and from a given system undergoing adiabatic change is made with any surrounding systems.
Another important assumption is to treat a system as isolated from the surrounding systems.
This means that in addition to no heat transfer with the surrounding systems, there is also no
work exchanged with the surrounding systems.
6.2.1.3 Energy
Energy is a conserved property of a physical system, which cannot be observed directly, but can
be calculated from the system’s state. The energy of a system can present itself in various
forms and is therefore difficult to describe by a comprehensive definition. Often, the best
description of energy is as “the capacity to perform work”.
For the thermal-hydraulic design engineer, three energy components are of most importance
[LEU2004, POP2013]:
 Internal energy, EU [kJ], or specific internal energy eu [kJ/kg] (internal energy is usually
simply expressed in U, or u);
 Kinetic energy, EK [kJ], or specific kinetic energy, ek [kJ/kg]; and
 Potential energy, EP [kJ], or specific potential energy, ep [kJ/kg].
Internal energy describes the thermodynamic energy of system molecules or atoms (referred
to as heat). Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, which is carried by a body or system with a
certain mass. Potential energy is energy possessed by a system when moving from one place
to another in a force field, such as a gravitational field, an electro-magnetic field, or the nuclear
force field in the atom. Most often for a thermal-hydraulic engineer, potential energy denotes
the gravitational potential.
The total energy of a system in thermal-hydraulic terms can be expressed as the sum of the
above components by Eq. (25) or Eq. (26):
E  EU  EK  EP  U  EK  EP , (25)
e  eu  ek  ep  u  ek  ep . (26)
The energy of a system depends on the temperature, pressure, velocity, and elevation of the
system with respect to its surroundings.
6.2.1.4 Enthalpy
Enthalpy is a measure of the total energy of a thermodynamic system. It includes the internal
energy, U (or thermodynamic potential) and the volume and pressure (the energy required to
make room for a system change). Enthalpy is useful in describing system thermodynamic
changes because it simplifies the description of energy transfers and system changes. Enthalpy
is a thermodynamic property of a substance.
Consider a system undergoing a change because of addition of heat (energy) to the system at
constant temperature; its total energy change can be described in terms of the system’s
internal energy and the product of the system’s pressure and volume, as in Eq. (27):
2 2 2
 dQ   dU   P  dV .
1 1 1
(27)
The sum of the system’s internal energy and the product of its pressure and volume defines its
enthalpy level, as shown by Eq. (28):
H U  PV . (28)
On a unit mass basis, the specific enthalpy is shown by Eq. (29), where specific heat is q = Q/M,
specific internal energy is u = U/M, specific volume is v = V/M, M is mass, and P is pressure:
huPv. (29)
Enthalpy is a state parameter and can be expressed in terms of other parameters. For sub-
cooled or super-heated conditions, h  f ( P, T ) , and for saturated conditions, h  f ( P ) or
h  f (T ) , it is expressed in terms of pressure or temperature. In the two-phase region, the
following equation can be used to calculate mixture enthalpy (under homogeneous conditions):
hm  x  hg  (1  x)  hf  hf  x  hfg , (30)
where hg is the enthalpy of the saturated gas, hf is the enthalpy of the saturated liquid, and hfg
is the latent heat of vaporization.
6.2.2 First law of thermodynamics

The first law of thermodynamics is one of the most fundamental laws of nature; it simply states
that the total energy change in a system is equal to the total energy supplied to the system
from surrounding systems minus the energy transferred to the surrounding systems [SAA1966]:
Energy supplied – Energy removed = Change of energy level.
Hence, for a system with a particular mass that remains constant during the process, the first
law of thermodynamics can be expressed as in Eq. (31):
Q  W  E  E2  E1 . (31)
The above equation written per unit mass becomes Eq. (32):
q  w  e  e2  e1 . (32)
With these definitions, it is now possible to define the work performed by a system that goes
through an isobaric process as in Eq. (33):
2
W   P dV  P(V2  V1 ) . (33)
1
Using the first law of thermodynamics, as in Eq. (31), and substituting this equation into Eq.
(33), one obtains the following equation:
Q  P(V2  V1 )  U 2  U1 . (34)
Rearranging the terms in Eq. (34) yields Eq. (35), which clearly shows the advantage of using
enthalpy because it can provide a better expression of the first law of thermodynamics:
Q  U 2  U1  P(V2  V1 )
 (U 2  P V2 )  (U1  P V1 )  H 2  H1  H . (35)
In the case of a system with multiple energy and work inputs and outputs, the first law of
thermodynamics must be applied to the sum of these inputs and outputs, as in Eq. (36). Thus,
Eq. (37) is obtained as an energy balance equation:
E  0   energy inflow   energy outflow (36)
1
 mV12  mu1  Q  PV
1 1  mgZ1
2
1
 mV22  mu2  W  PV
2 2  mgZ 2
. (37)
2
Converting Eq. (37) in terms of specific parameters yields the following equations in terms of
internal energy (Eq. (38)) and enthalpy (Eq. (39)):
 1   1 
q  w  u2  Pv2  V22  gZ 2   u1  Pv1  V12  gZ1  , (38)
 2   2 
 1   1 
q  w  h2  V22  gZ 2   h1  V12  gZ1  . (39)
 2   2 
In the case of a turbine, there is no heat addition (q = 0) and no change in elevation for a
horizontal turbine (Z1 = Z2), and therefore:
1
w   h1  h2   V12  V22  . (40)
2
For a flow through a horizontal nozzle, there is neither heat addition nor work delivered (q = w
= 0) and no change in elevation (Z1 = Z2), and therefore:
V12  V22  2  h1  h2  . (41)
Finally, there is a special form of the energy balance equation that is very useful to thermal-
hydraulic engineers for calculating fluid parameters in a pipe flow—the Bernoulli equation—in
which neither heat addition nor work is delivered (q = w = 0):
 1 2   1 2 
h1  2 V1  gZ1   h2  2 V2  gZ 2   const , (42)
 1 2 
 u  Pv  V  gZ   const . (43)
2 
Equation (43) clearly shows that the key fluid parameters for a flow are connected, so that to
add up to a constant, an increase in one parameter must result in a reduction in the other
parameters. For example, considering horizontal flow, an increase in fluid velocity results in a
decrease in fluid pressure, and vice versa.
6.2.3 Reactor cycles

Nuclear reactors directly or indirectly produce steam that performs a thermodynamic cycle,
which is used to convert nuclear energy using the energy conversion chain shown in the
diagram below.
Nuclear fuel Turbine
Steam Generator Electrical
Nuclear fission internal Cooling Fluid rotational
production magnetic field energy
energy energy
Converts the
Converts Converts
Converts fuel Converts kinetic energy Converts
Converts mass kinetic energy steam energy
internal internal of the turbine generator
into kinetic of nuclear into kinetic
energy into energy of the shaft into magnetic
energy of particles into energy
internal coolant into rotation of energy into
nuclear molecular (rotation) of
energy of the steam generator electrical
particles motion of the the turbine
coolant production magnetic energy
fuel mass shaft
poles
The shaded area of the diagram represents the thermodynamic cycle that is implemented with
the objective of delivering work to the electric generator.
This process leads to rejection of a certain part of the thermal energy into the environment
(lake, river, sea, or the atmosphere) to be able to close the cycle; this will be explained in later
sections.
With regard to energy generation, the cycle thermodynamic efficiency, ηt, is defined to provide
a measure of cycle performance:
W
t  . (44)
Qin
6.2.3.1 Carnot cycle
The Carnot cycle is a theoretical thermodynamic cycle that represents the most efficient way of
converting a given amount of thermal energy between two thermal reservoirs into work
(turbine work), or conversely the most efficient way of converting a given amount of work into
creating a temperature difference between two reservoirs (refrigeration).
Figure 38 shows an ideal Carnot cycle in pressure versus volume and temperature versus
entropy diagrams. The Carnot cycle consists of the following processes [SAA1966]:
a) delivering heat to the cycle by a reversible isothermal expansion process (process from
points 1 to 2 in Figure 38);
b) delivering work output by isentropic expansion of gas (process from points 2 to 3 in
Figure 38);
c) rejecting waste heat from the cycle by reversible isothermal compression of gas
(process from points 3 to 4 in Figure 38); and
d) inputting work into the cycle by isentropic compression of gas (process from points 4 to
1 in Figure 38).
Figure 38 Ideal Carnot cycle

To calculate the thermal efficiency of the Carnot cycle, it is necessary to calculate the total heat
delivered and the total work performed and to use these results in Eq. (44).
2
For the process from points 1 to 2 (at constant temperature, U1 2  
1
m cv dT  0 ):
2 2 dV V
W12   p dV  m R T1   m R T1 ln 2 . (45)
1 1 V V1
Using the first law of thermodynamics, from Eq. (31), the heat addition can be expressed as:
Q12  W12  U12  0 , (46)
V2
Q12  W12  m R T1 ln . (47)
V1
For the process from points 2 to 3 (with no heat addition, Q23  0 ):

3 3 p3V3  p2V2
W23   p dV   C V  dV  , (48)
2 2   1
3
U 23   m cv dT  m cv (T3  T2 ) . (49)
2
Using the first law of thermodynamics, from Eq. (31), the link between internal energy change
and delivered work is:
Q23  U 23  W23  0 . (50)
For the process from points 3 to 4 (at constant temperature, U 34  0 ):

V4
W34  m R T3 ln  Q34 . (51)
V3
For the process from points 4 to 1 (with no heat addition, Q41  0 ):

p1V1  p4V4
W41  , (52)
  1
U 41  m cv (T1  T4 )  W41 . (53)
These equations have used the following thermodynamic relationships to calculate the thermal
efficiency:
 For a quasi-static adiabatic process:
T2V2 1  T3V3 1 and T4V4 1  TV  1

1 1 . (54)
 For an isothermal process
T1  T2 and T3  T4 , (55)
p1V1  p2V2 and p3V3  p4V4 . (56)
 Volume relation
V2 V3
 . (57)
V1 V4
Hence, the net work done can be obtained by summing up the work in the separate processes
described by Eqs. (45), (48), (51), and (52) and using the relationships provided by Eqs. (54),
(55), (56), and (57):
Wcycle  W12  W23  W34  W41 (58)
V2 p3V3  p2V2 V pV  p V
 m R T1 ln   m R T3 ln 4  1 1 4 4 ,
V1   1 V3   1
V2
Wcycle  mR(T1  T3 ) ln . (59)
V1
Now the cycle thermal efficiency can be obtained from Eq. (44):
net work done Wcycle Wcycle mR(T1  T3 ) ln (V2 / V1 ) T1  T3 T
t       1 3 . (60)
heat input Qin Q12 mR T1 ln (V2 / V1 ) T1 T1
One important observation can be made from Eq. (60): the thermal efficiency of the cycle
depends on the temperatures of the upper and lower thermal reservoirs. Hence, the higher
the temperature at which heat is added to the cycle and the lower the temperature at which
heat is extracted from the cycle, the higher will be the thermal efficiency. Therefore, design
efforts to improve cycle thermal efficiency are usually directed towards increasing the
temperature at which heat is delivered to the cycle. However, it is also evident that this cycle
will operate more efficiently if the lower temperature is reduced.
6.2.4 Second law of thermodynamics

The second law of thermodynamics is a very important law of nature and primarily applies to
thermodynamics. This law indicates that over time, differences in temperature, pressure, and
chemical potential decrease in an isolated physical system, leading eventually, with a time
constant that depends on the system thermodynamic inertia, to a state of thermodynamic
equilibrium.
There are other definitions of this law, depending on the discipline. The above definition is
given in the context of thermodynamics, but this law can also be considered from the
perspectives of quantum mechanics or astrophysics, and in such cases, its definition is adjusted
to the objectives of the corresponding discipline.
The second law of thermodynamics has many implications, of which a few are stated below:
 Carnot’s principle [CAR2015]: The historical origin of the second law of thermodynamics
was in Carnot’s principle. It refers to the Carnot engine, fictively operating in a very
slow mode (quasi-static) so that heat is transferred between two thermal reservoirs
that maintain their internal equilibrium. The Carnot principle, which originated at the
beginning of the 19th Century, is still valid today. It states that, “The efficiency of a
quasi-static or reversible Carnot cycle depends only on the temperature of the two heat
reservoirs, and is independent of the working substance. A Carnot engine operated in
this way is the most efficient possible heat engine using these two temperatures”.
 Clausius’ statement [CLA2015]: “It is impossible to construct a device that executes a
thermodynamic cycle so that the sole effect is to produce a transfer of heat energy from
a body at a low temperature to a body at a high temperature”.
 Kelvin’s statement [KEV2015]: “It is impossible, by means of inanimate material agency,
to derive mechanical effect from any portion of matter by cooling it below the
temperature of the coldest of the surrounding objects”.
 Kelvin-Planck statement [KPL2015]: “It is impossible to construct a device that executes
a thermodynamic cycle, exchanges heat energy with a single reservoir, and produces an
equivalent amount of work”.
 Planck’s principle [PLA2015]: “The internal energy of a closed system is increased by an
isochoric adiabatic process”.
Whichever definition is used for the second law of thermodynamics leads to the basic
conclusion that any time an energy transfer is performed, from thermal to mechanical to
electrical or vice versa, a penalty is paid in terms of increasing the disorder of the isolated
system. In other words, thermal energy cannot be converted into work by a cyclic process with
100% efficiency.
The mathematical formulation of the second law of thermodynamics is best visualized using
Figure 39. In this figure, on the left side, a generalized thermodynamic cycle is shown taking
place between a hot reservoir at temperature TH and a cold reservoir at temperature TC. On
the right side, the Carnot cycle diagram is shown between the same boundaries. Therefore,
the area in red, labelled as QC, is the amount of energy exchanged between the system and the
cold reservoir. The area in white, labelled as W, is the amount of work exchanged by the
system and its surroundings. The amount of heat exchanged with the hot reservoir, labelled as
QH, is the sum of the two, QC and W. If the system is behaving like an engine, the process
moves clockwise around the loop, and if it behaves as a refrigerator, it moves counter-
clockwise.
Figure 39 The concept of entropy in closed cycles

From the above, and because the energy addition to the cycle and the energy extraction from it
have opposite signs, it follows that:
TH Q Q Q
  H  C  H  0. (61)
TC QC TC TH
This can be generalized by splitting the general reversible cycle shown in Figure 39 into a
number of infinitesimally small Carnot cycles. For each small cycle, noting that common
boundaries cancel, the following relation can be obtained:
QC QH
 0. (62)
TC TH
Summing all cycles and performing a circular integration:
Q Q
 T
0   T
0. (63)
The above equation also indicates that the line integral Q / T
L
is path-independent
[SAA1966]. Because the closed integral is equal to zero, dQ/T must be an exact differential and
must be a state variable, i.e., a property of the state of the material, like internal energy,
pressure, temperature, density (u, P, T, ρ), etc. This differential is defined to be the entropy, S.
Because S is a system property, it is possible to express any equilibrium state in terms of S plus
one other state variable (T, P, or something else):
 In a reversible process (Figure 40), the quantity, δQ/T, from point A to point B is the
same regardless of the path;
 Hence, the entropy, S, can be defined as
B Q
SB  S A   ; (64)
A T reversible
 Specific entropy, s (J/kg K).

For a reversible process, heat addition and heat extraction from the cycle are defined as:
QH  TH (S B  S A ) , (65)
QC  TC (S A  S B )  TC (S B  S A ) . (66)
Using Eqs. (65) and (66), the net work done by the cycle is defined as:
Wcycle  QH  QC  TH (SB  S A )  TC (SB  S A )  (TH  TC )(SB  S A ) . (67)
Therefore, the thermal efficiency is defined using Eq. (44) as:

Wcycle (TH  TC ) ( SB  S A ) TH  TC T
t     1 C . (68)
QH TH (SB  S A ) TH TH
The following relation represents the generalization of the entropy definition for reversible and
irreversible processes:
Q Q
 T
 0 or S  
T
. (69)
Hence, for reversible processes, the equality sign applies, whereas for irreversible processes,
i.e., realistic processes, the < sign applies. All real processes are considered irreversible. This
indicates that for closed systems, any process, regardless of the path, results in an increase in
entropy.
6.2.5 Reactor power cycle

Figure 40 shows how an ideal Carnot cycle is applied with water as the working fluid. On the
right side, isothermal addition of energy (heat) to the cycle is achieved between the saturated
water and saturated steam states. Extraction of waste heat from the cycle is carried out
isothermally in the two-phase region.
Figure 40 Carnot cycle for steam

The ideal Carnot cycle is impossible to achieve with real turbo machinery. Therefore, a
variation of the Carnot cycle, called the Rankine cycle, is shown on the left side of Figure 40
[SAA1966]. This cycle performs complete condensation of the steam at the lower thermal
reservoir temperature. Hence, water enters the adiabatic compression in the pump as liquid
water. With this modification, more heat rejection is needed to bring the feedwater to
saturation, avoiding a liquid-vapour mixture in the pump. This reduces thermal efficiency.
Figure 41 shows the steam-water diagrams used by thermal engineers and designers
[WIK2015a]. The first part, Figure 41a, shows the P-v diagram, followed by Figure 41b, the T-s
diagram, and Figure 41c, the h-s diagram. The P-v diagram is useful for representing changes in
volume between different points in the cycle. Note that pressure and temperature are linked
parameters at saturation conditions, and hence in the two-phase area, both join in the same
straight line. The T-s diagram shows temperature changes in the cycle for given entropies. This
diagram is useful for the Carnot and Rankine cycles because heat addition and heat extraction
are performed as isothermal processes, which are straight horizontal lines in this diagram.
According to the ideal Carnot cycle and the ideal Rankine cycle, isentropic expansion and
isentropic compression (no losses) are represented by vertical straight lines, which make the
diagram a very easy way to observe heat changes as square areas. On the other hand, the h-s
diagram is very useful to the turbo machinery designer because each energy change during any
of the processes is shown as a vertical increment on the y-axis, whereas reversibility or
irreversibility of the cycle is easily observable on the x-axis.
Figure 42 shows an ideal Rankine cycle for a nuclear power plant (ideal because irreversibility is
not taken into account). The left side shows the NPP secondary side with the steam generator
and other equipment. Certain points in the diagram are labelled on the reactor sketch with
numbers.
The separate processes of the cycle as labelled on the left side with their position are:
 Heat supplied: area 6-1-2-2A-3-4-5-6
 Heat removed: area 6-1-4-5-6
 Net work done: area 1-2-2A-3-4-1.

The assumptions of this idealized Rankine cycle are:
 Negligible changes in kinetic energy and potential energy;
 All processes are reversible; and
 Negligible pressure and heat losses.
Figure 41 Steam-water diagrams used in thermodynamic analyses (a, b, c)
Figure 42 Simplified Rankine cycle in a nuclear power plant

The thermodynamic power cycle in reactor systems is similar to the Rankine cycle. As sketched
in Figure 42, the steam generator boils the working fluid (water) isothermally (at saturation
temperature), the turbine expands the fluid and performs shaft work, the condenser extracts
the reject heat and condenses the fluid, and the feedwater pump returns the fluid to the steam
generator at pressure. Of course, the realistic reactor cycle is not reversible, but the principles
of the cycle are the same. The typical cycle used in power plants is called the Rankine cycle.
The T-s and h-s diagrams for an ideal simple Rankine cycle are given in Figure 41 and Figure 42.
In the ideal Rankine cycle in Figure 42, saturated steam (point 3) enters the turbine and
expands isentropically to position 4. At point 4, the wet steam enters the condenser, where
heat is removed until the fluid is condensed to a saturated liquid at point 1. After leaving the
condenser at saturation pressure P2, the fluid is compressed isentropically from pressure P2 to
the boiler pressure P1. The high-pressure liquid enters the boiler at point 2, where the fluid is
first brought to saturation at pressure P2 (point 2A) and then vaporized to saturated steam at
point 3.
In process 1-2 (isentropic compression in the feedwater pump), no heat is exchanged with the
surroundings, i.e., q12  0 . Hence, the work input to achieve isentropic compression is given by
Eq. (70):
2
 w1 2  (h2  h1 )    v dp ~ v1 ( p2  p1 ) . (70)
1
In process 2-2A-3 (heating at constant pressure in the boiler), no work is exchanged with the
surroundings, i.e., w2-3 = 0. Hence, using the h-s diagram, the heat addition to the system is
obtained as a difference of enthalpies, as given by Eq. (71):
q23  qin  h3  h2 . (71)
In process 3-4 (isentropic expansion in the turbine), no heat is exchanged with the
surroundings, i.e., q3-4 = 0. Hence, the work delivered by the turbine is given by Eq. (72):
w34  h3  h4 . (72)
In process 4-1 (heat removal at constant pressure in the condenser), no work is exchanged with
the surroundings, i.e., w4-1 = 0. Hence, the heat extraction from the system is obtained as a
difference of enthalpies, as given in Eq. (73):
q41  h4  h1 . (73)
The net work performed by this cycle can be obtained as:
wcycle  w34  w12  (h3  h4 )  (h2  h1 ) . (74)
The thermal efficiency of the ideal Rankine cycle is obtained by Eq. (75):
wcycle (h3  h4 )  (h2  h1 ) q23  q41
Rankine    . (75)
qin h3  h2 q23
As noted earlier, the thermal efficiency of the ideal simplified Rankine cycle is much less than
that of the Carnot cycle because more heat is wasted to the environment. The performance of
the Rankine cycle can be improved in practice by:
(1) raising the boiler pressure
(2) lowering the exhaust pressure
(3) using superheat
(4) using reheat.
Options (1), (3), and (4) effectively raise the inlet temperature, whereas (2) effectively lowers
the outlet temperature, with a corresponding effect on cycle efficiency.
Figure 43 Typical impact of turbine outlet pressure on cycle thermodynamic efficiency

The condenser pressure is limited by the temperature of the available cooling water, the size
and cost of the condenser, and the size of the vacuum pumps required to deaerate the
condenser. Figure 43 shows the impact of a condenser pressure decrease in a typical PWR
nuclear plant. The practical lower limit on condenser pressure is 3–6 kPa(a). Consequently,
options (1), (3), and (4) are used to achieve increased efficiency [TOD2011].
The increase in boiler pressure results in an increase in the net work performed by the cycle,
with a corresponding decrease in heat rejected. Figure 44 shows the impact of an inlet
pressure increase in a typical PWR nuclear plant [TOD2011]. However, for the indirect power
cycle, the downside of raising the boiler pressure (and the temperature because the steam is
saturated) is that it forces the primary-side temperature to increase to provide sufficient ΔT to
transfer the heat from the primary to the secondary side. This higher primary-side
temperature requires higher primary-side pressure, which in turn requires thicker pressure
vessel walls. In a pressure vessel-type reactor, this can be costly or can lead to reduced plant
reliability or life. In pressure tube reactors, the main drawback is the increased parasitic
neutron absorption in the pressure tube walls, which need to be thicker, resulting in lower fuel
burn-up.
Figure 44 Typical impact of turbine inlet pressure on cycle thermodynamic efficiency
6.2.6 Improvements in reactor cycles

In the following sections, improvements to the Rankine cycle used in power reactors are
described, their usefulness discussed, and their consequences analyzed. The improvements
described in the following sections are used in power reactors with certain variations and
design specifics by various reactor types and vendors. However, they all contribute to higher
NPP thermal efficiency, which is considered as an important marketing parameter.
6.2.6.1 Rankine cycle with superheat
Figure 45 illustrates the Rankine cycle with superheat [LEU2004, POP2013]. Superheat causes a
net increase in the temperature at which heat is received, with a resulting improvement in
cycle efficiency. Another important factor is that the amount of moisture in the fluid leaving
the turbine is reduced, which increases turbine efficiency and reduces turbine blade erosion.
However, when using superheat, one must have a high-temperature heat source or else reduce
boiler pressure. Some recent approaches and ideas include use of traditional gas-fired
superheaters in combination with nuclear power reactors.
Figure 45 Rankine cycle with superheating

The differences between the cycle with superheat and the simple Rankine cycle are:
 Increased net work output (area 2B-3-4-4B-2B)
 Increased heat supply (area 2B-3-4-5B-2B)
 Increased exhaust steam quality from x4B to x4.
The thermal efficiency of the cycle with superheat is given by Eq. (76) and is higher than for the
simple Rankine cycle:
wcycle q23  q41 (h3  h4 )  (h2  h1 )
Superheat    . (76)
qin q23 h3  h2
6.2.6.2 Reheat cycle
The effective temperature of heat addition is increased and the moisture content further
reduced by using reheat in the Rankine cycle. A schematic diagram of the power plant and an
appropriate temperature-entropy diagram are shown in Figure 46 [LEU2004, POP2013]. High-
pressure, superheated steam is expanded in a high-pressure turbine to an intermediate
pressure 4 and the fluid then returned to a second-stage boiler and superheater and reheated
to state 3A. The reheated steam is then expanded in a low-pressure turbine to the final
exhaust pressure 4A. The moisture content of the working fluid is drastically reduced by use of
reheat, and this approach is used in all fossil-fuelled and many nuclear power plants (without
the superheating part).
Figure 46 Rankine cycle with superheating and reheating

The approach used to compute the work and the efficiency of reheat cycles is the same as that
used in the example problem for the simple Rankine cycle. One calculates the work produced
in each turbine separately and the required pumping work. Heat is added to the fluid at two
different stages of the cycle and is given by the difference in enthalpy between states 3 and 2
and states 4 and 3A. Wet steam at point 4 is removed after the high-pressure turbine stage,
reheated at constant pressure to a superheated state, and admitted to the low-pressure
turbine stage. Superheated steam at point 3A is expanded to the design exhaust pressure at
point 4A.
The net work performed by this cycle is given by Eq. (77):
wcycle  w12  w34  w3 A4 A  (h1  h2 )  (h3  h4 )  (h3 A  h4 A ) . (77)
The heat supplied to this system is given by Eq. (78):
qin  (h3  h2 )  (h3 A  h4 ) . (78)

The thermal efficiency of this cycle is given by Eq. (79):
(h1  h2 )  (h3  h4 )  (h3 A  h4 A )
Reheat  . (79)
(h3  h2 )  (h3 A  h4 )
6.2.6.3 Regeneration cycle
In theory, modifications to the cycle can be made to reduce cycle irreversibility. One of the
principal sources is the sensible heat addition required to bring the boiler feedwater up to
saturation temperature. This is accomplished by using some of the flow through the turbine to
heat the feedwater. To achieve reversibility, a possible setup is shown in Figure 47, where
internal heat from the turbine is used to heat the feedwater in process 2-2A [LEU2004,
POP2013]. This cycle could provide the same thermal efficiency as the Carnot cycle. However,
this is not a practical modification because it is impossible to design a turbine to serve as both a
power-production device and a heat exchanger. Modifications have, however, been designed
to make this design change more practical, one of which is presented in the next section.
Figure 47 Rankine cycle with regeneration circuit
6.2.6.4 Rankine cycle with feedwater heaters
This improvement is based on the regeneration principle, which was briefly covered in the
previous section. This improvement is based on extracting a small amount of steam at an
intermediate pressure from the turbine and using it to heat feedwater.
Two types of feedwater heaters exist in practice:
 Open type, in which direct contact between extracted steam and feedwater is achieved,
resulting in good heat transfer; and
 Closed type, in which only thermal contact between extracted steam and feedwater is
achieved.
For both types, the reheating is usually designed in several stages. The following sections cover
both these types in detail.
6.2.6.5 Rankine cycle with open feedwater heater
Figure 48 shows the Rankine cycle with one open feedwater heater (the left side shows the
loop and the right side the T-s diagram of the cycle) [LEU2004, POP2013].
Figure 48 Rankine cycle with open feedwater reheating

The extraction fraction of steam is calculated from an energy balance on the feedwater heater
using Eq. (80):
m 1  y  h2  m y h6  m  y  1  y  h3 ,
1  y  h2  y h6  h3 . (80)
The pump work is obtained by summing the work from both pumps, as given by Eq. (81):
wpump  w12 1  y   w34 . (81)
The turbine work is obtained by summing up the two parts of the turbine expansion, one with
the full steam flow, and one with the (1-y) portion of the steam flow, as in Eq. (82):
wturbine  w56  1  y  w67 . (82)
The heat supplied to the cycle is not affected by the heater and is given by Eq. (83):
q45  h5  h4 . (83)
Usually, operating NPPs have multiple stages of feedwater heating; an example of a plant with
two open feedwater heaters is shown in Figure 49.
Using the heat balance at both heaters, one can obtain the enthalpies downstream from the
mixing points Z and Y, as shown in Eqs. (84) and (85):
m1"h1"  m4 h4 m1"h1"  m4 h4
h4'   , (84)
m1"  m4 m1  m1'
m1' h1'   m1  m1'  h5
h5'  . (85)
m1
Figure 49 Rankine cycle with multiple open reheaters
The turbine work in this case is obtained by summing up the work at the three parts before and
after the steam extractions, as shown in Eq. (86):
wT  m1  h1  h1'    m1  m1'  h1'  h1"   m2  h1"  h2  . (86)
6.2.6.6 Rankine cycle with closed feedwater heater
Figure 50 shows the Rankine cycle with one closed feedwater heater (the left side shows the
loop and the right side the T-s diagram of the cycle) [LEU2004, POP2013].
Figure 50 Rankine cycle with closed feedwater reheating

The extraction fraction of steam is calculated from an energy balance on the feedwater heater
using Eq. (87):
1  y  h2  y h6  1  y  h2 A  y h3 . (87)
The pump work is obtained by summing the work from both pumps, as given by Eq. (88):
wpump  w12 1  y   w34 . (88)
The turbine work is obtained by summing up the two parts of the turbine expansion, one with
the full steam flow, and one with the (1-y) portion of the steam flow, as in Eq. (89):
wturbine  w56  1  y  w67 . (89)
The heat supplied to the cycle is not affected by the heater and is given by Eq. (90):
qin   h5  h2 A 1  y    h5  h4  y . (90)
Usually, operating NPPs have multiple stages of feedwater heating; an example of a plant with
two closed feedwater heaters is shown in Figure 51 [POP2013].
Figure 51 Rankine cycle with multiple closed reheaters

Using the heat balance at both heaters, one can obtain the enthalpies downstream from the
exit points 1 and 2, as shown in Eqs. (91), (92), and (93):
m1"h1"  m4 h4  m1'h6'   m1'  m1"  h5
h4'  , (91)
m1
m4 h4'   m1'  m1"  h5'
h4"  , (92)
m1
m1'  h1'  h6   m1h4"
h7  . (93)
m1
6.2.6.7 Thermal efficiency moisture separation
The role of the moisture separator between the high-pressure and low-pressure turbines in the
cycle is two-fold:
 to provide feedwater heating, thus improving cycle thermal efficiency; and
 to remove moisture from the steam, enabling dry steam to enter the low-pressure
turbine (thus reducing water droplet erosion of the turbine blades).
Figure 52 shows an example of a moisture separator where, using the principle of the open
heater, the extracted moisture from the separator is mixed with the feedwater, thus
transferring the latent heat of condensation to the feedwater [POP2013].
By defining the parameters at certain points in the T-s diagram, h1"  h f  at p1'  and 1  x1'  m1
and h1"'  hg  at p1"  and x1'm1 , and by performing an energy balance at the separator, one can
obtain the enthalpy after the mixing point using Eq. (94):
h1" x1"m1"  h4 x1"'  m1  m1" 
h5  . (94)
m1
Figure 52 Rankine cycle with dryer
6.2.6.8 Actual Rankine cycle
The real Rankine cycle is not reversible because of various losses that occur in nature and that
must be accounted for. Figure 53 shows the real Rankine cycle and the impact of various losses
[TOD2011]. The left figure shows the pump losses, the middle figure shows the losses in the
steam lines to the turbine, and the right figure shows the losses in the turbine. Some of these
losses are listed below:
 Irreversible frictional losses at various places in the turbo machinery;
 Irreversible heat losses from various piping, vessels, etc.;
 Pump losses, in particular:
o Heat loss to the surroundings;
o Fluid friction with the pump blades;
o Mechanical losses due to friction (bearings, gears, etc.);
 Turbine losses, in particular:
o Pressure drop between the superheater and turbine, which reduces entrance
pressure from P1 to P2;
o Heat loss to the surroundings, which reduces the temperature change from
point b to point c;
o Steam expansion inside the turbine, which is irreversibly adiabatic (non-
isentropic) and hence reduces efficiency and increases steam quality;
o Mechanical friction; and
o Steam bypass outside the turbine blade passages.
Figure 53 Real Rankine cycle with losses
6.2.6.9 Sample PWR and CANDU 6 cycle diagrams
Figure 54 shows a typical secondary side of an advanced PWR reactor [APR2011]. It is clear
that multiple feedwater heaters, one moisture separator, and double reheaters have been
designed into the system. The secondary system operates with two feedwater pumps at two
different pressures.
Figure 54 Typical advanced PWR secondary cooling system
Figure 55 Typical CANDU 6 secondary cooling system

Figure 55 shows a typical CANDU 6 Rankine cycle [AECL2010]. This plant has one double-sided
high-pressure turbine and two double-sided low-pressure turbines. On the low-pressure
turbine, there is one open feedwater heater and three consecutive closed feedwater heaters.
On the high-pressure turbine, there are two closed feedwater heaters. Between the high-
pressure and low-pressure turbines, several stages of moisture separators deliver heating to
the feedwater heaters. The thermal efficiency of such an arrangement is around 35%.
6.2.7 Entropy and the laws of thermodynamics

Entropy is a state parameter and can be expressed in terms of other parameters. For sub-
cooled or superheated conditions, s=f(P,T), and for saturated conditions, s=f(P) or s=f(T), it is
expressed in terms of pressure or temperature. In the two-phase region, the following
equation can be used to calculate mixture entropy (under homogeneous conditions):
sm  x  sg  (1  x)  s f  s f  x  s fg , (95)
where sg is the entropy of the saturated gas, sf is the entropy of the saturated liquid, and sfg is
the entropy change during vaporization.
Entropy is a quantitative measure of the microscopic (molecular) disorder of a system. Entropy
generated through any process in an isolated system cannot be negative. Moreover, entropy is
a non-conserved property (it always increases in isolated systems). In engineering processes,
entropy increase is a measure of irreversibility in these processes (a measure of engineering
system inefficiency or of system losses).
Entropy change is closely associated with heat transfer. In heat transfer from a hotter to a
colder subsystem, the hotter subsystem exhibits a decrease in entropy, whereas the cold
system shows an increase. However, the increase in the cold subsystem is greater, thus making
the entropy change of the combined system positive.
Probably the most important outcome of the entropy changes in certain processes is the fact
that every process ends up with a certain penalty for moving energy in any direction. In other
words, any energy exchange between different systems results in an entropy increase, i.e.,
there is always a certain cost when moving energy from one place to another, or transferring
energy from one form to another. Any conversion of energy in a system from one form to
another or any exchange of work with its surroundings must be accompanied by some
irreversible dissipation of energy to the surroundings.
Entropy can be seen as the ability to expend energy to carry out a task. For example, a fully
charged battery has low entropy, which increases as the battery is used; or a clockwork toy has
low entropy when wound up, which increases as it unwinds.
Processes in nature change in the direction of reaching equilibrium. Entropy reaches a
maximum value when equilibrium is reached. Entropy is statistical in nature because it explains
how phenomena in the micro world affect phenomena in the macro world, capturing the
probability of a number of micro events to cause a macro effect.
In modern thermodynamics, the laws of thermodynamics are known as:
 First law – characterizes the energy balance;
 Second law – characterizes cycle/system efficiency;
 Third law – characterizes entropy at near-zero temperatures; and
 Zeroth law – characterizes thermodynamic equilibrium.
The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two bodies are in thermodynamic equilibrium
(at the same temperature) with a third body, then they are in thermodynamic equilibrium with
each other. This is a fundamental law that defines the relationship between different systems
(bodies) operating and interacting with each other. This law should have been labelled as the
first law, but because it was defined later, it was called the zeroth low to avoid confusion.
The first law of thermodynamics states that the change of internal energy in a system is equal
to the amount of heat supplied, minus the amount of work performed by the system on its
surroundings. In other words, it states that energy can be converted from one form to another,
but cannot be created or destroyed, i.e., everything requires energy to do anything. Different
forms of energy must be fed into a system before it can perform any useful work or create any
impact on its surroundings.
The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of an isolated system never
decreases because isolated systems spontaneously evolve toward thermodynamic equilibrium,
i.e., the state of maximum entropy. Moreover, it states that a certain cost must always be paid
when moving energy from one place to another or transferring energy from one form to
another. When it appears that a system’s entropy decreases, this generally means that the
system is not isolated from its surroundings and that by scaling up to a larger system, it will be
found that the system is a part of a larger system with lower entropy.
The third law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of a perfect crystal drops to zero
when the temperature of the crystal is at absolute zero. However, according to quantum
theory, because nothing can be considered to be truly at rest, every molecule, atom, or
subatomic particle will always have a minimum amount of energy even when cooled to
absolute zero (the zero point energy). Hence, one may take the third law as stating the
minimum entropy level at a temperature of absolute zero.
6.2.8 Problems
1. Calculate the Rankine cycle thermal efficiency which operates at saturated steam at
pressure of 7 MPa, and temperature in the condenser is 30 oC. Calculate the steam
quality at the exit of an ideal turbine following an adiabatic expansion to condenser
pressure for the above conditions, and for the conditions if the turbine has 85%
efficiency. Compare the results with the Carnot cycle.
2. A steam generator in a PWR nuclear power plant produces 3200 t/h saturated steam at
pressure of 5 MPa. The temperature in the condenser is 35 oC. Calculate the ideal
turbine power assuming that it operates in Rankine cycle, and the steam quality at the
turbine exit.
3. In a Rankine cycle the working fluid enters the turbine at 4.5 MPa with condenser
temperature of 35°C. Calculate the thermal efficiency of this cycle assuming that:
a. no preheaters are used;
b. one preheater is used to preheat the feed water to 60°C below the saturation
temperature; and
c. the feed water is preheated in 3 preheaters to the same temperature as above.
Given:
a. Turbine inlet pressure, Pi=4.5 MPa
b. Condenser temperature Tc=35 ºC or 308 ºK
c. Feedwater heater outlet temperature, TF=Tsat-60 ºC
Assumptions
a. The Rankine cycle described in the problem statement is for a CANDU 6 reactor
b. Steam entering the turbine is saturated
c. Losses in the turbine and pumping losses are the same in all cases, since it is the
difference in efficiency that is important here assume these losses are negligible.
4. Consider an emergency water tank that is supposed to deliver water to a reactor
following a loss of coolant event. The tank is pressurized by the presence of nitrogen at
1.0 MPa. The water is discharged through a 0.2 m ID pipe. The reservoir has a diameter
of 5 m, and the water level is 15 m above the reactor. Calculate the maximum flow rate
delivered to the reactor if the water is inviscid and reactor pressure is (a) 0.8 MPa, and
(b) 0.2 MPa.
5. Two alternative steam cycles are proposed for a nuclear power plant, as variation of the
Rankine ideal cycle, all three operating between the steam temperature of 293 oC and
condensing temperature of 33oC. The first one operates with condensate in saturated
conditions, while the feedwater downstream of the condensate pumps is subcooled.
The steam is saturated at the inlet of the expander. (a) Assuming ideal machinery,
calculate the cycle thermal efficiency and steam rate for each cycle.
6. Water at 100 kPa and 20 °C flows through a smooth, circular pipe of 2 cm ID, and length
of 3 m. If the flow velocity is 3 m/s, calculate the pressure drop along the pipe and the
pumping power necessary to maintain the flow in the pipe.
7. Explain the 1st and 2nd law of thermodynamics and the relationship between these laws.
Provide examples of their application in reactor thermal-hydraulics design. Explain the
role of entropy in reactor thermal-hydraulics.
8. Develop an expression for thermal efficiency for a secondary heat transport system
shown in Figure 55 (CANDU-typical). Show the thermal efficiency in a generic
expression by using generic values of key parameters and by making appropriate
assumptions.
7 Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Design

7.1 Heat transfer in the primary heat transfer system
The heat balance in the primary heat transport system is covered in this section, including heat
balance in the reactor core and heat balance in a steam generator. An interpretation of the
relationship between the primary and secondary loop parameters is provided, and the role of
the steam generator as a connection between the primary and secondary loops is explained.
Approximations in the steam generator heat transfer model are used to derive trends for
various parameters that affect the steam generator design. Analytical and numerical models
are developed and used to calculate the distribution of key parameters along the primary and
secondary sides of the generator, and the steam generator heat duty diagram is developed and
explained.
Figure 56 shows a simplified diagram of the reactor primary heat transport system. The reactor
is the heat source, because it is in the reactor that heat is generated. The steam generator is
the heat sink, which takes the heat out of the primary heat transport system and transfers it to
the secondary heat transport system. The primary pump serves as the driver of the flow in the
primary heat transport system by removing heat from the heat source (the reactor) and
dumping it into the heat sink (the steam generator).
a) Primary b) Secondary c) Tertiary
Figure 56 Reactor cooling systems
The heat balance in the reactor can be described by a simple algebraic equation, Eq. (96), from
which the reactor heat production can be expressed by Eq. (97):
Wp hp,hot  Wp hp,cold  Q , (96)
Q  Wp  hp ,hot  hp ,cold  , (97)
where: Wp = primary coolant mass flow rate (kg/s)

hp,hot = core exit enthalpy (hot leg), (kJ/kg)
hp,cold = core inlet enthalpy (cold leg) (kJ/kg)
Q = reactor power transferred to the coolant (kJ/s or kW).
7.2 Primary pumps

