HYDRODYNAMICS OF TYPICAL DISTRIBUTION HEADER SYSTEMS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS: MODERN VIEWS AND RESEARCH PERSPECTIVES

The paper considers the issues of hydrodynamics of typical distribution header systems (DHS) in heat exchangers and reactors of nuclear power plants (NPP). The analysis of hydrodynamic properties of coolant flow in DHS has been carried out. The paper presents typical flow patterns of a coolant in the flow paths of the specified DHS. The classification of different types of DHS is presented. The coolant flow is shown to have a jet nature in a relatively confined and unconfined DHS. Consideration is given to several types of jets and processes of transformation of some types of jets into other types. The paper presents a brief description and formula of the fluid distribution regularity (registered as a scientific discovery) at the outlet from the flat and cylindrical DHS with central and side fluid supply. Consideration is given to the similarity property of hydrodynamics in the flat and cylindrical RHS with different points of fluid supply to the header. Advanced areas of research into revealing hydrodynamic effects in DHS and obtaining additional information on the influence of various factors on the fluid flow in them are proposed.