蒸汽-空气气泡直接接触冷凝压力振荡计算模型

Calculation Model for Pressure Oscillations in Direct Contact Condensation of Steam-air Bubbles

  • 摘要: 直接接触冷凝换热方式高效、紧凑,广泛应用于沸水堆以及小型堆抑压安全壳中。抑压过程中,蒸汽和不凝气体混合通过抑压水池,伴随剧烈的压力振荡,对系统安全构成挑战。为研究其机理,基于气泡动力学方程,建立了蒸汽-空气气泡冷凝压力振荡计算模型,模型重点考虑了不凝气体对传热传质的影响以及气泡间的耦合。经实验验证,模型能可靠预测气泡运动与压力振荡,其中对气泡当量直径、压力振荡频率及幅值的预测相对误差分别约为20%、13.9%和1.9%,且对振荡频率的预测优于已有模型。基于模型计算结果,发现压力振荡受到质量流率和蒸汽组分的耦合影响,过冷度对压力振荡的影响不显著,在质量流率70 kg/(m2·s)时,随着空气质量分数增加,压力主频下降、压力强度增强;在质量流率110 kg/(m2·s)时,随着空气质量分数增加,压力主频上升、压力强度增强,当空气质量分数增至35%时,主频下降、强度减弱。本研究给出一种考虑不凝气体的压力振荡计算模型,为抑压水池的安全设计与运行优化提供了理论依据。

     

    Abstract: Direct contact condensation is a highly efficient and compact heat transfer technology, widely applied in boiling water reactors and small modular reactors for nuclear reactor safety, especially in suppression containments and emergency coolant systems. During accident scenarios like loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCAs), high-temperature and high-pressure steam mixed with non-condensable gases is rapidly discharged into the suppression pool via vertical discharge pipes. This process triggers intense pressure oscillations, which threaten the structural integrity of the containment system, pipe connections, and safety valves. To clarify the underlying physical mechanism and improve prediction accuracy for practical engineering design, a calculation model for steam-air bubble condensation pressure oscillation was established based on bubble dynamics equations. This model specifically incorporates the effects of non-condensable gases on interface heat transfer coefficient and mass transfer resistance, as well as the coupling interaction between bubbles. These factors often overlooked in existing models but critical in nuclear engineering applications. Experimental validation was conducted using a visualized water tank with a discharge nozzle. The nozzle has an inner diameter of 12 mm and an immersion depth of 900 mm. Tests were performed under typical nuclear power plant operating conditions: steam mass fluxes ranging from 70 to 120 kg/(m2·s), liquid subcooling degrees of 40-70 K, and air mass fractions of 10%. High-speed cameras and pressure sensors were used to record bubble morphology and pressure variation data. The results demonstrate that the proposed model reliably predicts bubble formation, growth, coalescence behaviors and pressure oscillation characteristics. The maximum relative errors for bubble equivalent diameter, pressure oscillation frequency, and amplitude are 20%, 13.9%, and 1.9%, respectively. Its prediction performance outperforms existing models that ignore non-condensable gas effects. Further parametric analysis reveals that pressure oscillations are synergistically influenced by steam mass flux and steam-air composition, while liquid subcooling has a negligible effect on oscillation frequency. At a low mass flux of 70 kg/(m2·s), increasing the air mass fraction reduces the dominant oscillation frequency and enhances pressure intensity by slowing bubble condensation and increasing bubble residence time. At a high mass flux of 110 kg/(m2·s), the dominant frequency and pressure intensity first increase with air mass fraction due to enhanced bubble coalescence, then decrease when the air mass fraction exceeds 35% as condensation resistance becomes the dominant factor. This study provides a theoretical tool for the safe design, operation optimization, and risk assessment of suppression pools and containment pressure relief systems in nuclear power plants, supporting the improvement of nuclear reactor safety under accident conditions and reducing the risk of equipment fatigue damage.

     

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