The primary pumps are the vital component in the reactor heat transport system (HTS). The
primary function of the reactor HTS is to provide continuous heat removal from the reactor
core in normal operation, during transients, and during reactor shutdown, and the primary
pumps are the essential components that support this function. HTS pump start-up and shut-
down are routine operations of the reactor HTS. Pump failures due to loss of power or
inadvertent operator action are relatively common events in all nuclear power plants and are
considered in the safety case for each reactor type.
The primary side flow is determined by a balance between the head generated by the primary
heat transport system pumps (HTS pumps) and the circuit pressure losses due to friction,
losses, and other effects.
Figure 57 shows the pressure drop in the loop as a function of mass flow rate in the loop. The
pump operating point is indicated at the intersection between the pump head curve and the
system flow resistance curve. The system pressure drop curve follows a quadratic law because
it depends on the square of the flow velocity, i.e., the square of the mass flow rate (or mass
flux), as in Eq. (43). The pump head curve may have various shapes depending on the pump
type and design. For “short periods” of time, in transition to the stable operating point, the
pump and the system can temporarily operate outside the stable operating point. In this
respect, a “short period” of time should be considered in relation to the pump and system
hydraulic inertia.
Figure 57 Primary pump flow diagram

Accurate prediction of pump performance includes specification of its head (H), torque (τ),
discharge or volumetric flow rate (Q), and rotor speed (ω). The pump motor, by exerting a
torque on the rotating shaft, provides energy to the impeller, which creates the flow associated
with a head increase from the pump suction to the pump discharge side.
The pump motor provides torque for:
 overcoming frictional resistance and any local losses in the loop (piping, valves, core,
etc.);
 overcoming frictional losses in the pump rotating parts;

 acceleration of fluid in the loop; and
 acceleration of pump rotating parts (including the flywheels).
For a pump, only two parameters can be considered independent among H, Q, τ, and ω. The
other two are determined from the pump characteristics. It is commonly assumed that the
pump steady-state characteristics also hold for transient conditions. The pump characteristics
are described by specific relationships, called homologous relationships) [TOD1990]:
H1 H2 Q1 Q2 H1 H 2
 ,  ,  . (98)
 2
1  2
2 1 2 Q12 Q22
Pump manufacturers produce realistic relationships from pump tests, for example, relating the
head to both volumetric flow and pump angular velocity, as given by Eq. (99):
2
H1 Q Q
 a1  a2    a3   . (99)
 2
   
The common approach is to use non-dimensional parameters with respect to the rated pump
performance conditions (rated conditions refer to the rated quantities, which represent the
point of pump best performance as defined by the manufacturer), as given by Eq. (100):
Q H  
 , h ,  ,  . (100)
QR HR R R
These non-dimensional parameters are used to express homologous pump relationships in a
form similar to Eq. (98), in which the actual parameters are expressed in their non-dimensional
forms. Homologous relationships of these forms are used in computer programs describing
pump behaviour.
Figure 58 shows the four possible types, i.e., quadrants, of pump operation. Computer models
must be able to simulate pump performance in any of the four quadrants, and therefore pump
manufacturers must provide information about pump operation in all quadrants [TOD1990].
During a coast-down transient, the pump may pass from the normal pumping region, quadrant
I, through the reverse flow but positive rotation region, quadrant II, to reverse flow and
rotation, quadrant III, unless the rotor is equipped with an anti-reverse ratchet to avoid this
quadrant (such as in most reactor HTS pumps).
Figure 58 Primary pump operating quadrants

In postulated events with breaks at the pump suction or discharge side and different pump
operation control logic, a pump can operate in any of the first three quadrants. Therefore,
pump tests are performed to develop pump homologous relationships for all four possible
operating quadrants.
Pump characteristics under transient flow conditions have been investigated and tested. One
of the most important conditions that must be avoided in operation of reactor HTS pumps is
two-phase flow in the bubbly flow regime. Pump characteristics deteriorate significantly
following initiation of bubble formation in the pump suction. Moreover, prolonged operation
in two-phase flow (the bubbly flow regime) can damage the pump impeller blades.
One of the most important objectives of HTS flow design is to make sure that the pump suction
pressure does not fall below the net positive suction head required (NPSHR) [POP2014]. For a
pump to deliver its rated output, the absolute pressure (including the velocity head V2/2g) of
the fluid at the pump inlet must exceed the vapour pressure by an amount sufficient to
overcome any entrance or frictional losses between the point of entry into the pump and the
impeller. The NPSH is defined as the absolute pressure at the pump inlet expressed in metres
of liquid, plus the velocity head, minus the vapour pressure of the fluid at pumping
temperature, and corrected to the elevation of the pump centreline in the case of horizontal
pumps, or to the entrance of the first-stage impeller for vertical pumps.
NPSHR (required) is determined by the pump manufacturer and is defined as a function of
pump speed and pump capacity. NPSHA (available) represents the energy level of the fluid
over the vapour pressure at the pump inlet and is determined entirely by the system preceding
the pump. Unless NPSHA>NPSHR under any operating condition, some of the fluid will
vaporize in the pump inlet, and vapour bubbles will be carried onto the impeller. These
bubbles will collapse violently at some point downstream of the pump inlet (usually at some
point on the pump impeller blade surface) as the pressure is increased in the pump, producing
very sharp, crackling noises accompanied by physical damage to the pump impeller surface.
This phenomenon is known as cavitation and is highly undesirable (in fact, it represents a micro
water hammer effect on the impeller surface). The net mechanical effect of cavitation is pump
vibration and impeller damage, whereas the net effect on pump performance is loss of pump
efficiency and pump head.
The primary side flow is determined by a balance between the head generated by the primary
pumps and the circuit head losses due to friction:

Ppump  Pcircuit . (101)
Normally, the pump head curve is provided in the form of a polynomial such as Eq. (102):
Ppump  A0  A1 W  A2 W 2  ... . (102)
The hydraulic network losses are proportional to the square of the velocity, i.e., the mass flow
rate, along with a loss coefficient, as shown by Eq. (103):
Pcircuit  K W 2 . (103)
Figure 59 and Figure 60 show the pump curves of two pumps in the CANDU HTS; the first is the
primary HTS pump, and the second is the shutdown cooling pump.
These pumps have very different functions. The HTS primary pump operates almost
continuously during the operating lifetime of the plant, and therefore the requirements on this
pump are very demanding. The shutdown pump operates normally when the reactor is shut
down to help remove decay heat from the reactor core. Both diagrams show pump volumetric
flow rate on the x-axis, pump head on the left y-axis, and pump efficiency, pump power, and
NPSHR on the right y-axis.
Figure 59 and Figure 60 show that pump head declines with increasing volumetric flow,
whereas pump power increases [POP2014]. This means that because of momentum balance
considerations, if a pump is required to produce higher volumetric flow, its head will be lower.
Note that for a pump delivering higher volumetric flow, the pump power must increase.
Dotted lines in Figure 59, labelled S1, S2, and S3, show three possible system configurations
that impose different flow resistance.
Figure 59 Typical primary pump characteristics
Figure 60 Typical shutdown pump characteristics

The efficiency curve is usually bell-shaped, and it shows that the highest efficiency is achieved
in a relatively narrow range of volumetric flow rate. Pump efficiency is very important for the
HTS pump because it operates continually over 60 years of plant life, and therefore a small loss
of efficiency can result in a relatively large loss of plant earned value. Efficiency drops very
sharply if the pump volumetric flow rate moves outside a narrow range.
The NPSHR curve is relatively flat over a wide range of volumetric flow rates. In fact, well-
designed pumps should have NPSHR curves as flat as can possibly be obtained. However, when
the volumetric flow rate exceeds a certain value, the NPSHR curve starts to increase fast,
creating an area of pump cavitation risk.
7.3 Steam generator heat balance

The steam generator has a very important role in energy transport from the reactor core to the
turbine and the electrical generator because it connects the primary and secondary loops.
Hence, understanding steam generator behaviour is important in understanding plant
behaviour.
A simplified steam generator heat balance is shown in Figure 61. The feedwater flow WFW
enters the steam generator with enthalpy hFW and exits with enthalpy hSAT. The primary mass
flow rate in the reactor is Wp.
Figure 61 Reactor steam generator loop

The heat transfer from the primary to the secondary steam generator side is expressed by Eq.
(104):
dQ  U SG  Tp  Ts   dA , (104)
where USG is the overall (global) heat transfer coefficient (kJ/m2-°C),

A is the heat transfer area in the steam generator (m2),
Tp is the primary-side temperature (°C), and
Ts is the secondary-side temperature (°C).
The total heat transfer in the steam generator can be obtained by integrating the above
equation over the length of the steam generator tubes and is given by Eq. (105):
Q   dQ   U SG  (Tp  Ts )  dA . (105)
Q
Figure 62 shows a general heat-duty diagram for a steam generator with a pre-heater and with
saturated primary coolant entering the steam generator U-tubes (i.e., with a certain
percentage of quality). The y-axis indicates fluid temperatures, and the x-axis provides a
conceptual representation of space in the steam generator. In this diagram, no heat losses or
pressure losses are shown (i.e., an ideal steam generator is assumed).
The primary coolant moves through the U-tubes from right to left in the diagram, starting as
saturated with a certain percentage of quality and becoming sub-cooled as it transfers the heat
to the secondary side. The secondary coolant (feedwater) enters sub-cooled (zero mass
quality, i.e., negative thermodynamic quality) and, as it receives heat from the primary side,
heats up to saturation. Thereafter, the secondary coolant boils off as it receives more heat
through the steam generator. Note that the point at the primary coolant temperature where
the secondary coolant temperature reaches saturation is called the “pinch point” [GAR1999,
POP2014].
Figure 62 Steam generator simplified heat duty diagram

From the above discussion, it is clear that sufficiently good heat transfer is required to achieve
acceptable steam pressure. The steam generator calculation of U-tube length, diameter, and
number (i.e., the area used in heat transfer) is carefully performed so that heat transfer from
the primary to the secondary side is achieved efficiently with as little heat loss as possible, and
so that the economic constraints of manufacturing the steam generator and the system can be
satisfied.
7.3.1 Steam generator without a pre-heater region

To achieve a better understanding of the behaviour and design of the steam generator and the
impact of its various parameters, it is useful to analyze first a simplified version of the steam
generator with no pre-heater, with saturated feedwater entering the steam generator, and
with sub-cooled primary coolant entering the steam generator. This simplified steam
generator is shown in Figure 63 [GAR1999].
Figure 63 Steam generator heat duty diagram without pre-heating

The primary-side heat balance in the steam generator can be obtained by integrating Eq. (105).
Assuming that the global heat transfer coefficient USG is constant along the steam generator,
the primary coolant temperature variation is linear along the U-tube, and by separating
primary and secondary side terms, one obtains Eq. (106):
(Tp ,hot  Tp ,cold )
Q  U SG ASG  U SG ASGTs . (106)
2
Equation (106) can be further simplified into Eq. (107):
T  Tp ,cold 
Q  U SG ASG  p , hot  Ts  . (107)
 2 
The temperatures can be replaced by enthalpies using Eq. (108):
h  Cp  T  constant . (108)
Using Eqs. (108) and (96), the heat transferred in the steam generator can be given by Eq. (110):
U SG ASG  hp ,hot  hp ,cold 
Q   hs  . (109)
Cp  2 
Using Eq. (96) we find:
U SG ASG  hp ,hot  hp ,cold 
Q   hs   W p  (hp ,hot  hp ,cold ) . (107)
Cp  2 
The secondary side steam flow can be calculated by an energy balance on the secondary side of
the steam generator, as given by Eq. (110); using this equation, one can calculate the mass flow
rate at the secondary side, as given by Eq. (111):
Q  Ws  hs  hFW  , (108)
Q
Ws  . (109)
 hs  hFW 
7.3.2 Approximate solution to steam generator without a pre-heater region
Combining Eqs. (97), (101), (110), and (112) yields the set of four equations describing the heat
transfer in the primary and secondary loops, as shown by Eq. (112) [GAR1999, POP2014]:
Q  Wp  hp ,hot  hp ,cold 
U SG ASG  hp ,hot  hp ,cold  T T 
Q   hs   U SG ASG  p ,hot p ,cold  Ts 
Cp  2   2 . (110)
Ppump  Pcircuit
Q  Ws  hs  hFW 
From the first equation in Eq. (113), one can obtain the reactor outlet (hot) enthalpy:
Q
hp ,hot   hp ,cold . (111)
Wp
The second equation in Eq. (113) can be transformed into the following equation by dividing it
by the primary mass flow rate and using Eq. (114), while also neglecting heat losses between
the reactor and the steam generator:
Q U SG ASG  Q  U A  Q 
   hp ,cold  hs   SG SG   Tp ,cold  Ts  . (112)
Wp C pWp  2Wp  Wp  2C pWp 
Rearranging Eq. (115) in terms of outlet enthalpy at the steam generator and outlet
temperature, one can obtain Eq. (116) and Eq. (117):
Q  C pWp 1 QC p Q
hp ,cold      hs    hs , (113)
Wp U SG ASG 2  U SG ASG 2Wp
Q  Wp 1 
Tp ,cold      Ts . (114)
Wp U SG ASG 2C p 
From Eqs. (116) and (117), all the parameters Q, Wp, Cp, ASG, USG, etc., are positive quantities.
Therefore, the reactor inlet enthalpy (and temperature) will rise as the primary flow rate
increases, will rise as the secondary-side temperature (saturation temperature) and enthalpy
increase, and may go up or down as power changes.
Substituting Eq. (116) into Eq. (117),
U SG ASG  hp ,hot  hp ,cold  T  Tp ,cold 
Q   hs   U SG ASG  p ,hot  Ts  . (115)
Cp  2   2 
The enthalpy (and temperature) at the steam generator primary side inlet can be obtained as
follows:
Q  C pW p 1 QC p Q
hp ,hot      hs    hs , (116)
Wp  SG SG
U A 2  U A
SG SG 2W p
Q  Wp 1 
Tp ,hot      Ts . (117)
Wp U SG ASG 2C p 
Using Eqs. (116), (117), (119), and (120), one can obtain the following useful relationships
[GAR1999, POP2014]:
hp ,hot  hp ,cold Q  C pWp   QC p 
hp ,aver      hs     hs , (118)
2 Wp  U SG ASG   U SG ASG 
Q  Wp 1  Q Wp Q ,
Tp ,hot  Tp ,aver      Ts   Ts  (119)
Wp  U SG ASG 2C p  Wp U SG ASG 2Wp C p
Tp ,hot  Tp ,cold Q Q
Tp ,aver  Tp ,aver  Tp ,cold  Tp ,aver  Ts  , (120)
2 2C pWp U SG ASG
Q Q Q Q Q
Tp ,hot  Tp ,cold  Tp ,hot  Ts   Tp ,cold  Ts   . (121)
WpC p U SG ASG 2WpC p U SG ASG 2Wp C p
7.3.3 Calculation of main HTS parameters

From an HTS designer perspective, the key question is how to design the primary heat
transport system. As long as the primary flow rate, or the reactor inlet and outlet enthalpies,
have not yet been defined, it is necessary to make an assumption about one of these to be able
to calculate the other parameters when the desired reactor power is given.
Given a rough estimate of flow for calculating USG (which is not a strong function of flow
because Wp is large and flow is turbulent), Taver can be calculated, as well as an estimate of the
spread of Tp,aver (±Q/2WpCp). This gives a good first estimate of temperatures and enthalpies.
With the above enthalpy, temperature, and density estimates, the circuit losses can be
calculated and compared with available pump head and flow. The flow estimate can be
updated and the whole procedure repeated until convergence is reached.
Figure 64 Process for calculating primary loop parameters

Figure 64 illustrates the process used to calculate the primary heat transport system
parameters [GAR1999, POP2014]. Note that first the reactor power, the steam generator, and
the outlet header pressure and saturation enthalpy are defined. Then the primary flow rate is
assumed. This makes it possible to define the steam generator global heat transfer coefficient
and the primary fluid heat capacity. Then using Eqs. (116) and (119), the reactor inlet and
outlet enthalpies can be calculated. Once these are defined, the next step is to define other
primary fluid state parameters from the state laws, such as the fluid density for the inlet and
outlet reactor enthalpy. After these parameters are defined, it is necessary to check whether
the assumed USG has converged. If not, USG is updated, and another round of these calculations
is performed.
After convergence on USG is reached, the pump head and primary loop resistance can be
calculated because the primary flow rate has been defined. The last step is to check whether
the pump head and the loop resistance match. If not, then the whole process shown in Figure
64 must be repeated.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Problem 7.3.3.1
To illustrate that this process leads to convergence, a sample calculation will be performed
using typical CANDU 6 parameters as given by Eq. (122) [GAR1999, POP2014].
Q  2000  MWth 
W  8000  kg / s 
Ts  265 C   hs  1150  kJ / kg 
C p  5  kJ / kg  C  . (122)
U SG  5  kJ / s  C  m 2   C W p p / U SG ASG   0.625
ASG  3200  m2 
Equation (116) can be expressed in terms of primary flow rate, as shown by Eq. (125):
Q
Wp  . (123)
 C Q 
2 p  hs  hp ,cold 
U SG ASG 
From the above equation, one can define the infinitesimal change in the primary flow rate with
the reactor inlet enthalpy as follows:
 Wp Q Q 2Wp2
   . (124)
 hp ,cold  C pQ 
2
 Q 
2
Q
2  hs  hp ,cold  2 
U SG ASG   2Wp 
Substituting the parameters for CANDU 6 from Eq. (125) into Eq. (127),
2
  kg  
2  8000   
 Wp   s   kg 2 
  64 
kJ  s 
. (125)
 hp ,cold 6  kJ  
2 10  kW  
 s 
If Eq. (128) is expressed in terms of the initial values of primary flow rate and reactor inlet
enthalpy, the result gives the change in the primary flow rate as a function of reactor inlet
enthalpy with respect to the initial value (a guessed value):

 Wp 
  
 W p ,o    W p  hp ,cold ,o  64  1181  25  9.0 . (126)
 h   hp ,cold W p ,o 8000
  p ,cold 
 hp ,cold ,o 
Therefore, the change in primary flow rate will be nine times the change in reactor inlet
enthalpy:
 Wp   hp ,cold 
   9.0     . (127)
W
 p ,o   hp ,cold ,o 
Hence, if we were to guess the reactor inlet enthalpy, and our guess were only 25% wrong, the
primary flow rate would be in error by about 225%. This indicates that the process involving
assuming reactor inlet enthalpy first is inherently divergent. However, if we were to guess the
primary flow rate, and if we were in error by about 25%, the calculated reactor inlet enthalpy
would be in error by only 2.8%. Therefore, this process is inherently convergent. This confirms
that the process for primary heat transport system design shown in Figure 64 is appropriate.
End of Problem 7.3.3.1.________________________________________________________
7.3.4 Steam generator with pre-heater (simplified analytical solution)

Figure 65 shows a simplified heat-duty diagram for a steam generator with a pre-heater for a
fully sub-cooled primary side [GAR1999, POP2014]. This figure shows that the secondary-side
temperature changes from TFW to Ts (i.e., from feedwater to saturation temperature). The
steam generator design may include a section that is targeted to perform feedwater pre-
heating, or it may not have a specific section. Whatever the design, steam generator pre-
heating will always be relevant because the feedwater enters the steam generator in a sub-
cooled state and needs to be heated up to saturation before the steam generator can boil it
and generate steam.
Figure 65 Steam generator heat duty diagram with pre-heating

The reactor heat balance equation is given by:
Q  WpC p Tp ,hot  Tp ,cold  , (128)
where Q is reactor power (or steam generator power), Cp is D2O heat capacity (assumed
constant), Tp,hot is ROH temperature, and Tp,cold is RIH temperature.
The elementary amount of heat transferred from the primary to the secondary side of the
steam generator can be captured using the Fourier law:
dQ  U SG Tp  Ts  dASG , (129)
where USG is the overall heat transfer coefficient through the SG piping, dASG is the incremental
heat transfer area from the primary to the secondary side, Tp is the D2O temperature in the SG
tubes, and Ts is the H2O temperature in the SG shell.
As shown in Figure 65, the secondary side of the steam generator can be split into two parts,
the pre-heater part and the boiler part. Therefore, the heat transferred from the primary to
the secondary side can also be divided into two parts, as shown in Eq. (132):
Q  QPREHEATER  QBOILER . (130)
The fraction of the steam generator area involved in pre-heating is indicated by γ. The pre-
heater part of the steam generator brings the feedwater to saturation. The primary-side
temperature at which the secondary side is brought to saturation is denoted as TPINCH.
Using Eq. (113), the total heat exchanged between the primary and secondary sides in the
steam generator can be shown by means of the following relation [GAR1999, POP2014]:
T  TPINCH Ts  TFW   Tp ,hot  TPINCH 
Q   U SG ASG  p ,cold    1   U SG ASG   Ts  , (131)
 2 2   2 
where Ts is the saturation temperature at the secondary side and TFW is the feedwater
temperature at the inlet of the steam generator secondary side.
The pinch temperature can be expressed in terms of steam generator parameters using Eq.
(124):
TPINCH  Tp ,cold   Tp ,hot  Tp ,cold   Tp ,cold  

Q
. (132)
C pWp
By substituting Eq. (135) into Eq. (134), one can obtain the heat transfer in the steam generator
as expressed by the following equation:
 T  T   
Q  U SG ASG  p ,hot p ,cold   Ts  Ts  TFW   . (133)
 2  2 
Recall the relationship between the reactor inlet and outlet temperature from Eq. (124):
Q
Tp ,hot   Tp ,cold . (134)
Wp C p
The reactor inlet and outlet temperatures can be expressed by the following relationship:
Q  WpC p 1 
Tp ,cold      Ts  TFW   Ts , (135)
W p C p U SG ASG 2  2
Q  WpC p 1 
Tp ,hot      Ts  TFW   Ts . (136)
WpC p U SG AG 2  2
By examining Eq. (138), one can evaluate the impact of reactor power on the variation of
reactor inlet temperature. The saturation temperature Ts at the secondary side does not
depend on reactor power if the pressure on the secondary side is kept constant. The variation
in feedwater temperature, TFW, can be assumed to be linearly dependent on reactor power.
The primary flow rate Wp, the heat capacity CP, the area of the steam generator ASG, and the
steam generator global heat transfer coefficient USG exhibit second-order variation with reactor
power Q.
To define the dependence of reactor inlet temperature on reactor power, it is necessary to
evaluate the impact of the remaining parameter, i.e., the steam generator pre-heater area γ,
on reactor power.
The heat addition to the secondary side of the steam generator in the pre-heater area can be
calculated as:
QPREHEATER  WsC p ,s Ts  TFW  . (137)
The heat extraction from the primary side of the steam generator can be calculated from Eq.
(134) as follows:
 T T   Ts  TFW 
QPREHEATER   U SG ASG  p ,cold PINCH   . (138)
 2   2 
Combining Eqs. (140) and (141) leads to the following expression for the steam generator pinch
area [GAR1999, POP2014]:
Ws C p , s Ts  TFW 
 . (139)
 Tp ,cold  TPINCH  Ts  TFW  
U SG ASG   
 2 2 
The most strongly variable parameter in Eq. (142) is the feedwater flow WFW. The heat balance
on the secondary side given by Eq. (140) can be rearranged in terms of enthalpies as follows:
Q  Ws hs  WFW hFW . (140)

Because Ws ≈ WFW, it is appropriate to assume that hs ≈ constant and hFW ≈ constant.
Therefore, feedwater flow and steam generator pre-heater area are proportional to reactor
power, i.e., WFW ∞ Q and γ ∞ Q.
It is normally desirable to describe the pre-heater area in terms of a ratio between the pre-
heater area at 100% power and at current power, as follows:
 100Q
 , (141)
Q100
where γ100 is the pre-heating fraction at 100% full power and Q100 = Q at 100% full power.
By substituting Eq. (144) into Eqs. (138) and (139), the reactor inlet and outlet temperatures
can be obtained as follows:
Q  WpC p 1  Q
Tp ,cold      100 Ts  TFW   Ts
WpC p U SG ASG 2  2Q100
Q  Q100  Wp C p 1  
      100 Ts  TFW    Ts , (142)
Q100 Wp C p  U SG ASG 2  2 
Q  Q100  Wp C p 1  
Tp ,hot       100 Ts  TFW    Ts . (143)
Q100 Wp C p  U SG ASG 2  2 
It is clear that the reactor inlet and outlet temperatures are equal to the steam saturation
temperature with corrections to capture the primary-side and secondary-side effects. Both
these effects are roughly proportional to reactor power. Hence, at 0% full reactor power,
Tp,cold=Ts and Tp,hot=Ts.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Problem 7.3.4.1
To illustrate the above analysis and the magnitude of the correction terms, a sample CANDU 6
assessment can be performed with the following given parameters:
 Reactor power Q100 = 2.064×106 [kJ/s]
 Steam generator global heat transfer coefficient: USG = 4.5 [kJ/sec °C m2]
 Steam generator area: ASG = 3200 [m2] per steam generator (12,800 [m2] total for a
four-loop reactor)
 Primary flow rate: Wp = 8250 [kg/s]
 Heat capacity of primary loop: Cp = 4.25 [kJ/kg °C]
 Steam generator pre-heating portion: γ100 = 0.15 at 100% full power
 Feedwater temperature: TFW = 177 [°C] at 100% full power
 Secondary-side temperature (at saturation): TS = 260 [°C]
Using the above parameters, the reactor inlet temperature can be calculated using Eq. (145):
Q Q
Tp,cold  58.86  0.60  0.50   6.22  260  6.32  6.22  260 . (144)
Q100 Q100
Hence, even at 100% full power, the net correction to the reactor inlet temperature Tp,cold is
less than 0.1°C. Even allowing for large variations in USG and other parameters, the effect on
Tp,cold is expected to be small over the full power range. This has been confirmed by detailed
calculations. The reactor outlet temperature can be calculated using Eq. (146):
Q Q
Tp ,hot  64.75  6.22  260   58.53  260 . (145)
Q100 Q100
At 100% full power, the reactor outlet temperature To is 318.5 [°C], which is greater than the
saturation temperature of 310 [°C] at 10 [MPa]. Hence, the assumption of no boiling at the
reactor outlet header is not correct. Therefore, the calculation must be repeated with an
estimate of the amount of boiling using the following expression:
 xh 
Q  Qsubcool  Qboil  Wp C p Tp ,sat  Tp ,cold   fg   Wp C p Tp ,sat  Tp ,cold   Wp xh fg . (146)
 C p 
The power level at which boiling starts is given by Eq. (146), into which the CANDU 6
parameters from Eq. (148) are introduced to obtain the following expression:
Tp ,hot  260 310  260 Q 50
    0.854 . (147)
58.53 53.53 Q100 53.53
This means that boiling starts in a CANDU 6 core when the reactor power is at 85.4% of full
power. In other words, it means that out of 100% reactor power, 85.4% is used to heat the
primary fluid to saturation and 14.6% is used to boil some of the primary fluid.
If this information is used in Eq. (149), the following expression can be obtained for the reactor
power split in the primary heat transport system:
Q Q Q WC W xh
 subcool  boil  p p Tp ,sat  Tp ,cold   p fg  0.854  0.146 . (148)
Q100 Q100 Q100 Q100 Q100
Hence, using just the boiling part of Eq. (151), the steam quality at the reactor outlet header
can be calculated as follows:
0.146Q100 0.146  2.064 106  kJ / s 
x   0.045 . (149)
W p h fg 8250[kg / s ]  800[kJ / kg ]
In the above calculation of the steam quality in the reactor outlet header as 4.5%, it was
assumed that the value of 85.4% of the total reactor power to onset of boiling as calculated by
Eq. (152) remains valid as the power goes up beyond the onset of boiling. Hence, it follows
that the parameters that determine the onset of boiling, Wp, Cp, USG, ASG, Ts, and TFW, have been
assumed not to change significantly when boiling starts in the primary heat transport system.
This is only approximately true: Wp and USG are affected by the presence of two-phase flow.
However, the approximation used in the above calculation is good enough to illustrate the
point.
End of Problem 7.3.4.1_________________________________________________________
Enough information is now available to sketch out the heat duty diagram as a function of
power. Figure 66 presents the impact of reactor power on the heat-duty diagram of the steam
generator {GAR1999, POP2014].
Figure 66 Reactor power versus heat-duty diagram of the SG

It is clear from the figure that the increase of reactor power impacts the primary side in such a
way that the primary fluid temperature curve becomes steeper, eventually reaching saturation
and starting to boil. The higher the reactor power, the greater will be the quantity of the
primary fluid that will be converted to steam, and the higher will be the quality of the primary
coolant in the reactor outlet header.
The reactor power also affects the secondary side. The lower the reactor power, the larger will
be the pre-heater part of the steam generator, i.e., more of the steam generator heat transfer
area will be engaged in pre-heating feedwater, and less will be available to boil the secondary
fluid.
7.3.5 Steam generator with pre-heater (numerical solution)

Consider the steam generator to be a counter-current heat exchanger, with the simplified heat-
duty diagram shown in Figure 67. For any small segment dz of the heat exchanger, according to
the figure, the heat transferred from the primary to the secondary side can be calculated using
the Fourier law:
dQ  U SG Tp  Ts  dASG . (150)
The primary and secondary temperatures will vary with position in the steam generator.
Energy balance on the primary and secondary sides gives the following expressions:
dQ  WP dhP , (151)
dQ  WS dhS . (152)
The minus sign indicates a heat flow from the primary to the secondary side, i.e., the enthalpy
of the primary fluid decreases, and the enthalpy of the secondary fluid increases.
For a single phase on either side, one can relate enthalpy with temperature as follows:
dh=CP⋅dT.
Therefore, the change in fluid temperatures along the steam generator primary and secondary
sides can be expressed as:
U SG dASG Tp  Ts 
dTp   , (153)
C p , pW p
U SG dASG Tp  Ts 
dTs  . (154)
C p , sWs
The steam generator area can be conveniently divided into N segments, each described as
ΔASG=ASG/N. The numerical algorithm for calculating the fluid temperatures simply starts at
one end of the heat exchanger with known or assumed temperatures and flows at that
boundary and repeatedly applies Eqs. (156) and (157) as it moves forward to the other end of
the heat exchanger. The principle of the calculation is shown in Figure 68. If the calculations
start at the cold end (where feedwater enters and primary fluid exits), single-phase flow on
both sides can be ensured.
At each successive nodal point, the fluid temperatures can be calculated by the following
expressions [GAR1999, POP2014]:
Tp ,i 1  Tp ,i 
U SG ASG
C p , p NWp
Tp,i  Ts,i  , (155)
Ts ,i 1  Ts ,i  SG SG Tp ,i  Ts ,i  .
U A
(156)
C p , s NWs
At each nodal point i, the calculated temperature should be compared to the saturation point.
Once the saturation temperature is reached, the secondary-side temperature remains at the
saturation temperature.
Figure 67 Steam generator numerical Figure 68 Nodalization concept for steam

calculation concept generator numerical calculation
The result is the temperature profiles for both the primary and secondary sides for the given
flow rates, area, heat transfer coefficient, and cold side temperatures. Equation (153) is used
to accumulate the total heat transferred by the heat exchanger. If the heat transferred is
above or below the desired heat transfer, then iteration is required. Typically, it is desirable to
know the primary-side temperature profile for a given set of secondary-side conditions, given
the primary-side flow and a given steam generator geometry and heat transfer coefficient. In
this case, the primary side inlet temperature is varied until the target Q is met; once again, the
primary side “floats” on the secondary side.
The effect of power is seen through Ws, which is proportional to Q. For low Q, Ts will rise
rapidly to the saturation temperature. This decreases the effective temperature difference
between the primary and secondary sides. Hence, Tp will not rise as quickly as in the high-
power case.
7.3.6 Problems
1. Explain the difference in the design of steam generators that have an area designed for
preheating of feed water and these that do not. Explain how feed water heating is
achieved in both types of design. Explain the role of the pinch point in both types of
design.
2. Using the values provided in Problem 7.3.4.1, draw a heat duty diagram of a
corresponding steam generator following the format provided in Figure 66.
3. Explain the process for calculating main parameters of the primary heat transport system.
4. Using the values provided in Problem 7.3.4.1, and using the steam generator heat
balance template in the attached Excel spreadsheet, calculate analytically the steam
generator parameters. Determine the effect of steam generator fouling on the steam
generator performance. Determine the effect of power level on the steam generator
performance.
5. Using the values provided in Problem 7.3.4.1, and using the steam generator heat balance
equations use numerical technique to calculate steam generator parameters as shown in
the attached spreadsheet. Determine the effect of steam generator fouling on the steam
generator performance. Determine the effect of power level on the steam generator
performance. Determine the impact of the numerical calculation increments on the

precision of the calculations.
7.4 Heat transfer in the fuel elements

Heat transfer in the fuel, cladding, and coolant is very important from the perspective of
adequate thermal design of the reactor core. The most important objective of the thermal
designer is to ensure that the heat generated in the reactor at any reactor state is continuously
removed from the core within adequate thermal margins.
This section describes the calculation of temperature profiles in the radial and axial directions
in the fuel, cladding, and coolant. It also discusses the key parameters and their influence on
primary heat transport system design. Note that coolant mixing within the bundle geometry is
beyond the scope of this text.
7.4.1 General heat conduction equation

The interface between the fuel and the coolant is centrally important to reactor design because
it limits the heat flux that can be removed from the fuel to the coolant, thus limiting the reactor
power output.
For a solid body, the general thermal energy balance equation can be written as follows
[BIR1960, TOD2011]:
    e
 t
   
dV   q ''' r , t dV   q " r , t ndS , (157)
V V S
where ρ is the material density, e is the internal energy, V is the volume, S is the surface area,
q''' is the volumetric heat generation, q'' is the heat flux, and n is the unit vector on the surface.
The term on the left-hand side is the heat storage term, which represents the net change in
energy level. The first term on the right-hand side of the equation is the heat generation term,
which describes the heat generated at any time and any volume in the solid body. The second
term on the right-hand side shows the net energy exchange from the body to the surroundings.
The right-hand side shows the net energy exchange from the body to the surroundings. Gauss’
Law connects the surface integral to a volume integral of a body that is enclosed by a given
surface [BIR1960]:
 q "  r , t  n dS   q "  r , t  dV .

S V
(158)
Using Gauss’ Law and Eq. (161), the surface integral in the energy balance equation, Eq. (160),
can be converted to a volume integral, following which the volume integral can be dropped for
all terms in the equation, and the internal energy e can be replaced by the temperature T times
the heat capacity c:
   cT 
t
   
 q ''' r , t  q " r , t . (159)
In addition, a relation is needed to specify the heat flux in terms of temperature. In a solid
body, Fourier’s law of thermal conduction is applicable and can be expressed as follows
[ELW1978]:
 
q " r , t  k T r , t .  (160)
Hence, substituting Eq. (163) into Eq. (162) leads to an equation describing the temperature
distribution in a solid body in which heat generation and conduction take place:
   cT 
t
    
 q ''' r , t    k T r , t  ,
 (161)
where the solid body density ρ is in [kg/m3]; the specific heat capacity c is in [J/(kg oK]; the heat
conductivity k is in [J/(m oK sec)]; the heat flux q’’ is in [J/(m2 sec) = W/m2]; the heat generation
rate q’’’ is in [J/(m3 sec) = W/m3]; the temperature T is in [oK]; and α is defined as (k/ρc)
[m2/sec].
7.4.2 Temperature distribution in the radial direction

Consider a typical cylindrical fuel pin composed of a fuel element surrounded by metal
cladding, as shown in Figure 69. The fuel pellets are in the fuel element and are surrounded by
a small gap between the fuel and the cladding, which offers substantial resistance to heat
transfer. The flowing coolant surrounds the pin. This discussion will consider the fuel, gap,
cladding, and coolant separately to develop the temperature profile in each material. Then the
resulting equations will be combined to yield the full fuel-to-coolant temperature profile. It is
sufficient for the present purposes to focus on the steady state to provide an illustration of a
fuel temperature distribution and the separate contributions of thermal resistance through
various materials. The steady-state version of Eq. (164) will not have the term on the left-hand
side, meaning that the heat generated in the fuel is equal to the heat removed by the coolant:
Figure 69 Cross section of a cylindrical fuel pin
     
  k f T r , t   q ''' r , t . (162)
For a cylindrical fuel pellet, Eq. (165) must be expanded into cylindrical coordinates:
1 d  dT 
kf r   q '''  r  . (163)
r dr  dr 
Equation (166) must be integrated twice; after the first integration, it is transformed into the
following equation:
dT r2
kf r   q '''  r  . (164)
dr 2
The constant of integration is zero because the temperature gradient at r=0 is zero. The
thermal conductivity, k, is a strong function of T in fuel, and therefore its variation needs to be
taken into account in the integration process. However, in the first step, its average value k f
can be assumed to be within the range of fuel temperature variation. Hence, the second
subsequent integration results in the following relation:
rF2
k f T dT  k f TF  To    q "'  r  ,
TF
To 4
(165)
where the subscript 0 indicates the centre point and the subscript F indicates the fuel pellet
radius. Because T=To at r=0, the constant of integration is again zero. Finally, with the
assumption of average fuel conductivity in the fuel pellet, the temperature difference across
the fuel pellet has the following form:
rF2 q'
T fuel  To  TF  q "'  , (166)
4k f 4 k f
where q '   rF q " is the linear power density. Note that by using linear power density, the
2
same ∆T is obtained for a given q' regardless of the fuel radius.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Problem 7.4.2.1
Calculate for UO2 ceramic fuel the radial temperature difference in the fuel. For UO2 ceramic
fuel, kF is typically 0.02–0.03 [W/cm°K]. At q'=500 [W/cm], ∆Tfuel in the fuel pellet is about
1400°C.
End of Problem 7.4.2.1________________________________________________________
In the gap between the fuel pellet and the cladding, no heat is generated. Therefore, for
steady-state conditions, Eq. (164) transforms into the following equation:
1 d  dT 
 kg r   0. (167)
r dr  dr 
This equation can be readily integrated once to yield the following equation:
dT
kg r  const . (168)
dr
The constant of integration is determined by considering the heat flux q'' at the fuel-gap
interface:
 dT  q'
k g    q"  . (169)
 dr  r rF 2 rF
Substituting Eq. (172) into Eq. (171) yields the following equation:
dT q' dT q'
kg r   kg  . (170)
dr 2 dr 2 r
Assuming that the gap conductivity does not change significantly with temperature and
performing integration, the temperature difference in the gap can be obtained as:
q '  rF  tG 
k g TGAP  k g TF  TC   ln  . (171)
2  rF 
The subscript C indicates the gap-cladding interface. The boundary condition T=TC at r=rF+tG is
incorporated into this solution. Finally, the gap temperature difference is obtained as:
q'  r t 
TGAP  ln  F G . (172)
2 kG  rF 
Because the natural logarithm of a small number can be approximated by the number itself,
i.e., ln(1+x) ≈ x [GAR1999, POP2014], the gap temperature difference is:
q '  tG 
TGAP   . (173)
2 rF  kG 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Problem 7.4.2.2
Calculate for UO2 fuel the radial temperature difference in the fuel-cladding gap. The gap
conductivity kG is about 0.002 W/cm°K, but it varies considerably with the amount of fission
product gases. For a gap thickness of 0.005 cm, ∆TGAP is about 300°C for q' of 500 W/cm.
End of Problem 7.4.2.2________________________________________________________
Because with irradiation the fuel will swell to touch the cladding at certain points (because the
surfaces have a certain degree of roughness), an effective heat transfer coefficient, hG, is used:
hG  TGAP   q " . (174)
Therefore, taking into account the relationship between heat flux and the linear power
q '   rF2q " , the temperature difference in the gap can be obtained as follows:
q'
TGAP  . (175)
2 rF hG
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Problem 7.4.2.3
Calculate for UO2 fuel the radial temperature difference in the fuel-cladding gap. A heat
transfer coefficient of 0.5–1.1 W/cm2°K gives a ∆TGAP less than 300°C.
End of Problem 7.4.2.3________________________________________________________
For the gap region described above, the steady-state equation for the cladding region, in which
there is no heat generation, is similar:
1 d  dT 
 kc r   0 . (176)
r dr  dr 
This equation is solved in the same manner as for the gap to yield:
q '  rF  tG  tC  q'  r t t 
kc TCLAD  kc TC  TS   ln    TCLAD  ln  F G C . (177)
2  rF  tG  2 kc  rF  tG 
The subscript S indicates the cladding-coolant surface interface. The boundary condition T=TS
at r=rF+tG+tC is incorporated into this solution.
Because the natural logarithm of a small number can be approximated by the number itself,
i.e., ln(1+x) ≈ x [GAR1999, POP2014], the gap temperature difference is:
q'  tC 
TCLAD   . (178)
2  rF  tG   kC 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Problem 7.4.2.4
Calculate for UO2 fuel the radial temperature difference in the fuel cladding. The cladding
conductivity kC is about 0.11 W/cm°K, giving a ∆TCLAD of about 80°C for a q' of 500 W/cm.
End of Problem 7.4.2.4________________________________________________________
The heat flux from the cladding to the coolant is determined as:
q "  hS TS  TFL  , (179)
where TFL is the bulk temperature of the coolant fluid. Hence, the temperature drop from the
cladding surface to the bulk fluid temperature is:
q'
TCOOL  . (180)
2 hS  rF  tC  tG 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Problem 7.4.2.5
Calculate for UO2 fuel the radial temperature difference in the cladding-to-coolant interface. A
heat transfer coefficient of ~4.5 W/cm2°K gives a ∆TCOOL of about 10°C–20°C.
End of Problem 7.4.2.5________________________________________________________
By summing up Eqs. (169), (178), (181), and (183), the overall temperature difference between
the fuel centreline and the bulk coolant can be obtained according to the following equation:
q'  1 1 tG  tC 1 
To  TFL       . (181)
2  2 k f h r
G F k C  rF  t G  hS  rF  t G  t 
C 
The expression in brackets in Eq. (184) is the thermal resistance across the fuel element:
 1 1 tG  tC 1 
Rth       . (182)
 2 k f h r
G F k C  rF  t G  hS  rF  t G  t 
C 
Hence, the centreline fuel temperature is greater than the coolant temperature by an amount
that depends on the amount of heat generated and on various resistances to heat flow. For a
given fuel design, most of the parameters are fixed under normal operation. The one
exception is the heat transfer coefficient to the coolant, hS, which is covered in Section 7.6.
Figure 70 shows a radial temperature distribution across the fuel element for two linear power
rates [POP2014]. Linear power level 45 [kW/m] represents full-power operation of the fuel
element in the middle of the core. Linear power level 15 [kW/m] represents operation at full
power at the core ends, or at a certain decay power level shortly after reactor shutdown. This
figure shows that the highest temperature difference occurs in the fuel pellet (above 1400°C at
full power) because UO2 is a poor heat conductor, but its melting temperature is approximately
2800°C–2900°C. The temperature difference in the gap is significant considering that the gap is
very thin. The cladding and the water are very good heat conductors, and therefore the
temperature difference is relatively small.
Figure 70 Radial temperature distribution in a fuel element

