Theory of Hydraulic Stability of Boiling Channels

A framework of boiling channel stability theory is analyzed. The fundamental equations are those of STABLE code: Three conservation laws of mass, energy and momentum applied to one-dimensional channel, together with Bankoff slip and Marinelli-Nelson's pressure drop correlation. These equations are analyzed to yield “Void Equation”, “Linearized Void Equation”, “Volume Conservation Law” and the “Flow Impedance” R(s), defined by the dynamic response of pressure drop to the inlet flow. The impedance contains all the information such a stability index, dominant frequency and damping ratio. It is shown that R is a sum of the form R IA+N F −1 R D+N R R R+N OR, where N's are non-dimensional parameters and R's characteristic impedances determined by three kinds of parameters, Nx , Ns and the power distribution parameter. Systematic edition of the characteristic impedances according to the non-dimensional parameters will reduce the need for case-by-case STABLE calculations. Hydraulic stability of BWR channels under constant system pressure, is a phenomenon with three parameters in view of complexity. Furthermore an analysis is conducted to confirm the above stability structure and three typical instabilities are identified.