Time-resolved velocity measurements in a matched refractive index facility of randomly packed spheres

Ethan Kappes, Stephen King, Mateusz Marciniak, Thien D. Nguyen, Andrew Mills, Yassin A. Hassan, Robert Muyshondt, Victor Ugaz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Complex geometries and randomly connected void spaces within packed beds have hindered efforts to characterize the underlying transport phenomena occurring within. In this communication, we present our experimental studies on a facility of randomly packed spheres that can be a representative of sections within a reactor core in a nuclear power plant. The results of high-fidelity velocity measurements can be seen using Time-Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (TR-PIV) at the pore scales and near the wall boundary in the Matched Index of Refraction (MIR) facility. The MIR approach allows for a noninvasive analysis of the flow within packed spheres at the microscopic scales with high temporal and spatial resolution. Flow characteristics obtained from the TR-PIV measurements at various Reynolds numbers are presented. The results include the first- and second-order flow statistics, such as mean velocity, root-mean-square fluctuating velocity and Reynolds stresses. Effects of the wall boundary and Reynolds numbers on flow patterns are currently being investigated. Comparisons of the mean velocities, root-mean-square fluctuating velocities, and Reynolds stress components show the increase of flow mixing and turbulent intensities within the gaps between spheres in the packed bed. Sizes of recirculation regions, however, seem to be independent of the increase of Reynolds numbers.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThermal-Hydraulics and Safety Analyses
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791851494
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event2018 26th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, ICONE 2018 - London, United Kingdom
Duration: Jul 22 2018Jul 26 2018

Publication series

NameInternational Conference on Nuclear Engineering, Proceedings, ICONE
Volume6B

Conference

Conference2018 26th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, ICONE 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period07/22/1807/26/18

Funding

This research is financially supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, NEAMS project and under a contract DE-NE0008550.

FundersFunder number
U.S. Department of EnergyDE-NE0008550
National Environment Agency - Singapore

    Keywords

    • Matched Index of Refraction
    • Randomly Packed Spheres
    • Time-Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Time-resolved velocity measurements in a matched refractive index facility of randomly packed spheres'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this