The fuel element design must ensure that given the coolant pressure and saturation
temperature, the fuel pellet centreline temperature avoids exceeding the melting temperature
by a good margin. This objective also applies to the temperature transients in design basis
events.
Figure 71 shows the temperature gradient for various fuel element materials in absolute terms
and per unit thickness [POP2014]. This figure clearly indicates that the highest relative
contribution is from the fuel-cladding gap and the second highest from the fuel pellet.
Figure 71 Radial temperature gradient per unit thickness in a fuel pin
7.4.3 Temperature distribution in the axial direction

The fuel and coolant temperature distributions depend on heat transfer in the radial direction
at each position in the channel axial direction. The general heat conduction and convection
equations for axial heat transfer are covered in Chapter 7.
The amount of heat generated along the fuel channel follows the neutron flux and fission
reaction distribution along the fuel channel. Assuming that the reactor core does not use any
techniques for balancing (i.e., flattening) the neutron flux and power generation in the axial
direction, the natural axial variation of the neutron flux is given by the following relation
[POP2014]:
z 
  z    max cos  , (183)
 Le 
where Le is the effective core length and Φmax is the maximum neutron flux in the middle of the
core.
Axial heat generation follows the neutron flux variation and is given by the following equation:
z 
q "'  z    q "'max cos  , (184)
 Le 
where (q’’’)max is the heat flux at the middle of the fuel element in the axial direction.
Consider a heat balance for a differential section of a fuel element of length dz, fuel cross
section Af [m2], and mass flow rate w [kg/s]. In a steady-state situation, the sensible heat gain
by the passing coolant (assuming no phase change) is equal to the heat generated in the
differential fuel element (cp is the specific heat capacity at a given pressure [kJ/kg oC]):
w  cp dTc  q "' Af dz . (185)
The axial variation of the fluid temperature Tc can be obtained by substituting Eq. (187) into Eq.
(188) and integrating [ELW1978]:
z
z 
wc p  dTc   q "'max Af
Tf
Tf 1 
 Le /2
cos 
 Le
dz ,

(186)
 q "'max Af Le    z   q "'max V f    z 
Tc  Tc ,in  1  sin     Tc ,in  1  sin   , (187)
 wc p   Le    wc p   Le  
where Vf [m3] is the volume of the fluid portion of the fuel element. The subscript “in”
designates the entry point in the channel. In this equation, the equivalent core length is
approximated by the actual core length, i.e., L=Le.
The coolant temperature is measured in the middle of the fuel element for z=0 and has the
following form:
 q "'max Af L .
Tc , mid  Tc ,in  (188)
 wc p
The exit temperature of the coolant from this channel can be obtained by integrating Eq. (189)
to the channel exit (labelled as 2, i.e., at z=+L/2):
2  q "'max Af L
T f ,out  T f ,in  . (189)
 wc p
This equation shows that the coolant temperature rise in the channel will be greater for higher
heat generation rates, larger fuel elements, and longer channels and smaller for higher mass
flow rates.
The heat transferred between the cladding and the coolant at any location z along the fuel
channel, per unit area of cladding surface in contact with the coolant, is given by h(TSH-Tc),
where h is the heat transfer coefficient. This coefficient can be assumed constant along the fuel
channel with no boiling in the channel. Hence, the heat balance between the fuel cladding and
the coolant can be expressed by the following equation:
z 
hCSH TSH  Tc  dz   q "'max Af cos   dz , (190)
 L 
where CSH [m] is the fuel cladding circumference, TSH [oC] is the cladding temperature, and h
[kJ/m2 oC] is the heat transfer coefficient. Substituting Eq. (190) into Eq. (193) yields the
cladding temperature variation along the fuel channel:
 q "'max Af L    z    q "' max Af z  .
TSH  Tc ,in  1  sin  L    hC cos   (191)
 wc p    SH  L 
The temperature variation at the fuel pellet surface along the fuel channel and the
temperature of the fuel pellet centreline along the fuel channel can be obtained by means of
the following relation:
TSH  Tc z 
  q "'max Af cos   . (192)
Rx L  L 
Hence, for fuel pellet surface temperature, the following equations can be developed:
T f , S  Tc z 
  q "'max Af cos   , (193)
R f ,S L  L 
   z 
T f ,S  Tc  R f ,S L  q "'max Af cos   , (194)
  L 
 1 tG  tC 1 
R f , S      . (195)
 hG rF kC  rF  tG  hS  rF  tG  tSH  
The fuel pellet centreline temperature variation can be described by the following equations:
T f ,CL  Tc z 
  q "'max Af cos  , (196)
R f ,CL L  L 
   z 
T f ,CL  Tc  R f ,CL L  q "'max Af cos   , (197)
  L 
 1 1 tG  tC 1 
R f ,CL       . (198)
 2k f hG rF kC  rF  tG  hS  rF  tG  tSH  
Substituting Eq. (190) into Eq. (200) yields the fuel centreline temperature:
 q "'max Af L    z  z 
T f ,CL  Tc ,in 
 wc p 1  sin  L     q "' max Af LR f ,CL cos  L  . (199)
    
The location of the maximum cladding temperature can be obtained by differentiating Eq. (194)
and equating it to zero, i.e., dTSH/dz=0. Hence:
 hCSH L  H
cot 1  wc p RSH  ,
L
zSH ,m  tan 1   (200)
   wc  
 p 
1 1
RSH   . (201)
hAf hCSH L
The location of the maximum fuel pellet centreline temperature can be obtained by
differentiating Eq. (202) and equating it to zero, i.e., dTf,CL/dz=0. Hence:
 cot 1  wc p R f ,CL  .
L
z f ,CL ,m  (202)

The maximum cladding temperature can be found by substituting Eq. (203) into Eq. (194):
1  1   2 
TSH ,m  Tc ,in   q "'max Af LRSH   , where    wc p RSH . (203)
  
The maximum cladding temperature can be found by substituting Eq. (205) into Eq. (202):
1  1   2 
T f ,CL,m  Tc,in   q "'max Af LR   , where    wcp R f ,CL . (204)
  
Figure 72 Temperature distribution in the axial direction in a fuel element

Figure 72 shows the temperature distribution in the coolant and the cladding plotted on the
same graph with the heat flux distribution along the core [ELW1978]. The heat flux distribution
is assumed to have a cosine distribution, which is more pronounced in a core in which no
measures have been taken to flatten the neutron flux. In this case, the variations in the coolant
and cladding temperatures are more pronounced. Note that the coolant temperature curve is
symmetrical. It has a small gradient at the entry and exit parts of the core, where the heat flux
is lower. The highest coolant temperature gradient is in the middle part of the core, where the
heat flux is substantial. Of course, different core heat flux distributions can have a significant
impact on the temperature profile. Moreover, reactivity devices and fuel channel orificing (i.e.,
channel-to-channel variation of flow rates) can also have significant local effects on the
temperature profile.
Figure 73 shows a temperature distribution that includes the coolant (Tc), fuel sheath (TSH), fuel
pellet surface (Tf,S), and fuel pellet centreline (Tf,CL) temperature profiles. The positions of the
maximum values of TSH, Tf,S, and Tf,CL occur at ZSH,m, Zf,S,m, and Zf,CL,m, closer to the fuel element
mid-plane [ELW1978].
Figure 73 Temperature distribution in the fuel cladding and the fuel element
The reason that the maximum fuel centreline temperature is closer to the fuel mid-plane is that
the radial heat flow through the fuel and cladding at any section along the fuel channel is
proportional to the heat flux at that location. The temperature differences (TSH Tc), (Tf,S TSH),
and (Tf,CL Tf,S) generally follow cosine-shaped functions according to the heat flux cosine profile.
The maxima of the cladding and fuel temperatures are affected by the heat flux maximum (at
the fuel mid-plane) and the fluid maximum (at the fuel channel exit). Because the cladding is
close to the fluid, the impact of coolant temperature is strong, and hence its maximum is pulled
away from the mid-plane. Because the fuel centreline temperature occurs inside the fuel,
where the heat is generated, its maximum is pulled toward the mid-plane, where the heat flux
maximum is located.
7.4.4 Axial distribution of quality

If the coolant boils in a fuel channel, flow quality changes along the channel. It is important in
this situation to calculate the change in flow quality and the length of the channel where
boiling occurs. The enthalpy of the two-phase coolant is defined using the following relation:
h  hc,sat  xhfg , (205)
where x is the flow quality in the two-phase mixture, hc,sat is the saturated liquid enthalpy, and
hfg is the latent heat of vaporization. The heat balance over the differential part of the fuel
channel yields the following equation:
 L /2
w f  h  z   hcold    q '( z )dz . (206)
 L /2
In the above equation, hcold is the inlet enthalpy in the channel. If the axial position where the
coolant starts to boil (the point where h(z)=hSAT) is defined as ZBB, the heat balance equation,
Eq. (209), transforms into the following equation:
z
w f  h  z   hc , sat    q '( z )dz  x( z )w h
f fg
. (207)
Z BB
Using the above equation, the flow quality of the two-phase mixture can be expressed by the
following equation:
z
1
x( z ) 
w f h fg 
Z BB
q '( z )dz . (208)
7.4.5 Thermal conductivity and fuel element material properties

In developing Eq. (166), it has been assumed that the fuel thermal conductivity can be
approximated by an average value that will apply in the range of parameters used in the
present calculations. This section covers the effect of various factors on thermal conductivity
and other thermal parameters that must be considered when developing a model to calculate
fuel-element temperature profiles.
Many factors affect UO2 fuel thermal conductivity. The major factors are temperature,
porosity, oxygen-to-metal atomic ratio, PuO2 content, pellet cracking, and fuel burn-up.
Figure 74 shows the temperature dependence of UO2 thermal conductivity [ELW1978].
Experimental measurements have shown that thermal conductivity decreases with increasing
fuel temperature (i.e., has a negative slope) until about 1750°C, after which it slowly increases.
However, the slope is very steep from 0°C–500°C and very shallow thereafter. Nevertheless,
the impact of temperature must be taken into account when calculating fuel temperature
profiles, which is routinely done in thermal-hydraulic computer programs. Figure 74 also shows
the integral of the thermal conductivity, which monotonically rises with temperature; this is the
value to use in solving Eq. (170).
When using experimental values of thermal conductivity, one must be aware of the
measurement uncertainties. Note that these uncertainties are significant, particularly at higher
temperatures.
Figure 74 Thermal conductivity in a fuel pin

The oxide fuel is produced by sintering pressed powdered UO2 or mixed oxide at high
temperature. Under such conditions, for any material with a given density, usually only around
90% of the maximum possible (theoretical) density of the solid can be produced.
The thermal conductivity of a solid usually decreases with increasing presence of voids within
the structure. Therefore, to maximize thermal conductivity, fuel porosity must be minimized.
However, during fuel irradiation, fission gases are produced, resulting in increased internal
pressures that may swell and deform the fuel. Hence, a certain degree of porosity is desirable
to accommodate the fission gases and limit the possibility of swelling. This is very important
for reactor cores that have high power density and therefore produce more gases per unit
volume.
The oxygen-to-metal atomic ratio of UO2 and PuO2 can vary from the theoretical
(stoichiometric) value of 2 because of fuel irradiation and burn-up. A reduction or increase in
the oxygen-to-metal ratio results in a reduction of thermal conductivity, as can be clearly seen
in Figure 75 for UO2 and PuO2 mixtures [TOD2011].
Figure 75 Impact of oxygen-to-metal ratio on the heat conduction coefficient in fuel

The thermal conductivity of mixed fuel decreases as the plutonium oxide content increases.
Therefore, as fuel burns up and ages and plutonium content increases, thermal conductivity
decreases.
Figure 76 shows the impact of fuel temperature on fuel heat capacity for UO 2 and PuO2 fuels
[TOF2011]. It is evident that heat capacity increases with temperature and decreases with an
increase in plutonium content.
Figure 76 Heat capacity of a fuel pin

The properties of the pellet-to-cladding gap are very important. As shown in Figure 71, its
contribution to thermal resistance is substantial. The gap consists of an annular space occupied
by gas. Initially, its composition is fill gas, which is usually an inert gas such as helium. With
burn-up, the gas composition changes as the gap is penetrated by gaseous fission products
such as xenon and krypton, resulting in a gap pressure increase.
Moreover, the fuel pellet cracks with irradiation, leading to circumferential deformation of the
gap and fuel pellet swelling. All this causes a reduction of thermal resistance in the gap and
increases its thermal conductance with burn-up. Figure 77 shows the effect of burn-up on
thermal conductance [TOD2011].
Figure 77 Gap conductance in a fuel pin

The left side of Figure 78 shows the temperature profile in the gap at nominal geometry (fresh
fuel). Note that near the walls, there is a mild temperature rise towards the fuel pellet and a
reduction towards the cladding because of the smaller number of molecules moving near the
walls (the boundary layer effect). The right side of Figure 78 shows the effect of the
deformations that occur with fuel burn-up (aging) because of swelling and cracking of the fuel
pellet and cladding. After a certain amount of irradiation, a number of peaks and valleys will
develop at the pellet and cladding surfaces. These may eventually produce contact between
fuel and cladding, improving thermal conductivity.
Figure 78 Fuel aging effect on temperature in a fuel pin

Figure 79 shows the typical impact of fuel aging on gap conductance for different linear heat
ratings as a function of initial gap thickness [TOD2011]. Note that better thermal conductance
is achieved for smaller gap thickness and for higher linear power rates, as could be expected
from the above explanation. Therefore, as gap thickness becomes smaller with fuel burn-up,
heat transfer is improved. In addition, this figure shows that using a smaller gap thickness for
fresh fuel improves heat transfer.
Figure 79 Impact of gap thickness and linear power on heat conductance

The temperature profiles described so far in this section were derived based on the assumption
of radial symmetry across the fuel rod. This assumption was a useful way to simplify the
derivation of temperature profiles across the fuel element. This assumption is acceptable for
vertical reactor cores, such as in LWRs.
However, for horizontal reactor cores, such as CANDU, the assumption of radial symmetry
across the fuel rod is not applicable for certain flow regimes. This is relevant for situations in
which bubbly flow develops in the upper part of the fuel channel, or even more importantly,
when stratification develops (e.g., under accident conditions) in the fuel channel.
Figure 80 Asymmetric temperature profiles in a fuel pin
In these situations, the heat flux to the upper part of the fuel element could be smaller than to
the lower part. This results in a skewed (asymmetric) temperature profile, as shown in Figure
80. In such a case, the maximum fuel pellet centreline temperature will be skewed towards the
side with the smaller heat flux. This could also have an important impact on the cladding
temperature, and it is particularly relevant to some postulated accidents in which channel
stratification occurs.
7.4.6 Problems
1. A PWR reactor produces 2440 MWt with the following core information: UO2 pellet
diameter 0.96 cm; Zr clad inside diameter 0.98 cm; Zr clad outside diameter 1.12 cm;
active fuel length 3.7 m. The core contains 220 fuel bundles each with 14 x 14 fuel pins
(but 20 positions are used for control elements). The fission energy is distributed
uniformly across the fuel pin. and TB=300°C, kUO2=0.050 W/cm°C, hcool=1.8 W/cm2 °C,
hgap=0.57 W/cm2 °C], kclad=0.12 W/cm°C. Calculate core averaged fuel pin temperature
profile.
2. The core of a BWP reactor consists of 764 fuel assemblies, each containing a square
array of 49 fuel rods on a 1.9 cm pitch. The fuel rods are 4.4 m long, but fuelled only
along over 3.6 m of their length. The outside diameter of the fuel rods is 1.4 cm, the
cladding thickness is 0.8 mm, and the fuel pellets are 1.2 cm, thus leaving a gap of 0.2
mm. The UO2 has average density of 10.3 g/cm3. The radius of the core is 2.4 m, and the
reactor is designed to produce 3300 MWt. The peak to average power density is 2.6.
Calculate (a) the maximum heat flux in kW/m2; (b) the temperature distribution at the
location of maximum heat flux ignoring the gap between fuel pellet and cladding; and (c)
the temperature distribution at the location of maximum heat flux taking into account the
gap.
3. For PWR cylindrical solid fuel pellet operating ta a heat flux of 1.7 MW/m2 and surface
temperature of 400ºC, calculate the maximum temperature in the pellet for two assumed
values of heat conduction: 3 W/mºC, and k = 1 + 3e-0.0005T where T is ºC. The UO2 pellet
diameter is 10 mm, and density is 95% of the theoretical density.
4. A CANDU channel has a typical geometry of 37 fuel elements per bundle, 12 bundles
per channel, with power, pressure and inlet and outlet temperature. Assume for this
channel linear power rating of 60 kW/m; burnup at the time of peak rating of 50
MWh/kgU; sheath-to-coolant heat transfer coefficient 40 kW/m2K; pellet-to-sheath heat
transfer coefficient of 60 kW/m2K; and pellet density of 10.6 Mg/m3. Calculate coolant,
cladding and fuel surface and centreline temperatures in radial direction for each bundle
in axial direction assuming typical power distribution along the channel with a typical
power peaking factor. Draw appropriate diagrams showing the results.
5. A fuel pin with pellet radius of 4.6 mm, clad inner radius of 4.89 mm, and outer radius of
5.46 mm, calculate the maximum liner power that can be obtained from the pellet such
that the mass average temperature in the fuel does not exceed 1200 ºC. Take the bulk
fluid temperature at 307.5 ºC, and the coolant heat transfer coefficient of 28.4 kW/m2 ºC.
In the gap consider only conduction heat transfer. Fuel conductivity is 3 W/m2 ºC; clad
conductivity is 18.69 W/m ºC; and helium gas conductivity is 0.277 W/m ºC.
6. Using analytical technique develop equations for calculating temperature distribution in
radial direction in the fuel element (fuel pellets, gap, cladding and coolant) calculate
temperature distribution in radial direction at heat loading of 40 kW/m. For the thermal
conductivity in the fuel pellets assume the distribution shown in the diagram below. To
solve the problem approximate the thermal conductivity by a suitably selected quadratic
relationship.
Compare the results with the case assuming constant average heat conductivity in the
fuel.
7. Using a numerical technique calculate temperature distribution in radial direction in the

fuel element (fuel pellets, gap, cladding and coolant) calculate temperature distribution in
radial direction at heat loading of 40 kW/m. For the thermal conductivity in the fuel
pellets assume the distribution shown in the diagram above. Compare the results with the
case assuming constant average heat conductivity in the fuel (0.03 W/cmoC).
8. Calculate axial temperature distribution of fuel centreline, fuel surface, cladding and
coolant in axial direction for a typical CANDU fuel assuming maximum fuel heat load of
50 kW/m, and average fuel load of 25 kW/m. Develop relations for and calculate the
positions of maximum temperatures. As per figure below, as a base case assume (1)
cosine heat flux distribution, (2) constant heat flux distribution, and (3) asymmetrical
linear heat flux distribution (with maximum at bundle 9), and compare the maximum
temperatures and their locations in the core.
9. Calculate axial temperature distribution of fuel centreline, fuel surface, cladding and
coolant in axial direction for a typical CANDU fuel assuming maximum fuel heat load of
50 kW/m, and average fuel load of 25 kW/m. Develop relations for and calculate the
positions of maximum temperatures. As per figure below, as a base case assume (1)
cosine heat flux distribution, (2) linearly increasing heat flux distribution to the channel
exit, and (3) linearly decreasing heat flux distribution to the channel exit, and compare
the maximum temperatures and their locations in the core.
10. Using parameters of a typical CANDU channel, in the form of a spread sheet below,
calculate the axial temperature distribution in a fuel channel using the given parameters
in the spreadsheet. Identify the key parameters that affect the calculations, and
investigate the sensitivity of the results to these key parameters.
7.5 Fluid flow fundamentals

The flow of coolant in the reactor primary heat transfer system is of key importance for cooling
the reactor core under all operational situations, during accidents, and during reactor
shutdown. This section provides information on pressure drop calculations and discusses the
special topic of flow instabilities.
Design of the primary pump is of critical importance to ensure a robust reactor thermal-
hydraulic design. The sources of various friction and local pressure losses around the primary
heat transport system are described and compared between PWR and CANDU reactors.
Calculation methods used to determine pressure losses around the loop are provided, along
with an explanation of the empirical correlations used to calculate pressure losses in single- and
two-phase flows in the CANDU primary heat transport system.
The reactor core has a complex geometry, particularly the CANDU fuel channels and the HTS
headers and feeders. Moreover, the CANDU reactor primary heat transport system operates
partially in two-phase flow. This section describes the type and nature of the experimental
tests that were performed to define a number of parameters in the pressure drop calculation.
7.5.1 Introduction to pressure losses

In the nuclear industry, pressure drop calculations are important to determine the appropriate
flow rate in the core and the fuel channels, thereby ensuring appropriate heat removal from
the core under all possible operating modes. Because almost all reactors under some
operating modes operate with two-phase flow, pressure drop calculations in this situation
become complex, directly affecting power output and requiring substantial R&D support.
Two-phase pressure drop depends on many parameters, including geometric configuration,
mass and volume fractions of the phases, pressure, fluid properties, mass flux, duct orientation,
flow direction, and particularly flow patterns. Furthermore, two-phase flow is usually
accompanied by heat transfer and changes of phase in multi-component flow. To take into
account these many parameters, various empirical correlations have been developed and are
used for pressure drop calculations. Mechanistic models also vary in complexity and fidelity,
and often they are based on many assumptions to make them workable in a given parameter
range.
It is necessary to consider the pressure loss associated with every component in the primary
heat transport system. This includes distributed pressure loss due to friction; local pressure
losses due to sudden variations in shape, flow area, direction, etc.; and fuel string-related
losses and pressure losses due to acceleration (because of flow area variation or fluid density
change) and elevation differences (gravity term).
Table 8 shows various components of pressure losses in the reactor heat transport systems in
terms of geometry, fluid status, flow nature, flow pattern, flow direction, operating conditions,
and driving force [IAEA2001]. Each of these situations introduces major differences in the type
and complexity of pressure loss calculations.
Pressure losses must be characterized for a number of components with different geometries.
In addition to frictional pressure losses in the system, Table 9 shows the most important
pressure losses in the CANDU reactor core that are specific to CANDU reactors [IAEA2001].
Table 8 Factors affecting pressure drop
Geometry Basic shapes: Circular pipe, rectangular channel, annulus, etc.

Other shapes: rod bundle, spacer, valve, orifice, plenum, header, pump,
etc.
Fluid status Single-phase
Two-phase – one, two, and multiple components.
Flow nature Laminar
Turbulent
Flow Bubbly, slug, annular, etc.
patterns
Flow Vertical up-flow
direction Inclined flow
Horizontal flow
Operating Steady-state
Conditions Transient
Driving force Forced convection
Natural convection
Table 9 CANDU distribution of pressure drop in the primary loop
Pressure Drop in Primary Loop

Entry loss from steam generator outlet pipes to header
Header to feeder entry loss
Inlet feeder bends
Inlet grayloc
Inlet grayloc to liner tube entry
Liner tube to channel entry
Fuel locator
Junction between two bundles
Channel to liner tube entry
Liner tube to outlet grayloc
Outlet grayloc
Outlet feeder bends
Feeder to header entry loss
Header to steam generator inlet pipe entry
The objective of calculating pressure losses with adequate precision is to optimize pump
capacity and power requirements, as well as to determine coolant flow rate in the primary
circuit, local conditions in bundles and sub-channels, and flow rates across parallel
interconnected sub-channels in fuel bundles.
7.5.2 Pressure drop conservation equations

The pressure losses in the primary heat transport system are represented by direct or indirect
terms in the conservation equations:
• Mass-balance (continuity) equation;
• Momentum-balance equation; and
• Energy-balance equation.
For design calculations, usually steady-state flow in a channel of uniform flow area in the axial
direction is considered. Moreover, negligible variation of fluid properties over the calculation
domain is assumed.
The momentum conservation equation is essential to calculate pressure losses along flow
paths. The other conservation equations are covered in Chapter 7. The momentum equation
can be written for homogeneous or separated flow conditions. Figure 81 shows a calculation
domain (control volume) in an inclined flow situation. The forces acting on this control volume
are indicated in the figure. Momentum balance over this control volume in fact means a
balance of all forces acting on the control volume.
Figure 81 Force-momentum balance in a control volume

Homogeneous flow model
The momentum balance equation over the control volume using the homogeneous flow
assumption is given by Eq. (212) [BIR1960, WAL1969]:

  dP  d
  P   P  dz  z dA   W  zdS    Gum   zdA    H g  sin    z  dA , (209)
A S A
dz A
where P is the pressure, τw is the wall friction stress, G is the mass flux, θ is the inclination
angle, g is the gravity acceleration, dz is the differential axial distance along the channel, δz is
the infinitesimal axial distance in the channel, um is the mixture velocity, S is the channel
circumference, A is the area of the flow channel, and ρH is the homogeneous mixture density as
a function of flow quality, given by Eq. (213) [WAL1969]:
1 xe   1  x   g
 . (210)
H g  
Equation (212) can be transformed into the following equation after performing some algebraic
simplifications and removing the integrals:
dP S d  G2 
  W      H g sin  . (211)
dz A dz   H 
By substituting the fluid density from Eq. (213), the pressure drop equation can be obtained in
the following form:
dP S d  xe 1  xe  
  W  G 2      H g sin  . (212)
dz A dz   g  
Equation (215) contains three pressure drop components on the right side: friction,
acceleration, and gravity:
dP  dP   dP   dP   .
          (213)
dz  dz  f  dz a  dz e 
The negative sign in the above equation indicates that pressure decreases along the flow path.
Separated flow model
In a separated flow model, both flow phases are treated separately, and therefore Eq. (212)
takes on the following form:
  
dP
  P   P  dz  z dA   W   z  dS  
d
dz
G u  Ggug   zdA   H g  sin    z  dA . (214)
A S A A
The mixture density can be assumed to be a function of the two-phase void fraction as given by
the following relation:
TP    g  (1   )   . (215)
By substituting Eq. (218) into Eq. (217), the pressure drop equation can be expressed as (in the
same form as Eq. (215)):
dP S d
  W  1    G u    Gg u g      g  1       g  sin  . (216)
dz A dz 
Further developing the acceleration term using the relationship between the mixture and
phasic mass flux leads to the following expression for the separated flow pressure drop:
dP S d  xa2 (1  xa ) 2 
  W  G 2        g  1       g  sin  . (217)
dz A dz     g (1   )    
The frictional pressure loss occurs between the fluid and the channel wall. It depends primarily
on the fluid velocity, the tube diameter, and the fluid viscosity.
The acceleration pressure losses occur because of the change in fluid momentum between
different locations in the channel. They can be significant in channels with varying flow area
and fluid temperature.
The gravity-induced pressure loss in fact occurs because of a change in elevation, i.e., a change
of hydrostatic head. Therefore, it is relevant in vertical channels, particularly in piston flow. In
single-phase closed loops, the hydrostatic head in sections with upward flow cancels with that
in sections with downward flow.
Local pressure losses can result from many different flow obstructions such as valves, orifices,
bundle junctions, and appendages. In addition, changes in flow direction in elbows, T-
junctions, etc., can result in pressure losses. Significant pressure losses occur with sudden
changes in flow area such as sudden contractions, expansions, and orifices.
Using a term for local pressure losses as explained above, Eq. (216) can be written in the
following form:
dP  dP   dP   dP   dP   .
            (218)
dz  dz  f  dz  a  dz e  dz l 
7.5.3 Correlations for calculating pressure losses

Equation (221) has four terms for which correlations must be developed. Before describing
these correlations, it is necessary to define them.
Frictional pressure loss
The frictional pressure loss for a single-phase liquid flow is defined by the following relation
[IAEA2001]:
f  L  G2 f  L W 2
p f   , (219)
2 Dhy  Dhy 2  A2
where L is the pipe length, G is the mass flux, Dhy is the hydraulic diameter (equal to four times
the flow area/the wetted perimeter), ρl is the liquid density, W is the mass flow rate, A is the
pipe cross section, and f is the friction factor. The frictional pressure drop occurs all along the
length and is hence referred to as distributed pressure drop. This equation is applicable for
single-phase and homogeneous two-phase flows, although the methods of calculating the
friction factor, f, and the density, ρ, differ in the two cases. Pressure drops across tubes,
rectangular channels, bare annuli, and a bare rod bundle (i.e., without spacers) are examples of
this component. The challenge in the above equation is to define the appropriate friction
factor f for the given flow conditions. This process is described in the following sub-sections.
Acceleration pressure loss
This reversible component of pressure loss is caused by a change in flow area or density.
Expansion, contraction, and fluid flow through a heated section are examples. The acceleration
pressure loss due to flow area changes can be expressed as [IAEA2001]:
Pa  G 2
v  
1  Ar W 2
. (220)
2 A02 l
The term Δvl describes the velocity difference between two points in the channel, Ar is the ratio
of the smaller to the larger flow area, Ao is the smaller flow area, and φ is equal to 1 for single-
phase flow. For two-phase flow, φ is described by the following relation [IAEA2001]:
 x3 1 x    g l 
3
  2 2  2    . (221)
  g  g 1      x  l  1  x    g
2
 
The acceleration pressure loss due to density change for single-phase and two-phase flows can
be expressed as:
 1   1  
pa  G 2       . (222)
  m o    m i  

For single-phase flows, this component is negligible, but it can be significant in two-phase
flows. For two-phase flow, the above equation can be used with ρm given by [IAEA2001]:
 x2 1 x 
2
1
  . (223)
m   g   l 1    
To evaluate acceleration pressure loss due to density change, accurate prediction of fluid
density is necessary. For single-phase flow, fluid density can be predicted reasonably well using
established relationships for thermo-physical properties of fluids. For two-phase flow, it is
necessary to predict the void fraction, and in turn the acceleration pressure loss, accurately to
determine density. Hence, the correlation for void fraction must be chosen carefully.
Elevation pressure loss
This reversible component of pressure loss is caused by the difference in elevation and can be
expressed as:
pe    g    l 1     g  sin   z . (224)
Local pressure losses

These are the localized irreversible pressure loss components caused by changes in flow
geometry and flow direction. Pressure drops across valves, elbows, tees, and spacers are
examples. The local pressure loss (i.e., the form loss) is defined by the following relation
[IAEA2001]:
G2
pl  Kl , (225)
2
where Kl is the local form loss coefficient, which has different correlations for different
geometries, single-phase flows, and two-phase flows. The challenge in the above equation is to
define the local friction factor coefficient Kl properly. This topic is covered in the following sub-
sections.
7.5.3.1 Frictional pressure drop correlations in single-phase flow
For friction pressure loss correlations, circular pipe, annuli, rectangular channels, and rod
clusters are the most common applications. For local pressure loss correlations, spacers, top
and bottom tie plates, and locations of flow area changes such as constrictions, expansions,
bends, tees, and valves are the most common applications. For CANDU-type fuel bundles, the
degree of misalignment of two adjacent fuel bundles is also important in estimating the
pressure drop. In addition, in-core effects like radiation-induced creep, blister formation,
swelling, and corrosion are also important factors affecting pressure drop, but are not dealt
with here.
Figure 82 shows the Moody chart for friction factor as a function of Reynolds number and pipe
roughness [MOO1944, IDE1996]. This logarithmic diagram is the basis for calculating friction
factors in single-phase flow in pipes. On the left side is the area of laminar flow, represented
by a single straight line. Towards the right side, a group of lines is shown that indicate higher
friction factors for higher values of pipe roughness and slowly declining friction factors for
higher Reynolds numbers.
Figure 82 Moody chart for friction factors

For fully developed laminar flow, the friction factor is given by [IAEA2001]:
64
f  , (226)
Re
which is valid for Reynolds numbers less than 2000, as given by Eq. (12). This correlation is
shown by a straight line on the left side of Figure 82.
For turbulent flow in smooth pipes, several friction factor correlations have been proposed and
are used. A few commonly used correlations for smooth pipe are given below.
The Blasius equation [AECL2001] has the following form:
f  0.316  Re0.25 , (227)
which is valid in the range of 3000 ≤ Re ≤ 105.
The following equation, which is valid in the range of 3000 ≤ Re ≤ 105, is also often used for
design [IAEA2001]:
f  0.184  Re0.2 . (228)
Colebrook-White (1938) proposed the following equation, which is valid for both smooth and
rough pipes over the whole range of Reynolds numbers above 3000 [IAEA2001]:
1   / Dtube 2.51 
 2  log   . (229)
ftube  3.7 Re f rube 
 
This correlation is often used in computer codes, but it requires several iterations because it is
not explicit in terms of the friction factor f. Many other correlations attempt to capture
different effects such as different parameter ranges or heat transfer effects. These include
changes in near-wall velocity gradient due to fluid density changes, bubble formation, sharp
variations due to liquid-film thinning, and liquid-surface or vapour-surface contact. These all
create different wall heating effects that have a significant impact on the friction factor, even
before two-phase flow occurs.
7.5.3.2 Frictional pressure drop correlations in two-phase flow
Many two-phase flow pressure drop correlations can be found in the literature. These
correlations can be classified into the following four general categories: (1) empirical
correlations based on the homogeneous model; (2) empirical correlations based on the two-
phase friction multiplier concept; (3) direct empirical models; and (4) flow pattern-specific
models.
In addition, computer codes based on two-fluid or three-fluid models require correlations to
partition wall friction among the fluids and to determine interfacial friction correlations.
The most commonly used approach is the two-phase multiplier approach, which is described in
this section. In this case, the two-phase pressure drop is calculated by multiplying the single-
phase pressure drop by a two-phase frictional multiplier. Equation (233) exemplifies this
approach:
p f ,TP  L20 p f , L 0 L20  L2 1  x 
2 b
or , , (230)
where p f , L is the single-phase pressure drop based on only single-phase liquid in the channel
and p f , L0 is the single-phase pressure drop based on total flow as single-phase liquid in the
channel. Assuming f  a  Reb , the relationship between L20 and L2 can be expressed as
L20  L2 1  x 
2 b
.
The two-phase frictional multipliers L or L 0 are empirical factors based on experimental

2 2
data and are expressed in the form of graphs or correlations that typically depend on quality
and pressure. A mass-flux effect is observed primarily at low flows (and hence is flow-regime-
dependent). Surface heating has a strong impact (a near-wall effect) on two-phase multipliers
in tubes and annuli, but not in bundles (due to compensating effects).
The correlation for a homogeneous two-phase frictional multiplier in its simplest form can be
expressed as:
b
f      g    
  TP
2
 1  xe      . (231)
f TP   
   TP 
L0
 g
The two-phase viscosity correlation can have various forms with different degrees of
complexity. The simplest correlation was introduced by Cicchitti et al. [IAEA2001]:
TP  xa  g  1  xa   . (232)
In general, the following definitions of two-phase frictional multipliers are often used in non-
homogeneous two-phase flow:
 dp / dz TPF , 2  dp / dz TPF ,
LO
2
 GO  (233)
 dp / dz LO  dp / dz GO
 dp / dz TPF , 2  dp / dz TPF ,
L2  G  (234)
 dp / dz  L  dp / dz G
where the denominators refer to the single-phase pressure gradient for flow in the same duct,
with mass flow rates corresponding to the mixture flow rate in the case of LO
2
and GO
2
, and
individual phases in the case of L and G . Among these, LO is the most popular frictional
2 2 2
multiplier for steam-water flow. Figure 83 shows a popular form of this two-phase friction
multiplier suggested by Nelson-Martinelli [COL1972]. The frictional multiplier is shown as a
function of mass quality and pressure. It rises sharply when two-phase flow is initiated (even
for very small mass qualities), and its value reaches 10 times the single-phase value even at low
quality. Moreover, the friction multipliers are higher at low pressure than at high pressure due
to the difference in volumetric and mass flow rates (as shown in Figure 22).
Figure 83 Martinelli-Nelson two-phase multiplier in separated flow

For diabatic two-phase flow (i.e., flow with heat transfer), the quality, void fraction, flow
pattern, and other properties change along the heated section. To calculate the pressure drop
in such cases, two approaches are usually followed. In the first approach, which is most
commonly used, the average LO
2
is calculated as:
L
1
 2
LO   LO
2
( z ) dz . (235)
L0
The approach can be used in cases where LO

2
( z) is a function that can be integrated.
Numerical integration is used in other cases.
In the second approach, the heated section is subdivided into a number of small segments.
Based on average conditions (i.e., xi, αi, and flow pattern) in that segment, the pressure drop is
calculated as in adiabatic two-phase flow using one of the models described previously.
7.5.3.3 Local pressure drop correlations
The single-phase local pressure losses are given in Eq. (228). The two-phase local pressure
losses are normally obtained using the two-phase multiplier approach. In this case, the two-
phase local pressure loss is given by the following relation [IAEA2001]:
Pl ,TP  l2, LO  Pl ,SP . (236)
A simple form of the two-phase local loss multiplier can be obtained by the following relation:
   g 
l2,LO  1  xa   . (237)
 
 g 
Sudden contraction
Single-phase loss coefficients for sudden contraction can be calculated based on flow-area
ratio, according to the following equation [IDE1996]:
3/ 4
 A 
K contr  0.5 1  f  , (238)
 A0 
where Af and Ao are smaller and larger pipe cross-sectional areas respectively.
In general, the irreversible pressure two-phase pressure drop due to a flow-area change is
estimated from the knowledge of single-phase loss coefficient using an appropriate model.
Sudden expansion
In the case of sudden expansion, the following correlation is used, which is based on the ratio
of area changes [IDE1996]:
2
 A 
K exp  1  f  . (239)
 A0 
Fitzsimmons (1964) provides the following equation to calculate the pressure change across an
abrupt expansion:
G 2 Ar2  l 2  1 1    2 1 1 
p   x     1  x     , (240)
 L   g  1 Ar  2     1  1  Ar 1   2   
where subscripts 1 and 2 refer respectively to the upstream and downstream locations of the
abrupt expansion and Ar = Af / A0.
Fittings and bends
The single-phase pressure drop due to bends and fittings can be calculated using the
appropriate loss coefficients from Idelchik [IDE1996]. For bends, the loss coefficient depends
on the bend angle, i.e., on the ratio of pipe diameter to bend radius. Because pressure drop is
dependent on piping component geometry, other specific configurations (i.e., end-fitting flow
characterization) must be experimentally tested to determine the specific pressure drop
correlations.
Orifices
The pressure loss through an orifice can be calculated using the following equation [IDE1996]:
W02 2
porf  f orf LO . (241)
2
The loss coefficient in an orifice depends on the orifice geometry, particularly at the orifice
entry. An extensive description of loss coefficients with different orifices in single-phase flow is
provided by Idelchik [IDE1996]. For separated two-phase flow (stratified) at an orifice, Beattie
[IAEA2001] obtained the following expression for LO
2
:
0.8 0.2
       L G  
 2
 1  x  L  1  1  x   1  . (242)
 G     L  L  
LO
 
