EPJ Web of Conferences, open-access proceedings in physics and related sciences

The paper deals with a flow in a closed helium loop serving for cooling of a fast reactor. The flow in pipeline branches of the system is simulated by methods of CFD. The purpose is to find exact values of pressure losses, so that heat exchangers could be successfully designed and so that the power available for a loop drive could be optimally utilized. General approach to the simulation is presented, as well as the calculation procedure and achieved results.

A natural circulation helium loop appears to be a perspective passive method of a nuclear reactor cooling. When designing this device, it is important to analyze the mechanism of an internal flow. The flow of helium in the loop is set in motion due to a difference of hydrostatic pressures between cold and hot branch. Steady flow at a requested flow rate occurs when the buoyancy force is adjusted to resistances against the flow. Considering the fact that the buoyancy force is proportional to a difference of temperatures in both branches, it is important to estimate the losses correctly in the process of design. The paper deals with the calculation of losses in branches of the natural circulation helium loop by methods of CFD. The results of calculations are an important basis for the hydraulic design of both exchangers (heater and cooler). The analysis was carried out for the existing model of a helium loop of the height 10 m and nominal heat power 250 kW.

The paper deals with a design of a single blade impeller. The blade is screw-shaped with a wrap angle greater than 360°. Such a type of a pump is especially appropriate for pumping of liquids containing solid particles. There are known some applications, when living organisms as for example fishes without any lesion were pumped with a screw single blade pump. In the paper are presented the results of the research of two impellers with different blade geometry and working in the same pump casing. The characteristic curves of both impellers were calculated by using methods of CFD. Steel models of designed impellers were tested in the laboratory of hydraulic machinery. Experimentally obtained characteristics are compared with calculated ones.

Changing the impeller diameter is a frequently used method for adjusting pump performance parameters. In the case of conventional multi-blade impellers, this is done by reducing the diameter on the machine tool to the prescribed shape. The other dimensions of the pump (diffuser, inlet) remain unchanged. This method is called trimming. The article deals with the diameter reduction and subsequent modification of the performance parameters of a single blade pump. These pumps are characterized by certain specific features. First of all, it is an unsymmetrical impeller that must be both statically and dynamically balanced. This plays an essential role in the whole modification process. Research results obtained on a pump with an impeller diameter of 138 mm are presented. The change in diameter was monitored on a total of 3 impellers. Experiments were carried out in the laboratory of hydraulic machinery. The results were verified by CFD calculations.Research background: The article concerns the modification of impellers of single blade pumps. The effects of diameter modifications on multi-blade pumps are currently known. However, these have symmetrical impellers and can therefore be changed without restriction. For asymmetric (single blade) impellers, the problem is more complex as additional mass must be added to provide static and dynamic balance.Purpose of the article: The aim is to determine the nature of the change in performance parameters when the output diameter is changed. The results of the research can be applied in the prediction of the change in the operating point and the creation of tombstone charts.Methods: Two kinds of methods were used in the research: experiment and CFD calculation. A total of 4 impeller sizes were investigated.Findings & Value added: The results of the paper can be divided into two areas. In the experimental area, a device was designed to measure the characteristics of single blade pumps. Four impellers were manufactured and tested. In the area of CFD calculations, simulations of the hydraulic parameters around the best efficiency point (BEP) were performed. The calculation results were verified by experiment. The nature of the change of the BEP when the diameter of the impeller changes up to 87.9 % was found.