The flow field or multidimensional velocity distribution of the coolant in fuel rod bundles of the reactor core in pressurized water reactors (PWRs) is an important parameter that is revealed through experimental investigations. This paper presents the two-dimensional (2D) velocity profile measurement using a two-element ultrasonic transducer with both elements acting as a transceiver. The size of the transducer is minimized for compactness, leading to a narrow sound field appropriate for applications in fuel rod bundle flow. Furthermore, the transducer’s sound pressure is evaluated via simulations and experimental measurements. In order to confirm the ability of the ultrasonic velocity profiler (UVP) with a two-element transducer, the experimental measurement is conducted in turbulent horizontal pipe flow. The 2D velocity vector profile is obtained, and then the measurement in swirling flow is conducted. The 2D velocity profile in an axial and radial plane is obtained utilizing the UVP measurement. Lastly, the ability of the UVP to derive the 2D velocity profile in the narrow area of the rod bundles is demonstrated.
References
[1]
Masterson, R.E. (2019) Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics. Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton. https://doi.org/10.1201/b22067
[2]
Dominguez-Ontiveros, E.E. and Hassan, Y.A. (2009) Nonintrusive Experimental Investigation of Flow Behavior inside a 5×5 Rod Bundle with Spacer Grids Using PIV and MIR. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 239, 888-898.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2009.01.009
[3]
Rehme, K. (1987) The Structure of Turbulent Flow through Rod Bundles. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 99, 141-154.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0029-5493(87)90116-6
[4]
Neti, S., Eichhorn, R. and Hahn, O.J. (1983) Laser Doppler Measurements of Flow in a Rod Bundle. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 74, 105-116.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0029-5493(83)90143-7
[5]
Ikeda, K. and Hoshi, M. (2006) Development of Rod-Embedded Fiber LDV to Measure Velocity in Fuel Rod Bundles. Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 43, 150-158. https://doi.org/10.1080/18811248.2006.9711077
[6]
Grant, I. (1997) Particle Image Velocimetry: A Review. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 211, 55-76. https://doi.org/10.1243/0954406971521665
[7]
Baker, D.W. (1970) Pulsed Ultrasonic Doppler Blood-Flow Sensing. IEEE Transactions on Sonics and Ultrasonics, 17, 170-184.
https://doi.org/10.1109/T-SU.1970.29558
[8]
Dunmire, B.L., Beach, K.W., Labs, K.-H., Plett, M. and Standness Jr., D.E. (2000) Crossbeam Vector Doppler Ultrasound for Angle-Independent Velocity Measurements. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 26, 1213-1235.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-5629(00)00287-8
[9]
Peronneau, P., Sandman, W. and Xhaard, M. (1977) Blood Flow Patterns in Large Arteries. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine B, 3, 1193-1208.
[10]
Scabia, M., Calzolai, M., Capineri, L., Masotti, L. and Fort, A. (2000) A Real-Time Two-Dimensional Pulsed-Wave Doppler System. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 26, 121-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-5629(99)00115-5
[11]
Takeda, Y. (1986) Velocity Profile Measurement by Ultrasonic Doppler Shift Method. International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 7, 313-318.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0142-727X(86)90011-1
[12]
Takeda, Y. (1991) Development of an Ultrasound Velocity Profile Monitor. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 126, 277-284.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0029-5493(91)90117-Z
[13]
Kikura, H., Yamanaka, G. and Aritomi, M. (2004) Effect of Measurement Volume Size on Turbulent Flow Measurement Using Ultrasonic Doppler Method. Experiments in Fluids, 36, 187-196. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-003-0694-x
[14]
Kikuchi, K., Takeda, Y., Obayashi, H., Tezuka, M. and Sato, H. (2006) Measurement of LBE Flow Velocity Profile by UDVP. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 356, 273-279.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2006.05.028
[15]
Kikura, H., Takeda, Y. and Durst, F. (1999) Velocity Profile Measurement of the Taylor Vortex Flow of a Magnetic Fluid Using the Ultrasonic Doppler Method. Experiments in Fluids, 26, 208-214. https://doi.org/10.1007/s003480050281
[16]
Takeda, Y. and Kikura, H. (2002) Flow Mapping of the Mercury Flow. Experiments in Fluids, 32, 161-169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s003480100296
[17]
Huther, D. and Lemmin, U. (1998) A Constant-Beam-Width Transducer for 3D Acoustic Doppler Profile Measurements in Open Channel Flows. Measurement Science and Technology, 9, 1706-1714. https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/9/10/010
[18]
Obayashi, H., Tasaka, Y., Kon, S. and Takeda, Y. (2008) Velocity Vector Profile Measurement Using Multiple Ultrasonic Transducers. Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, 19, 189-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flowmeasinst.2007.11.007
[19]
Batsaikhan, M., Zhang, Z.L., Takahashi, H. and Kikura, H. (2021) Development of Measurement System for Flow and Shape Using Array Ultrasonic Sensors. Journal of Flow Control, Measurement and Visualization, 9, 45-72.
https://doi.org/10.4236/jfcmv.2021.93004
[20]
Hamdani, A., Ihara, T. and Kikura, H. (2016) Experimental and Numerical Visualization of Swirling Flow in a Vertical Pipe. Journal of Visualization, 19, 369-382.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12650-015-0340-8
[21]
Shwin, S., Hamdani, A., Takahashi, H. and Kikura, H. (2017) Experimental Investigation of Two-Dimensional Velocity on the 90° Double Bend Pipe Flow Using Ultrasound Technique. World Journal of Mechanics, 7, 340-359.
https://doi.org/10.4236/wjm.2017.712026
[22]
Takahashi, H., Shwin, S., Hamdani, A., Fujisawa, N. and Kikura, H. (2020 Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Swirling Flow on Triple Elbow Pipe Layout. Journal of Flow Control, Measurement and Visualization, 8, 45-62.
https://doi.org/10.4236/jfcmv.2020.82003
[23]
Murakawa, H., Sugimoto, K. and Takenaka, N. (2014) Effects of the Number of Pulse Repetitions and Noise on the Velocity Data from the Ultrasonic Pulsed Doppler Method with Different Algorithms. Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, 40, 9-18.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flowmeasinst.2014.08.009
[24]
Kasai, C., Namekawa, K., Koyano, A. and Omoto, R. (1985) Real-Time Two-Dimensional Blood Flow Imaging Using an Autocorrelation Technique. IEEE Transactions on Sonic and Ultrasonic, 32, 458-464.
https://doi.org/10.1109/T-SU.1985.31615
[25]
Burgan, H.I. and Aksoy, H. (2018) Annual Flow Duration Curve Model for Ungauged Basins. Hydrology Research, 40, 1684-1695.
https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2018.109