Figure 84 Single-phase pressure distribution Figure 85 Two-phase pressure distribution

over a square-edged orifice over a square-edged orifice
Figure 84 shows a diagram of a pressure loss in a square-edged orifice in a single-phase liquid
flow with 40% blocked area (a blunt-edged orifice). The pressure falls sharply over the orifice
because of the sudden increase in velocity (according to the Bernoulli equation, Eq. (43)). Due
to turbulence downstream of the orifice, unrecoverable losses occur because mechanical
energy is dissipated into thermal energy. Therefore, downstream of the orifice, where the pipe
diameter is the same as that upstream of the orifice, the pressure is lower than it would have
been without the orifice.
Figure 85 shows the two-phase pressure distribution over the same orifice as in Figure 84. The
pressure drop slope is much higher in two-phase flow than in single-phase flow, which signifies
an increase in frictional pressure drop. In addition, the unrecoverable losses are much higher,
and the pressure recovery occurs over a longer pipe section (pressure recovery is “smoother”).
Grid spacers and tie plates
Because of the variation and complexity of their geometry, it is extremely difficult to establish a
pressure loss coefficient correlation of general validity for grid spacers. However, calculation
methods that are reasonably accurate for design purposes can be achieved. To determine
pressure drop across spacers more precisely, experimental studies are required.
Generally, tie plates are used at the ends of rod cluster fuel elements and structurally join all
the fuel pins. Unlike spacers, the flow areas on the downstream and upstream sides of tie
plates are different. Moreover, they are generally located in the unheated portion of the
bundle. An approximate calculation for design purposes can be made using the contraction
and expansion model for local pressure losses. In addition, the friction losses over the
thickness of the tie plates can be calculated using the hydraulic diameter concept. For two-
phase pressure losses, the homogeneous or slip model described above can be used.
7.5.3.4 Pressure losses in CANDU fuel bundles
Several short bundles are stacked end-to-end in CANDU-type PHWRs instead of the long single
fuel bundle used in PWRs and BWRs. Due to this basic difference in design concept, some of
the issues and geometries are unique to the CANDU design.
Figure 86 Bundle correction factor (37-element hexagonal bundle)

The pressure losses in CANDU bundles are calculated based on the hydraulic-equivalent
diameter approach using a tube-based equation. Several correction factors are used, including
a correction for geometric effects (the differences between tubes and bundles); a correction
for eccentricity effects (differences between concentric and eccentric bundles) in crept
channels; a correction for channel shape effect (converging and diverging channels) in crept
channels; and a correction for surface heating effect.
Figure 87 Eccentricity effect

Figure 86 shows a sample of the fuel bundle effect in a hexagonal fuel bundle [LEU2004]. The
correction factor is given as a function of the pitch-to-rod-diameter ratio. It is evident from this
figure that the correction factor can be greater than or less than one.
Figure 88 Eccentricity correction factor

Figure 87 shows [LEU2004] on the left side a cross section of the fresh CANDU fuel bundle in an
uncrept channel, and on the right side the same bundle in a crept channel, in which the
pressure tube diameter has increased after a number of years of irradiation. It is evident that
the eccentricity of the irradiated fuel bundle has significantly increased. The effect of
eccentricity increase in an annular channel on the friction correction factor is shown in Figure
88. This figure shows that the correction factor for eccentricity decreases from one to a certain
value that depends on the degree of eccentricity and on the ratio of the inner and outer rod
diameters. Pressure tube creep and development of significant bundle eccentricity lead more
fluid to flow at the top of the bundle where the resistance to flow is lower, thus leaving the
bundle with reduced fluid flow. This phenomenon also results in development of a non-
uniform velocity distribution in the fuel channel.
The following empirical correlation was proposed by Snoek and Ahmad [IAEA2001] for a
friction factor based on experiments on a six-metre long electrically heated horizontal 37-rod
cluster (this correlation has not been validated or accepted for a CANDU fuel bundle):
f  0.05052  Re 0.05719 for 108,000≤Re≤418,000. (243)
The following empirical correlations were proposed by Venkat Raj [IAEA2001] based on a set of
experiments with prototype horizontal 37-rod clusters for PHWRs with a CANDU-type spacer.
They include the junction pressure drop (these correlations have not been validated or
accepted for a CANDU fuel bundle):
f  0.22  Re 0.163 for 10,000≤Re≤140,000, (244)
f  0.108  Re0.108 for 140,000≤Re≤500,000.
However, in addition to the above friction factor, in a CANDU fuel bundle, a number of local
pressure losses must be taken into account. The total CANDU bundle pressure losses must
include: (1) friction; (2) local resistances from bundle junctions, spacers, buttons (43-element
bundle), and bearing pad planes; (3) acceleration; and (4) end fittings.
Various authors have attempted to combine the above effects into a single pressure loss
correlation. The friction and form losses have been combined into a bundle loss coefficient
given by the following relation [LEU2004, IAEA2001]:
G 2  fbundle Lbundle  G2
Psp ,bundle  K sp ,bundle   K junction  K appendage  . (245)
2  Dhy  2
 
The best approach for CANDU fuel bundles is to perform experimental measurements of the
pressure losses in a CANDU fuel channel experimental apparatus, i.e., in a so-called fuel bundle
or fuel channel flow characterization test. Once pressure losses have been precisely measured
for a fuel channel design, they can be tabulated or correlated in a convenient way for use by
designers and analysts.
Figure 89 Bundle junction misalignment effect

One of the important contributors to pressure losses in CANDU fuel bundles is fuel bundle
misalignment. Figure 89 shows two CANDU fuel channels that visually illustrate this
phenomenon [LEU2004]. The channel on the left has all fuel bundles aligned, so that each fuel
element is behind the previous fuel element upstream. This perfect alignment achieves the
lowest possible pressure loss from local resistance at the bundle end plates. However, in
practice, this perfect alignment is not possible because fuelling machines cannot ensure that
bundles are always inserted in a channel in the same position. In practice, as fuel bundles are
repeatedly inserted into the fuel channel, this misalignment develops a random distribution, as
shown on the right side of Figure 89. Pressure loss measurements are therefore performed
with various degrees of misalignment to cover all possible situations that can arise in practice.
Figure 90 Typical single-phase pressure distribution over misaligned bundles
Figure 90 shows a comparison of typical pressure drops in single-phase flow with three bundles
with a misalignment of 45o compared to fully aligned bundles. This figure clearly shows that at
each bundle junction, an abrupt local pressure loss can be measured. If the bundles are
misaligned to a greater extent, the abrupt pressure drop at the junction will be larger.
Figure 91 Typical pressure drop in misaligned fuel bundles
Figure 92 Typical misaligned junction pressure drop signatures

Figure 91 shows a CANDU fuel bundle flow characterization test in which actual pressure
measurements were collected along the fuel bundle [LEU2004]. It is evident that each change
of flow area along the fuel bundle, such as bundle end plates, spacers, buttons, and bearing
pads, creates a clear pressure loss of magnitude proportional to the change in flow area. It is
obvious from this figure that the pressure drop variation is symmetrical within a 45 degree
cycle.
Figure 92 shows a pressure drop signature from misaligned fuel bundles [LEU2004]. It is clear
that the degree of misalignment has a direct impact on the pressure drop measurements. The
effect is more pronounced in the case of two-phase flow, in which case the difference in the
measured pressure drops is much higher, both in absolute value and in variability with the level
of misalignment.
Figure 93 Typical two-phase pressure distribution over misaligned bundles

Figure 93 shows a typical pressure drop effect for misaligned fuel bundles in two-phase flow.
This figure should be compared to Figure 90, which shows the same test in single-phase flow.
Again, the absolute value of the pressure drop is higher in the case of two-phase flow, and the
pressure losses at the bundle end plates are also higher.
7.5.3.5 Use of pressure drop measurements to define the onset of significant void (OSV)
Because pressure drop measurements show such distinctive differences in pressure drop
between single-phase and two-phase cases, it has been noted that a sudden increase in
pressure drop at a certain location in a thermal-hydraulic network can be used as an indication
of the initiation of bulk boiling (i.e., the onset of significant void (OSV)).
Figure 94 shows pressure drop measurements for a crept fuel channel in which three different
power rates were applied, resulting in different channel boiling outcomes [LEU2004, POP2014].
The coolant inlet was on the left side and the outlet on the right side. The reference case (dark
blue line) is the case of sub-cooled conditions, with outlet thermodynamic quality negative and
nominal channel power. When channel power was increased to greater than 200%, the
pressure drop increased significantly downstream of the ninth fuel bundle because in this area
boiling was initiated, resulting in slightly positive channel outlet thermodynamic quality. When
the channel power was increased to three times nominal power, the outlet thermodynamic
quality further increased, and the pressure drop as well. Note that when boiling starts at a
certain location downstream (in this case, around the eighth fuel bundle), the pressure drop
starts to increase, which indirectly indicates the point where OSV occurs in this channel.
Hence, pressure drop measurements can reveal where boiling occurs in a fuel channel.
Figure 94 Pressure gradient along a flow channel in boiling

The Saha-Zuber correlation [REL2010, CAT1998, CAT2000, CAT2005] is used to calculate the
OSV point in tubes and has the following form:
q  D  C pf
xOSV  0.0022 for Peclet number (GDCp/k) < 70,000, (246)
k f  H fg
q
xOSV  154 for Peclet number ≥ 70,000. (247)
k f  H fg
A modified Saha-Zuber correlation for fuel bundles is based on empirical coefficients using full-
scale bundle data.
7.5.3.6 Pressure drop in pipes and orifices
The information covered in the previous sections can now be used to describe pressure drop
behaviour in a channel with various changes in geometry. Figure 95 shows such an example, in
which fluid comes from a pipe on the left side, flows through a pipe with a different diameter
and an orifice, and then into a much larger pipe on the right side. Hence, in this example,
major abrupt changes in flow cross-sectional area can be observed.
Figure 95 Example of abrupt area changes and orifice
Figure 96 Pressure drop behaviour with abrupt area changes and orifice
The pressure drop diagram for this case is shown in Figure 96. At the transition point between
the pipe on the left side (diameter D1) and the middle pipe (diameter D2), i.e., at the sudden
contraction point, the velocity increases to V2. As it accelerates, the fluid goes through a vena
contracta with eddy flow around the pipe corners. The recoverable pressure loss resulting
 
from the fluid acceleration is equal to  V22  V12 / 2 , and the unrecoverable local loss (sudden
contraction) resulting from the turbulence around the vena contracta is Ke V2 / 2 . The
2
velocity in the vena contracta is higher than the velocity appropriate for the pipe with
equivalent diameter D2. Therefore, the pressure in the vena contracta decreases further
around the area occupied by the vena contracta. Downstream of the vena contracta, the
pressure recovers where the influence of the vena contracta terminates, and the fluid velocity
assumes the value appropriate for a pipe with diameter D2.
Following the sudden contraction, the flow goes through an orifice with diameter Do, through
another vena contracta, and experiences further unrecoverable pressure loss.
On the other side, where the sudden expansion from the pipe into the larger pipe (diameter D3)
occurs, the reverse happens. The velocity slows down in the larger right-hand pipe from V2 to
V3. Note that velocity V3 is different from V1 because of the different pipe size. At the sudden
expansion, the unrecoverable local loss resulting from the turbulence around the vena

contracta is Ke V3 / 2 , and the recoverable deceleration pressure gain is  V32  V22 / 2 .
2

Note that the slope of the pressure drop curve in the three pipes is different because of the
different hydraulic diameters of the three pipes.
Having defined all the pressure loss terms in a piping configuration, it is interesting to compare
their absolute values and to obtain an impression of their relative contribution to the overall
pressure drop. This is done in Figure 97, in which typical pressure drop components are shown
for a fuel channel in a typical BWR reactor [TOD2011].
Figure 97 shows that for low mass fluxes, the relative contributions of the friction, acceleration,
and gravity terms are similar. However, with increased mass flux, the relative contribution of
the friction component significantly outweighs the other components. Note that the friction
component in the above figure includes both distributed and local losses.
Figure 97 Pressure drop components
7.5.4 Flow Instability
7.5.4.1 Fundamentals of flow instability
Flow instabilities are of particular importance for the reactor core. Under certain flow and heat
generation conditions, flow instabilities can cause significant changes in the fluid flow
distribution among certain channel groups in the core, thus exposing parts of the core to
insufficient cooling and consequent overheating, which can cause fuel damage. Moreover,
certain types of flow instabilities can cause pump malfunctions if the pump is not properly
selected. This section explains the nature of flow instabilities in the reactor core, provides
information on various types of instabilities, and focusses particularly on the Ledinegg
instability [TOD2011].
Understanding flow instabilities is instrumental to obtaining a good understanding of the
thermal-hydraulic system behaviour of nuclear reactor heat transport systems. A fluid flow in a
heated channel with a sub-cooled inlet condition undergoes large volume changes in a non-
uniform manner. Because the thermal and hydraulic properties of the flow change
continuously along the channel, the flow at any axial point in the channel can never become
fully developed thermally or hydrodynamically. Because the flow is not in equilibrium, the flow
properties fluctuate upstream and downstream of the point considered, often leading to
instability. Flow instabilities are of different types depending on the system configuration and
operating conditions. Flow oscillations can dramatically reduce the ability of the coolant to
remove heat from the reactor core. On the basis of primary features such as oscillation
periods, amplitudes, and relationships between pressure drop and flow rate, flow instabilities
have been classified into several types. Flow instabilities in a heated channel are usually
caused by two-phase flow and density wave effects. These instabilities are primarily classified
as static or dynamic. Some static and dynamic instabilities occur particularly during start-up
conditions. To this point November 13 late morning
The scale of instability can vary from macroscopic, involving the whole heat transport system,
to microscopic, occurring locally in some component or part of the thermal-hydraulic network.
In terms of the driving process, instabilities can be grouped into static or dynamic.
A “static instability” occurs when a small perturbation from the original steady-state flow leads
to a new stable operating condition that is not close to the original state. The mechanism and
the threshold conditions can be predicted using steady-state system characteristics. The
pressure drop characteristics, nucleation properties, and flow regime transitions of a flow
channel play an important part in characterizing static instabilities. Critical heat flux (CHF),
which limits the heat transfer capability of boiling systems, is influenced by static instabilities.
Ledinegg instability, flow pattern transition instability, geysering, chugging, and vapour burst
are also categorized as static instabilities.
Dynamic instability is caused by dynamic interaction among flow rate, pressure drop, and void
fraction. The mechanism involves the propagation of disturbances by pressure and void or
density waves. Density wave oscillations (DWOs), parallel channel instability, and pressure
drop oscillations (PDOs) are in this group.
Ledinegg instability or flow-excursive instability is characterized by a sudden change in the flow
rate to a lower value or a flow reversal. This instability will be further explained in this section.
Flow pattern transition instability is caused mainly by the different pressure drop
characteristics of various flow patterns. For example, if bubbly flow changes to annular flow
due to large void generation, the channel pressure drop decreases. For constant pressure drop
in a heated channel, when a bubbly flow changes to an annular flow pattern, the flow rate
increases, leading to decreased vapour generation. This makes the flow pattern revert to a
bubbly or slug flow pattern, and the cycle is repeated.
Geysering occurs at low power and low circulation flow rates. It occurs due to bubble
formation, growth, and subsequent collapse during start-up. In vertical channels during start-
up, with high inlet sub-cooling, voids are generated, and a large slug of bubbles is formed,
which grows due to the decrease in hydrostatic pressure head as it moves toward the exit. The
vapour then mixes with the liquid in the sub-cooled riser and becomes condensed there. The
condensed liquid re-enters the channel and restores non-boiling conditions. This process
repeats periodically and causes flow oscillations.
Vapour burst instability occurs due to sudden vaporization of the liquid phase with a rapid
decrease in mixture density. For example, a very clean and smooth heated surface may require
high wall superheat for nucleation. The fluid adjacent to the surface is highly superheated, and
vapour generation is rapid when nucleation starts. This in turn ejects liquid from the heated
channel. Rapid vaporization cools the surface, and the cooler liquid keeps vaporization
suppressed until the wall temperature reaches the required nucleation superheat, and the
process repeats. Vapour burst instabilities are observed during the reflood phase during re-
emergence core cooling of a reactor. Other CHF-related local instabilities are discussed in
Section 7.6.
7.5.4.2 Ledinegg flow instability
Ledinegg instability or flow-excursive instability is characterized by a sudden change in the flow

rate to a lower value or a flow reversal. This happens when the slope of the channel demand
pressure drop vs. flow rate curve (the internal characteristics of the channel) becomes
algebraically smaller than that of the loop supply pressure drop vs. flow rate curve (the external
characteristics of the channel, or the pump head curve). Physically, this behaviour exists when
the pressure drop decreases with increasing flow.
Figure 98 Concept of channel flow instability

Figure 98 shows conceptually the phenomenon of Ledinegg instability [TOD2011]. In this
figure, the y-axis represents the pressure drop and the x-axis the mass flow rate. The figure
represents a fuel channel in which the fluid mass flow rate and the heating from the walls are
selected so that part of the channel is in sub-cooled flow and part of the channel is boiling. The
right curve with a shallower slope represents the channel pressure losses for liquid flow. This
curve shows the pressure loss as the square of the mass flow rate (i.e., of the fluid velocity). If
the channel did not have heating, this curve would have ended at point O’ on the y-axis,
representing the hydrostatic head of the stagnant water in the channel.
The left curve shows the pressure drop in the channel when the flow is only gas. This curve is
steeper for a given mass flow rate because the difference between the densities of water and
gas is almost three orders of magnitude. Therefore, a given mass flow rate of gas results in a
much higher volumetric flow of gas compared to liquid, and therefore the velocity of the gas
and its associated pressure drop for a given volumetric flow are much greater than those of
liquid. The gas pressure drop curve ends almost at the zero point of the y-axis because the
hydrostatic pressure of gas is negligible compared to that of liquid.
Figure 99 Channel flow instability under low heat flux

With the above explanation, it is possible to analyze the case with heating in the channel and
the occurrence of two-phase flow, shown by the thicker solid line in Figure 98. When the mass
flow rate is reduced to a point when two-phase flow occurs (consistent with the OSV
explanation in Section 7.5.3.5), two phenomena occur:
 the volumetric flow starts to increase for the same mass flow, and therefore fluid
velocity is higher for the same mass flow rate; and
 the friction factor becomes higher in two-phase flow (see Section 7.5.3.2).
The net result is that as the mass flow rate decreases, more of the liquid is converted to steam,
resulting in higher volumetric flow and higher velocity, and hence the pressure drop increases.
This process continues until all liquid is converted to steam, at which point the solid line joins
the dashed line representing gas flow. With further reduction of flow rate beyond this point,
the pressure drop simply follows the quadratic law of pressure drop vs. velocity, and no more
boiling occurs.
Figure 99 shows a comparison of the system pressure drop curve with heat flux as shown in
Figure 98, but with a lower heat flux (the lower curve in Figure 99) [TOD2011]. When the heat
flux is lower, boiling starts at the lower mass flow rate rather than the higher, except that in
this figure, the flow rate is much smaller. This is shown in Figure 99 by having point B occur at
much lower mass flow rate. If the heat flux and hence the mass flow rate at boiling inception is
very low, then a couple of competing phenomena can create the situation shown by the
bottom curve in Figure 99. In this case, because boiling starts at a very low mass flow rate,
conversion of liquid into steam results in two phenomena: (1) increase of volumetric flow and
hence of liquid velocity, and (2) reduction of hydrostatic head.
Figure 100 Impact of different pump curves on channel flow instability

After boiling inception at point B at the lower curve, reduction of the hydrostatic head
temporarily dominates and creates a reduction in pressure drop. With further decrease in
mass flow rate, a large increase in velocity occurs as more of the liquid is transformed into
steam, resulting in a pressure drop increase.
Figure 100 shows the external pressure head generated by a pump (dashed lines)
superimposed on the system pressure drop curve (solid line) [TOD2011]. It is important to
observe in this figure that there are three cases of external pump head. The one on the top has
one intersection point 1, at which the pump can sustain a stable operating point with liquid
water. In addition, the curve at the bottom has one intersection point 3, at which a blower can
have a stable operating point with gas (or steam). The curve in the middle intersects the
system pressure drop curve at three points (2, 2’, and 2”), and all three are possible operating
points for this pump (or blower). At point 2’, the pressure head device must be a pump, and at
point 2”, it must be a blower. At operating point 2, neither a pump nor a blower can operate
well because the fluid is in two-phase flow, in which case conventional turbo machinery cannot
operate efficiently. Nevertheless, although this operation cannot be achieved by the same
device, it is assumed for the moment that it works, and this case and the consequences of this
“pump” operation will be further examined.
Figure 101 presents a view of flow excursion instability, continuing the explanation started in
Figure 100 [TOD2011]. As explained previously, the unstable operating point is point 1. In this
figure, various external pump head curves are plotted through point 1.
Case 1 (positive displacement pump with vertical pump head) represents a pump with a
delivery flow that does not change with pump head. This pump is inherently stable, and
although it rests on the part of the system curve with negative slope, it intersects the system
loss curve at only one point (point 1).
Figure 101 Definition of channel flow excursion instability in a single channel

Case 2 (constant head) represents a situation in which the head from an external pump is
delivered to a channel, and hence its curve intersects the system curve at three locations.
However, in this case, the pump head is constant irrespective of the flow rate in the channel.
This situation can lead to excursion instability because the curve intersects the system loss
curve at three points (1, 2, and 3); this will be explained further.
Case 3 (low variable head) represents a centrifugal pump for which the head and flow are
related through a polynomial function. This pump head curve also intersects the system loss
curve at three points and also leads to Ledinegg instability.
Case 4 (high variable head) represents a pump that is well throttled, so that a small flow change
results in a large pump head change. This is a typical situation in operating BWRs, which have
well-throttled external circuit pumps. Because the slope of the curve is very steep, the pump
head curve intersects the system loss curve at only one point (point 1), and therefore this
pump operates in an inherently stable manner regardless of where it intersects the system
curve.
From the above examples, a criterion for entering Ledinegg instability can be defined by the
following inequality:
  Psystem    Pext 
 . (248)
w w
This inequality shows that if the pump head curve is Δpext>Δpsystem, the pump operation is
inherently stable in such a system.
By examining Figure 101 carefully, it is clear that the source of this instability is the negative
slope of the system loss curve. This means that if the pump operates at point 1, any small
disturbance of the pump flow or head will lead to instability.
For example, at point 1, if pump flow decreases by an infinitesimal amount δW, the pressure
drop in the system will increase by δ(Δp) (the left upper green triangle). This will make the
pump further reduce its flow delivery, which in turn will make the pressure drop further
increase. Therefore, step by step, the pump operating point will move through points 2’ and 2”
to point 2.
Inversely, if at point 1, the pump flow increases by an infinitesimal amount δW, the pressure
drop in the system will decrease by δ(Δp) (the right lower green triangle). This will make the
pump further increase its flow delivery, which in turn will make the system pressure drop
further decrease. Therefore, step by step, the pump operating point will move through points
3’ and 3” to point 3.
Figure 101 clearly shows that while the pump operating point moves from one point to
another, the pump head and the system losses will be in equilibrium for a period of time that
depends on the system and the pump hydraulic inertia. However, given enough time, the
possible operating points must be at the intersection of the two curves. However, the only
sustainable stable operating point must be the intersection point of the two curves that
satisfies Eq. (251).
Thermal-hydraulic designers need to examine pump curves and system loss curves carefully to
ensure that pump head shape and slope satisfy Eq. (251), thereby ensuring that this type of
instability will not occur.
7.5.4.3 Parallel channel flow instability
One aspect of Ledinegg instability (i.e., excursive instability) is the situation that can arise with
parallel channels operating under a common pressure drop [POP2014]. This situation can
occur in many thermal-hydraulic networks or components. For example, this may occur in a
reactor core with two types of channels under the same pressure drop, or in a CANDU fuel
channel with crept pressure tubes, in which the flow is split into two flow paths, one in the
eccentricity above the fuel bundle, and one through the fuel bundle (see Section 7.5.3.4)
Figure 102 Principles of flow excursion instability in two parallel channels

Figure 102 shows the principles of a two-parallel-channel configuration under the same
pressure drop, which is vulnerable to excursive instability. In this configuration, each channel
has its own pressure loss curve, but different heat flux, total power, and flow rate. Therefore,
each channel will enter the two-phase flow boiling condition at a different flow rate. The first
channel that enters two-phase flow will experience an increase in channel pressure drop, which
will help divert a portion of its flow to the other channel that remains in single-phase liquid
flow. In other words, the channel that first enters two-phase flow will experience successive
flow reductions and will eventually overheat as it loses its cooling.
Figure 103 shows an actual calculation of flow instability in a parallel channel configuration in a
core with two types of fuel channels using a computer code (a similar geometry to that in
Figure 102) [POP2000]. In Figure 103, the mass flow rate is on the x-axis and the pressure drop
on the y-axis. Line 1 represents the total pressure drop across both channels; Lines 2 and 3
represent the pressure drop in each channel, and Line 4 provides the percentage of flow split.
It is apparent in this figure that the flow split between the channels changes as the total flow to
the two-channel loop decreases. Clearly, the two channels behave differently below a total
flow of 0.2 kg/s. At a pressure drop of about 12 kPa, the flow starts to divert from one channel
(Line 3) to the other channel (Line 2). Line 3 indicates an increase in pressure drop due to
boiling, whereas Line 2 indicates an increase in pressure drop due to higher liquid flow.
Figure 103 Results of flow excursion instability in two parallel channels
7.5.5 Problems
1. List and explain the most important factors that have significant impact on the pressure
drop in the CANDU primary heat transport system. Rank the components in the
CANDU primary heat transport system that contribute to the pressure losses in the
system. Explain how reactor aging affects pressure drop in the main heat transport
system.
2. Explain the components of pressure drop in horizontal channels, and provide information
on the parameters that influence their value. Explain the approach used to calculate the
pressure drop components in two-phase flow.
3. A mixture of water and steam at mass quality of 30% and temperature of 400oC flows
through a 10 m long pipe with diameter of 4 inches. The mass flux in the pipe is 2000
kg/m2 s. Calculate the pressure drop along this pipe using the most appropriate two-
phase flow multiplier.
4. Water flows through an insulated horizontal pipeline 100 m long (no heat losses). Water
enters the pipe at temperature of 250oC, and velocity of 3 m/s. Assuming that the pipe is
made of carbon steel of commercial quality, calculate the pump power that is required to
maintain this flow.
5. Two-phase water-steam mixture at 10% quality flows in thermal equilibrium through a
horizontal pipe 6 m long with diameter of 18 mm. The water pressure is 8 MPa.
Calculate the two-phase pressure gradient in this pipe, and the total pressure difference
between the inlet and the outlet using the Friedel correlation provided below. The total
mass flux is 2000 kg/m2 s.
3.24 FH  f go
 2o  E  We0.035 E  (1  x)2  x 2 F  x 0.78 (1  x)0.224
Fr 0.0454
g f o
0.91
   g   g 
0.19 0.7
Gm2 Gm2
H     1   Fr  We 
 g      gDe m2 m
 
 x 1 x 
m     for homogeneous model
  
 g
64
f jo  if Re j  1055
Re j
  Re j 
f jo  0.86859  n  for Re j  1055
 1.964  n Re j  3.8215  
  
Where: x is quality, ρ is density in (kg/m3) (g – gas, and l – liquid), fgo and flo are Darcy
friction factors, μ is dynamic viscosity in (Pa s), (g – gas, and l – liquid), σ is surface
tension in (N/m), and g is acceleration due to gravity (=9.81 m/s2).
6. Explain the cause and the impact of the Ledinegg flow instability in vertical channels.
Explain the importance of this type instability for the process of pump selection.
7. Explain the cause and the impact of flow excursion instability in parallel heated channels,
including the applicability and methods for avoiding or mitigating this type of instability.
7.6 Heat transfer between the fuel elements and the coolant
Section 6.1 provides the fundamentals of two-phase flow, which are needed to understand the
heat transfer regimes in the reactor core. Section 7 provides the basis for heat transfer in the
reactor primary heat transport system. Section 7.4 provides details on heat conduction in the
fuel elements. This section now focuses on heat transfer from the fuel to the coolant.
Heat removal from the reactor core is an important issue in reactor design and operation. The
main objective of heat transfer analysis for single-phase flow in the reactor is to determine the
temperature field in a coolant channel such that the reactor operating temperatures are within
the specified limits, including the rate of heat transfer to and from a surface or object. Because
reactor power densities are typically much higher than for other conventional heat sources, the
heat removal rate from any given reactor core coolant channel is quite large. Heat transfer to
the coolant in single phase therefore requires a coolant with a large heat capacity.
The boiling curve shown in Figure 29 provides a good illustration of the boiling phenomenon
and the boiling crisis in the fuel channel, which have an important impact on reactor thermal
margins. This section discusses the wall heat flux in various heat transfer regimes and the
critical heat flux (CHF) in the channel and discusses their importance and the differences
between PWR and CANDU reactors. Appropriate diagrams explaining the variation of the
critical heat flux with key parameters are shown and discussed. In addition, CHF correlations
and calculation methods are described. The CHF is a critical parameter in reactor core thermal-
hydraulic design because it sets the primary limitations on reactor thermal margins.
7.6.1 Heat transfer regimes

Various flow and heat transfer regimes that are relevant to heat transfer in the reactor core
under various operating modes are illustrated in Figure 32. The heat transfer correlations are
important in reactor thermal-hydraulic design because they provide the tools for a designer to
calculate various parameters of interest in the design process and to verify that the design can
meet the proposed objectives and requirements, primarily the capability to remove generated
heat from the core during all possible operating modes.
The heat transfer from any solid surface to a coolant is given by Newton’s Law in terms of heat
flux:
q "  h  (Ts  Tb ) , (249)

where Ts is the surface temperature, Tb is the bulk temperature of the coolant, and h (W/m2 K)
is the heat transfer coefficient. The heat transfer coefficient is dependent on coolant
properties, flow parameters such as the velocity field, the temperature fields in the solid
surface and the coolant, and solid surface condition and geometry.
A considerable amount of experimental and theoretical research has been published on the
heat transfer coefficient for turbulent flow in channels. Although most correlations have been
developed based on circular pipes, with appropriate corrective factors, they can be applied to
various geometries.
For fully developed turbulent flow of non-metallic fluid, the general heat transfer correlation
can be expressed as [ELW1978]:
 
d
Nu  C  Re Pr  w  ,
a b
(250)
  
where µw is the fluid viscosity at the wall temperature and a, b, c, d are constants that depend
on fluid and channel geometry.
Heat transport with phase change such as in boiling or condensation is an efficient method to
transfer heat because latent heat per unit mass is very large compared with sensible heat. For
single-component fluids, the interface temperature difference involved for heat transfer in
evaporation and condensation is relatively small. However, when more than one component is
present in a system, the temperature difference can be higher. An example is condensation of
vapours in the presence of non-condensable gases. The two-phase heat transfer phenomena
relevant to reactors include pool boiling, evaporation in vertical or horizontal fuel channels, and
condensation inside or outside tubes.
As indicated in Figure 32, many flow and heat transfer regimes are possible in reactor channels
in two-phase flow, depending on many parameters. In addition, fuel and channel geometry,
heat transport conditions, characteristics, and materials have a significant influence on the type
and magnitude of heat transfer from fuel to coolant. As a result, in the literature, many heat
transfer correlations have been proposed, adopted, and used by various designers and
analysts. This section provides a brief overview of the most important correlations, focussing
on the critical heat flux correlations because of their significance for reactor thermal margins.
7.6.2 Convective heat transfer in turbulent forced flow

The convective heat transfer coefficient in turbulent forced flow of non-metallic fluids follows
the form given by Eq. (253). The Prandtl number, given by Eq. (16), for non-metallic fluids such
as light and heavy water is close to unity. For non-metallic fluids, the Nusselt number given by
Eq. (15) is insensitive to wall surface conditions. Moreover, the Nusselt number varies little in
the case of constant heat flux and constant mass flux.
Even for this relatively well-known situation, many heat transfer correlation variations have
been proposed by different authors. The best-known is the Dittus-Boelter correlation, which is
given by the following relation [ELW1978]:
Nu  0.023  Re0.8 Pr 0.4 . (251)
Hence, using the Nusselt number, the heat transfer correlation can be obtained as follows
(using a simplified version for plate geometry):
hc  0.023  k f L  Re0.8 Pr 0.4 . (252)
This is the best-known correlation used for single-phase convective heat transfer, as shown in
the first part of the left side of Figure 29. In this correlation, the physical properties in
dimensionless numbers are evaluated at the bulk temperature of the fluid. The correlation
does not take into account the effect of temperature variation from the tube wall to the bulk
fluid. Clearly, for laminar flow, this correlation does not apply, and other correlations are used.
For forced convection in fuel bundles, the following correlation was proposed by Weisman
[ELW1978]:
Nu  C  Re 0.8 Pr 1/3 , (253)
where the constant C has the following form for square and triangular lattices respectively (S is
the fuel rod pitch, and D is the fuel rod diameter):
S S
C  0.042  0.024, 1.1   1.3
D D
. (254)
S S
C  0.026  0.006, 1.1   1.5,
D D
7.6.3 Sub-cooled boiling heat transfer in forced flow

Heat transfer from the walls to the liquid at relatively high heat flux, starting from the sub-
cooled condition at the entrance of a channel, brings CANDU fuel cladding walls to and beyond
saturation somewhere downstream in the reactor fuel channel. When the liquid layer next to
the wall and adjacent to the wall becomes superheated, bubble nucleation sites are activated.
This point is denoted in Figure 29 as the onset of sub-cooled boiling. Bubbles are generated at
the wall cavities by the heat transferred from the wall as latent heat of evaporation. As soon as
they depart from the wall, they encounter sub-cooled bulk liquid and condense, releasing the
latent heat of vaporization to the bulk liquid. This process helps enhance heat transfer from
the wall, partly by evaporation of the liquid and partly by enhancing turbulence near the wall.
Note that heat transfer by latent heat of evaporation is much more effective than heat transfer
by convective heating of liquid.
The point at which sub-cooled nucleate boiling starts is defined by the following criterion
proposed by Bergles and Rohsenow [AHM2009]:
2.3/ p0.0234
qW'' , SB  1082 p1.156 1.799 Tw  Tsat SB  . (255)
 
Equation (258) is valid for pressures between 0.1 and 13.6 MPa, and p is in bar, temperatures in
°C, and qW,SB in W/m2.
For the nucleate boiling heat transfer regime, the best-known and most widely used correlation
is the Chen correlation [CAT2005, ELW1978, TOD2011]. This correlation calculates the heat
transfer coefficient as a sum of the convective and nucleate boiling parts as follows:
hSB  hC  hNB . (256)
The convective heat transfer is calculated using a variation of the Dittus-Boelter correlation
given by Eq. (255):
 G 1  x) De  
0.8
k
hc  0.023   Pr 0.4 f F , (257)
 f  De
 
1
F  1.0 for  0.1
X tt
0.736 . (258)
 1  1
F  2.35  0.213   for  0.1
 X tt  X tt
The Lockhart-Martinelli parameter Xtt is defined as:
0.5
 l   g 
0.9 0.1
1  x 
      . (259)
X tt  (1  x)   g   l 
The nucleate boiling part of the sub-cooled boiling correlation is defined as:
S  0.00122   T 0.24 p 0.75c 0.45
p l
0.49 0.79
kl
hNB  . (260)
 0.5 hlg0.24 l0.29  g0.24
The parameter S is defined as follows:

1
S where Re  Rel F 1.25 . (261)
1  2.53 10 6 Re1.17
The Chen correlation is valid for pressures of 0.17–3.5 MPa, liquid inlet velocities of 0.06–4.5
m/s, and heat fluxes up to 2.4 MW/m2.
When the bulk liquid temperature increases to a certain point, as shown in Figure 29,
conditions for onset of significant void, i.e., bulk boiling, are established. The criteria that
determine the onset of bulk boiling are defined by various correlations, of which the best-
known is the Saha-Zuber correlation provided in Eqs. (249) and (250), which is expressed in
terms of quality at the OSV point. However, it is useful to express Eqs. (249) and (250) in terms
of bulk fluid temperature to estimate the level of coolant sub-cooling at the point of OSV.
Figure 32 shows the sub-cooled boiling phases, with OSV labelled as the onset of net vapour
generation, which is upstream of the point at which bulk saturation is reached.
Equations (249) and (250) can be transformed into a relation that defines the wall temperature
at the onset of bulk boiling:
q " De
Tbulk ,OSV  Tsat  0.0022 for Pe  7 104
kl
, (262)
q"
Tbulk ,OSV  Tsat  154 for Pe  7 104
G  cp
where the Peclet number is defined according to the following relation:

G  De c p
Pe  . (263)
kl
The Saha-Zuber correlation is valid for pressures of 0.1–13.8 MPa, mass fluxes of 95–2760
kg/m2s, and heat fluxes of 0.28–1.89 MW/m2.
7.6.4 Critical heat flux (CHF)

When the wall surface temperature is further increased beyond the point that results in sub-
cooled boiling, as shown in Figure 29, it may reach a value that results in a heat flux referred to
as critical heat flux (CHF). This is the maximum heat flux at which continuous liquid contact in a
tube or fuel channel is maintained. Further increase in the wall heat flux will result in an
increase in wall temperature to values that result in a sustained vapour film on the wall surface
(along the horizontal dashed line in Figure 29). Usually, for reactors designed to operate with
liquid water in contact with the fuel cladding, this large increase in cladding temperature could
result in melting and destruction of the cladding. The primary objective of thermal-hydraulic
design is to ensure that this does not happen.
7.6.4.1 Outline of CHF phenomena
The CHF is a complex thermal-hydraulic phenomenon that varies with a large number of
parameters. This section explains the CHF phenomenon for various combinations of key
parameters and provides a discussion of CHF parametric trends. In addition, heat transfer
correlations for pre-CHF heat transfer regimes are provided and discussed [IAEA2001,
TOD2011, BER1981, DEL1981, COL1972, LWU2004].
Development of the CHF correlation requires a significant amount of experimental testing
because of the complex reactor core fuel geometry in PWRs as well as in CANDUs. This section
also provides a brief explanation of the experimental tests and their use to develop CHF
correlations.
In forced convective boiling, the boiling crisis occurs when the heat flux is raised to such a high
level that the heated surface can no longer support continuous liquid contact. This heat flux is
referred to as the critical heat flux (CHF). It is characterized either by a sudden rise in surface
temperature caused by blanketing of the heated surface by a stable vapour layer, or by small
surface temperature spikes corresponding to the appearance and disappearance of dry
patches. The CHF normally limits the amount of power transferred, both in nuclear fuel
bundles and in conventional boilers. Failure of the heated surface may occur once the CHF is
exceeded. This is especially true for highly sub-cooled CHF conditions. At high flows and
positive dryout qualities, the post-dryout heat transfer is reasonably effective in keeping the
heated surface temperatures at moderate levels, and operation under dryout conditions may
be sustained safely for some time, particularly in BWRs or CANDUs.
Figure 104 Concepts of CHF, dryout, and burnout

Figure 104 [COL1972] is of key importance in understanding the various mechanisms and the
definition of the CHF phenomenon, as well as the consequences of CHF occurrence in a reactor
fuel channel (note that this figure is not to scale, values are not shown, and the intent is to
illustrate CHF conceptually for various coolant qualities).
Figure 104 shows the basic concept of CHF occurrence and the terms used to describe the
various stages and types of the CHF phenomenon. On the y-axis, this figure shows the relative
value of the heat flux as given, whereas on the x-axis, the thermodynamic quality is provided,
starting from sub-cooled conditions (negative values), moving to values between 0 and 1 (two-
phase flow), and then to values beyond 1 (superheated steam). The straight solid line with a
negative slope intersecting the x-axis at xe=1 is the locus of CHF. Above this straight line, a line
is shown which is labelled as the burnout locus—this is the wall heat flux that can destroy the
cladding surface under various conditions. On the left side, under sub-cooled conditions,
various heat transfer regimes are illustrated moving from bottom to top in the figure:
convective heat transfer at the bottom (no boiling), sub-cooled nucleate boiling, and sub-
cooled film boiling. In the two-phase region in the middle of the diagram, various heat transfer
regimes are shown: two-phase forced convection, saturated bulk boiling, saturated film boiling,
and liquid-deficient saturated boiling. On the right side of the diagram, convective heat
transfer to steam is shown. These regimes are also illustrated in Figure 26 and Figure 33.
With respect to the diagram in Figure 104, the following terms can be defined. They are related
to the CHF, but have a slightly different meaning:
 Boiling crisis. Refers to sub-cooled or saturated boiling when the amount of steam
produced by boiling surpasses the amount of steam that can be removed from the wall,
thus creating a situation in which heat removal from the wall is limited.
 CHF. Refers to the general condition of limited heat flux in sub-cooled or saturated
boiling; it can include all terms shown on this list.

