Comparison of Two-Phase Critical Flow Models for Estimation of Leak Flow Rate through Cracks

The estimation of leak flow rates through narrow cracks in structures is of importance for nuclear reactor safety, since the leak flow could be detected before occurrence of loss-of-coolant accidents. The two-phase critical leak flow rates are calculated using the system analysis code, and two representative non-homogeneous critical flow models, Henry-Fauske model and Ransom-Trapp model, are compared. The pressure decrease and vapor generation in the crack, and the leak flow rates are found to be larger for the Henry-Fauske model. It is shown that the leak flow rates are not affected by the structural temperature, but affected largely by the roughness of crack surface.

• Tadashi Watanabe
• Jinya Katsuyama
• Akihiro Mano

• Crack
• critical flow
• leak
• roughness.

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