Thermal hydraulic characteristics of helical coil once-through steam generator under ocean conditions

Owing to its advantages of high heat transfer efficiency and compactness, the helical coil once-through steam generator(HCOTSG) can be used in floating nuclear power plants and has been widely used in the design of small modular reactors. The helical tubular geometric structure of the HCOTSG allows heat transfer and local flow changes to occur under complex ocean conditions. In this study, theoretical models of ocean conditions are added to the RELAP5/MOD3.3 code and verified. Using the modified RELAP5 code, the thermal–hydraulic characteristics of the HCOTSG under ocean conditions are simulated. The results show that under rolling conditions, the flow oscillation amplitudes of the single liquid-phase, twophase flow, and single gas-phase regions are different. A circular change in the horizontal position of the helical tube causes the fluctuation of the parameters to change periodically. A phase difference of approximately 3.9 s at a flow rate of 23 kg/s is observed in the flow fluctuation along the axial direction. The driving force, period, and amplitude of rolling significantly affect the flow fluctuation in the HCOTSG. In natural circulation, the flow in the HCOTSG is complex, and the primary-side flow fluctuation can reduce the trough of the flow oscillation at the helical tube by approximately 24.3%.

The diagnosis for the tropical Pacific Ocean conditions in 1990

In this paper, on the basis of the observational hydrographic data obtained from the eighth cruise of PRC-USA bilateral air-sea interaction program, and combined with the sea surface temperature (SST) charts provided by NOAA, the data obtained from moored thermistor chains supplied by L. J. Mangum and sea level data provided by K. Wyrtki, the ocean conditions since October, 1989 in the western tropical Pacific are exposed, which indicate that 1990 is a year with weak El Nino event similar to the 1980 El Nino event, and the North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) has made a good contribution to the propagation of warm water from the Western to the Central and Eastern Pacific, a characteristic similar to that of the 1976 El Nino event. The 1990 weak El Nino event will soon fall into decay.

Diagnosis of the Causes of the Rain Flooding in June in the West Africa Coastal Area

Rain flooding during June on the West Africa coastal area is analyzed by using the 95th and 75th percentiles, which represent extreme and intense rainfall events respectively. Thus, the contribution of these events that reaches around 50% shows their impact on the rainfall in June. Atmospheric and oceanic factors influence the rain flooding. Indeed, the extreme events are associated with easterly waves propagating from 20°E, while those of intense events are initiated around 5°E. The impact of oceanic conditions exhibits the warming of the equatorial rail and the Atlantic cold tongue, the warming of the whole ocean basin and a north-south dipole of SST anomalies. The West African monsoon that reaches Abidjan corresponds to a low-level atmospheric flow, whose upward motion extends in latitude from the ocean to the continent. An increase of disturbance contributes to enhancing these events. This is confirmed by the inflow on to the continent of oceanic moisture coming from the ventilation by evaporation of warm water. In addition, the coupled ocean-atmosphere simulations are one of the best candidates that could help to better explain these dramatic events. This study is useful because of showing solutions that could help in adoption of policies for the risks management related to these events.

Calculation of natural circulation under heaving motion

Wide validation of self-developed program of natural circulation under oceanic conditions has been conducted compared with experimental data of inclination,zero-power condition and hot-state condition.Experiments were performed on a full-scale,whole parameterization natural circulation loop designed with reference to 5 MW experimental low temperature nuclear heating reactor(NHR)of Tsinghua University.Investigation of natural circulation and parameter effect under heaving motion was carried out using the program and comparison of heaving,inclination and rolling on natural circulation respectively to reveal the influence mechanism.Results indicate that:(1)significant influence of heaving motion on natural circulation was observed,and heaving motion with high level of strength and long cycle would lead to severe flow fluctuation;(2)slight effect was caused by short cycle heaving motion which was completely different from long cycle heaving motion;(3)comprehensive action of alternating force and flow density distribution would result in natural circulation under heaving motion;(4)most severe accidents maybe result from the long cycle heaving motion rather than inclination and rolling motion.Investigation of influence of heaving motion on natural circulation could have important reference significance in the optimization design of nuclear reactors.