Modeling of a horizontal circulation open loop in two-phase helium

In the process of the cryogenic cooling system design of the superconducting magnet of the R3B spectrometer, heat and mass transfer in a two-phase He I natural circulation loop with a horizontal heated section has been investigated experimentally. The experiments were conducted on a 2 m high experimental loop with a copper tube of 10 mm inner diameter uniformly heated over a length of 4 m. All data were obtained near atmospheric pressure. Evolution of the mass flow rates as a function of heat flux in steady state condition are presented and compared to a numerical model that have been developed to assist the design of such a cooling scheme. The model is based on a one-dimensional equations system, which includes mass, momentum and energy balances. It is based on the homogeneous model with a specific friction coefficient for the horizontal heated section. The model reproduces with an acceptable accuracy the experimental results and now serves as a tool for the design.

► We measured the mass flow rates evolution for a two-phase circulation loop in helium.
► The circulation loop is simulated with a 1D predictive model.
► The two-phase helium flow is based on the homogeneous model.
► The thermodynamic behavior and mass flow rates are reproduced with good accuracy.