开式通道内氦氙气体流动换热特性分析

Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Helium-xenon Gas in Open Lattice Channels

  • 摘要: 氦氙混合气体在特定摩尔配比下,兼具优良的传热特性、低快中子吸收截面与良好的可压缩性,可以作为气冷快堆的冷却剂。开放式栅格通道是紧凑型堆芯的典型结构,氦氙流动与传热行为影响反应堆的热工水力性能与系统安全裕度。该研究针对氦氙混合气体在三角形排列的开式通道内的流动与传热特性展开数值模拟研究,建立了氦氙物性模型,验证了数值方法,系统分析了节径比(1.15~1.33)和雷诺数(1×10 4~1×10 5)对流动与换热的影响规律。结果表明,研究范围内流动处于旺盛湍流状态,壁面边界层存在显著的速度与温度梯度。基于模拟数据,分别构建了适用于此类通道的沿程阻力系数、努塞尔数及横向搅混系数的预测关联式。

     

    Abstract: Helium-xenon (He-Xe) gas mixtures, with their advantageous thermophysical properties, low fast-neutron absorption cross-section, and favorable compressibility, are promising coolants for gas-cooled fast reactors (GFR). Open-lattice channels, a typical configuration in compact cores, govern the thermal-hydraulic performance and safety margins of the reactor through the complex flow and heat transfer behavior of the He-Xe mixture. This study presents a numerical investigation of the flow and heat transfer characteristics of a He-Xe mixture (molar mass of 40 g/mol) in triangular-array open-lattice channels. The primary objective is to develop accurate predictive correlations for key thermal-hydraulic parameters, specifically the friction factor, Nusselt number, and transverse mixing coefficient, within a parametric space defined by pitch-to-diameter ratios ( P/D) ranging from 1.15 to 1.33 and Reynolds numbers ( Re) from 1×10 4 to 1×10 5. A comprehensive numerical methodology was established. First, a dedicated property model for the He-Xe mixture was developed and validated against reference data to ensure accurate representation of its thermodynamic and transport properties. Subsequently, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was constructed and validated against benchmark data to confirm its predictive capability for the targeted flow regimes. Systematic numerical simulations were then performed across the specified ranges of P/D and Re, generating a database for the analysis of flow and heat transfer phenomena. The results reveal that, within the entire investigated range, the He-Xe flow remains in a fully developed turbulent state. A distinct velocity boundary layer forms in the near-wall region, where steep velocity gradients dominate the wall shear stress. Based on these observations and the simulation data, a new friction factor correlation was developed. This correlation builds upon the classical Blasius formula framework and is specifically calibrated for He-Xe flow in open-lattice channels, effectively capturing the influence of P/D and Re. Furthermore, the temperature field analysis indicates that the fluid temperature increases from the wall toward the channel center, with the maximum temperature gradient occurring within the thermal boundary layer. Utilizing the functional form of the classic Kays correlation, a new Nusselt number correlation was derived from the numerical results. This correlation accurately predicts convective heat transfer for He-Xe mixtures in the studied geometry and flow conditions. Finally, the transverse mixing intensity, quantified by the transverse mixing coefficient, was found to increase with Re. Notably, beyond Re=8×10 4, the flow enters a vigorously turbulent regime where the mixing coefficient approaches an asymptotic value. The channel geometry, particularly the P/D, exerts a significant influence on the mixing intensity. A dedicated correlation for the transverse mixing coefficient was proposed, accounting for both Re and P/D effects. In conclusion, this study provides a set of validated, geometry-specific predictive correlations for friction factor, Nusselt number, and transverse mixing coefficient for He-Xe flow in triangular open-lattice channels. These correlations offer essential tools for the thermal-hydraulic design, performance optimization, and safety assessment of helium-xenon gas-cooled fast reactors, bridging the gap between fundamental fluid dynamics and practical engineering applications.

     

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