Scaling modeling analysis of flow instability in U-tubes of steam generator under natural circulation

• The flow instability criterion (critical Reynolds number) in U-tubes of SG is derived.
• The flow and heat transfer in the plenums and pipes and U-tubes are modeled.
• A set of scaling modeling criteria are obtained by the integral analogy method.
• The scaling modeling conditions in the SG primary side are given.

It is found that under the natural circulation condition the reverse flow occurs in the U-tubes of steam generator (SG), which has large influence on the reactor safety. Though the reverse flow in SG is thought as the Ledinegg-type flow instability that is dominated by the flow resistance and gravitation pressure drop, it has not been studied well. Because of the complexity of the problem and the limitation of research conditions, it is a good way to perform the numerical simulation based on the scaling model. In the present work, based on one-dimensional N–S equations, the flow instability in U-tubes is investigated and the flow instability criterion (critical Reynolds number) is derived. The flow and heat transfer in the plenums and pipes are modeled by three-dimensional conservation equations. Using the integral analogy method, a set of scaling modeling criteria are also obtained, and the scaling modeling conditions in the stream generator primary side are given by the similar second theorem. The applicability of these conditions is discussed. The results can be used as the basic of the numerical simulation of the flow instability in U-tubes of SG.