Summary: Study on wavy interface behavior and droplet entrainment of annular two-phase flow in rod bundle geometry with spacers

Measurements have been conducted to simultaneously consider both liquid films and droplets of the annular flow on a 3 × 3 simulating BWR fuel rod-bundle test-section with spacers. The optical system of a high-speed camera and a tele-microscope was used to record the backlight images at the gap between a corner rod and a side rod of the bundle at high time and space resolutions. The data at high time and space resolutions provided the detailed descriptions of the gas-liquid interface behaviors at the region close to the inlet as well as further downstream. The formation of the “singlet disturbance-crest” near the inlet which is suggested to be the first form of the disturbance wave was observed. An explanation on the mechanism of this formation process was proposed. Obtained images of three types of the entrainment process (bag break-up, ligament break-up, and droplet impingement) not only agreed with the previously proposed mechanisms but also included the information about wavy behavior right before and after these events and the created droplets. In addition, the side-view images of the disturbance waves at different stages of development were presented. These data can be used to evaluate other measuring techniques applied to the study of this type of waves. Moreover, a close-up observation at right up- and downstream of the spacer was conducted to describe the interactions between the two-phase flow and this structure. By using these new experimental arrangements, the interaction mechanisms among the wavy liquid film, droplets and spacer are discussed.