 Dryout. Refers to conditions at the fuel cladding surface when continuing contact with
liquid water can no longer be maintained. Note that under dryout conditions, there may
still be abundant liquid water in the pipe or fuel channel (so that the void fraction may be
very low), but the cladding surface may still be insulated from the water by a stable
steam film.
 Departure from nucleate boiling (DNB). This term refers to the CHF that occurs under
significantly sub-cooled conditions (as in PWRs). In this case, CHF happens when the fuel
cladding surface can no longer support sub-cooled boiling.
 Burnout. This term refers to the destruction of the cladding surface as it begins to melt.
This can happen very quickly under sub-cooled conditions after CHF is reached. At
saturated conditions (for higher equilibrium quality or void fraction), as shown in Figure
104, burnout can occur only when the heat flux is greater than the CHF (note that the
burnout curve moves further away from the CHF curve in Figure 104 as quality rises,
particularly for qualities x > 0).
Figure 105 [POP2014] shows a different CHF mechanism in a reactor fuel channel
superimposed on the CHF diagram from Figure 104. In this figure, heat flux is indicated on
the y-axis and thermo-dynamic quality on the x-axis. There are four distinctive CHF
mechanism types: nucleation induced under highly sub-cooled conditions, a bubbly layer
induced under sub-cooled conditions, entrainment-induced film depletion at low quality, and
deposition-controlled film depletion at very high quality.
Figure 105 Transitions among CHF mechanisms

Like other thermal-hydraulic phenomena, CHF occurs differently in pool boiling than in
forced-flow boiling. In pool boiling, no forced flow is provided to the liquid container. In this
situation, CHF usually occurs because of either counter-current flow (Helmholtz) instability or
micro-layer evaporation (for highly sub-cooled conditions only).
Figure 106 Pool boiling CHF mechanisms

The left side of Figure 106 shows the counter-current flow instability (i.e., the Helmholtz
instability) [LEU2004]. In this case, the heated surface is covered by a rising vapour column
with counter-current liquid jets flowing downwards due to gravity to compensate for liquid
removal by evaporation. Ultimately, at very high heat flux levels (vapour removal rates), the
relative velocity between liquid and vapour can be so high that an unstable flow situation is
created in which due to interfacial friction, liquid jets cannot penetrate downwards because of
the high flow rate of rising bubbles, resulting in a CHF condition. The right side of Figure 106
shows a micro-bubble developed in a cavity on the heated surface. As the bubble grows, a
microlayer of thin liquid film develops below the bubble. This microlayer is unstable because of
the large heat flux and can break and leave the surface uncovered, i.e., can form a dry patch,
leading to CHF.
Figure 107 Flow boiling CHF mechanisms

In forced-flow boiling, CHF usually occurs because of one of the following three phenomena:
collapse of the liquid sub-layer, bubble crowding, or film depletion. Figure 107 shows these
three phenomena [LEU2004]. On the left side of this figure, the collapse of the liquid sub-layer
occurs with highly sub-cooled liquid. CHF occurrence is due to the spreading of a dry patch
following microlayer evaporation under a bubble and coalescence of adjacent bubbles. The
occurrence of CHF in this case depends on local surface heat flux and flow conditions; it is not
affected by upstream heat flux distribution.
Bubble crowding is shown in the middle of Figure 107 for moderate sub-cooling or saturated
conditions and high flow rate. The bubble population density near the heated surface
increases with increasing heat flux, and a so-called bubble boundary layer often forms a short
distance away from the surface. If this layer is sufficiently thick, it can impede the flow of
coolant to the heated surface. This in turn leads to a further increase in the bubble population
until the wall becomes so hot that a vapour patch forms over the heated surface. This type of
boiling crisis is also characterized by a fast rise in heated surface temperature (fast dryout).
At the right side of Figure 107, the film depletion type of CHF is illustrated, which is possible
with a relatively low mass flux of saturated liquid in high void fraction flow. In the annular
dispersed flow regime (high void fraction and high volumetric flow), the liquid will be in the
form of a liquid film covering the walls and entrained droplets moving at a higher velocity in the
pipe core. Continuous thinning of the liquid film will take place due to the combined effect of
entrainment and evaporation. Near the dryout location, the liquid film becomes very thin, and
due to the absence of roll waves (which normally occur at higher liquid film flow rates),
entrainment is suppressed. If the net droplet deposition rate does not balance the evaporation
rate, the liquid film must break down. The temperature rise accompanying this film breakdown
is usually moderate (stable dryout).
Related to the above explanation of dryout resulting from a high void fraction, high flow rate
situation in a tube is CHF dryout in a fuel channel. This situation is typical of CANDU reactors in
which towards the end of the fuel channels, saturated liquid with significant void fraction and
mass flux flows through a densely packed fuel channel. Because the two-phase flow is very
well mixed, dryout occurs gradually, and fuel is not exposed to sustained loss of contact with
liquid, i.e., slow dryout occurs. During a slow dryout, the heated surface does not experience
the usual dryout temperature excursions; instead, a gradual increase in surface temperature
with power is observed. A slow dryout is usually encountered in flow regimes where the
phases are distributed homogeneously, such as froth flow or highly dispersed annular flow at
high mass velocities and void fractions. Under these conditions, liquid-wall interaction is
significant, limiting the temperature rise with dryout.
Calculations based on cooling by vapour flow indicate only that post-CHF temperatures are
below the minimum film boiling (Leidenfrost) temperature; hence, depositing droplets may wet
the surface, increasing the heat transfer coefficient. In a CANDU reactor, because the coolant
is close to saturation over most of the channel and at relatively high mass flux and void fraction
downstream of the rector mid-plane, the most probable CHF mechanism is slow dryout.
Therefore, in a CANDU reactor, the consequences of reaching CHF are not as serious as in a
highly sub-cooled PWR because the fuel surface can still be well cooled by passing steam and
droplets.
7.6.4.2 CHF parametric trends
As explained above, CHF is a complex phenomenon that depends on many parameters and can
be caused by different phenomena. Table 10 shows various parameters that affect the type
and intensity of CHF in fuel bundles. Discussion of all these effects is beyond the scope of this
textbook; details can be found in the literature [IAEA2001].
Table 10 Separate CHF effects in fuel bundles
GENERAL DETAILS OF SEPARATE EFFECTS
Global Flow Area Effects  n-rod bundle where n>>3 and all sub-channels are identical except for
corners or cold-wall-adjacent sub-channels (e.g., square or triangular arrays
of sub-channels)
 n-rods where n>>3 and adjacent sub-channels are generally not equal (e.g.,
37-rod bundle geometries inside round tubes)
Sub-Channel Effects  Sub-channel size/shape (similarity to tube)
 Cold wall effect
 Distorted sub-channels (due to bowing, cladding stain, PT creep)
 Misaligned bundles (CANDU case)
Length Effects  Similar to appendage effects
Spacer/Bundle  Mixing grids
Appendage Effects  Attached spacers/ bearing pads/ endplates (CANDU)
Flow Orientation Effects  Vertically upward
 Vertically downward
 Horizontal
Axial/Radial Flux  Axial flux distribution (flux peaking/global flux distribution)
Distribution Effects  Radial flux distribution (global RFD effect, cold wall effect, flux tilt across an
element)
Flow Parameter Effects  Mass flow (including zero flow or boiling/flow stagnation case)
Transient Effects  Power/flow/pressure transients
 Combined transients
Effect of Fluid Type  Light water
 Heavy water
 Modelling fluids (Freon) in conjunction with a CHF fluid-to-fluid modelling
technique
A number of studies have been conducted by various researchers to investigate the effects of
various parameters on CHF. An overview of the parametric trends is provided in this section.
These parametric trends are provided for two different CHF approaches.
The approach based on fuel channel inlet conditions is very often used in CHF R&D because of
the convenience of using inlet conditions because these are easily measured and maintained in
CHF experiments. The other method is based on local conditions, i.e., the conditions locally
where CHF occurs. This approach is used in computer-based algorithms because a computer
program can easily calculate local conditions at the CHF location.
The discussion of parametric trends provided here must be related to the general trends
described in Section 6.1, particularly those illustrated in Figure 30 and Figure 31.
The most influential parameters affecting CHF are the fluid pressure, mass flux, level of sub-
cooling, and hydraulic diameter [IAEA2001]:
CHF = f (P,G, X DO Dhy ) . (264)
The general parametric trends on CHF based on inlet conditions are as follows:
1. Heated length has a very high impact on CHF because it affects the amount of heat
transferred to the fluid; hence, CHF strongly decreases with increase of heated length
and quality.
2. CHF increases with an increase in inlet sub-cooling (a decrease in inlet fluid
temperatures).
3. CHF decreases with a decrease in outlet pressure (decrease of channel pressure).
4. For sub-cooled conditions, CHF increases with an increase in mass flow.
5. For saturated conditions, CHF increases with a decrease in mass flow.
6. CHF decreases with a decrease in tube diameter (which decreases the level of mixing
and turbulence).
The general parametric trends related to CHF and based on local conditions are as follows:
1. The effect of heated length on local CHF is negligible.
2. Local CHF decreases with an increase in thermodynamic quality.
3. For sub-cooled conditions, local CHF increases with an increase in mass flow.
4. For saturated conditions, local CHF increases with a decrease in mass flow.
5. Local CHF increases with an increase in outlet pressure.
6. Local CHF decreases with an increase in channel diameter.
Figure 108 Effect of inlet temperature and Figure 109 Effect of outlet pressure in pool
mass flux boiling
Figure 108 shows the relationship between CHF (y-axis) and inlet sub-cooling (x-axis in enthalpy
difference below saturation) for several mass flux values in a straight heated tube [LEU2004].
This figure is drawn in terms of channel inlet conditions. Note that CHF increases with mass
flux and with the degree of sub-cooling. In other words, reactors that have more highly sub-
cooled coolant and higher mass flux can use higher heat flux before reaching CHF. This is an
important fact that demonstrates the strategy of operating PWRs.
In general, pressure has two key effects on heat transfer and CHF, one resulting from a change
in the saturation temperature, and the other from a change in the latent heat of vaporization.
As pressure increases, the saturation temperature increases, but the latent heat of vaporization
decreases. As a result, CHF increases with pressure, as indicated in Figure 109 [TOD2011].
However, as the pressure approaches the critical pressure, the latent heat of vaporization
decreases to zero, reducing the CHF.
Figure 110 shows the effect of coolant outlet pressure (x-axis) for several sub-cooling levels for
forced flow in a heated tube [LEU2004]. This figure is also drawn for a given level of channel
inlet sub-cooling. Again, this figure confirms that higher inlet sub-cooling results in higher CHF.
The impact of outlet pressure must be analyzed in combination with the channel inlet pressure,
quality, and volumetric flux distribution along the channel (the channel length is 3.658 m).
Figure 111, Figure 112, and Figure 113 show CHF parametric trends for local conditions in
heated pipes [LEU2004].
The effect of heated length is shown in Figure 111. It is evident that CHF decreases with
increasing outlet quality in the channel. Moreover, as the heated length of the channel
increases, the CHF value decreases significantly. Hence, for a very short heated length, CHF can
be five times larger than for long heated lengths. This is another important observation in
terms of CANDU reactor design. Because in CANDU the fuel bundles are relatively short, the
bundle endplates and other bundle appendages can significantly improve the CHF value
(further explanations in other sections below).
Figure 110 Effect of outlet pressure on Figure 111 Effect of heated length on local
flow boiling CHF
Figure 112 shows the effect of mass flux under local conditions [LEU2004]. Similar behaviour
can be observed with regard to the impact of sub-cooling on heat flux (for negative
thermodynamic qualities). For saturated conditions, the effect of mass flux is not as important
and should be analyzed in combination with volumetric flux.
Figure 112 Effect of quality on local CHF Figure 113 Effect of tube diameter on
local CHF
Figure 113 shows, for local conditions, the impact of pipe diameter on CHF for various outlet
thermodynamic qualities [LEU2004]. It is evident that larger hydraulic diameters provide a
higher value of CHF for a given quality. Moreover, this figure confirms that for a given pipe
diameter, CHF decreases with increasing thermodynamic quality.
7.6.4.3 CHF prediction methods

Because of the many possible fuel bundle geometries, the wide range of possible flow
conditions, and the various flux distributions for advanced water-cooled reactors, it is
impossible to predict the CHF for all cases using a single CHF prediction method and achieve a
reasonable degree of accuracy. Over 400 correlations for CHF in tubes are currently in
existence [IAEA2001]. The present proliferation of correlations illustrates the complex state of
the art in predicting the CHF phenomenon, even for a simple geometry at steady-state flow
conditions. The complexity of predicting the CHF increases significantly for fuel bundle
geometries during severe transients, when additional parameters characterizing the transient
are required. This demonstrates the need to categorize the important CHF-controlling
parameters and their ranges of interest.
CHF prediction methods can be conveniently grouped into the following categories:
 Analytical models,
 Empirical correlations, and
 Look-up table methods.
Analytical CHF models
Analytical CHF models are based on physical mechanisms and satisfy the conservation
equations [IAEA2001]. They generally require a two-fluid model approach, but occasionally
must use a three-field approach (e.g., dispersed annular flow). Although these models have
been improved significantly and usually predict the correct asymptotic trends, the evaluation
process is complex and time-consuming. Furthermore, because of our limited understanding of
the mechanisms involved and the lack of measurements of interfacial parameters, the models
are still less accurate than empirical correlations over the range of their database. In addition,
the analytical models have limited application because they can be used only in situations that
resemble the conditions upon which the model assumptions are based.
The annular film dryout model is based on a mass balance on the liquid film in annular flow and
postulates that CHF corresponds to depletion of this liquid film. Equations for droplet
entrainment and deposition have been proposed. The model provides reasonable predictions
of CHF for annular flow at medium to high pressures and flows and void fractions exceeding
50%.
The bubbly layer model postulates that CHF first occurs in the lower quality regime when the
bubble layer covering the heated surface becomes so thick and saturated with bubbles that
liquid mixing between the heated surface and the cooler core liquid becomes insufficient.
The Helmholtz instability model is applicable to pool boiling, where the boiling crisis is reached
when the flow of vapour leaving the heated surface is so large that it prevents a sufficient
amount of liquid from reaching the surface to maintain the heated surface in the wet
condition. The phenomenon that limits the inflow of liquid is the Helmholtz instability, which
occurs when a counter-current flow of vapour and liquid becomes unstable.
Empirical CHF prediction methods
Empirical CHF prediction methods can be subdivided into those based on inlet conditions and
those based on local cross-sectional average (CSA) conditions [IAEA2001].
The empirical correlations based on inlet conditions (overall power correlations) are all in the
form of empirical correlations based on CSA inlet conditions (P, G, Tin, or ΔHin) and usually
assume the “overall power” hypothesis. This hypothesis states that, for a given geometry and
set of inlet conditions, the critical power (the power corresponding to the first occurrence of
CHF for that geometry) is independent of axial or radial heat flux distribution. This assumption
permits the use of CHF correlations derived from uniformly heated bundle data to predict
dryout power in non-uniformly heated bundles of identical geometry (i.e., identical cross
section and heated length). This technique is a reasonable one for obtaining a first estimate of
dryout power; it gives reasonable estimates of dryout power in the annular flow regime for
symmetric flux profiles and form factors close to unity. However, it is not recommended for
form factors significantly different from unity. This approach can also be used to predict the
critical power of fuel channels with a fixed cross section, heated length, axial flux distribution
(AFD), and radial flux distribution (RFD), irrespective of the form factor. If the experimental
AFD and RFD represent the worst flux shapes from a CHF point of view, then the empirical
correlations can be used for lower-bound predictions. The overall power correlations have
generally good prediction accuracy. The best examples of this group are the Bowring
correlation for tubes and the EPRI-2 correlation for fuel bundles [IAEA2001, TON1996,
DEL1981, BER1981, CAT2005].
The overall power correlations have limitations, including applicability only to specific
geometries, heated lengths, heat-flux profiles, and the range of conditions in the database.
Hence, any variation of these parameters (i.e., extrapolation outside the database) may affect
CHF prediction and hence predicted reactor, channel, and bundle power. Moreover, these
correlations do not exhibit the correct asymptotic and parametric trends, and the axial and
radial CHF locations cannot be predicted.
The local CHF correlations satisfy the local-conditions hypothesis, which states that the local
CHF is dependent only on local conditions and not on upstream history. In principle, the local-
conditions hypothesis is sound if it is based on true local cross-sectional average conditions.
The reference formulation of local correlations is based on the linear trend of CHF with critical
quality (transformed from the linear trend of critical power with inlet sub-cooling). Additional
terms are included for separate effects (such as axial and radial heat-flux distributions). The
local correlations must be used together with the heat-balance equation to determine critical
power and CHF location (which requires iteration). The best examples of these correlations are
the Biasi correlation for tubes and the Becker correlation for fuel bundles [IAEA2001, TON1996,
DEL1981, BER1981, CAT2005].
An important disadvantage of local correlations is a larger prediction scatter than with overall
power correlations. They are valid only for specific geometries, heat-flux profiles, and the
range of conditions in the database; any variation of these parameters may affect local flow
and enthalpy distributions and hence CHF. As with any correlations of this type, extrapolation
of the applicability range may result in incorrect predictions. Moreover, these correlations
have incorrect asymptotic and parametric trends, and radial CHF location cannot be predicted.
CHF table look-up method
Because most empirical correlations and analytical models have a limited range of application,
a more general technique is needed. This approach is based on developing a table of measured
values for different geometries and flow conditions and supplementing them in terms of key
parameters that affect CHF. This approach has become known as a look-up table method. The
look-up table includes normalized CHF data banks for reference tubes, triangular-array fuel
bundles, and CANDU fuel bundles of natural-uranium fuel in a nominal channel. The look-up
table is developed using generalized correlations and trends, and then experimental data are
superimposed to improve accuracy and ensure that parametric trends are captured. The look-
up table can be statistically extended to table matrix conditions.
The empirical bundle CHF prediction method requires an extensive database with an adequate
range of the parameters of interest. It is suitable for design calculations and for reactor power
evaluations.
The sub-channel codes predict enthalpy and flow in each fuel sub-channel. They require a sub-
channel CHF prediction method (tube-based) and a spacer mixing/enhancement model.
The enthalpy imbalance approach uses enthalpy imbalance (in terms of thermodynamic
quality) between the critical sub-channel and the bundle cross-sectional average values. It is
used in the tube-data-based CHF prediction method with a modified thermodynamic quality to
account for the enthalpy imbalance.
Currently, CANDU 6 design and safety analysis are based on the look-up table prediction
method. This method is applicable to other geometries or flow conditions through
modification factors embedded in the table. The present CHF values used in design analysis are
included in the look-up table for uniformly heated, vertical tubes of 8 mm inside diameter,
cooled with an upward flow of water. They cover the widest range of flow conditions (all
possible CHF regimes) and exhibit correct asymptotic and parametric trends (smooth transition
between various CHF regimes). In addition, detailed prediction uncertainty is available at sub-
region levels. To this point November 13 early afternoon
A sample of the CANDU look-up table is shown in Table 11 [LEU2004, IAEA2001], where CHF
values are provided in a table format as a function of pressure, mass flux, and quality. For
values of these parameters that fall between the values given in the table, an interpolation is
made to calculate the appropriate CHF value.
Table 11 Sample of CHF look-up table
PRESSURE MASS FLUX QUALITY
-2 -1
(kPa) (kg m s ) -0.5 -0.4 -0.3 -0.2 ... ... 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
7000 2500 10882 9986 8709 7496 ... ... 261 204 99 51
7000 3000 11730 10850 9620 8170 ... ... 346 263 112 52
7000 3500 12535 11558 10344 8740 ... ... 409 317 135 57
7000 4000 13317 12216 10929 9320 ... ... 470 317 136 58
7000 4500 14070 12839 11469 9769 ... ... 492 317 137 59
7000 5000 14792 13465 11954 10124 ... ... 521 326 138 63
7000 5500 15509 14000 12474 10713 ... ... 582 348 153 70
7000 6000 16208 14521 12931 11464 ... ... 655 379 179 84
7000 6500 16875 15091 13336 12214 ... ... 725 422 210 99
7000 7000 17529 15640 13763 12432 ... ... 795 476 243 116
7000 7500 18170 16174 14182 12682 ... ... 866 530 277 132
7000 8000 18806 16673 14610 12995 ... ... 936 581 312 149
8000 ... ...

0 5101 4795 4484 4175 542 456 423 364
8000 50 5714 5359 5025 4744 ... ... 1183 980 938 720
8000 100 6229 5834 5487 5235 ... ... 1678 1457 1449 1050
8000 300 6685 6179 5792 5654 ... ... 2144 1877 1538 1083
8000 500 6958 6354 5920 5763 ... ... 2068 1858 1427 917
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Compared to other available prediction methods, the look-up table approach has the following
advantages: (i) greater accuracy; (ii) wider range of application; (iii) correct asymptotic trend;
(iv) requires less computing time; and (v) can be easily updated if additional data become
available. Applying the tables to transient heat transfer in bundles requires adjustment factors
to correct for geometry, flux shape, and possibly transient effects. Here the advantages of the
tabular technique (wide range of application, greater accuracy, and greater computing
efficiency) are particularly important to the user.
The look-up table approach has some disadvantages: (i) it is a purely empirical prediction
method, and hence it does not properly reflect the physics, and (ii) it could introduce
erroneous trends if the underlying database were subject to experimental errors.
7.6.4.3.1 CHF correlations in CANDU bundles

Several CHF correlations have been developed for CANDU bundle geometry. These are mainly
based on full-scale bundle data and are used for critical channel power calculations.
An example of a general form of a flux-corrected local CHF correlation for uncrept channels is
given by [LEU2004, IAEA2001]:
a7
 qlocal 

CHFlocal  a1 P a2 G a3  a4 P a5 G a6 xcr    . (265)
 qaverage 
An example of a general form of boiling-length-average CHF correlation for uncrept and crept
channels is given by [LEU2004, IAEA2001]:
  qlocal  
b8

CHFBLA  b1 P G  b4 P G xcr
b2 b3 b5 b6
 1  b7 
 q   . (266)
  average  
The values of the parameters in the above equations are of a proprietary nature.
7.6.4.3.2 CHF correlations in fuel assemblies

Providing precise CHF predictions for the fuel bundles of advanced water-cooled reactors is a
very difficult task. Advanced water-cooled reactors designs includes a variety of bundle
geometries, as well as a variety of element spacer designs.
The basis of almost any generic bundle prediction method is a tube CHF prediction method
because (i) parametric trends with pressure, mass flux, and quality are similar in tubes and in
bundles, and (ii) tube CHF prediction methods are generally used in sub-channel codes to
predict CHF in bundles.
One of the well-known correlations for PWR fuel bundles is the Westinghouse and Tong
[IAEA2001, TON1996] correlation, which can be given by the following expression:
l
C  q "( z ')  eC (l  z ') dz '
4.23 106 1  xe (l )
7.9
q ''
q''
 cr , F  0
, C [m1 ] , (267)
q "(l ) 1  eC l 
cr , DNB
F G1.72
qcr"   2.022  0.06238  p    0.1722  0.001427  p   e18.177 0.5987 p xe 

 0.1484  1.596  xe  0.1729  xe xe   2.32  G  3271 1.157  0.869  xe  . (268)
0.2664  0.837  e 124Dh  0.8258  0.0003413  hl  hin  
" 2
The critical heat flux at the DNB, qcr , DNB (kW / m ) , is at the local heat flux (for non-uniform
heat flux), l (m) is the distance to the DNB, and xe is the local steam thermodynamic quality.
The above correlation is valid for the following parameter ranges: pressures of 5.5–13.8 (MPa),
mass fluxes of 1350–6789 (kg/m2s), hydraulic diameters of 0.005–0.0178 (m), thermodynamic
qualities of -0.15–0.15, and channel lengths of 0.254–3.658 (m).
Another useful correlation for PWR fuel bundles is given by Bowring [IAEA2001, TON1996]:
A  B  hlg x 2.317   h fg D  G / 4   F1 D G
qcr"  , A , B ,
C 1  0.0143  F2  D G 1/2
4
(269)
0.077  F3 D  G
C , pR  0.145  p
1  0.347  F4  G /1356 
n

F1  p18.942
R exp  20.89 1  pR    0.197 /1.917 
F2  F1 /  p 1.316
R 
exp  2.444 1  pR    0.309 /1.309  For pR  1 MPa , (270)
F3  p 17.023
R 
exp 16.658 1  pR    0.667 /1.667
F4  F3 p1.649
R
F1  pR0.368 exp 0.648 1  pR  

F2  F1 / pR0.448 exp 0.245 1  pR    For pR  1 MPa . (271)
F3  p 0.219
R
F4  F3 p1.649
R
The above correlation is valid for channel lengths of 0.15–3.7 (m), pressures of 0.2–19 (MPa),
and mass fluxes of 136–18,600 (kg/m2s).
The CANDU fuel CHF correlation is based on the CHF look-up table and is given by the following
expression (note that CANDU 6 uses the look-up table method, whereas the Bruce and
Darlington designs use correlations [IAEA2001]):
CHF  CHFTABLE K1K 2 K3 K 4 K 5 K 6 K 7 K8 K 9 , (272)

where K1 to K9 are modification factors to account for sub-channel specific effects (e.g.,
element gap size, sub-channel equivalent diameter, adjacent heated/unheated surfaces,
upstream spacers, etc.) and are defined as: K1 – tube diameter factor; K2 – bundle geometry
factor; K3 – spacer-effect factor; K4 – heated-length factor; K5 – axial-flux-shape factor; K6 –
circumferential-flux factor; K7 – horizontal flow factor; K8 – low-flow factor; K9 – transient-effect
factor.
7.6.4.4 CHF margin evaluation
CHF evaluation in the reactor core is of primary importance for estimating the reactor
operating margins with adequate precision and a good understanding of uncertainties. Figure
114 shows the concept of reactor operating margin evaluation as a function of reactor
operation (aging) [LEU2004, POP2014].
Figure 114 Concept of operating margins

This diagram assumes that the nominal power will remain unchanged during the reactor’s life.
Above the full nominal power are the detector drift margin and the operator’s trip
margin/fuelling/operating perturbation margin, which are also assumed to remain unchanged
during the reactor life. On top of these are the error and uncertainties margin and the trip
imperfection margin, which are also assumed to remain unchanged during the reactor life.
However, the excess margin that is embedded in the reactor core design, and which represents
all aging mechanisms having an impact on the reactor power margin, such as pressure-tube
creep, continually decreases during the reactor life (i.e., the pressure-tube life). When all these
margins are evaluated and added on top of the full nominal power, the resulting maximum
power should still be less than the reactor critical power at which CHF occurs in some fuel
channels.
From the above discussion, it is clear that CHF prediction is an important part of reactor
thermal power margin evaluation. Hence, CHF evaluation and application focusses on the
following concerns:
i. To set the operating power with a comfortable margin to avoid CHF occurrence, in
terms of the following parameters: (a) minimum CHF ratio (MCHFR) at constant
pressure, mass flux, and critical quality; (b) minimum CHF power ratio (MCHFPR) at
constant pressure, mass flux, and inlet fluid temperature; or (c) minimum power ratio
(MCPR) at constant pressure, pump characteristic, and inlet fluid temperature
ii. To evaluate the maximum sheath temperature during LOCA, LOFA, or LORA, which is
usually concerned with the first (initial) CHF location;
iii. To evaluate the thermal-hydraulic and neutronic responses to CHF occurrence in a
reactor core (trip set points), based on knowledge of how CHF spreads in the reactor
core; best-estimate predictions of average CHF and/or area in dryout as a function of
power.
For reactor transient (accident) analyses, it is important to determine sheath and fuel
temperatures. In this case, CHF is considered as the reference point for post-dryout analyses.
The set of transient analyses includes the following scenarios: loss of regulation, loss of flow,
loss of Class IV power, loss of coolant (small and large breaks), etc. More details are provided
in Chapter 16.
The following terminology is used when evaluating CHF margins:
1) Dryout (or critical heat flux, CHF) occurs when the fuel sheath can no longer maintain
continuous liquid contact. Current licensing criteria are no burnout or dryout at any
location in the fuel channel (details depend on whether the first or second trip is
considered in the analysis).
2) Critical power (CP) (also known as critical channel power, CCP) is the power
corresponding to the first CHF occurrence (at constant pump head). Determining this
requires knowledge of various disciplines (physics, fuel, fuel channel, thermal-
hydraulics, etc.).
3) Critical power ratio (CPR) is the ratio of critical power to operating power.
4) Regional overpower protection (ROP) or neutron overpower protection (NOP) is aimed
at preventing burnout in any fuel assembly during a slow LOR event. It includes full-
core analysis of all possible scenarios and establishment of trip set points for various
detectors.
Figure 115 shows the concept of critical channel power (CPR) used in the CANDU CHF margin
methodology, with channel flow shown on the y-axis and channel power on the x-axis
[IAEA2001, LEU2004, POP2014]. In this diagram, a critical parameter is any parameter
associated with the critical heat flux (CHF). Below the diagram, a CANDU fuel channel is shown,
with 12 fuel bundles and associated feeders connecting the channel to the reactor inlet and
outlet header.
The channel hydraulic curve (blue line) determines the level of channel power that can be
removed by a certain flow rate. Therefore, as power rises, the mass quality will also rise (two-
phase flow behaviour), which would result in a reduction in the mass flow rate that can be
pushed through the channel. To this point November 14 afternoon
Figure 115 Critical channel power
The CHF curve (red line) shows the CHF values for certain combinations of channel power and
flow rate. As explained in previous sections, at higher flow rates, the channel power at CHF will
also rise (with the square of the flow rate). The intersection of these two curves shows the
actual point at which CHF will be reached in the channel for a given flow rate and power.
Hence, the intersection point defines the critical flow and the critical power at CHF. The left
part of the diagram for which power is less than the critical power is defined as the pre-CHF
region, and the right side of the diagram is the post-CHF region.
Figure 116 CHF margin definitions

The concept of CHF margin is explained in Figure 116 [IAEA2001, POP2014]. The top diagram
on this figure shows heat flux on the y-axis and thermodynamic quality on the x-axis. The red
solid curve shows a prediction of CHF as a function of thermodynamic quality. Of course,
thermodynamic quality depends on channel power among other parameters, and therefore in
turn, the shape and value of the CHF curve depend on channel power.
The solid black curve shows local heat flux as a function of quality, i.e., axial position in the
channel as quality changes along the channel. Normally, under nominal conditions, the heat
flux is less than the CHF, and therefore the black curve does not touch the red curve for any
quality value. However, if the channel power is increased, the local heat flux along the channel
also increases. At a certain value of the channel power, the local heat flux will touch the CHF at
a certain position, and this position represents the power value that causes CHF (red dashed
line). On the bottom diagram, the CHF ratio is shown, defined by the ratio of the critical heat
flux (CHF) to the flux corresponding to the nominal operating power (NOP):
CHF
CHFRATIO  . (273)
qlocal
The above relation assumes constant inlet thermodynamic quality, constant outlet pressure,
and mass flux.
Figure 117 shows a comparison of CHF margin evaluation methods: the CHF ratio, the CHF
power ratio, and the critical power ratio [IAEA2001, POP2014]. The above explanation along
with Eq. (276) is illustrated on the left side of Figure 117. The MCHFR method is easy to
understand and implement. However, it does not provide a clear account of reactor power
margins because it uses heat flux instead of channel power, which makes it cumbersome to use
for power reactor applications (however, it is often used for research reactor applications).
The CHFPR method is shown on the right side of Figure 117 [IAEA2001, POP2014]. In this
method, rather than a ratio of channel heat fluxes, a ratio of channel powers is used that
represent a certain value of operating heat flux and CHF. This method provides a better
understanding of channel and reactor power margins with respect to CHF. However, it does
not provide a clear account of margins because as channel power rises to reach the CHF line,
the CHF line will also change position because it indirectly depends on channel power.
The most useful method in CANDU reactor applications is the critical power (CPR) method. The
principles of this method are explained above and illustrated in Figure 115 [IAEA2001,
POP2014]. The critical power ratio is defined by the following relation:
Critical Power
CPRATIO = . (274)
Operating Power
This relation holds for constant inlet fluid temperature and pressure and a fixed pump curve.
As is evident from this diagram, channel flow at point NOP on the hydraulic curve corresponds
to NOP power. Keeping the flow at point NOP, the corresponding heat flux that would have
resulted in CHF is at point CHF1 (the top blue point on the CHF curve), corresponding to the
critical power. CP1. The flow at point CHF (lower blue point on the CHF curve) corresponds to
the channel power. CP2.
Hence, the critical power ratio is given by the relation:
CP2
CPR 
NOP . (275)
The margin to CHF is shown as the distance between points NOP and CP 2, as can be observed
on the right side of Figure 117.
a) Critical heat flux ratio b) Critical heat flux power ratio
c) Critical power ratio
Figure 117 CHF margin evaluation methods (a, b, c)

There are a number of uncertainties in the development and application of the CHF prediction
methods and CHF margin methods covered in this section. These uncertainties need to be well
understood, classified, and evaluated and then taken into account in reactor applications. The
uncertainties can be broadly grouped into the following categories:
i. Uncertainties in CHF measurements using bundle simulators. These uncertainties can
result from errors in flow, power, pressure, and inlet temperature measurements that
are caused by (a) inadequate CHF detection methods, (b) variations in flux distribution
across/along the bundle, and (c) geometric tolerances;
ii. Prediction uncertainties in CHF correlations or sub-channel codes;
iii. Uncertainties in reactor conditions, including (a) reactor flow, pressure, and
temperature (calculated from system safety codes) and (b) reactor power
measurements (from detectors); and
iv. Uncertainties in extrapolation to in-reactor conditions resulting from (a) electrical vs.
nuclear heating; (b) flux tilts across elements, the bundle, and the core; and reactor
aging effects (creep, fouling of pipes, etc.).
7.6.4.5 CHF bundle effects – R&D testing and application
Extensive R&D support is required to gain a better understanding of CHF phenomena, including
support for development of CHF correlations and look-up tables and development of computer
tools. Any changes in design or operating parameters trigger a need for supporting R&D to
provide evidence of the applicability of the current CHF models. The general strategy in
performing supporting CHF R&D is to conduct it in an incremental fashion to minimize the cost
and optimize the work scope.
CHF experiments are usually based on constant flow conditions (inlet or outlet pressure, inlet
mass flow rate, and inlet-fluid temperature) and constant geometric factors (hydraulic
diameter and heated length) in each test series. The primary interest in these CHF experiments
is measurement of fuel power at CHF. However, determining CHF locations (both axially and
radially) is also an objective. The other measurements of interest are circumferential CHF
location, subsequent CHF occurrences (CHF spreading, or dry patch spreading), and pressure
drops along a channel experiencing CHF.
A number of CHF experiments are performed in a simple geometry consisting of one fuel
element simulator. In such case, the experimental setup consists of a pipe in which heating is
provided by direct electrical current flowing through the pipe wall and coolant flowing past the
pipe outside surface. Another option is to use indirect heating by a coil embedded in the pipe
interior. through which electrical current is supplied. In either case, the heat flux from the pipe
wall to the fluid is directly proportional to the strength of the electrical current. Axial power
profiles can be obtained by varying the pipe wall thickness in direct heating, or by changing the
number of coils per unit length in the case of indirect heating.
The pipe is equipped with various instruments to measure important parameters. Stationary or
movable thermocouples are used for wall temperature measurements. The stationary
thermocouples can measure only temperatures, i.e., burnout/dryout at specific locations in the
pipe. Therefore, these may not capture initial CHF value and location. Moreover, no
information on subsequent CHF and dry-patch spreading can be obtained with these
thermocouples. Moveable thermocouples provide coverage almost over the entire heated
length because they are moved during the experiment along the internal wall of the heated
pipe. They provide measurements of initial CHF, subsequent CHF occurrences, and dry-patch
spreading. However, they are more conservative, expensive, and time-consuming (when
scanning the entire pipe surface area).
More complex and sophisticated CHF measurements are performed in CANDU fuel bundle
simulators. One such simulator is shown in Figure 118 [LEU2004]. This fuel bundle simulator
consists of a 37-element full-scale bundle 6 m long. The bundle is provided with a simulator of
junctions and appendages and fully resembles a CANDU fuel channel. The wall heating
distribution takes into account bundle endplates and fuel distribution along the string of fuel
bundles. This device can simulate non-uniform axial and radial power distribution. Sliding
thermocouples are inserted into a number of fuel element simulators that are indirectly heated
by coils connected to the electric current source. Figure 119 shows an axial power distribution
in such a fuel bundle simulator, and as is evident in the figure, any axial variation in heat flux
can easily be simulated. Figure 120 shows a close-up view of one part of a fuel bundle and a
sliding thermocouple moving inside along the fuel element, with a sample of a measured fuel
sheath temperature [LEU2004].
Figure 118 CANDU bundle experimental simulator
Figure 119 Axial flux distribution in full-scale Figure 120 CHF variation along a heated
bundle test surface
One of the most important aspects and of CHF in fuel bundles is the impact of spacing devices,
which enhances CHF as the spacing value increases. In addition, the impact of radial power
distribution is important because it can result in asymmetric CHF occurrence in the bundle.
However, the 37-element and 43-element CANDU fuel bundle designs have enhanced features
that improve CHF design.
Figure 121 shows various spacer devices used in fuel bundle design for various reactor types
[IAEA2001]. These devices have a dual purpose: to keep the bundle tight, i.e., to minimize
radial vibration, and to enhance turbulence and thus improve CHF robustness (i.e., increase the
CHF value). In general, turbulence in pipes and fuel bundles creates better fluid mixing and
therefore easier removal of bubbles generated in sub-cooled boiling on the walls. This in turn
enables a fuel element to achieve higher heat fluxes without causing CHF by bubble crowding
on the fuel sheath surface.
Figure 121 Different types of spacer devices for CHF robustness

Figure 122 presents an illustrative example of the impact of spacer devices on CHF [IAEA2001].
On the y-axis, local critical heat flux is shown. The flow along this CANDU channel is from left
to right. Because sub-cooling is higher at the inlet, CHF is also higher. As fluid moves along the
channel, the pressure decreases, quality increases, and bulk boiling starts. The net effect of
these changes is a reduction in the CHF along the channel. However, as fluid approaches a
bundle spacer, fluid turbulence increases, causing a sharp CHF increase. If the fuel rods were
smooth along the length of the fuel channel and there were no spacers or other appendages,
the CHF would have been reduced much faster.
The benefits of more turbulence as a method of enhancing CHF robustness must be weighed
against the negative impact of higher turbulence and local pressure losses on the primary
pump head. Therefore, having too much turbulence and local pressure loss causes the primary
pump head, pump design, and particularly pump operation to become prohibitively expensive,
which may outweigh the benefit with regard to CHF.
Figure 122 CHF behaviour around fuel bundle spacer devices

CHF data have a wide range of application, and this is one of the most important R&D areas for
reactor design, safety analysis, and licensing. CHF margins are the central issue in the licensing
submissions for nuclear reactors, and this application is a strong driver for full-scale fuel bundle
data, for quantification of the impact of separate effects, and for assessment of CHF
uncertainties.
CHF R&D work is important to reach an adequate understanding of the phenomena involved
using fundamental and bundle-specific studies and parametric and separate-effects tests.
Certainly, CHF R&D is essential to develop prediction methods, i.e., CHF correlations and
models, and to validate these correlations, models, and reactor safety codes. The CHF tests
used for this purpose are a combination of bundle and separate-effects tests. The key
applications of CHF prediction methods are in ROP (or NOP) and reactor safety codes, fuel
channel behaviour codes, and fuel behaviour codes.
Experimentally measured CHF values are based on tests with defined inlet conditions. CHF
values based on inlet-flow conditions are limited to a specific channel geometry and heated
length. However, reactor safety analyses use the local-conditions approach based on local
pressure, mass flux, and quality to predict local CHF. For given inlet conditions, the local CHF
conditions may vary in terms of thermodynamic quality (or enthalpy). In such cases, low
quality (or enthalpy) is appropriate for short heated lengths and high quality (or enthalpy) for
long heated lengths. It is important to evaluate local thermodynamic quality using inlet flow
conditions and power.
When using CHF data, it is important to mention that all CHF data are obtained under steady-
state conditions in terms of power, mass flux, and sub-cooling. In safety analysis, CHF
prediction tools developed for steady-state conditions are used to simulate reactor transients.
If the transient is slow, i.e., longer than 10 s, no significant impact on the models is expected.
However, for fast transients (shorter than 1 s), a significant effect on CHF is likely.
Another important CHF application is related to thermal-hydraulic and neutronic responses to
CHF occurrence (partial bundle dryout). This application is strongly affected by the level of
success in predicting the spread of dryout in a fuel bundle. It has been experimentally
observed that the average CHF value that occurs over a large portion of the fuel sheath surface
can be much higher than the initial CHF at some cross-sectional locations. To capture such
important effects in dryout spreading, sub-channel codes are the most promising tool.
7.6.5 Transition and film boiling heat transfer

Reactor fuel channel operation beyond dryout (beyond CHF) is possible in certain transient and
accident regimes. This section provides information on post-dryout heat transfer phenomena
and on the correlations used for these heat transfer regimes.
Post-CHF (or post-dryout) heat transfer occurs when the surface temperature becomes too
high to maintain continuous liquid contact and the surface becomes covered by a continuous or
intermittent vapour blanket. Post-CHF heat transfer includes transition boiling, illustrated in
Figure 29 and Figure 123, where intermittent wetting of the heated surface takes place, and
film boiling, where the heated surface is too hot to permit liquid contact. The boundary
between these post-CHF heat transfer modes is the minimum film boiling temperature, or TMFB.
Due to the poor heat transport properties of vapour, high heated surface temperatures are
often encountered during film boiling.
7.6.5.1 Post-dryout phenomena
Several figures presented in previous sub-sections of this chapter are relevant to post-dryout
heat transfer. Figure 26 shows heat transfer regimes in vertical fuel channels, with clearly
shown areas of post-dryout heat transfer regimes in the upper part of the channel. Figure 28
shows a 3-D representation of the boiling surface for water, with transition and film boiling
indicated. Figure 29 shows a conceptual illustration of the boiling curve, again showing post-
dryout heat transfer beyond the CHF point. Figure 33 shows temperature profiles along a
vertical fuel channel experiencing various flow and heat transfer regimes, including post-dryout
heat transfer regimes in the upper part of the figure.
Post-CHF heat transfer is initiated as soon as the CHF condition is exceeded and continues until
quenching (rewetting) of the surface is achieved. Depending on the particular scenario and
flow conditions present, various heat transfer modes of the boiling curve may be distributed
along a heated surface, or a series of heat transfer modes can succeed each other over time at
the same location, as is the case during transients.
During sustained post-dryout heat transfer, the heated surface is cooled mainly by vapour flow.
Because of the relatively low heat-transfer coefficient for this heat transfer regime, the fuel
sheath is exposed to high temperature that may lead to damage. In this respect, it is important
to understand and determine the surface conditions and the coolant flow parameters at the
time CHF is reached, because these determine the impact of the post-dryout condition on the
fuel sheath.
Figure 123 shows various post-dryout flow types and heat transfer regimes on a vertical surface
[LEU2004, POP2014]. These are highly similar to those that occur in a horizontal fuel channel.
Type I post-dryout identifies a situation in which the heated surface has lost contact with the
liquid, but at one location, contact has been re-established, and this point acts as a heat sink.
In this case, heat transfer from the internal parts of the wall and from surrounding areas occurs
towards this heat sink, thus cooling the wall near the liquid-wall contact and preparing it for
quenching.
Type II represents a situation in which a heated surface in post-dryout regime is flooded by
liquid water from the top. This figure clearly shows the quench front moving downward. The
upper part of the surface is well cooled, and obviously heat transfer occurs from the lower,
hotter portions of the wall upwards towards the cooler area, which therefore acts as a local
heat sink, preparing the lower part of the surface for quenching. Type III represents a situation
similar to Type II, but in this case, quenching proceeds in an upward direction by flooding from
the bottom. Type II and Type III post-dryout regimes combine into one regime for a horizontal
surface.
Figure 123 Types of transition boiling and film

