The single-phase swirling flow simulation in a heat exchange channel with coolants counterflow at the operation parameters of PWR

The results of experimental and computational studies of the processes of hydrodynamics and heat transfer of a swirling flow, heated by the counter coolant flow in the heat exchange channel under standard technological parameters of a nuclear power plant are presented in this paper. The temperature field of the heat exchange channel as a whole and the coefficient of hydraulic resistance of channels with twisted tapes of a constant swirl pitch were obtained in experiments.

The numerical study was carried out using the domestic software package LOGOS and the Ansys CFX complex. The simulations were performed using the k-ω SST turbulence model, corrected for streamline curvature and rotation. Two versions of the calculation grid were developed. A comparative analysis of the calculated and experimental values of the hydraulic friction coefficient, the swirling flow temperature, and the heat transfer coefficients from the wall to the swirling flow was carried out. The analysis allowed identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the calculation methodology implemented in the domestic package. Deviations of the obtained values were compared. There is a good agreement between the calculated and experimental data, as well as with the data based on generalized dependences. One of the most important conclusions of the study is the need to modernize the process of solving the coupled heat transfer problem in the LOGOS package to expand the range of problems to be solved.