Integration of a sludge deposition model into the ATHOS3 computer program and application to a sample U-tube steam generator

摘要

This study pursues a approach to sludge deposition prediction, similar to that published by Keefer, et al.. Starting with the same basic model as Beal and Chen, Keefer, et al. made several simplifying assumptions so that a closed form solution to the equations describing deposition and reentrainment could be obtained. Using a similar approach, this study shows how the physics of the sludge model can be integrated directly into a steady-state thermal-hydraulic analysis computer program such as ATHOS3 to provide an estimate of the relative amounts of sludge expected to accumulate in various regions of a steam generator. This allows sludge deposition and reentrainment rates (i.e. rate coefficients) to be calculated at every node used to model the steam generator (which can be many thousands), so that sludge deposition patterns can readily be examined along with thermal-hydraulic parameters.