Type IV mode occurs when the heated surface in post-dryout regime is cooled by impingement
of droplets flowing past the heated wall. Each droplet impingement on the heated surface
provides a quick intermittent miniature local heat sink. However, although local surface
cooling by one droplet impingement is infinitesimally small, as many droplets impinge on the
surface, the integral effect of heat removal is significant, thus preparing the surface for
rewetting.
Types V and VI apply to horizontal surfaces in pool boiling. Type V shows droplets impinging on
the surface, with an effect similar to Type IV, whereas Type VI represents a regime in which a
water layer floats on top of a vapour film, a situation similar to that described for Type I.
Transition Boiling
Berenson [IAEA2001] provides one of the best definitions of transition boiling: a combination of
unstable film boiling and unstable nucleate boiling alternately existing at any given location on
a heating surface. The variation in heat transfer rate with temperature is primarily the result of
a change in the fraction of time that each boiling regime exists at a given location.
Figure 124 conceptually shows transition boiling in a pool boiling regime. Pockets of vapour are
visible on the heated surface and may move intermittently back and forth along the surface, as
is typical for this pool boiling situation. At any surface temperature in excess of the CHF
temperature, the heated surface is partially covered with unstable vapour patches varying over
space and time, with frequent replacement of vapour patches by fluid. Although this may
seem similar to transition pool boiling as described above, the introduction of the convective
component improves the film boiling component by reducing the vapour film thickness and
changing the heat transfer mode, whether dry or wet, from free convection to forced
convection.
Figure 124 Concept of transition boiling in pool boiling

As shown in Figure 29, the slope of the curve for transition boiling is negative, which means
that this is an unstable heat transfer regime. This heat transfer regime can occur on a
temperature-controlled surface at conditions beyond CHF. Examples of temperature-
controlled surfaces are surfaces with high thermal inertia, surfaces heated by condensing
steam (which controls temperature at the saturation point), and fuel element surfaces during
fast transients.
A heat-flux-controlled surface at conditions beyond CHF can experience transition boiling only
under conditions under which the slope of the transition boiling curve is positive (dq/dt > 0),
which is possible for mass quality above 50%, as shown in Figure 31. Note that as temperature
increases gradually with increasing heat flux, transition boiling intermittently wets and dries
the surface. In the case of high quality, even when the surface is continuously dry, the
temperature increase is not drastic due to effective convective heat transfer. Examples of
heat-flux-controlled surfaces are electric heaters and fuel elements during fast transients.
If the slope of the transition boiling curve is negative (dq/dt < 0), a rapid transition from
nucleate boiling to film boiling usually occurs, and therefore transition boiling is not
encountered (or occurs very briefly).
The periodic contacts between liquid and heated surface in the transition boiling region of the
boiling curve result in formation of large amounts of vapour, which force liquid away from the
surface and create an unstable vapour film or blanket. Because of this, the surface heat flux
and the surface temperature can vary both with time and with position on the heater. The
average heat transfer coefficient decreases as the temperature increases because the time of
contact between the liquid and the heater surface is decreased.
Heat transfer in transition boiling occurs primarily by liquid-solid contact. At the critical heat
flux point, the contact-area (or time) fraction is generally 100%, i.e., most of the surface is in
good contact with the liquid. Post-CHF conditions result in a sudden large decrease of the
contact fraction between the liquid and the heated wall surface. Thereafter, most of the heat
transferred during transition boiling will be due to droplet-wall interaction. Initially, at surface
temperatures just in excess of the boiling crisis temperature, a significant fraction of the
droplets deposit on the heated surface, but at higher wall superheats, vapour repulsion forces
become significant in repelling most of the droplets before they can contact the heated
surface. The repelled droplets contribute to heat transfer by inducing turbulence in the
boundary layer to enhance convective heat transfer to the vapour.
Figure 29 shows that transition boiling ends when the heated wall surface temperature drops
to a minimum value, called the minimum film boiling temperature, TMFB. Several names are
given to the minimum film boiling temperature. They include rewetting temperature, quench
temperature, Leidenfrost temperature, film boiling collapse temperature, and others.
During dryout and wall temperature increase, the minimum film boiling temperature separates
the high-temperature region, where film boiling or vapour cooling takes place, from the lower-
temperature region, where much more efficient heat transfer in transition boiling occurs.
Knowledge of the minimum film boiling temperature is particularly important in reactor safety
assessments.
During surface quenching (such as emergency core cooling), rewetting commences at the
minimum film boiling temperature and proceeds until nucleate boiling is established at a much
lower wall temperature. For this reason, predicting the minimum film boiling temperature as a
function of the system parameters is very important because heat transfer coefficients on
either side of the minimum film boiling temperature can differ by orders of magnitude.
Generally, TMFB is defined as the temperature at the minimum heat flux.
In summary, no liquid/sheath contact is possible for TW > TMFB, but possible liquid/fuel sheath
contact exists for TW < TMFB:
qMIN
TW ,MIN  . (276)
hFB
Film boiling
Two theories have been proposed for analytical prediction of the minimum film boiling
temperature. One theory says that the minimum temperature is a thermodynamic property of
the fluid (i.e., the maximum liquid temperature) and therefore is primarily a function of
pressure. According to this theory, the minimum film boiling temperature is associated with
the maximum liquid superheat (beyond which the nucleation rate is infinite and liquid cannot
exist). This theory comes from the equation of state and from homogeneous nucleation
theory.
Figure 125 Minimum film pool boiling – Taylor instability
The other minimum film boiling theory suggests that rewetting commences due to
hydrodynamic instabilities that depend on the velocities, densities, and viscosities of both
phases as well as the surface tension at the liquid-vapour interface. By this theory, the
minimum heat flux associated with the minimum film boiling temperature can be predicted
from Taylor’s instability criterion. Figure 125 illustrates the theory of Taylor’s instability
[LEU2004, POP2014, DEL1981, BER1981]. This figure shows a chunk of liquid that floats on top
of a vapour film above a heated surface. The instability results from gravity acting on the liquid
as a heavier phase on the top, and on the vapour as a much lighter phase at the bottom.
During fast transitions, where insufficient time is available to develop hydrodynamic forces
fully, rewetting can be expected to be thermodynamically controlled, whereas for low flows
and low pressures, where sufficient time is available and the volumetric expansion of the fluid
near the wall is large, rewetting is more likely to be hydrodynamically controlled. Once
rewetting has occurred locally, the rewetting front can then propagate at a rate controlled
primarily by axial heat conduction in the heated wall.
Figure 126 [LEU2004, POP2014] shows various film boiling types in pool boiling and forced
convection flow situations.
Figure 126 Film boiling types

Film boiling is generally defined as that mode of boiling heat transfer in which only the vapour
phase is in contact with the heated surface (see Figure 125 and Figure 126). The term is used in
forced convective boiling to refer to conditions under which the liquid does not contact the
heated surface, but is usually in one of the following forms (shown on Figure 126 and Figure 32)
a) a dispersed spray of droplets, normally encountered at void fractions in excess of
80% (liquid-deficient or dispersed-flow film boiling regime);
b) a continuous liquid core (surrounded by a vapour annulus which may contain

entrained droplets), usually encountered at void fractions below 40% (inverted
annular film boiling or inverted annular-flow boiling regime (IAFB)); and
c) a transition between these two cases, which can take the form of an inverted slug
flow for low to medium flow.
Figure 127 Pool film boiling mechanisms with horizontal heated wall
Figure 128 Pool film boiling patterns

The flow and heat transfer regimes types described above are illustrated in Figure 126. This
figure also shows an example of stratified flow film boiling that is relevant to CANDU reactor
channels. Figure 128 shows pool film boiling at a vertical wall and at a horizontal cylinder in
stagnant water.
The dispersed flow film boiling regime, shown in Figure 129 at the bottom, is the most
commonly encountered and has been well studied. Its heated surface temperature is
moderate. In the inverted annular and inverted slug flow regimes, shown at the top of Figure
129, excessive surface temperatures are frequently encountered (see Figure 104 and Figure
105). Radiation heat transfer, which is unimportant in transition boiling, becomes important in
film boiling, particularly at low flows, low void fractions, and surface temperatures in excess of
700°C.
Figure 129 Forced convection film boiling patterns

When the flow and heat transfer regime is film boiling with the presence of liquid, several heat
transfer regimes occur, as shown in Figure 130. On the left side of Figure 130, a film boiling
regime with droplets in the middle of the pipe is illustrated. On the right side of Figure 130, a
film boiling regime with a liquid core in the middle of the pipe is illustrated [POP2014,
LEU2004]. These two flow regimes correspond to the regimes shown in Figure 129. The y-axis
represents temperature or velocity, whereas the x-axis represents distance from the heated
wall, along with heat flux direction.
In both cases, close to the wall, a gradual change of temperature or velocity is indicated, as
appropriate for a boundary layer in a laminar flow regime. On the left side, the liquid droplets
are assumed to be small, as is appropriate for dispersed flow. In such a case, the droplets are
assumed to be at saturation. Hence, the temperature profile in the channel shows a
superheated wall (temperature above the saturation temperature for a given pressure) and
superheated steam in the pipe core.
Figure 130 Film boiling heat transfer temperature and velocity profiles
Away from the wall, temperature drops quickly to a lower value in the boundary layer, but still
remains above saturation. At the steam-droplet interface, temperature is close to saturation
and continues to be at saturation inside the droplet. The velocity is near zero along the wall
and rises in the boundary layer to a value representing steam bulk velocity. The steam velocity
is higher than the liquid velocity, and this velocity difference, and the associated interfacial
friction between the phases, carries the droplets upward. Because water is a much heavier
fluid than steam, a large velocity difference between water and steam is needed to produce
sufficient interfacial friction to carry the droplets in steam flow.
The heat flux direction on the left side of Figure 130 is from the wall to the vapour, and then
from the vapour to the liquid-droplet interface. Because the liquid droplets are saturated, any
heat added to the droplets results in a certain mass of liquid evaporating and joining the
vapour flow, and therefore liquid droplets continue to lose mass as they flow along the
superheated vapour flow. Heat radiation from the wall to the vapour and the droplets is
important only if the wall temperature is substantially above the saturation and steam
temperatures.
The right side of Figure 130 shows a film boiling regime with a liquid core in the pipe. In this
case, the velocity profile is similar to the one on the left, with the vapour velocity being higher
than the liquid velocity because the vapour is a much lighter fluid. The temperature profile
from the heated wall to the vapour is also similar. However, because the liquid core contains a
large volume of liquid, its internal temperature is assumed to be sub-cooled. Hence, the
vapour-liquid interface must be at saturation to maintain a continuous temperature profile. A
thin thermal boundary layer around the vapour-liquid interface with a steep temperature
change is evident.
In the inverted annular flow regime, few entrained droplets can be present in the steam film,
whereas the bulk of the liquid is in the form of a continuous liquid core that may contain
entrained bubbles. In dryout, the continuous liquid core becomes separated from the wall by a
steam layer that can accommodate steep velocity gradients. As a stable steam blanket is
formed, heat is transferred from the wall to the steam and subsequently from the steam to the
liquid core. For very thin steam films, heat transfer from the wall to the liquid is primarily by
conduction across a laminar steam film. For thicker steam films, turbulent flow occurs in the
film, and the liquid-steam interface becomes agitated. Heat transfer across the wavy steam-
liquid interface takes place by forced convection. This mode of heat transfer is much more
efficient than single-phase convective heat transfer between the smooth wall and the steam.
Hence, it is assumed that the bulk of the steam is at or close to the liquid core interface
temperature (i.e., the saturation temperature).
The heat flux direction on the right side of Figure 130 is from the wall to the steam, from the
steam to the liquid interface, and from the liquid interface to the liquid internal body. Note
that the heat flux from the steam to the liquid interface is partitioned into a part that is used to
evaporate a portion of the liquid interface and a part that is directed to the internal liquid body
as convective heating of the liquid. As mentioned above, heat radiation from the wall to the
steam and the liquid core is important only if the wall temperature is substantially above the
saturation and steam temperatures.
Heat transfer from the wall to the vapour and from the vapour to the liquid will depend on the
conditions of the surfaces, the flow patterns, and other parameters. This topic and the specific
heat transfer correlations are described in the section below.
Figure 131 shows various heat transfer regimes in film boiling of a dispersed droplet regime, as
described above [POP2014, LEU2004]. Solid lines in this figure indicate heat fluxes and their
directions, whereas the dashed line indicates mass transfer by evaporation.
Figure 131 Film boiling heat transfer mechanisms
7.6.5.2 Post-dryout prediction methods and heat transfer correlations
As mentioned before for other heat transfer regimes, many heat transfer correlations have
been developed for post-dryout heat transfer regimes. The key correlations and those that are
most widely in use are covered in this section.
Accurate prediction of wall temperature in the film boiling regime is of vital importance in
accident safety analysis of the core and steam generators of advanced water-cooled reactors.
The following four methods for estimating film boiling heat transfer are commonly used:
i. Semi-theoretical equations for pool film boiling;
ii. Semi-theoretical models to predict flow film boiling. They are based on the appropriate
constitutive equations, some of which are empirical in nature;
iii. Purely empirical correlations for flow film boiling, which do not account for any of the
physics, but instead assume a forced convective-type correlation; and
iv. Phenomenological equations for flow film boiling, which account for thermal
disequilibrium and attempt to predict the “true” vapour quality and vapour
temperature.
Transition boiling
The wall temperature at the initiation of transition boiling can be calculated using the CHF
correlation (the lower limit temperature) [IAEA2001]:
qCHF
TW ,CHF   TSAT , (277)
hNB
where qCHF is the heat flux at CHF and hNB is the nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficient.
The upper wall temperature limit that occurs in transition boiling is the minimum wall film
boiling temperature:
qMFB
TMFB   TSAT , (278)
hMFB
where qMFB is the minimum film-boiling heat flux and hFB is the film-boiling heat transfer
coefficient. Note that in general, heat transfer coefficients decrease from nucleate boiling to
transition boiling and then to film boiling, i.e., hNB > hTB > hFB.
Transition boiling is encountered only within a relatively narrow temperature range. For
example, for water at 10 MPa, the transition boiling wall temperature range is 300oC < TTB <
373oC.
Tong [IAEA2001, TON1996] has developed a transition boiling correlation that is frequently
used:
kg
hTB  39.75  e0.144T  2.3 105 e105/ T Rev0.8 Prv0.4 . (279)
De
Very often, correlations containing boiling and convective components (valid for transition and
film boiling) are used, such as [IAEA2001]:
k 
hTB  A  e BTSAT   v   a  Rebv  Prvc . (280)
D
An example of a phenomenological correlation (valid for transition and film boiling) is the one
proposed by Tong & Young and by Iloeje [IAEA2001]:
q  qdc  qndc  qconv . (281)

An example of an empirical correlation (valid for transition boiling only) independent of CHF
and minimum film boiling has been proposed by Ellion [IAEA2001]:
qTB  4.56 1011   TSAT 

2.4
. (282)
Film boiling
In addition to the above correlations, which are applicable to both transition and film boiling,
the minimum film boiling temperature can be given by the following correlation [IAEA2001,
DEL1981, COL1972]:
h 104
TW , MIN  284.7  0.0441 P  3.72 106 P 2  , Pressure  9000 kPa
(2.82  0.00122 P)h fg
. (283)
PCRIT  P
TW , MIN  TSAT  TW , MIN , 9000 kPa , Pressure  9000 kPa
PCRIT  9000
There is general agreement that the modified Bromley equation [IAEA2001] for film boiling can
be used for horizontal surfaces in pool boiling:
1/4
  3      v   r  g 1 g    v  
hFB  0.62   v v   . (284)
 Ts  v 2  
This correlation is valid for pressures of 100–9000 kPa, mass fluxes of 50–4500 kg.m-2s-1,
qualities of 0.15–0.40, sub-cooling of 0oC–50oC, and tube diameters of 9–12 mm.
A general correlation for post-CHF conditions in tubes has been proposed by Groeneveld (1973)
[IAEA2001]:
b

a  kg    g  
 x    1  x)    Prg Y
c d
hpcr ,ld  Reg
De     l   . (285)
0.4
  G  De
Y  1  0.1 l  1
  1  x  , Reg 
 g  g
For tubes, a=1.09ˑ10-3, b=0.989, c=1.41, d=-1.15. This correlation is valid for equivalent
diameters of 2.5–25 mm, pressures of 6.8–21.5 MPa, mass fluxes of 700–5300 kg/m2s, heat
fluxes of 120–2100 kW/m2, and qualities of 0.1–0.9.
Post-dryout look-up table
The post-dryout bundle look-up table method appears to be a suitable approach for the
following reasons:
i. Relatively simple to use;
ii. Provides correct asymptotic and parametric trends;
iii. Uses the most universal method with the best overall fit to the fully developed film
boiling data base; and
iv. With embedded modifications for complex geometries, it can be used to account for
CANDU fuel bundle effects such as geometry and spacer devices.
Table 12 Sample of PDO look-up table [IAEA2001]
Xe ΔTW = ΔTW = ΔTW = ΔTW = ΔTW = ΔTW = ΔTW = ΔTW = ΔTW = ΔTW = ΔTW =
50 K 100 K 200 K 300 K 400 K 500 K 600 K 750 K 900 K 1050 K 1200 K
-0.10 1.5664 1.504 1.474 1.358 1.177 1.134 1.280 1.395 1.532 1.705 1.833
-0.05 1.414 1.311 1.275 1.194 1.026 0.981 1.131 1.210 1.356 1.499 1.625
0.00 1.257 1.164 1.106 1.071 1.006 1.048 1.120 1.198 1.283 1.369 1.456
0.05 1.513 1.393 1.223 1.126 1.141 1.270 1.273 1.352 1.371 1.397 1.430
0.10 1.654 1.547 1.318 1.264 1.361 1.476 1.459 1.492 1.483 1.483 1.472
0.20 1.700 1.617 1.427 1.394 1.504 1.655 1.643 1.704 1.704 1.712 1.688
0.40 2.629 2.582 2.547 2.368 2.334 2.393 2.401 2.447 2.456 2.470 2.479
0.60 4.229 4.008 3.750 3.483 3.324 3.285 3.344 3.046 3.119 3.188 3.249
0.80 5.507 5.203 4.488 4.088 3.983 3.936 3.963 3.906 3.955 4.012 4.088
1.00 8.103 7.061 5.500 4.692 4.446 4.605 4.796 5.061 5.264 5.457 5.627
1.20 10.27 8.893 6.784 5.176 5.028 5.471 5.639 6.038 6.296 6.549 6.775
1.40 10.80 9.683 7.906 6.412 5.854 6.206 5.983 6.632 6.846 7.065 7.275
1.60 8.327 8.087 7.856 7.222 6.694 6.780 6.763 6.936 7.107 7.277 7.477
(2001 Film Boiling Table, P=9000 kPa, G=1500kg.m-2, H in kW.m.K-1)

A sample extract from a post-dryout look-up table is provided in Table 12. This table provides
the heat transfer coefficient for given values of pressure, mass flux, quality, and wall superheat.
Current look-up tables do not yet properly account for developing flow effects, in particular
those that usually occur during accident scenarios. This effect is accounted for using specific
correction factors. The film boiling look-up table method has been used for the following
applications:
i. As a normalized database for validation of film boiling models; and
ii. As an alternative to certain film boiling models which cover only limited ranges of flow
conditions.
7.6.5.3 Post-dryout heat transfer R&D in CANDU fuel bundles
Prediction of post-dryout heat transfer in fuel bundles, particularly film boiling heat transfer, is
much more complex than that of CHF. Aside from requiring a fourth parameter in the look-up
table (“heat flux”), non-equilibrium effects must also be considered, especially in the region
just downstream of the quench, near flow obstructions, and at low flows. Fuel bundles are
equipped with bundle appendages (as in CANDUs) or grid spacers. These appendages have a
CHF- and heat transfer-enhancing effect and also a de-superheating effect, thus reducing the
degree of disequilibrium. They can also create multiple quench fronts.
Many experimental tests have been conducted with regard to post-dryout heat transfer to
investigate phenomena, develop correlations, and test prediction methods. For such
experiments, well-instrumented fuel bundles are required. Figure 132 show a cross section of a
fuel bundle with 37 elements at the dryout plane and the appendages plane. A number of fuel
element simulators were equipped with movable temperature thermocouples. For each of the
instrumented fuel elements, using different colour codes, dry-patch spreading is indicated by a
circular line around the element for each overpower test. Different behaviour is evident for
different fuel elements, depending on the flow and heat transfer regimes that occur. These
experiments provide very useful information about post-dryout heat transfer in a fuel bundle.
The objective of these experiments is to measure temperature profiles in various flow regimes,
such as dispersed flow film boiling, and to measure dryout or dry-patch spreading around the
bundle. The sheath temperature in such a heat transfer regime rises gradually with power or
decreasing flow, i.e., it is controllable with flow condition variation. Maximum sheath
temperature is predictable and occurs at locations just upstream of appendage planes. Dry
patches are stable and propagate gradually with flow condition variations, which makes these
experiments easily controllable and measurable. In Figure 132, it can be readily seen that at
different overpower levels (i.e., power above nominal power), a different extent of wall
circumference was in dryout for different fuel pins [LEU2004]. On the left side, a test fuel
bundle is shown, with instrumented fuel pins shaded. The right side shows, using different
colours, the portions of the circumference of a fuel pin that were measured to be in dryout at
different overpower levels. Generally, the higher the power above nominal power, the larger
was the portion of the circumference that was in dryout.
Figure 132 Bundle dry patches in the dryout plane

Two types of tests were conducted, with water and with Freon. The water experiments
provided direct confirmation of post-dryout behaviour and closely resembled the phenomena
that occur in a CANDU fuel channel. However, these experiments are rather expensive. Freon
experiments use a lighter element, Freon R134a, which has a much lower saturation pressure,
and therefore these experiments are easier to perform, induce less burden on the survivability
of the materials at post-dryout conditions, and enable reuse of the experimental test
equipment. However, for these experiments, scaling techniques are needed to convert the
collected information to conditions applicable to CANDU.
Many post-dryout water experiments with fuel bundles have used fixed thermocouples
attached to the sheath. In these experiments, surface coverage was limited; details of sheath-
temperature variation downstream of appendages and spacer grids were not available; and the
extent of dry patches, in both axial and circumferential directions, could not be quantified.
Experiments have also been performed with CANDU 37-element bundles in high-pressure
steam-water flow using movable thermocouples. In this case, increased surface coverage was
achieved, i.e., more temperature measurements were collected at different places along the
fuel element. However, a limited range of powers was applied to avoid damaging the fuel
simulator.
A CANDU fuel bundle simulator for post-dryout water experiments is shown in Figure 118. It
consists of a 6 m-long full-scale bundle string of fuel elements with junctions and appendages.
In these experiments, a uniform axial power profile and a non-uniform radial power profile
were used, simulating natural uranium fuel. Sliding thermocouples were installed inside rods
at several downstream bundles in the string.
CANDU bundle post-dryout Freon experiments were also performed with movable
thermocouples inside the elements of a CANDU 37-element bundle simulator. In these
experiments, because of the lower power, temperature, and pressure conditions, fine axial and
radial movements were achievable, providing detailed temperature profiles. Freon-134a was
used as a coolant, enabling low operating power and sheath temperature and high overpower
ratios (i.e., local-to-critical power ratios). With Freon, a relatively wide range of test conditions
could be investigated because these experiments were not as expensive as the water
experiments.
Figure 133 shows a circumferential distribution of sheath temperatures in a Freon-cooled post-
dryout bundle experiment as a function of overpower percentage [LEU2004]. Nominal power
means 0% overpower. This figure shows the results of tests on various overpower situations,
up to 60% higher than nominal power.
Figure 133 Bundle circumferential temperature profiles

Virtually all film boiling prediction methods are based on correlations derived for tubes. Using
them to predict fuel-bundle sheath temperatures is common practice, but the following
bundle-specific factors and impacts must be considered:
i. Bundle enthalpy and flow imbalance;
ii. Heat transfer enhancement downstream of grids or spacers;
iii. Adjacent surface wetness or cooling near the pressure tube wall;
iv. Narrow gaps between elements

v. Lower wall friction in dry portions of bundles (resulting in higher flow in dry sub-
channels);
vi. Non-circular sub-channel cross-sectional shape;
vii. Presence of axial dry streaks in partially dry fuel bundles.
Reactor safety codes, particularly sub-channel codes that can model variation of flow
parameters across a fuel bundle, may account for some, but not all of these effects. When the
heat flux of a rod surface facing a given sub-channel exceeds the local CHF, both the wall-fluid
heat transfer coefficient and the wall friction factor are reduced drastically. By keeping track of
the circumferential dry-patch fraction (CDF) and the axial dry-patch length (ADL) for each rod
facing each sub-channel, the flow and enthalpy distribution as well as that of the film-boiling
heat transfer coefficient can be evaluated. This enables evaluation of the fuel temperature
distribution and prediction of the extent of fuel melting. This approach is now being
incorporated in some sub-channel codes to enable detailed prediction of the cladding
temperature distribution.
Aside from cross-sectional differences, the global and local effects of the grid or spacers on wall
heat transfer, quench behaviour, and interface mass and energy transport are usually not well
known, or at best are included by means of an empirical fix for each grid spacer configuration.
In general, (grid) spacers can have the following effects:
i. Promote rewetting downstream of the grid due to the higher turbulence level (i.e., can
induce multiple quench fronts);
ii. Act as cooling fins;
iii. Cause de-superheating of vapour;
iv. Cause an increase in the liquid-vapour interfacial area by breaking up droplets or liquid
core;
v. Homogenize flow by promoting turbulence.
7.6.5.4 Post-dryout applications and analyses
The application of post-dryout heat transfer is focussed on the safety analysis of postulated
events in power reactors, including CANDU. More details about safety analysis of power
reactors are provided in Chapter 16, and in this section, these topics are considered only from
the perspective of heat transfer.
7.6.6 Single-phase heat transfer to vapour

Single-phase heat transfer to superheated steam is important because it provides an
asymptotic value for film boiling heat transfer for cases when the actual quality approached
100%. A number of tube-based correlations have been proposed; all are of the Dittus-Boelter
type and give similar predictions. The following equation is frequently used.
Miropolskiy (1975) equation [IAEA2001, DEL1981, BER1981]:
Nug  hg D / g  0.028  Reg0.8 Prg0.4  w /  g 

1.15
, (286)
where Reg=G⋅X⋅D/μg and ρw is vapour density at wall surface temperature. This correlation is
valid for pressures of 4–22 MPa, mass fluxes up to 0.42 Mgˑm-2s-1, ρl/ρg=0.5–0.9, and Re=105–
106.
7.6.7 Problems
1. Explain the most important aspects of the three approaches of calculating reactor
dryout margins: by CHF ratio, by critical CHF power ratio, and by critical power ration.
Provide comments on the applicability of these three approaches.
2. Describe the three main mechanisms that lead to dryout in forced flow in horizontal
heated pipes. With respect to these mechanisms, provide explanation on the difference
between heated tubes and fuel channels with fuel bundles.
3. Provide explanation about the difference in the following terms boiling crises CHF,
dryout, burnout, departure from nucleate boiling, and post-dryout in fuel bundles.
Provide examples of conditions where these terms are applicable.
4. Explain the most important parameters that affect CHF, and explain the parametric
trends that are used to gain appropriate understanding of the dryout in heated pipes
and fuel bundles.
5. Explain the main transition boiling and film boiling types in vertical and horizontal pipes
and channels, list the heat transfer modes and provide explanation on the importance
of these modes.
6. A PWR reactor uses UO2 cylindrical fuel pellets, 12.7-mm diameter, with a helium-filled
gap of 0.075 mm, and Zr cladding of 0.762 mm. The fuel rods are arranged in a square
lattice, with a pitch of 1.8 cm. At a particular section, the bulk water temperature and
velocity are 270°C and 4.5 m/s respectively. The volumetric heat generation at this
location is 5 x 104 kW/m3. Calculate (a) the convective heat transfer coefficient using
the Dittus-Boelter equation, and (b) the minimum system pressure so that no boiling
occurs in the film.
7. Calculate the local CHF for vertical upward flow of water inside a uniformly heated tube
(0.012 m ID) at the following conditions: pressure 8200 kPa, mass flux 5000 kg.m -2.s-1,
and quality 0.175. Use the most appropriate correlation for these flow conditions.
8. Using the most appropriate correlation calculate the post-dryout wall temperature for a
vertical water-cooled tube of 0.015 m inside diameter. The following parameters are
given: inlet temperature 250oC, inlet pressure 9 500 kPa, mass flux 3961 kg.m-2.s-1, local
pressure 9400 kPa, local heat flux 1500 kW/m2, local quality 0.225.
9. Evaluate the dryout power for a 3658-m-long tube of 0.0095 m ID, heated with a
symmetric-cosine heat flux. The flux profile has been discretized as
Length 0.05 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.81 1.01 1.21 1.42 1.62 1.82
0.0
(m) 1 3 6 7 3 6 9 2 6 9
qloc/qavg 0.3 0.37 0.45 0.66 0.86 1.03 1.17 1.27 1.33 1.38 1.35
Length 2.03 2.23 2.43 2.64 2.84 3.04 3.25 3.45 3.60 3.65
(m) 2 5 8 2 5 8 1 4 7 8
qloc/qavg 1.38 1.33 1.27 1.17 1.03 0.86 0.66 0.45 0.37 0.30
More nodes can be introduced to improve the accuracy of the predictions of dryout
location and power. Theoretically, an infinite number of nodes should be used for a
smooth profile. For a stepped profile, the number of nodes corresponds to the number
of steps since dryout generally occurs at the end of a step.
The flow conditions are: pressure 6930 kPa, mass flux 2050 kg.m -2.s-1, and inlet
subcooling 280.75 kJ/kg.
10. A pressure tube, with inside diameter of 103.86 mm, contains twelve 37-element
bundles of the following dimension: bundle length: 495.3 mm, and fuel element outer
diameter 13.06 mm.
Total power generated over the bundle string is 6.3 MW, and the axial power profile is
uniform. The channel is cooled with a flow of light water at the following conditions:
outlet pressure 9 MPa, mass flow rate: 17 kg/s, inlet fluid temperature 265C.
Evaluate dryout power ratio for this channel, and surface temperature distribution
along the bundle string at an overpower of 10% (overpower is defined as (String-
Power/Dryout-Power – 1)*100%).
Previous research findings appropriate to this problem:
 Heat-transfer coefficient at nucleate boiling for the 37-element bundle is 120
kW/(m2oK) at the pressure of 9 MPa, mass flux of 5 Mg/(m 2 s) and quality of
20%.
 Heat-transfer coefficient at single-phase liquid flow is about 50% of that at
nucleate boiling.
 CHF in the 37-element bundle is 20% lower than that in tubes based on cross-
sectional average flow conditions.
 Heat-transfer coefficient at fully developed film boiling for the 37-element
bundle is the same as that for tubes.
 Overall loss coefficient is 1.7 for a 37-element bundle inside a pressure tube of
103.86 mm.
 The homogeneous equation is the most appropriate for two-phase multiplier.
Basic assumptions:
 Nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficient does not vary with flow conditions.
 Fully developed film-boiling heat transfer is reached once local heat flux exceeds
CHF.
 Equilibrium flow in the channel.
 Pressure drop due to acceleration is negligible.
11. In the middle of a reactor channel of a PWR reactor the bulk coolant temperature of the
turbulent coolant flow is 310oC at pressure of 14 MPa. The heat transfer coefficient in
nuclear boiling is 4.44 MW/m2 oK. Calculate the minimum heat flux at that location to
initiate nucleate boiling.
12. Water enters a heated tube of 2.5 cm diameter at 12 MPa and velocity of 2.5 m/s. The
linear heat load in the tube is constant at 100 kW/m. Calculate the distance in the tube
at which nucleate boiling starts, and distance at which it converts to bulk boiling.
Compare the heat transfer coefficients for forced convective heat transfer with these
for nucleate boiling and bulk boiling.
13. A pipe of 15 mm diameter and 3.5 m length is heated with a constant heat flux, and
total heat load of 200 kW (appropriately insulated, i.e., no heat losses). The pipe is
cooled by water at 150oC and pressure of 2 MPa, which flows through the pipe with
enters into the pipe with a velocity of 3 m/s. Calculate the mass flux of the water, and
the minimum ratio of the heat flux in the pipe and the critical heat flux.
14. Boiling water reactor operates at average pressure in the core of 8 MPa, and the
recirculation ratio of 7:1. The average velocity of the two-phase mixture in the core is 8
m/s. Calculate the critical heat flux at the exit of the reactor core channel.
15. List and explain the most important geometrical factors that have significant impact on
CHF in horizontal fuel channels.
7.7 Critical flow

Consider a situation in which fluid discharges from a container at high pressure to a container
at lower pressure, or to ambient at lower pressure (back-pressure). When the back-pressure is
reduced below a constant upstream pressure in a flow system, flow begins because of the
pressure gradient established in the connecting channel between the upstream container and
downstream towards the channel exit. The flow increases as the back-pressure is reduced
further. When the back-pressure is sufficiently reduced to cause the flow velocity at the
channel exit to be equal to the speed of sound at the channel exit temperature and pressure,
the mass flow at the exit attains a maximum value. Further reduction in the back-pressure
results in no further increase in mass flow rate; the flow remains at the maximum value and is
referred to as “critical”. The channel, and the flow, are also called “restricted” or “chocked”.
Because the back-pressure is less than the pressure resulting in critical flow, free fluid
expansion can occur between the exit (at exit pressure) and the ambient (at back-pressure)
outside the channel, and the flow takes on a paraboloid shape in this region. This situation can
be observed by many flow and measurement systems.
The critical flow phenomenon occurs in both single- and two- phase flow when the velocity of
the two-phase mixture is controlled by its upper limit, i.e., the sonic velocity of the mixture.
That velocity is a very strong function of quality, varying from ~300 m/s for single-phase steam
to ~1400 m/s for single-phase liquid water.
In nuclear reactors, this phenomenon is important for safety analysis of both boiling and
pressurized systems. A break in a primary coolant pipe causes two-phase critical flow in either
system because even in a pressurized reactor, the reduction in hot coolant pressure from about
10 MPa to near-atmospheric causes flashing and two-phase flow. This kind of break results in a
rapid loss of coolant and is considered to be a credible design basis accident in power reactors
built to date. This is further explained in Chapter 16.
An evaluation of the flow rate in critical two-phase systems is therefore important for designing
emergency cooling systems and for determining the extent and causes of damage in accidents.
Further details on modelling critical flow in nuclear reactor primary heat transport systems are
provided in Chapter 7.
7.8 Water hammer

Water hammer is an important phenomenon that requires attention by thermal-hydraulic
designers and plant operators. This phenomenon can result in equipment damage and can
affect the performance or functionality of certain equipment. Therefore, it is important to
have a good understanding of this phenomenon so that appropriate prevention, mitigation,
and accommodation measures can be undertaken to reduce the risk of its occurrence in
nuclear power plant cooling systems.
Detailed coverage of the water hammer phenomenon and its prevention, mitigation, and
accommodation are beyond the scope of this textbook, but appropriate information can be
found in the literature [EPRI1996] and in the suggestions for further reading at the end of this
textbook. This section reviews basic information about water hammer and provides
elementary guidance to thermal-hydraulic engineers and designers.
7.8.1 Types of water hammer

Water hammer events have been observed and reported widely in PWR, BWR, CANDU, and
other nuclear power plants in various coolant or support systems. These events have provided
valuable information on the types and strength of the water hammer effect, which has been
used to develop defensive strategies.
Water hammer events can be classified into two broad groups: water hammer events in single-
phase liquid or gas, and two-phase water hammer events.
Most water hammer events in nuclear power plants fall into the first group and are caused by
rapid acceleration or deceleration of single-phase liquid flowing in a piping system. Rapid
acceleration can be created by rapid valve closure, which results in pressure waves that
propagate in the piping system at sonic velocity. Figure 134 shows two examples of single-
phase water hammer; Case A shows rapid valve closure causing water hammer. Case B shows
check-valve action downstream of a pump triggering water hammer [EPRI1996].
a) Fast valve closure b) Pump check valve closure

Figure 134 Rapid valve operation
The necessary physical and mechanical conditions required for water hammer to occur exist all
the time in nuclear power plants. Most nuclear power plants have design and operational
provisions to prevent severe water hammer from occurring, but nevertheless, in unanticipated
situations, water hammer events do occur. Usually water hammer transients are typically
caused by pump start, pump trip, control or isolation valve operation, check valve closure,
safety or relief valve operation, main steam turbine trip, and filling of empty systems. All these
normally occur in single-phase flow conditions and can be easily predicted by conventional
water hammer analysis techniques.
Two-phase water hammer events can be of several types. These events are more complex to
analyze, have a strong impact on pump operation, and can cause significant damage to pipe
components and pipe supports. Six transient scenarios lead to water hammer events with
various probabilities and strengths, with most of them related to steam condensation-induced
water hammer.
1. Flow of sub-cooled water with condensing steam in a vertical pipe (Figure 135)
This type of water hammer is a typical BWR case in which, during a large LOCA event,
steam lines discharge water into the suppression pool. If the valve is quickly closed or
reduced significantly, a steam pocket remaining in the steam line can condense rapidly,
which pulls water from the suppression pool towards the valve, thus creating water
hammer [EPRI1996, POP2014].
Figure 135 Flow of sub-cooled water with steam condensing in vertical pipe (water cannon)
2. Counter-current flow of steam and water in a horizontal pipe (Figure 136)

This situation occurs in PWR feedwater lines and in CANDU feeders [POP2014]. In
horizontal stratified flow, a large interface area exists between sub-cooled water and
steam. Therefore, the steam flow is subjected to fast condensation, which induces an
increase in steam flow from the upper pipe. Under certain conditions, the counter-
current flow can transition to slug flow and create a steam pocket. When the steam
pocket collapses as a result of condensation, severe water hammer can occur. Long
feeder sections are particularly vulnerable to steam trapping and this type of water
hammer. The advanced CANDU design addresses this problem by having feeders
slightly tilted, so that an escape route for steam is provided.
Figure 136 Counter-current flow of steam and water in a horizontal pipe

3. Pressurized water entering a vertical pipe filled with steam (Figure 137)
This type of water hammer can occur in any of the PWR and BWR reactors with refilling
of a steam-filled pipe either from the bottom or from the top [EPRI1996]. If pressurized
sub-cooled water enters a pipe filled with steam in a piston flow regime, it can create
steam trapping. The filling rate for this situation is determined by the inertia of the
liquid and the pressure induced by the pump or other refilling device. Water hammer
occurs in this situation if the refilling rate is higher than the bubble rise velocity for the
top refilling case. This type of water hammer can also occur in CANDU reactors.
Figure 137 Pressurized water flowing in a vertical pipe filled with steam
4. Hot water entering a low-pressure line (Figure 138)
This type of water hammer can occur in PWRs, BWRs, and CANDUs. In this case, hot
water flowing down the pipe will flash and create a pressure wave flowing upstream,
thus creating water hammer on the upstream valve. The cold part of the sub-cooled
water that was initially outside and below the pressure vessel can create water hammer
on the downstream valve as it enters the steam-filled part of the pipe [EPRI1996].
Figure 138 Hot water entering a lower-pressure line

5. Water slug driven by steam (Figure 139)
This type of water hammer can occur in a piping system that collects condensate
upstream of a closed valve or can collect condensate in certain portions of the piping
systems that are normally filled with steam. Water hammer can occur when the valve
opens and this steam drives the water slug at high speed. The slug can be accelerated
significantly and can create a water hammer effect in a restricted part or at the closed
end of the pipe [EPRI1996].
Figure 139 Steam-driven water slug in piping system
6. Water filling a voided pipe line (Figure 140)

