The effect of low-concentration inorganic materials on the behaviour of supercritical water

Supercritical water is a promising working fluid in the new Generation IV nuclear power plants. Due to the presence of the pseudo-critical line, the thermo-hydraulics (thermal and flow properties) and the physical chemistry of the supercritical water differ significantly from the pressurized hot water used in pressurized water reactors. In this study we would like to analyse the effect of small amount of inorganic material on the thermo-hydraulics of the supercritical water cooled nuclear reactors and other, non-nuclear supercritical water loops.

Research highlights▶ Small amount of inorganic materials (like corrosion products) can be dissolved in the supercritical water. ▶ Pseudo-critical temperature and other properties will be changed. ▶ Thermal and hydraulic behaviours of the SCW with small amount of contaminants differ in great extent from the behaviour of pure SCW.