Effects of different momentum ratios and Reynolds number in a T-junction with an upstream elbow

This study focuses on analysing thermal mixing in T-junctions with varying momentum and Reynolds number ratios, utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The T-junction is a critical component of the primary nuclear thermal–hydraulic circuit within a pressurized water-cooled reactor (PWR). The T-junction connects the pressurizer (PRZ) with the steam generator (SG) and the reactor pressure vessel (RPV). Water from the PRZ and the SG are at different temperatures and incomplete thermal mixing occurs when these two fluid streams meet at the T-junction. This incomplete thermal mixing can induce thermal stratification of the water within the T-junction as well as thermal striping phenomena. Thermal striping phenomena can lead to fluctuations of the temperature at the inner pipe wall of the T-junction. Thermal stratification and thermal striping phenomena can induce thermo-mechanical fatigue and eventual pipe failure which can affect the safety of the reactor. Therefore, a high-fidelity, mechanistic understanding of the turbulent thermo-fluid mixing within T-junctions of PWRs might lead to improvements in component reliability and safety within nuclear power plants (NPPs). The primary aim of the research, presented in this paper, is to understand and quantify the effect of variations in the momentum ratio on the turbulent fluid flow within T-junctions. This is achieved by either varying the branch pipe diameter while keeping the inlet velocity constant (part one) or by adjusting the branch pipe inlet velocity while maintaining a constant diameter (part two). Despite the different variations in momentum ratios, the specific momentum ratios under consideration in both parts of the study remain consistent (namely 98 and 66.4). It is also noteworthy that the momentum ratios considered in the paper can be classified as wall-jet and impinging-jet, according to the definition in (Hosseini, Yuki, & Hashizume, 2008). It should be noted that the momentum ratio is manipulated by adjusting the flow parameters, leading to variations in the Reynolds number ratio between the main pipe inlet and the upstream branch pipe at the T-junction. The turbulent flows in the cases that are considered are simulated using the Improved delayed detached eddy simulation (IDDES-SST) model. The numerical results from these simulations indicate, for the considered momentum ratios, that maintaining the same momentum ratio does not produce similar mean flow behaviour and turbulent quantities of interest (QoI). For instance, the size of the flow recirculation zone is more likely linked to the diameter of the branch pipe. Moreover, the turbulent QoI and temperature fluctuations at the determined locations are likely affected by the changed flow recirculation zone as well as the Reynolds number of the branch pipe flow.

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