In this situation, as a pump trips, water from the vertical section recedes downwards
and creates an empty vacuum-filled space above. When the pump restarts, it will push
water to refill the pipe (and perhaps condense some residual steam), thus creating a
significant water hammer [EPRI1996].
Figure 140 Filling of voided piping system
7.8.2 Analytical models and computer codes for water hammer analysis
Water hammer assessment is performed using analytical models and computer programs
designed for this purpose. A detailed discussion of this topic is beyond the scope of this
textbook, and hence this chapter provides only a brief summary.
The analytical models consist of governing differential equations for transient single-phase or
two-phase flow. Usually, the flow is assumed to be one-dimensional because it describes flow
in piping systems. The governing differential equations are solved by appropriate numerical
techniques. Then a network model is created in which physical representations of various
system components are introduced as boundary conditions. Usually, a number of constitutive
correlations are used to cover system-specific phenomena.
Usually, analytical models for liquid, gas, or two-phase mixtures are based on rigid and elastic
column theories of the piping system. It is important to recognize that the severity of water
hammer is proportional to the level of rigidity of the piping system. Therefore, an increased
level of piping elasticity reduces the consequences of water hammer because elastic pipe
systems can absorb the energy of the pressure waves traveling through the system.
Software packages vary in complexity depending on the processes modelled. The more
sophisticated packages may have one or more of the following features:
 Multiphase flow capabilities;
 An algorithm for cavitation growth and collapse;
 Unsteady-state friction: the pressure waves dampen as turbulence is generated and due
to variations in the flow velocity distribution;
 Varying bulk modulus for higher pressures (water becomes less compressible);
 Fluid-structure interaction: the pipeline reacts on the varying pressures and causes
pressure waves itself.
Most computer programs that can model water hammer are the same as those used to model
general piping networks. However, computer codes may not be completely successful in
modelling all types of water hammer, particularly condensation-induced water hammer, which
is quite challenging. The RELAP5 code [REL2010] is an example of such a network code that can
model certain types of water hammer for PWRs and BWRs. For CANDU reactors, the CATHENA
computer code [CAT1998, CAT2000, CAT2005] has been validated for use in analysis of certain
types of water hammer.
7.8.3 Diagnostics and assessment of water hammer

Diagnostic and assessment techniques for water hammer consist of systematic review of a
thermal-hydraulic network in terms of vulnerabilities to and consequences of water hammer.
The assessment principles are based mainly on lessons learned and root cause analysis.
Nuclear power plant design features and operating characteristics require specific water
hammer inspection processes.
The general diagnostic analysis consists of three major steps: study of deformation evidence,
determination of water hammer source, and determination of root causes. Each of these steps
consists of several sub-steps as follows:
a) Collect evidence of water hammer impact by field inspections, interviews, and review of
operating conditions;
b) Identify pipe network characteristics that may lead to water hammer;
c) Determine water hammer consequences by identifying pipe movement, pipe
deformations, and pipe support deformations;
d) Determine the piping or other thermal-hydraulic equipment initial conditions (for
example, water-filled or steam-filled piping);
e) Determine the source of water hammer by identifying the origin point of the pressure
wave or water slug;
f) Compare the operating conditions and consequences of the various possible water
hammer mechanisms;
g) Determine the root causes; and
h) Define possible corrective action in design space and/or procedural space.
The review of systems and equipment susceptibility to water hammer usually consists of the
following activities:
i. Collection of plant data to establish plant-specific thermal-hydraulic network
configurations and identify component features and functions;
ii. Determine industry practices with respect to thermal-hydraulic network testing,
maintenance, and operating procedures that result in water hammer vulnerabilities;
iii. Perform plant assessment with respect to prevention, diagnosis, and assessment of
water hammer;
iv. Review plant-specific thermal-hydraulic system operating procedures and designs with
respect to water hammer occurrence;
v. Document the findings of the above assessment; and
vi. Develop recommendations for improving plant-specific design features or operating
procedures to reduce the probability of water hammer.
7.8.4 Prevention, mitigation, and accommodation of water hammer

This section provides general high-level information on measures taken to prevent, mitigate,
and/or accommodate certain types of water hammer events in nuclear power plants. The
measures that can be taken can be broadly grouped into design measures and operational
(procedural) measures.
Prevention of water hammer is the best option when and where possible. It includes design
and operational measures aimed at preventing or significantly reducing the water hammer
hazard. However, this option may not be available in many situations, especially in thermal-
hydraulic equipment operating in a transient following an accident.
Mitigation of water hammer includes design and operational measures to reduce the impact of
water hammer in cases where it cannot be prevented. This technique is mostly used in
situations in which prevention is not possible.
If a water hammer hazard cannot be eliminated by design or operational procedure, the next
step is to accommodate the residual impact that cannot be mitigated. A number of techniques
can be used to achieve this, such as strengthening and reinforcement of pipe support systems,
or designing piping systems that take water hammer loads into account.
General recommendations for reducing water hammer hazard are the following:
 Avoid direct contact of steam with sub-cooled water in a horizontal pipe (this is
particularly important for CANDU feeder horizontal runs);
 Avoid opening a valve adjacent to a steam pocket (identified or suspected), or ensure
that the valve opens slowly to provide an escape path for the steam pocket;
 Open isolation valves slowly where stagnant hot water coexists with hot water in the
same line upstream and downstream of the valve;
 Inspect condensate removal systems to avoid accumulation of a water slug in the steam
line;
 Inspect check valves routinely, especially those located on a pump discharge line, to
ensure that the valve is not stuck open;
 Avoid starting a pump to fill a long line at significantly higher elevation, which could be
voided for various reasons (such as leaking valves).
Specific recommendations for reducing each type of water hammer are provided in the
following points [EPRI1996].
1. Rapid valve operation
Rapid valve actuation is defined as rapid closure of a stuck-open check valve or
malfunctioning of a valve actuator. Hence, any system with this type of valve is at risk
of experiencing this type of water hammer.
Prevention or mitigation by design involves valve modifications to prevent this type of
valve operation. Mitigation or prevention by procedure aims to avoid valve cycling in
systems with significant flow, or perhaps uses a special monitoring capability to sense a
pressure difference across a valve and to use it as a signal for actuating the valve.
2. Flow of sub-cooled water with condensing steam in a vertical pipe
This water hammer phenomenon is unique to steam turbine exhaust piping that
discharges into a body of water. This happens when reduced steam supply to the
turbine traps steam in the exhaust piping.
The only way to prevent or mitigate this type of water hammer is to install a vacuum
breaker with sufficient capacity to replace the condensing steam in the exhaust piping
from a tripped turbine.
3. Counter-current flow of steam and water in a horizontal pipe
This type of water hammer happens in steam generators when a horizontal feedwater
pipe is slowly filled in counter-current flow. It can also happen in horizontal sections of
CANDU feeders when injecting cold ECC water.
One design option for mitigation is to shorten the horizontal portions of piping systems,
or to have the horizontal piping slightly inclined. A procedural modification may involve
better control of the water flow to affected areas.
4. Pressurized water entering a vertical pipe filled with steam
This type of water hammer can happen unexpectedly due to valve leakage, which can
lead to accumulating hot water pockets (which could quickly flash or condense) in the
closed parts of piping systems. This kind of water hammer can also occur if high-
pressure water is pumped into a system filled with steam (such as injection of ECC into
steam-filled CANDU headers or feeders).
One mitigation design change involves keeping the system full of water and preventing
valve leakage. In addition, installation of void detection devices at places where valve
back-leakage may occur can be a solution. A procedural modification may involve
venting steam pockets before injecting water or starting pumps.
5. Hot water entering a low-pressure line
This type of water hammer is typical of heater drain systems in cases where a reservoir
of hot water is being discharged into low-pressure piping.
A possible preventative design change is to modify the control system to avoid cyclic
dumping of hot water. Installing a flow control valve with slowly increasing flow can
also address this problem. A procedural change may involve placing a high-pressure
feedwater heater back in operation without inadvertently actuating the emergency
dump system.
6. Water slug driven by steam

This type of water hammer can happen in pipes in which condensate accumulation
occurs upstream or downstream of a closed valve.
A design fix for this water hammer is to ensure proper inclination and condensate
drainage from piping systems. Pipes subject to sagging could also be better supported
to avoid sags that can collect condensate. A procedural change could involve slowly
initiating steam flow after opening a closed valve to ensure gradual acceleration of the
condensate pocket.
7. Water filling a voided pipe line
This type of water hammer happens typically in long piping systems with an elevation
change of 10 m or more. In this situation, stopping the water flow can result in
formation of a vacuum in the upper parts of the pipe. Restarting the flow leads to
refilling the pipe and to interaction of water and steam surfaces.
A design fix for this kind of water hammer is to keep the system filled with water.
Installing a vacuum breaker can also help. A procedural improvement could involve
keeping the pump discharge valve closed and then opening it slowly as the pump is
restarted.
7.8.5 Problems
1. Explain the reasons and consequences of water hummer in thermal-hydraulic equipment.
Provide examples of possible water hummer situations in the CANDU heat transport
systems, and indicate the strategies for mitigating the effects.
2. List the types of water hummer in CANDU heat transport system, and for each type list
and explain the strategy for avoiding or mitigating it.
7.9 Natural circulation

New generations of nuclear reactor designs under development rely on passive systems,
including use of natural circulation. All Generation IV reactors are required to make use of
natural circulation as a heat transfer mechanism for removing heat from the reactor core, for
some designs even under normal operating conditions. However, currently operating reactors
are also required to use natural circulation to remove decay heat in accident situations when
forced circulation in the core is lost.
Natural circulation occurs in many different situations, such as a heater immersed into a fluid;
an open flame in air; a chimney-driven fire; a surge of hot water into a pool of cold water; a
heat source and heat sink connected by piping and located at different elevations; hot steam
and cold air mixing in a containment building. In all these situations, natural circulation plays
an essential role in transferring heat from one part of a system to another, or between
systems.
7.9.1 Natural circulation phenomenon

Natural circulation will occur in a reactor primary loop in the absence of pumped flow
whenever buoyant forces caused by differences in loop fluid densities are sufficient to
overcome the flow resistance of loop components (steam generators, primary coolant pumps,
etc.). Fluid density differences occur as a result of fluid heating in the core region (causing the
liquid to become less dense) and fluid cooling in the steam generators (causing the fluid to
become denser). Figure 141 shows the principles of natural circulation in a closed loop with a
heat source located at a low elevation and a heat sink at a high elevation connected by piping.
On the right side of this figure, a similar loop is shown in two-phase operation with a steam
drum extracting steam and adding feedwater to the loop. This figure is similar to the situation
in a nuclear power plant. Note that in this figure, two-phase flow is indicated out of the
reactor, which is typical of BWR and CANDU reactors.
Figure 141 Principles of natural circulation

The buoyancy forces resulting from these density differences cause fluid to circulate through
the primary loops, providing a means of removing core decay heat. Depending on the primary
loop fluid inventory, natural circulation consists of three distinct cooling modes: single-phase,
two-phase (liquid continuous), and reflux condensation (or boiler-condenser mode for once-
through steam generators). Progression from the single-phase mode through the two-phase
and reflux condensation modes occurs as primary system liquid inventory decreases, as shown
in Figure 142 [IAEA2005, IAEA2012, POP2012a]. Natural circulation flow in a sub-cooled
primary heat transport loop (such as in PWRs) is driven by temperature-induced density
gradients, enhanced by a thermal centre elevation difference between the hot (core) and cold
(steam generator) regions in the primary loop. This density gradient produces a buoyancy
force that drives the natural circulation flow. Hence, single-phase natural circulation is the flow
of an essentially sub-cooled primary liquid driven by liquid density differences within the
primary loop.
Figure 142 Various types of natural circulation

In a reactor where boiling occurs in the primary heat transport system, vapour generated in the
core enters the hot leg and flows along with the saturated liquid to the steam generator, where
at least some of the vapour is condensed. Hence, density gradients are affected in two-phase
mode, not only by temperature differences, but also by voids in the primary loop. In both
single-phase and two-phase natural circulation, the mass flow rate is the most important heat
removal parameter.
In reflux condensation, the vapour generated in the core flows through the hot leg, is
condensed in the steam generator, and flows back to the core as a liquid. In this mode, the
loop mass flow rate has a negligible effect because the primary heat removal mechanism is
vapour condensation.
The three modes of natural circulation are distinguishable based upon characteristic mass flow
rates, loop temperature differences, and basic phenomenological differences. The dominant
heat transfer mechanism in single-phase natural circulation cooling is convection, making the
loop flow rate the most important parameter governing heat removal. Heat generated by the
core is transported away from the reactor vessel through the hot leg to steam generators (heat
sink) by means of the sub-cooled primary liquid.
Advantages of natural circulation

a) Elimination of pumps. Elimination of the primary circulating pumps in some Generation
4 designs not only reduces capital, operating, and maintenance costs, but also
eliminates all safety issues associated with circulating pump failure.
b) Better flow distribution. Use of pumps can cause misdistributions of pressure in the
headers, leading to misdistribution of flow in the parallel channels. Moreover, using
pumps requires orificing to provide flow in the fuel channels corresponding to each
channel’s power. Natural circulation provides a natural channel flow distribution.
c) Flow characteristics. In a natural circulation system, flow increases with power,
whereas in a forced-circulation two-phase system, flow decreases with increasing
power. This has specific advantages in steam generating power plants.
d) Safety aspects. Because natural circulation is based on a natural physical law, it is not
expected to fail, unlike fluid-moving machines such as pumps. This aspect of natural
circulation has enabled its application in many safety systems. In all current designs of
nuclear power reactors, natural circulation is a backup for decay heat removal in the
event of a pumping power failure.
e) Simplicity. Because of the need to minimize pressure losses to enhance flow rates,
designers of natural circulation systems tend to eliminate all unnecessary pipe bends,
elbows, etc. The result is a system with a simple piping layout that can be fabricated in
the factory.
Challenges of natural circulation
a) Low driving force. One of the drawbacks of natural circulation systems is that their
driving force is low. The most straightforward way to increase the driving force is to
increase the loop height, which may not be economical. In addition, use of tall risers
can make natural circulation systems slender in structure and may raise seismic
concerns. Due to these reasons, the incremental height of natural circulation systems
compared to the corresponding forced circulation systems is often limited to less than
10 m.
This challenge has a specific impact on channel-type reactors such as CANDU. As
explained in this section, at low driving force in a CANDU, certain channels in the core
may not sustain forward flow, i.e., channel flow direction cannot be accurately
estimated.
b) Low system pressure losses. With low driving force, the only way to obtain reasonably
large flow rates is to design for low pressure losses. There are several measures to
achieve low system pressure losses:
i. Use of large-diameter components and pipes. The most straightforward way to
reduce pressure losses is to use large-diameter components. However, this also
results in increased cost and enhanced system volume, both of which have
economic and safety implications.
ii. Simplified system. Generally refers to the simplified piping and equipment
layout of the system, such as minimization of U-bends, elbows, loop seals, etc.
This not only results in a simplified system, but also results in low pressure losses
and prevents phase separation from promoting natural circulation flow.
iii. Elimination of components. An example in this case is the possible elimination
of mechanical separators.
c) Low mass flux. Low driving force and the consequent use of large-diameter
components result in low mass flux in natural circulation systems compared to forced
circulation systems. With low mass flux, the allowable maximum channel power is
lower, leading to larger core volume than in a forced circulation system of the same
rating.
d) Instability effects. Although instability is common to both forced and natural circulation
systems, the latter are inherently less stable than forced circulation systems. This is
attributable to the nonlinear nature of the natural circulation phenomenon, where any
change in the driving force affects the flow, which in turn affects the driving force,
possibly leading to oscillatory behaviour.
e) Low pressure and low flow regime. In natural circulation systems, the flow rate is a
strong function of power and system pressure. Moreover, the flow is stagnant when
the reactor power is zero during initial start-up. The operating conditions of natural
circulation systems can fall into the low-power, low-flow regime, where validated
thermal-hydraulic relationships are not readily available.
f) Specification of a start-up and operating procedure. It is well known that most boiling
systems exhibit instabilities at low pressures and low qualities. Therefore, natural
circulation reactors must be started up from a stagnant low-pressure, low-temperature
condition. During the pressure and power raising process, passing through an unstable
zone shall be avoided because instability can cause premature CHF occurrence.
g) Low CHF. The basis for thermal margin is the CHF, which depends on geometric and
operating parameters. Because flow in natural circulation reactors is less, designers of
these reactors tend to use the maximum allowable exit quality to minimize their size.
This means that the CHF value of the reactor tends to be significantly lower than in the
forced circulation case. This calls for several measures to increase CHF.
As shown on the left side of Figure 141, due to the difference in densities between the vertical
legs, a pressure difference is created between stations ‘a’ and ‘b’, which is the cause of the
flow. At steady state, the driving buoyancy force is balanced by the retarding frictional force,
thus providing a basis for flow rate estimation using the following equation [IAEA2005,
IAEA2012]:
R W 2
gH  c  h   , (287)
2
where g (m/s2) is acceleration due to gravity, R (m-4) is hydraulic resistance, and W (kg/s) is
mass flow rate. Hence, the mass flow rate induced by natural circulation is given by:
1
 2  A2  c  h  gH  2
W   . (288)
 R 
Natural circulation flow is enhanced by increasing the loop height H and the density difference
(ρc-ρh), as well as by decreasing the hydraulic resistance R.
By introducing loop resistance models, the above equation can be further expanded into the
following form:
1
 2
 
2  A  c   h  gH  .
2
W  N (289)
  fL  
   i i  Ki  
i
 i 1  Di  
The natural circulation phenomenon can be classified in terms of the state of the working fluid,
the interactions with the surroundings, loop geometry, body force field, system inventory, and
number of heated channels. Figure 142 shows certain types of natural circulation in a
rectangular geometry.
The state of the working fluid can be single-phase, two-phase, or supercritical. The single-
phase natural circulation is important as a decay power removal mechanism in many operating
and new designs of nuclear power reactors. Two-phase natural circulation normally occurs in
BWRs and CANDUs under certain operating regimes.
In terms of interactions with the surroundings, closed-loop and open-loop natural circulation
can be distinguished. The closed loop involves only energy exchange with the surroundings,
whereas the open loop involves both energy and mass exchange.
In terms of loop geometry, natural circulation can occur in rectangular, U-tube, toroidal, and
figure-of-eight forms (the last being specific to the CANDU design). The body force field has an
important impact and can be gravitation (in most cases), centrifugal force, or both for certain
specific applications.
In terms of system inventory, natural circulation can occur in full systems (in single-phase
mode), in partially filled systems (in two-phase mode), or with boiling in reflux condensation
mode. In any of these types, natural circulation can occur in single-channel or parallel-channel
loops, as with the CANDU design.
Natural circulation in a containment building is a specific form of single-phase multi-component
natural circulation.
7.9.2 CANDU natural circulation

CANDU reactors have a very different design than LWR reactors, and therefore the
effectiveness of natural circulation must be carefully assessed. The performance of natural
circulation in a CANDU reactor is an important part of reactor safety under certain operating or
accident conditions. Therefore, a natural circulation test is performed in each CANDU plant
during commissioning to demonstrate that natural circulation works adequately and that the
computer codes predict the observed behaviour sufficiently well.

Figure 143 shows a CANDU primary heat transport system on the left side and a view of the
CANDU header on the right side [POP2012a, POP2014]. The CANDU header plays an important
role in natural circulation, particularly the outlet header because it contains flows of about 2%–
4% quality.
A CANDU reactor cooling system is arranged in a figure-of-eight loop configuration, typically
with two loops (i.e., two figure-of-eight loops). Figure 143 shows on the left side an elevation
indication for various components. The height difference between the bottom channel and the
top of the steam generators is about 22 metres. The height difference between the reactor top
channels and the bottom of the steam generators is about 3 metres. Due to the difference in
densities between the vertical branches, a pressure difference is created, which creates the
potential for natural circulation flow around the loop.
From Figure 143, it is clear that the height difference in CANDU is greater than in PWRs, and
according to Eq. (291), this enhances natural circulation. However, flow resistance in the
CANDU primary loop is greater than in LWRs because of the relatively small-diameter feeders,
channel end-fittings, and shorter fuel bundles, which according to Eq. (291), reduces the
natural circulation driving force. In addition, the CANDU core consists of many fuel channels in
parallel that have similar geometry, but are at different elevations. This will create differences
in the natural circulation driving force.
Figure 143 Natural circulation in CANDU

A CANDU header, shown on the right side of Figure 143, has multiple feeder connections at
different elevations and angles. When the header is partly voided, this geometry can result in
interesting phenomena. One of these is vapour pool-through, in which steam is sucked into the
feeder even if the feeder connection to the header is below the collapsed liquid level in the
header. Because the scope of this textbook is limited, details of this phenomenon cannot be
covered in this section.
At very low pressure drop between inlet and outlet headers, the feeder flow is low and could
possibly reverse direction in some feeders and channels. However, flow direction in the
channel is not as important as the mass flow rate. Hence, as long as there is sufficient flow in
the feeders and the fuel channel, decay heat generated in the core can be removed effectively,
regardless of the flow direction. Experiments have provided information on flow direction in
CANDU feeders and core channels under natural circulation and have demonstrated that decay
heat removal can be adequate during natural circulation for certain combinations of decay
power levels and loop inventory.
The key parameters for CANDU natural circulation are the primary coolant inventory in the
core, the secondary pressure, and the primary power. At very low powers in CANDU, two
natural circulation loops are created: one between channels and headers, and the other one
from headers to steam generators (see Figure 143). This is important because it demonstrates
that channel flow direction is not an essential parameter in determining the effectiveness of
natural circulation for decay heat removal.
Figure 144 [ING1992, POP2012b]] shows the experimentally observed onset of bi-directional
flow in a CANDU core under natural circulation. It is evident that the heat transport system
inventory plays an important role, along with channel power and pressure. Figure 145
[POP2012a, POP2012b] shows the criteria for flow reversal in a CANDU core. The upper and
lower boundaries are shown in terms of secondary-side pressure and loop-integrated void. It is
evident that at higher loop void and lower pressure, the flow reversal band is significantly
expanded.
One very specific application of natural circulation in CANDU is heat rejection by the feeders to
the containment environment. At very low powers, decay heat can be passively rejected by the
feeder pipes directly to the containment atmosphere.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued Generic Action Item GAI 90G02 in 1990,
requesting utilities to demonstrate reactor cooling adequacy in natural circulation and address
uncertainty in the RD-14M experiments with respect to core cooling with reduced loop water
inventory in a CANDU loop (LOCA combined with loss of forced circulation). This GAI was
closed for all CANDU stations in Canada, thus demonstrating the cooling adequacy of natural
circulation in CANDU.
CANDU core cooling in the absence of forced flow (CCAFF), i.e., natural circulation, has been
extensively studied over the past 50 years. The CANDU CCAFF terminology defines the
following natural circulation modes: a) single-phase thermo-siphoning; b) two-phase thermo-
siphoning, c) intermittent buoyancy-induced flow (IBIF), and continuous steam venting.
Figure 144 Onset of bi-directional Figure 145 Criteria for flow reversal in a CANDU core
flow in CANDU
Single-phase thermo-siphoning
In this CCAFF mode, continuous heat input to the coolant raises the temperature in the fuel
channel (as shown in Figure 143). This induces a buoyancy force whereby the hot liquid rises to
the steam generator and deposits its heat. From the steam generator, a lower-temperature
(denser) liquid continues to flow down back to the core. In this case, the buoyancy forces are
sufficient to overcome the static pressure caused by the elevation of the boilers with respect to
the fuel channels. This is a continuous process and is capable of removing a substantial amount
of decay heat indefinitely as long as the loop does not drain beyond about 70%, and as long as
the heat is removed from the steam generators.
Two-phase thermo-siphoning
This is a similar phenomenon to liquid thermo-siphoning, but with continuous boiling of the
liquid, and thus steam content in the flow provides an additional buoyancy force for heat
transfer to the steam generators (resulting from the liquid-vapour density difference). It has
been experimentally demonstrated that flow is still continuous in a given direction, with a large
quantity of vapour at the channel outlet. For this thermo-siphoning mode, it is important to
maintain a certain flow rate rather than a certain flow direction. The flow rate in this type of
natural circulation depends on the amount of void in the system and the channel power.
Intermittent buoyancy-induced flow (IBIF)
If the flow rate is reduced to a very small value, or if the fluid stagnates in the channel, the IBIF
phenomenon occurs. Numerous analytical and experimental studies of IBIF have been
conducted in recent decades to address the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission-issued
Generic Action Item GAI 90G02 on CCAFF. The closure of this GAI provided answers to many
issues related to fuel and fuel channel behaviour in a CANDU channel when the flow stops,
such as:
 First channel in which boiling occurs;
 Role of static pressure (i.e., channel elevation);

 Location in the channel where boiling occurs;
 Vapour accumulation and outflow from the channel;
 Heat transfer from uncovered fuel elements;
 Impact of void rate generation;
 Fuel sheath temperature for uncovered fuel elements.
Figure 146 shows the four steps in the IBIF cycle, which are explained below [POP2012a,
POP2014]. The IBIF cycle repeats itself, providing channel cooling when the flow is stopped.
Figure 146a shows a CANDU fuel channel in which flow has stopped and the power profile has
a certain cosine shape. As forced circulation is lost, flow almost stagnates in the channel, and
therefore heat transfer and removal from the fuel are lost. As a result, because of decay power
generation, fuel temperature rises, along with fluid temperature. After some time, the coolant
in the channel reaches saturation and thermal stratification. Steam starts to develop at the top
of the channel.
Figure 146 Intermittent buoyancy-induced flow in CANDU

Figure 146b shows a large bubble being generated because of liquid evaporation. The
uncovered fuel elements begin to heat up faster (and local heating of the pressure tube
occurs). The large vapour bubble grows outward from the centre of the channel towards the
end-fittings, and uncovered fuel-element sections stop producing vapour.
Figure 146c shows further progression of an IBIF cycle, as steam reaches and heats up the end-
fittings. Because the end-fittings have a very large mass of relatively cold material (during a
reactor shutdown, everything approaches 60°C), and it takes a while to heat it up before the
bubble can “push” itself by. This delays venting because the longer the fuel is uncovered, the
hotter it gets. Before steam can push through, several sub-cycles may occur, with steam
condensation at the end-fitting edge. The process continues until the steam creates a flow
path to the feeders.
Figure 146d shows the last part of an IBIF cycle, when the steam pushes through to the feeder
and the header. Usually steam push-through happens on one side or the other first. It does
not necessarily follow the usual flow direction. Once one side starts to “vent” (vapour rushes
out of that side of the channel), this creates a pressure force, which sucks in cold liquid from
the opposite header.
After venting is completed, the fuel channel refills with sub-cooled or saturated water from the
other header. At this point, the previous IBIF cycle is completed, and a new cycle begins.
Figure 147 shows an envelope of CANDU fuel sheath temperature histories during an IBIF cycle
[POP2012a, POP2014]. While the channel is full and sub-cooled, the sheath temperatures are
below saturation (left part of the diagram). As the channel saturates and remains saturated for
a certain time, sheath temperatures remain near saturation. Then, as bubbles are generated in
the upper part of the channel and fuel elements are exposed, the fuel sheath temperatures of
these fuel elements rise to above 400°C (during the heating period, and depending on fuel
element power). When steam venting occurs at the end of an IBIF cycle and the channel is
refilled with water from the other header, sheath temperatures fall to and below saturation
(the last part of the diagram).
Figure 147 Typical temperature histories in a CANDU channel in natural circulation
7.9.3 CANDU natural circulation experimental studies

In support of natural circulation knowledge base development, numerous experimental tests
and assessments have been conducted in Canada on CANDU-typical experimental facilities.
The most important experimental facilities in this area are:
 RD-14 natural circulation experiments. RD-14 is a full-scale, full-elevation CANDU-
typical experimental facility at AECL with two figure-of-eight passes containing one fuel
channel in each loop.
 RD-14M natural circulation experiments. RD-14M is a full-scale, full-elevation CANDU-
typical experimental facility at AECL with two figure-of-eight passes containing five fuel
channels in each loop.
 CWIT standing-start experiments. CWIT is a full-scale experimental facility containing
two full-scale fuel channels connected to inlet and outlet header at the Stern
Laboratories.
More details of these experimental facilities, experimental results, and conclusions are
provided in [IAEA2005, IAEA2012]. The experimental work in this area was performed to
improve the knowledge base and to provide data for development and validation of computer
programs and models.
7.9.4 Natural circulation calculations and predictions

Mathematical modelling of natural circulation is based on several approaches, including
empirical models based on experimental data; analytical mechanistic models based on
fundamental principles approaches that use conveniently established simplifying assumptions;
and general-purpose computer programs based on detailed application of field conservation
equations.
CATHENA [CAT2005], TUF [TUF2001], and RELAP [2010] are examples of large one-dimensional
two-fluid thermal-hydraulic computer codes used to simulate natural circulation. Recently,
more attention has been devoted to use of CFD computer models [HAS2012] for natural
circulation analysis in cases where more detailed information is needed. More details about
the use of thermal-hydraulic computer programs are provided in Chapter 7.
Various mechanistic models have been proposed in the literature to analyze natural circulation
in the CANDU reactor core and feeder system. These models use mass, momentum, and
energy conservation accompanied by drift-flux momentum equations. Often, a macroscopic
mass, momentum, and energy balance in a six-equation configuration is also used. Details of
this topic are beyond the scope of this textbook, but information can be found in the section
for suggested further reading. One example of one mechanistic model is provided below.
Algebraic equations or field equations properly solved by simplified numerical models or by
complex computer codes can be used to predict natural circulation performance under a wide
variety of geometrical conditions and technological systems. The fundamental principles
approach is based on the following assumptions: constant core inlet enthalpy; cross-section
averaged fluid properties; homogeneous two-phase flow; thermal equilibrium; form losses
dominating loop resistance. These assumptions are applied to the mass, momentum, and
energy equations for each loop component to obtain the conservation equations. The
equations are then integrated over their respective single-phase and two-phase regions to
obtain the loop balance equations.
Assuming the natural circulation loop shown in Figure 141, the transient momentum equation
can be written as:
N
 Li  dW
 A 
i 1  i  dt
 g  l  TP  H nc
. (290)
W2   1  fL   Ac   l
2
 1  fL   Ac   
2
    K        K     
l Ac2  SP  2  Dh i  Ai   TP TP  2  Dh i  Ai   

The energy balance equation for transient natural circulation can be written as:
d  eM  el 
M loop  W  hTP  hl   qSG  qloss . (291)
dt
The equilibrium two-phase quality in the core exit can be defined as:
hTP  hl
xe  . (292)
hlg
The homogeneous mixture density is defined using the following relation:
l
TP  , (293)
 l   g 
1  xe 
  
 g 
where:
Li is the length of a loop component; K is the coefficient of local resistance;
Ai is the area of a loop component; eM is the mixture internal energy;
Ac is the area of a loop restriction; el is the liquid internal energy;
Hnc is the elevation difference driving the qSG is the steam generator heat sink [kJ/s];
natural circulation qloss is the loop heat losses;
Di is the loop element diameter; hTP is two-phase enthalpy;
f is the friction factor; hl is liquid enthalpy,
These equations can be manipulated to yield the following equations for steady-state mass
flow rate in a two-phase natural circulation loop with uniform diameter:
 2 g   r TP H nc Qh Drb Ar2b l 
Wss   . (294)
p rb N G 
The geometric contribution to the friction factor is defined as:
Lt  NSP  leff  NB
 leff  NTP
 leff 
NG    1b 2b  LO   1b 2b 
   LO   1b 2 b   .
2 2
(295)
Dr  i 1  Di Ai  i  N SP 1  Di Ai i i  N B 1  Di Ai i 
The Reynolds and Grashoff mixture numbers are defined as:

DrWss Dr3 l3 h gQh z
Rem  Grm  . (296)
Ar l Ar l3
In these equations:
βh is the thermal expansion coefficient leff is the effective length of a component;
Qh (°C) A is the flow area (m2);
Δz is the total heat input rate (W); µ is the dynamic viscosity (Ns/m2);
is the centreline elevation difference in r is a subscript indicating a reference
the loop between cooler and heater value.
7.9.5 Problems
1. Explain the importance of natural circulation in the CANDU primary heat transport
system, and the design decisions that help to enhance it.
2. Explain the key aspects of the Intermittent Buoyancy Induced Flow (IBIF) in CANDU
channels, list and explain the key IBIF parameters.
3. Calculate natural circulation flow in a PWR reactor primary cooling loop assuming
typical geometrical and thermal-hydraulic parameters for a PWR reactor (primary loop is
in subcooled boiling flow in normal operation, i.e., single phase liquid flow).
8 References
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Process Industries, Hemisphere Publishing, 1981.
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York, 1960.
[BPR2000] “Bruce: A Safety Report”, Brice Power, 2000.
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[CAT2000] “CATHENA Mod 3.5c/Mod o Theory Manual”, COG-00-008, Nov. 2000.
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[CRA1957] Flow of Fluids Through Valves, Fittings, and Pipes, Crane, 1957.
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Design and Nuclear Engineering, Hemisphere Publishing, 1981.
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[EPRI1996] Water Hammer Handbook for Nuclear Plant Engineers and Operators, EPRI
Technical Report, Palo Alto, California, 1996.
[GAR1999] B. Garland, “Reactor Thermal-Hydraulic Design”, Graduate course EP716

lectures, Engineering Physics, McMaster University, 1999.
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[HAS2012] Y.A. Hassan, Computational Fluid Dynamics for Natural Circulation, Texas
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[HET1982] G. Hetsroni, Handbook of Multiphase Systems, Hemisphere and McGraw-Hill,
Washington, 1992.
[IAEA2001] Thermal-Hydraulic Relationships for Advanced Water-Cooled Reactors, IAEA
TECDOC-1203, Vienna, 2001.
[IAEA2005] Natural Circulation in Water-Cooled Nuclear Power Plants, IAEA TECDOC-
1474, Vienna, 2005.
[IAEA2012] Natural Circulation Phenomena and Modelling for Advanced Water-Cooled
Reactors, IAEA TECDOC-1677, Vienna, 2012.
[IDE1996] I.E. Idelchik, Handbook of Hydraulic Resistance, 3rd Edition, Begell House, New
York, 1996.
[ING1992] P.J. Ingham, Natural Circulation Experiments in the RD_14M Multiple Channel
Thermal-Hydraulic Loop, AERCL, Pinawa, Manitoba, Canada, 1992.
[KEV2015] “Kelvin Statement”, Wikipedia, Internet, 2015.
[KNI2002] R.A. Knief, Nuclear Engineering—Theory and Technology of Commercial
Power, American Nuclear Society, 2008.
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Type Fuel Channel”, AECL, Pinawa, Manitoba, Canada, in Journal of Nuclear
Engineering and Design, Vol. 99, pp. 403–412, 1987.
[KPL2015] Kelvin-Planck Statement, Wikipedia, Internet, 2015.
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McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, for the N.IN.E Nuclear and Industrial
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Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, for the N.IN.E
Nuclear and Industrial Engineering, Natural Circulation Course, Beijing, China,
27 July–31 August 2012.
[POP2013] N. Popov, Reactor Thermal-Hydraulic Design, Graduate course UN804
lectures, UNENE Graduate Courses, 2013.
[POP2014] N. Popov, Reactor Thermal-Hydraulic Design, Graduate course EP716 lectures,
Engineering Physics, McMaster University, 2014.
[REL2005] “RELAP5 - A Computer Program for Transient Thermal-Hydraulic Analysis of
Nuclear Reactors and Related Systems”, INEEL-EXT-98-00834, September
1996.
[REL2010] “RELAP5/MOD 3.3 Code Manual”, USNRC, NUREG/CR-5535/Rev P4, October
2010.
[ROH1983] W.M. Rohsenov, J.P. Hartnett, E.N. Ganic, Handbook of Heat Transfer
Fundamentals, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1985.
[SOP1975] Y.F. Chang, “The SOPHT Program and its Applications”, Proceedings,
Simulation Symposium on Reactor Dynamics and Plant Control, May 26–27,
CRNL, published as CRNL 1369, 1975.
[SAA1966] M.A. Saad, Thermodynamics for Engineers, Prentice-Hall, 1996.
[SOP1977] Y.F. Chang, A Thermal-Hydraulic System Simulation Model of the Reactor,
Boiler, and Heat Transport System (SOPHT), CNS-37-2, Ontario Hydro,
September 1977.
[TOD1990a] N.E. Todreas, M.S. Kazimi, Nuclear Systems I—Thermal Hydraulic
Fundamentals, MIT, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis, 2011.
[TOD1990b] N.E. Todreas, M.S. Kazimi, Nuclear Systems II—Elements of Thermal Hydraulic
Design, MIT, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis, 1990.
[TON1965] L.S. Tong, Boiling Heat Transfer and Two-Phase Flow, Wiley, 1965.
[TON1975] L.S. Tong, Boiling Heat Transfer and Two-Phase Flow, Krieger, 1975.
[TON1996] L.S. Tong, J. Weisman, Thermal Analysis of Pressurized Water Reactors,
American Nuclear Society, 1996.
[TUF2010] TUF Thermal-Hydraulics Computer Program, N-REP-06631.02-10010 R00,
Ontario Power Generation, October 2001.
[WAL1969] G.B. Wallis, One-Dimensional Two-Phase Flow, McGraw-Hill, 1969.
[WEI1977] J. Weisman, Elements of Nuclear Reactor Design, Elsevier, 1983.
[WIK2015] “Steam-Water Diagrams”, Internet, Wikipedia, 2015.
[WNA2009] “Nuclear Reactor Generations”, WNA Web site, 2009.
9 Further Reading
[DUD1976] J.J. Duderstadt, L.J. Hamilton, Nuclear Reactor Analysis, Wiley, New York, ISBN
0-471-22363-8, 1976.
[GIN1981] J.J. Ginoux ,Two-Phase Flows and Heat Transfer with Application to Nuclear
Reactor Design Problems, Hemisphere, 1981.
[GOV1972] G.W. Govier, K. Aziz, The Flow of Complex Mixtures in Pipes, Van Nostrand
Reinhold, 1972.
[HSU1976] Y. Hsu, R. Graham, Transport Processes in Boiling and Two-Phase Systems,
Hemisphere, 1976.
[ISH1975] M. Ishii, T. Hibiki, Thermo-Fluid Dynamic Theory of Two-Phase Flow, Springer,
2010.
[LAM1977] J.R. Lamarsh, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, Addison-Wesley, 2001.
[LEW1977] E.E. Lewis, Nuclear Reactor Safety, Wiley, 1977.
[ROA1976] P.J. Roache, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Hermosa, 1976.
10 Glossary
ACR Advanced CANDU Reactor MCHFR Minimum CHF Ratio
ADL Axial Dry-Patch Fraction MCHFPR Minimum CHF Power Ratio
AECL Atomic Energy of Canada Limited MCPR Minimum Power Ration
AFD Axial Flux Distribution NPSH Net Positive Suction Head
AGR Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor NPSHA Net Positive Suction Head Available
BP Bruce Power NPSHR Net Positive Suction Head Required
BWR Boiling Water Reactor NOP Nominal Operating Power
CANDU CANada Deuterium Uranium NOP Neutron Overpower Protection
CANFLEX CANDU Flexible Fuelling NPD Nuclear Demonstration Plant
CCAFF Core Cooling in Absence of Forced Flow NPP Nuclear Power Plant
CDF Circumferential Drypatch Fraction OCR Organic Coolant Reactor
CHF Critical Heat Flux OH Ontario Hydro
CHFR CHF Ratio OPG Ontario Power generation
CHFPR CHF Power OSV Onset of Significant Void
CP Critical Power PHTS Primary Heat Transport System
CPR Critical Power Ratio PHWR Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor
DNB Departure from Nucleate Boiling PWR Pressurized Water Reactor
ECC Emergency Core Cooling RBMK High Power Channel Type Reactor
ECI Emergency Coolant Injection RCS Reactor Cooling System
EPRI Electric Power Research Institute RFD Radial Flux Distribution
GAI Generic Action Item RIH Reactor Inlet Header
HTGCR High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor ROH Reactor Outlet Header
HTS Heat Transport System ROP Reactor Overpower Protection
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency R&D Research & Development
IBIF Intermittent Buoyancy-Induced Flow R&M Reliability and Maintainability
LMFBR Liquid Metal Breeder Reactor SGHWR Steam Generating Heavy Water
LOCA Loss of Coolant Accident QA Reactor
LOFA Loss of Flow Accident WNA Quality Assurance
LORA Loss of Reactivity Accident WWER World Nuclear Association
LWR Light Water Reactors Water Cooled and Moderated Power
Reactor (from Russian VVER)
11 Nomenclature
A cross section area, [m2] ν fluid velocity, [m/s]
CHF critical heat flux, [kW/m2] W mass flow rate, [kg/s], work, [kJ]
cp specific heat at constant pressure, [J/(kg K)] w specific work, [kJ/kg]
cv specific heat at constant volume, [J/(kg K)] We Weber number
DH hydraulic diameter, [m] x mass quality
d diameter, [m] xth thermodynamic quality
dh hydraulic diameter, [m] Z height, [m]
dx axial derivative
Greek Symbols
EK kinetic energy, [kJ]
EP potential energy, [kJ] α void fraction, thermal diffusivity, [m2/s]
EU internal energy, [kJ] γ adiabatic exponent, SG pinch fraction
e specific energy, [kJ/kg] ΔP pressure drop, [kPa/m2]σ surface tension,
f friction factor [N/m]
G mass flux, [kg/s-m2] ηt thermodynamic efficiency
g gravitational constant, [m/s2] µ dynamic viscosity of the fluid [Pa·s],
H total enthalpy, [kJ] [N·s/m²], [kg/(m·s)]
H pump head, [m] ρ density [kg/m3]
h specific enthalpy [kJ/kg] σ surface tension, [N/m]
h convective heat transfer coefficient, τ pump torque, [Nm], friction stress, [N/m2]
[kW/m2 °K] υ specific volume, [m3/kg], kinematic viscosity,
hfg latent heat of vapourization, [kJ/(kg °K)] [m2/s]
j volumetric flux (superficial velocity) [m/s] Φ neutron flux, [neutron/(m2-s)]
K concentrated friction factor φ two-phase friction multiplier
k thermal conductivity, [kW/m °K] ω pump rotational speed
L length, characteristic linear dimension, [m]
Subscripts
l characteristic length,
typically the droplet diameter, [m] a acceleration
M, m mass, [kg] C cold, cladding, fuel sheath
ṁ mass flow, [kg/s] CL centreline
NOP neutron over power cold cold side
Nu Nusselt number CRIT critical
P perimeter, [m] DNB departure of nuclear boiling
p fluid pressure, [kPa] e equivalent
Pr Prandtl number G gap
Q Core power, [kW], volumetric flow, [m3/s] g gas, gap
Q″′ Core power density, [kW/m3] F fuel
q″′ volumetric heat generation rate, [kW/m3] f fuel, liquid
q″ surface heat flux, [kW/m2] fg latent heat of vapourization
q′ linear power, [kW/m] FL fluid
q energy generation per fuel element, [kW] FW feed water
R gas constant, [Nˑm/(kg °K)], [J/(kg °K)] H hot, homogenious
r radius, [m] Hot hot side
Re Reynolds number h hydraulic
ROP reactor over power MFB minimum film boiling
S slip ratio, S total entropy, [kJ] m mixture
s specific entropy, [kJ/kg] n vector perpendicular to surface
T temperature, [°K] P, p primary
t time, [s] S steam, saturation
t thickness, [m] SG steam generator
U steam generator heat transfer coefficient, SH sheath
[kJ/(m2-s)] TB transition boiling
U internal energy, [kJ] w wall
u specific internal energy, [kJ/kg]
V volume, [m3]
12 Acknowledgements
I gratefully thank the following reviewers for their hard work and excellent comments during the
development of this Chapter. Their feedback has much improved it. Of course, the responsibility for
any errors or omissions is entirely the author’s.
Bill Garland
Lawrence Leung
Dave Novog
Terry Rogers
Victor Snell
Dave Wright
I also thank Diana Bouchard for expertly editing and assembling the final copy.
13 APPENDIX A – Reactor Types

13.1 General evolution of reactor designs
The categorization of reactor designs into generations was originally suggested by the U.S. DOE
and only reflected the technology evolution timeline. The attributes were assigned later, based
on observed characteristics.
The nuclear industry typically categorizes nuclear reactors as follows (see Figure 148):
 Generation I – early prototype reactor designs
 Generation II – commercial power reactor designs
 Generation III/III+ – designs with significant improvements in safety and economics
 Generation IV – future designs.
Note that most currently operating reactors are of Gen II design, and reactors currently under
construction are of Gen III/III+ design.
As reactor safety and economics became an important benchmark, the Gen III/III+ reactors were
given certain attributes to characterize them more fully. Two separate sets of attributes
(requirements or guidelines) were developed by EPRI in 1999 and by WNA in 2009.
Figure 148 Reactor generations
In the EPRI documentation [EPRI1999], the following attributes are shown to be typically
possessed by a Gen III/III+ design:
1. design simplification; 6. regulatory stabilization; 12. adequate quality
2. design margins; 7. technology standardization; assurance;
3. human factors; 8. proven nature of design; 13. improved security and
4. reactor safety; 9. enhanced maintainability; sabotage protection; and
5. design basis and safety 10. enhanced constructability; 14. reduced environmental
margin; 11. improved economics; impact.
The WNA definition of the third generation [WNA2009] suggested the following attributes for
Gen III/III+ designs:
1. standard design to 4. higher availability and 9. less waste;
expedite licensing; longer operating life; 10. use of burnable
2. reduced cost and 5. reduced possibility of core absorbers;
construction time; meltdown; 11. more passive
3. simpler and more rugged 6. resistance to damage; systems;
design for easier 7. reduced radiation release; 12. load following.
operation and 8. higher burn-up;
maintenance;
Because the above two sets of guidelines overlap somewhat and expectations are not quantified,
it is difficult to compare designs in quantifiable terms. More importantly, there are conflicting
expectations, such as expecting changes to improve safety and at the same time expecting the
design to be well proven. A detailed discussion of implementation and compliance with these
objectives of current advanced design is beyond the objectives of this section, but note that
none of the modern advanced designs claims to achieve all the expectations described above.
13.2 Pressurized water reactors

13.2.1 General information
Pressurized water reactors (PWRs) are currently one of the most commercially successful reactor
types in operation; they originate from the U.S. nuclear industry. PWRs have been built in large
numbers around the world, with many different versions and design variations. However, they
all share the common characteristics of a light water coolant and moderator and enriched
uranium fuel. This section provides an overview of the PWR reactor type, particularly from the
perspective of thermal-hydraulic design of the reactor cooling system (RCS).
The PWR has, to date, been the world’s most widely accepted power reactor type [KNI2002,
KOK2009, WEI1997, TON1996, APR2011, LAH1977]. It got its start in the development of PWR
propulsion reactors for United States (U.S.) nuclear submarines. The first PWR power reactor
was designed and built by Westinghouse Electric Company at Shippingport in the United States,
followed by a number of designs and units built in the United States by a number of vendors.
In France, during the early stage of development, Framatome designed and built a number of
units as a licensee to Westinghouse until 1984. Later, Framatome, presently renamed Areva,
continued the development of PWRs in France. In this way, France became a world leader in
PWR development and implementation.
In Japan, Mitsubishi continued development of PWR reactors. In Russia, following submarine
and icebreaker design and technology, a similar PWR design, the water-cooled, water-
moderated power reactor (WWER), was developed.
Typical PWR reactor thermal-hydraulic parameters are provided in Table 13 [APR2011,
POP2014]. To ensure efficient energy conversion from the reactor core to the steam turbine, the
primary coolant pressure is typically 10–15 MPa and the primary coolant temperature 290°C–
330°C, whereas the secondary loop pressure is typically 5–7 MPa.
In the PWR reactor design, ordinary light water is used both as coolant and moderator. A
simplified reactor flow diagram is shown in Figure 149. The reactor coolant loops include
primary, secondary, and tertiary loops. In the primary coolant loop, the coolant picks up the
heat produced in the core and leaves the reactor at a temperature that is sufficient to generate
steam in the steam generator. Then the coolant is returned to the reactor core by means of
pumps. In the secondary loop, the steam generated in the steam generator expands in the
steam turbine, where its energy is transferred into mechanical energy. In the tertiary loop, the
exhaust steam from the turbine is condensed in the condenser, thus transferring heat to the
outside heat sink.
Table 13 Typical PWR reactor parameters
Reactor Fuel
Thermal output, MWth 3800 Fuel pellet material UO2
Electrical output, MWe 1300 Pellet outer diameter, mm 8.19
Thermal efficiency, % 34 Rod outer diameter, mm 9.5
Specific power, kW/kg(U) 33 Zircaloy cladding thickness, mm 0.57
Power density, kW/L 102 Rods per bundle (17 x 17) 264
Ave. linear heat flux, kW/m 17.5 Bundles in core 193
Rod heat flux ave./max, MW/m2 0.584/1.46
Vessel Core
Outer diameter, m 4.4 Length, m 4.17
Height, m 13.6 Outer diameter, m 3.37
Wall thickness, m 0.22 Pressure, MPa 15.5
Steam generator Inlet temperature, °C 292
No. 4 Outlet temperature, °C 329
Outlet pressure, MPa 6.9 Mass flow rate, kg/s 531
Outlet temperature, ⁰C 284
Mass flow rate, kg/s 528
A typical PWR plant and a typical single primary coolant system loop are shown schematically in
Figure 149a, and an isometric view with four primary coolant loops is shown in Figure 149b. The
number of loops, usually two to four, is determined by the reactor power so that the size of the
primary pumps and steam generators is reasonable and obtainable from a commercial vendor.
Each primary coolant loop has one primary pump and one steam generator. All loops are
connected through the reactor vessel; one of the loops has a pressurizer connected.
13.2.2 Reactor vessel

Several typical PWR reactor vessel designs are illustrated in Figure 150 [KNI2002, KOK2009,
WEI1997, TON1996, APR2011]. Figure 150a shows a quarter section view of the vessel internal
structures, in which the reactor core and the fuel elements are also shown. Figure 150b shows a
cross section of the reactor vessel body with the internal structures of the core and the control
guide tubes above the core. Figure 150c shows an external view of the reactor vessel with a
number of inlet and outlet openings for connection to the inlet and outlet piping. The reactor
pressure vessel height and diameter depend on the design and the thermal power produced,
with a typical height of about 12–14 m and a diameter of 5–7 m. The vessel is constructed of
forged low-alloy carbon steel with a wall thickness of 20–25 cm (depending on coolant
conditions) and an approximately 3-mm stainless-steel cladding on the inner surface to increase
robustness to water corrosion and erosion.
a) PWR four-loop primary system b) PWR primary coolant loop cross section
Figure 149 PWR primary reactor cooling system
As shown in Figure 149a, the nuclear reactor core and fuel assemblies are located in the
reactor pressure vessel. The water coolant at high pressure (~14 MPa) is circulated by
external pumps into the reactor vessel, flows upwards through the fuel assemblies, out of
the vessel to heat exchangers, and from the heat exchangers back to the pumps. The
water temperature at the exit of the reactor core is lower than the saturation
temperature, i.e., the water is sub-cooled, which has an important impact on reactor
thermal-hydraulic margins, as will be explained in later sections of this chapter.
a) PWR vessel internal systems b) PWR vessel cross section
Figure 150 Typical PWR reactor vessel
Figure 150a and Figure 150b show the internal structures of a typical PWR vessel. The reactor
core is located in the lower part of the reactor vessel and is surrounded by a cylindrical inner
vessel called the core barrel. On the inner side of the core barrel, the fuel bundles are
surrounded by a multi-faced shroud that constrains flow in the radial direction. The bottom of
the core barrel has radial sliding pins that give the barrel freedom to accommodate thermal
expansion, but do not allow barrel rotation. Around the outside of the core barrel is a metal
jacket called the thermal shield (approximately one-third of the core length, situated around the
core centre). The role of these thermal shrouds is to absorb core neutron radiation in the radial
direction, preventing excessive radiation impact on the reactor vessel and thus reducing
radiation aging effects on the vessel.
The top and bottom of the reactor core are supported by the upper core plate and the lower
support plate. Both plates support the fuel assemblies in appropriate positions in the core. The
reactor control elements and safety shutdown rods pass through the guide tubes that penetrate
the upper core plate. The reactor instrumentation typically (in older designs) passes through the
lower part of the reactor vessel and penetrates the core through the lower support plate.
The reactor coolant enters the vessel through the inlet pipes (the so-called “cold legs” shown in
Figure 149a), then turn downwards in the so-called reactor downcomer and along the outside of
the reactor barrel and inside the reactor vessel, thus coming down to the reactor lower plenum.
There, the coolant turns upwards, flows through the lower support plate, and enters the core
from the bottom. The coolant flows through the core upward and exits in the reactor upper
plenum. From there, the coolant flow exits the vessel through the exit pipes (the “hot legs”).
The upward flow in the core provides good conditions for thermo-siphoning should primary
pump flow be lost in certain design basis accidents.

Steam generators transfer the heat generated by the reactor in the primary loop to the
secondary loop, where the steam turbine transfers the thermal energy into mechanical energy,
which in the electric generator is further transferred into electrical energy. Therefore, steam
generators are an important part of the heat transfer path connecting the two loops.
Figure 7 shows a typical vertical U-tube steam generator (some PWRs use once-through vertical
steam generators, and the Russian WWER design uses horizontal double U-tube steam
generators). A typical vertical steam generator is typically 21 m high and 4.5 m wide in the upper
portion. Primary coolant enters the steam generator at the bottom inlet chamber and flows
upward through the support plate into a U-shaped bundle of small-diameter tubes. Then it flows
back down to the outlet chamber at the bottom of the steam generator. Thus, the outside
surface of the U-tubes in the steam generators transfers heat from the primary to the secondary
side.
On the secondary side of the steam generators, water boils, producing saturated steam that
drives the turbine. This steam is generated in the steam generator at ~5–7 MPa depending on
the station design. The feedwater coming into the steam generator secondary loop enters at the
side, at the bottom above the support plate. It passes through the pre-heater region, where it is
heated to saturation temperature and then boils, passes through two sets of steam dryers, and
exits the upper plenum, which is located at the top of the steam generator.
The design of the steam generators is similar between the CANDU and the PWR designs.
However, some PWR steam generator designs do not have a pre-heater designed at the
feedwater entrance to the steam generator secondary side.
13.2.4 Primary pumps

Figure 9 presents a view of a typical PWR primary pump [KNI2002, KOK2009, WEI1997,
TON1996, APR2011]. It contains a single-stage impeller and an impeller casing. This is the most
important part of the pump because it provides the driving force for the primary flow. Above
the impeller casing, the rest of the pump consists of a number of pump seals to insulate the
primary flow, a flywheel set to provide inertia for the pump to continue operating for some time
after power is lost, and an electric pump motor.
The primary pumps are a vital component in the reactor heat transport system because they
drive the coolant flow by forced circulation through the primary heat transport system. Hence,
they are essential to fulfill the primary function of the reactor cooling system, to provide
continuous cooling of the reactor core in normal operation, during transients, and during reactor
shutdown. The pump start-up and shut-down sequences are routine operations of the reactor
heat transport system.
Pump failures, whether due to loss of power or inadvertent operator action, are events that
must be considered explicitly in the reactor design. The reactor primary cooling system is
designed to allow and enhance natural circulation in the absence of pump flow. This is achieved
by placing the reactor core (heat source) at the lowest point in the primary loop and the pumps
and steam generators (heat sinks) at the highest point in the primary loop.
The design of the primary pump is similar between CANDU and PWR reactors.
13.2.5 Pressurizer
The pressure in the reactor primary coolant system is maintained at a certain level by a
pressurizer. Figure 8 shows a view of a typical pressurizer.
13.2.6 Reactor refuelling and reactivity control

The fuel is in the form of assemblies (or bundles) of enriched UO2 rods, clad in zirconium alloy (or
in some earlier designs, in austenitic stainless steel). As shown in Figure 151, these fuel
assemblies are square or hexagonal in shape (depending on the reactor type) and contain an
array of fuel rods within each assembly. The fuel assemblies are arranged in a tightly packed
lattice configuration, with either square or triangular pitch (depending on the reactor type).
Typically, reactors designed by GE-Westinghouse use a square fuel assembly and square lattice
pitch, whereas the Russian-designed WWERs use a hexagonal fuel assembly arranged in a
triangular pitch.
The fuel assemblies have an open lattice, which enables radial cross flow of the cooling water,
i.e., mixing of coolant between adjacent fuel assemblies. The coolant does not boil in the core
because its temperature at the core exit is still below saturation.
To refuel a PWR reactor, it must be shut down and the primary loop cooled and depressurized.
Several days after reactor shutdown, the decay heat load of the primary loop decreases
sufficiently to enable reactor depressurization and the start of refuelling operations. Following
cooling and depressurization, the reactor pit (or reactor bunker) is filled with water to at least a
10-m height above the reactor head to provide adequate radiation shielding for the refuelling
personnel working at the top of the reactor pit. Then the reactor head is opened and removed,
enabling access to the reactor core. The fuel assemblies are individually manipulated
underwater, repositioned in the core, fresh fuel assemblies brought into the core, and some
irradiated assemblies removed from the core. Typically, the fresh fuel assemblies and irradiated
fuel assemblies are positioned and reshuffled in the core in a predetermined sequence. The
refuelling crew typically uses computer programs to ensure optimal fuel bundle distribution and
to monitor fuel bundle histories in the core.
The irradiated fuel bundles that are removed from the core are transported underwater to the
irradiated fuel bay for storage and cooling for a number of years. Removing the fuel from the
irradiated fuel bays depends on the national policies of specific jurisdictions for handling highly
radioactive irradiated fuel or subjecting it to reprocessing.
a) Typical fuel assembly structure b) Typical fuel assembly view
Figure 151 Typical PWR square fuel assembly design
Refuelling is normally done on an 18–24 month basis and typically takes 4–5 days. However,
refuelling outages in PWRs can last up to one month or sometimes longer when the
preparations, cooldown, maintenance activities, and return to full power are taken into account.
To operate for long periods without refuelling, the new fuel is enriched in 235U (up to a maximum
of 5%). When the fuel is fresh, the excess reactivity in the reactor core is compensated for by a
neutron poison dissolved in the coolant/moderator water and by other devices. As the fuel
burns up, the dissolved poison in the coolant/moderator is gradually removed by ion-exchange
columns.
Reactivity control in a PWR reactor is performed by full-length control rods. Levelling neutron
flux and heat generation in the core is performed by various control rod banks of full or partial
length, and by other means in newer PWR designs (i.e., burnable absorber material in fuel and in
“grey” control rods). Intermediate- and long-term reactivity control in the core is achieved by
soluble poison (called “chemical shim”); typically, boric acid is used for this purpose. The critical
soluble boron concentration is reduced in the core with core burn-up, i.e., with buildup of 135Xe
and 149Sm. Therefore, during the initial burn-up of a few hundred MWd/t, the boron
concentration is reduced sharply by up to 40%, followed later by a more gradual reduction to
compensate for fuel burn-up and generation of fission products in the fuel.
13.2.7 Fuel assembly and fuel pin design

Figure 151 shows a typical PWR fuel assembly design [KNI2002, KOK2009, WEI1997, TON1996,
APR2011]. As shown in Figure 151a, the fuel assembly typically consists of fuel pins (also called
fuel rods or fuel elements) arranged in a square pitch with a certain number of grid plates
(spacers) that hold the fuel pins in position and constrain them in the radial direction. Other
than by the support plates, the PWR fuel bundle does not restrict the coolant flow in the radial
direction because there is no flow tube around the bundle. Therefore, all fuel pins in the core
create a continuous matrix of fuel pins throughout the core.
a) Typical fuel rod design b) Typical fuel rod grid design
Figure 152 Typical PWR fuel design
The guide tubes shown in Figure 151a are provided for each fuel assembly. They are intended to
receive the control rods (shown in Figure 151a) from the top as a cluster control assembly with a
certain number of control rods. Fuel assemblies that do not have control assemblies are plugged
from the top by a special plugging device to prevent coolant bypass though them (they have a
larger hydraulic diameter than the rest of the fuel matrix).
The top and bottom nozzles are welded with the guide tubes and create a rigid fuel assembly
structure. The fuel pins pass though the grid plates, but are not welded to the grid plates to
allow for unrestricted thermal expansion. The bottom nozzle contains four openings at the four
support legs, which fit into the reactor core bottom plate, and which deliver coolant to the fuel
assembly
Figure 152 shows the fuel pin design [POP2014]. The fuel pin design is similar for the LWR and
CANDU designs. In fact, all LWRs and CANDUs, regardless of the manufacturer and country of
origin, have a similar fuel pin design.
The fuel pin consists of a Zircaloy tube into which fuel pellets are inserted. The tube is then filled
with gas and sealed. The fuel pellets have a height-to-diameter ratio of about 1.5 and have
dished surfaces on both ends, which help to align them properly in the vertical direction,
accommodate fuel swelling, and collect gases generated during fission. Numerous fuel pellets
are located in each fuel pin and form a vertical fuel pellet stack within the pin. At the top end of
the fuel pin, the fuel pellets are held tightly in a vertical direction by a spring that is installed and
sealed in the tube.
Figure 153 Typical PWR fuel assembly support Figure 154 Typical PWR reactor control sites
spacer plates
Figure 153 shows the design of the fuel bundle support plates [POP2014]. Each spacer plate has
dimples on each side of the square frame, which hold the fuel pin in the radial direction. The
fuel pin can slide along the spacer plates in the vertical direction, thus accommodating thermal
expansion. The spacer plates also have mixing vanes in the radial direction that help to enhance
turbulence along the fuel pin, resulting in higher thermal margins.
Figure 154 shows cross sections of the fuel bundles and the positions of the 21 control-rod guide
tubes [POP2014]. Typically, a number of positions in the fuel assembly are not filled with fuel,
but instead with guide tubes that are used as sites for insertion of control rods. Although not all
bundles will have control rods inserted in them, they are all made with guide tubes so that they
can be installed at any core position regardless of whether they will receive control rods or not.
Those assemblies that do not receive control rods will receive plug assemblies, which will insert
short plug rods to block coolant bypass through the empty guide tubes (the plug assembly is
similar to the assembly shown in Figure 155b, except that its plug pins are shorter).
Figure 155a shows a typical PWR control assembly design. Figure 155b shows one immovable
control assembly for long-term reactivity control in certain fixed positions in the core [POP2014].
The movable control-rod assembly consists of 21 control rods held by radial arms, which are
connected to the central holding shaft, which in turn is connected to a control drive assembly.
The movable control assembly moves up and down vertically as driven by the reactor control
system. The immovable control bundle also has 21 control rods, which are connected at the top
plate. The top plate has a shaft with a spring to lock the control bundle into position so that it
will remain stationary between two fuel replacement cycles.
a) Movable control assembly (vertical) b) Immovable control assembly (vertical)
Figure 155 Typical PWR control assembly (cluster) design
Figure 156 shows a typical PWR control rod design [POP2014]. The control rods are of various
design and material composition depending on their role in the reactor core. The control rods
that are part of the reactor control system are filled with neutron-absorbing material along their
full length in the core (usually a mix of 80% silver, 15% indium, and 5% cadmium, which is the
material with the largest neutron-absorption capability used in modern reactors). The
immovable control rods (Figure 156a) can be filled over their full length or partially filled at the
top, bottom, or middle. They can also be filled with neutron-absorbing material of various
thicknesses in the annulus (Figure 156a). The immovable control rods are filled with a mix of
neutron-absorbing material that reduces absorption capability by neutron capture (diminishing
absorption potential per unit volume with radiation exposure), or by materials that retain
absorption capability over several control isotope generations.
a) Solid control rod (vertical) b) Annular control rod (vertical)
Figure 156 Typical PWR control-rod design
PWR control-rod guide tubes penetrate through the reactor pressure vessel head and hold each
control assembly cluster in place. The control assemblies are driven in and out of the core by
control-rod drive devices that are located outside the reactor vessel. The control-rod shaft is
located in the guide tubes that extend through the reactor cap, in the space above the core, and
holds the control-rod top. Special attention is devoted to the seals of the control-rod guide
tubes and assemblies because they are located in the vessel at a pressure of 15 MPa, whereas
their shafts and guide tubes are at atmospheric pressure. Because of the large pressure
difference between the inside of the vessel and the atmosphere outside of the reactor vessel,
special attention is devoted to preventing control-rod ejection from the vessel, which can create
a severe large positive reactivity insertion.
13.2.8 Reactor core design

The fuel assemblies in the reactor core are typically 3.6–4.2 m long and have from 14 x 14 to 19 x
19 fuel rod positions. There are typically 120–170 fuel assemblies in the core, depending on the
reactor thermal power and reactor type, arranged in a square or hexagonal lattice in the core.
The fuel assemblies are enveloped by a metal shroud which follows the core shape at the sides
of the peripheral assemblies (see Figure 150a). The metal shroud does not permit fluid
movement in the radial direction, but fluid movement in the radial direction is not restricted by
the fuel assemblies themselves.
The core flow is in the upward direction, which in the absence of forced circulation (when the
primary pumps are off) enhances the potential for natural circulation, thus removing core decay
heat.
13.2.9 WWER reactor design

The WWER reactors are of Russian design, and their design follows in principle the original U.S.
PWR design [KNI2002, KOK2009,. Figure 157a shows an isometric view of the primary cooling
loop and the reactor vessel. The primary cooling system is similar to the PWR primary cooling
system, with three or four primary loops depending on reactor power. There are some
differences in the fuel assembly design, the most significant being that it is not open in the radial
direction because it is surrounded by guide tubes. Figure 157b shows a reactor vessel similar to
the American PWR vessel design. Figure 157c shows a WWER steam generator of horizontal
design and containing double horizontal U-tube assemblies on the primary side connected at the
middle of the steam generator. In addition, steam is collected at the top of the steam generator
in a separate steam collector tube.
a) Primary loop b) Reactor vessel
Figure 157 Russian WWWR reactor design
13.3 Boiling water reactors

Boiling water reactors (BWRs) also originate from the U.S. nuclear industry, but unlike PWRs,
they are designed to allow coolant boiling in the reactor vessel, and hence they do not have a
separate heat exchanger (steam generator) for steam production. There are numerous BWRs in
operation around the world, although fewer than the PWR designs. BWRs feature a lower
primary heat transport system pressure than PWRs for the same power output, which results in
decreased thickness of the reactor pressure vessel (which amounts to an economic benefit).
Figure 158 shows two BWR reactor versions, BWR/4 and BWR/6 [KNI2002, KOK2009, LAH1977,
POP2014].
Figure 158 BWR reactor design

BWR plants have been designed in two main design streams: direct-cycle and dual-cycle. In a
direct-cycle plant, which is the most common in operation, steam is produced in the steam
generator and is moved to the turbine generator as dry steam. In a dual-cycle plant, in addition
to steam production in the reactor, steam is also produced in a secondary steam generator fed
by saturated water from the moisture separator.
Figure 159 shows a simplified flow diagram of a direct-cycle BWR system [LAH1977]. The direct
cycle has the advantages of lower capital cost and simplicity, which increases system reliability.
There is no separate steam generator in the cooling system because the reactor generates
steam. Older BWR designs could not follow the load, but are to a certain extent self-controlling
due to the negative void reactivity. Modern BWR designs are capable of load following by
coolant recirculation control.
Figure 159 Typical BWR reactor vessel coolant circulation

With this arrangement, the turbine plant is “active” due to activity induced in the reactor coolant
(primarily N-16). As a result, the turbine generator plant is less accessible during operation;
fortunately, however, this activity decays quickly following shutdown, permitting normal direct
access for maintenance.
Figure 160 BWR reactor fuel assemblies in the core

The typical BWR reactor vessel, shown in Figure 158, has the steam production and collection
part in the upper part of the vessel, the reactor core in the middle of the vessel, and the control
assembly and instrumentation access through the reactor bottom and the lower plenum. The
reactor core has an active length of typically 3.5–4 m, similar to PWRs. The core contains
between 500 and 800 fuel assemblies, each containing arrays of fuel rods with a similar design to
those in PWRs.
Figure 159 shows the coolant circulation in the BWR core. The recirculation system consists of
recirculation pump loops located on the sides of the reactor vessel. In the BWR design
illustrated, the reactor vessel downcomer jet internal pumps are located on the outer core
periphery, arranged in pairs, with each having a common inlet riser. The driving flow from the
external pumps passes through the jet pump nozzles and acquires high velocity and momentum.
The momentum exchange entrains the recirculation flow, usually called suction flow. The
combination of the external pump-driven flow and the suction flow enters the throat of the jet
pump, thus ensuring adequate flow through the core. The jet pump design has the advantages
of fewer moving parts, higher reliability, and robustness in accident situations. The feedwater
inlet is in the upper part of the core, and the coolant falls down by gravity towards the inlet of
the jet pumps.
BWR fuel assemblies are typically of square design (see the left part of Figure 160), but the fuel
rods are situated in a square flow tube which does not allow flow mixing in the radial direction
(see the right part of Figure 160) [KNI2002, KOK2009]. Because the BWR reactor is designed to
operate with saturated water that boils in the core, a good level of turbulence is already
achieved, and therefore there is no need to promote radial mixing to enhance turbulence, as in
the PWR design. The left side of Figure 160 shows a BWR fuel assembly with a square tube and
the spacer grids inside holding the fuel pins.
Figure 161 shows a cross section of four fuel assemblies, on the left 10 x 10, and on the right 7 x
7 fuel rod arrays [KNI2002, KOK2009, LAH1977, POP2014]. The cruciform control assembly is
located between the fuel bundles. Clearly, between the fuel assemblies, a gap is maintained for
the control assembly to move in a vertical direction through the core.
Figure 161 BWR fuel and control assemblies
The control assembly is moved through the core from the bottom of the reactor. Therefore, the
control assembly holding the plate and drive mechanisms is at the bottom of the core and needs
to work against gravity.
13.4 Gas-cooled reactors

Gas-cooled reactors (AGRs) have been in operation for many years and were promoted by the
U.K. nuclear industry due to their potential for higher thermal efficiency and relatively low
stored energy in the primary coolant, which reduced containment requirements. AGRs were
primarily designed and built in the United Kingdom. They use gas as the reactor coolant and
natural or enriched uranium as fuel. In recent years, some of these reactors have been shut
down, and others are planned for shutdown soon. The U.K. nuclear industry has abandoned this
design and does not plan to use it for future reactors. This section provides a brief overview of
the AGR reactor type and a brief history of its development in recent decades.
13.4.1 Magnox reactors

Magnox reactors are graphite-moderated, CO2 gas-cooled reactors fuelled with natural uranium
metal clad with a magnesium alloy called Magnox. They derived their generic name from this
last feature. Figure 162 shows a schematic arrangement of one version of this reactor type
[POP2014].
This type of reactor was pioneered by the British and French and was a natural outgrowth of
earlier air-cooled, graphite-moderated research and plutonium production reactors. A
significant number were built in Britain and France, with a few exported to other countries.
Early versions used steel reactor pressure vessels with external heat exchangers (boilers) and gas
circulating blowers. Later versions, as shown in Figure 163, used pre-stressed concrete pressure
vessels incorporating the reactor core, heat exchangers, and coolant circulation blowers. This
was primarily a cost reduction measure, although safety advantages in terms of low risk of
coolant system rupture were also claimed.
Figure 162 Typical Magnox reactor design

Primarily because of coolant temperature limitations imposed by the uranium metal fuel and the
Magnox cladding, only relatively modest turbine steam conditions are achievable, limiting the
station overall efficiency to ~30%.
As is typical of all natural uranium power reactors, the Magnox reactors are fuelled on-load. This
is necessary because large quantities of excess reactivity, in the form of additional U-235, are not
“built into” the new fuel.
The in-service availability of the Magnox reactors has proven to be relatively good. On-load
refuelling helps in this regard. Nevertheless, their relatively high capital cost and relatively
modest achievable fuel utilization has led to the abandonment of plans for constructing further
reactors of this type. Presently, in the United Kingdom, all Magnox reactors are shut down and
undergoing decommissioning.
13.4.2 AGR reactors

The AGR (advanced gas-cooled reactor) was developed in the United Kingdom as a successor to
the Magnox line of reactors [POP2014]. A number of these reactors were successfully operating
in the United Kingdom, but presently they are aging and require replacement. They differ from
the latest Magnox reactors primarily in the fuel used. The fuel is UO 2 clad in stainless steel. This
design permits higher fuel temperatures and coolant temperatures to be achieved, leading to
conditions similar to those in conventional fossil-fuel steam plants (16.5 MPa, 550°C).
The fuel is designed as a cluster of small-diameter rods, which permits relatively high power
levels. This reduces the size of the reactor core relative to the Magnox reactors, where the fuel
is in the form of large single elements. However, because of these fuel changes, the AGR
requires some fuel enrichment. Figure 163 shows a view of an AGR reactor type diagram.
The British have decided that the AGR is not fully competitive with other types of power
reactors. Hence, this design, like the Magnox type, appears to be “dead-ended” and is being
replaced by other reactor types, such as advanced PWRs and advanced BWRs.
Figure 163 Typical AGR reactor design
13.4.3 HTGCR Reactors

The high temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGCR) differs from the AGR in two major respects
[POP2014]. The first is the use of helium as the coolant in place of CO2. This permits even higher
coolant temperatures without inducing a chemical reaction with the graphite moderator. The
second relates to the fuel. In very early designs, the fuel was supposed to be fully enriched
(93%) U-235 mixed with thorium. Thorium absorbs neutrons and is converted, after a
radioactive decay chain, to U-233, which is fissile. As a result, the reactivity of the fuel remains
high even after very long irradiation, the U-233 replacing the U-235 as the latter is burned up.
The fuel is in the form of mixed carbides. It is manufactured in very small spheres which are
coated with pyrolytic graphite, the latter providing the cladding. These spheres are compacted
into holes in large graphite assemblies, forming an integral fuel and moderator assembly.
Figure 164 shows an advanced version of the HTGCR reactor design currently being developed as
part of the Generation IV development efforts. The very high coolant temperatures achievable
lead to high steam cycle efficiencies, or alternatively make possible the ultimate use of gas
turbines directly driven by the coolant. The development of the direct-cycle gas turbine version
would be particularly attractive in this regard.
Figure 164 Typical HTGCR reactor design
13.5 Channel-type reactors

13.5.1 SGHWR reactor
The steam generating heavy water reactor (SGHWR) has been developed and operated in the
United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy for a number of years. The best example of this reactor type
that operated successfully in Japan for more than 20 years is the Fugen reactor (currently
decommissioned) [POP2014].
Figure 165 SGHWR reactor

Figure 165 shows a schematic of this reactor type. The heat transport system contains vertical
pressure tubes, light water coolant, heavy water moderator in a calandria vessel, and
recirculating pumps used to return water from steam drums to the lower end of pressure tubes.
The fuel was low-enriched uranium with on-power refuelling. The reactor heat transport system
was located in a containment building, thus providing protection during accidents.
Another type of SGHWR design was the CANDU Gentilly-1 reactor, which was shut down and is
now decommissioned. It also used vertical pressure tubes with natural uranium, heavy water
moderator, and light water coolant.
13.5.2 CANDU reactor

The CANDU fuel channel type reactors have been developed in Canada, have achieved great
commercial success around the world, and are being still developed and prepared for new builds
in Canada and internationally. Figure 2 shows the CANDU reactor cooling systems and Figure 3
the reactor heat transport system and moderator cooling system.
13.5.3 RBMK reactor

The Russian version of the channel reactor is the RBMK reactor (an acronym for High Power
Channel Type Reactor in Russian) [POP2014]. This reactor design was built in Russia and in
neighbouring states in the 1980s and 1990s. The RBMK reactors had two basic power levels, one
around 1000 MWe, the other around 1400 MWe.
Following the Chernobyl accident, many of these reactors were shut down, and they continue to
be shut down, with the exception of a few, such as the Kursk and Leningrad reactors that will
continue to operate until the early 2020s. The RBMK design was abandoned by the Russian
nuclear industry after the Chernobyl accident. However, many design changes have been
implemented in the operating units to improve their safety during their remaining operational
life.
Figure 166 shows the reactor cooling systems (primary, secondary, and tertiary), a view of the
reactor core, and a cross section of a RBMK plant. The reactor core is very large (21.6 x 21.6 x
25.5 m). The vessel contains the graphite stack filled with a helium-nitrogen mixture to ensure
an inert atmosphere. The reactor fuel is UO2 with a fuel rod design similar to the LWR design,
with 2%–4% enrichment in U-235. Refuelling is performed on-power to achieve a better balance
of neutron flux and core utilization and to optimize production of Pu-239.
Figure 166 RBMK reactor design

The reactor has two independent cooling circuits, each with four primary circulation pumps
(including one stand-by). The cooling water is fed to the reactor through lower water lines to a
common header, which is split into 22 distribution headers, each feeding 38–41 fuel channels, in
which water boils. The mixture of water and steam is conveyed by the upper steam lines, one
for each fuel channel, from the reactor top to the steam separators. Steam with 15% quality is
taken from the separators by two steam collectors per separator, combined, and then conveyed
to the turbine hall. The nominal total flow through the core is ~46,000–48,000 m3/h. The
nominal temperature of the water at the inlet of the reactor is about 270°C and the outlet
temperature 284°C, at a pressure of 6.9 MPa.
The fuel channels consist of Zircaloy pressure tubes that pass through the channels in the centre
of the graphite blocks. There are 1661 fuel channels in the core and 211 control channels. There
is only a small clearance between each pressure channel and a graphite block, which makes the
design vulnerable to damage. If a pressure tube channel deforms due to high internal pressure
in an accident situation, the deformation can cause significant pressure straining of the graphite
blocks and lead to damage, which can then possibly propagate to neighbouring channels.
Light water was used as coolant and graphite as moderator. This combination of core materials
leads to a highly positive void coefficient, which results in high power excursions in the case of a
loss of coolant accident.
Because of certain similarities to the CANDU design, and because of the unpopular experience
with the RBMK reactors, CANDU has often been criticized as potentially vulnerable in the same
way as the RBMK reactors. As described in Chapter 16, many studies have been performed since
the Chernobyl accident and have demonstrated that CANDU has different physical
characteristics that make the CANDU design behave quite differently from the RBMK reactors,
and that therefore CANDU reactors are not as vulnerable in accidents as RBMK reactors.
13.6 Fast breeder reactors

Liquid metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBRs) were designed many years ago, and some were built
as prototype versions in the United States, France, and Russia, and later by other countries as
part of pilot programs. These pilot-prototype versions had varying degrees of operational
success, and therefore many were shut down or restarted over the past several decades. These
reactors use a fast neutron spectrum to maintain the fission chain reaction and are cooled by
molten metal coolants. Figure 167 shows the design sketch of a typical pool-type (left) and a
loop-type fast breeder reactor [POP2014].
Whereas all the reactors previously described are of the thermal type, i.e., the fissions in the fuel
are primarily induced by thermal neutrons, it is also possible to sustain a chain reaction with
high-energy neutrons, i.e., fission neutrons, provided that the fuel is highly enriched with fissile
material such as U-235 or Pu-239. Furthermore, on average, more than two neutrons are born
per fission. One of these neutrons is required to induce the next fission, leaving a surplus of
somewhat more than one neutron which can be absorbed by a “fertile” material such as U-238,
producing fissile Pu-239. It is therefore possible to produce fissile material as rapidly as it is used
up; this is called “breeding”. In fact, it is possible to produce more fissile material than is used
because the average number of neutrons produced per fission is greater than 2. The excess is
referred to as the “breeding gain”. This can be achieved only if the neutron economy is high, i.e.,
if relatively few neutrons are wasted.
This possibility of breeding is a very attractive means of extending the power available from
uranium because less than 1% of natural uranium is fissile. If a substantial part of the other
~99% could be converted to fissile Pu-239 as a by-product of reactor operation, then the world’s
uranium reserves could be stretched enormously. The fast breeder reactor is one way of doing
this, which explains the widespread interest in this concept.
Figure 167 Fast reactor design

The basic arrangement of a liquid metal-cooled fast breeder reactor is shown in Figure 167. The
reactor core consists of a closely packed array of highly enriched (U-235 or Pu-239) oxide rods
clad in a high temperature-resistant metal. This core is surrounded on all sides by a “breeder
blanket” of fertile U-238 rods (also in clad oxide form). The excess fission neutrons produced in
the core “leak” out of the core and are absorbed in the blanket rods. Both the core and blanket
are cooled by a flow of liquid sodium. This sodium is in turn cooled in heat exchangers and
returned to the reactor by more or less conventional centrifugal pumps. The heat exchangers
are cooled by a second flow of sodium, which in turn is cooled in a second set of heat
exchangers, which produce steam for the turbine. The purpose of this intermediate sodium loop
is to provide isolation between the sodium cooling the reactor and the steam and water in the
turbine cycle, thereby practically eliminating the in-leakage of water and preventing it from
contaminating the reactor coolant.
Despite this intermediate loop, the reactor operating temperature is sufficiently high to permit
steam to be produced under modern fossil-fuelled plant conditions (~16.5 MPa with a single
reheat to 540°C). There are a number of new Generation IV designs for fast breeder reactors,
but none of them has been built yet, even as a prototype.

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1

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

4.3.2 Gaseous coolants ....................................................................................................... 48

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

7.4.2 Temperature distribution in the radial direction ..................................................... 128

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

13.2.7 Fuel assembly and fuel pin design ...................................................................... 259

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Figure 29 Boiling curve.................................................................................................................. 71

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Figure 117 CHF margin evaluation methods (a, b, c) .................................................................. 199

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Figure 161 BWR fuel and control assemblies ............................................................................. 267

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

1.2 Learning outcomes

1.3 Summary of relationship to other chapters

1.4 Thermal-hydraulic design

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Figure 1 Heat engine concepts

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

2.1 CANDU reactor design

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Figure 2 Typical CANDU plant

Figure 2 provides a schematic diagram of a typical CANDU heat transport system.

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

a) CANDU 6 primary and shutdown cooling loops

b) CANDU 6 cooling loops in containment – 3D view

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

2.1.1 Reactor core and calandria vessel

Figure 4a) Typical CANDU reactor and heat transport system

Figure 4b) Typical CANDU fuel channel

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Figure 4c) Typical CANDU fuel bundle

Figure 5 CANDU calandria vessel and reactor vault

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

2.1.2 Primary heat transport system design

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Figure 6 CANDU primary heat transport system

2.1.3 Steam generators

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Figure 7 Typical steam generator design Figure 8 Typical pressurizer design

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

2.1.5 Primary pumps

Figure 9 Typical primary pump design

2.1.6 Primary heat transport piping

2.1.7 Secondary heat transport system design

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

2.1.10 Heat exchangers and pumps

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

3 CANDU Thermal-Hydraulic Design Evolution

3.1 CANDU reactor evolution

Thermal-Hydraulic Design – December 2015

Table 1 Typical fuel characteristics for key reactor types

Characteristic BWR PWR AGR LMFBR CANDU

Moderator H2O H2O Graphite - D2O