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Influence of heat and mass transfer on three-phase jet instability at SGTR accident in lead-cooled fast reactors

Author

Listed:
  • Jia, Yun
  • Tang, Simiao
  • Pan, Liangming
  • Lian, Qiang
  • Zhu, Longxiang
  • Zhang, Luteng
  • Sun, Wan
  • Ma, Zaiyong
  • Yan, Meiyue

Abstract

Steam Generator Tube Rupture (SGTR) is a critical safety concern for Lead-cooled Fast Reactors (LFRs). The three-phase coaxial jet formed by high-pressure subcooled water injected into liquid Lead-Bismuth Eutectic (LBE) at the breach, and its interfacial instability, governs the early accident progression. Addressing the lack of quantitative understanding of heat and mass transfer (HMT) effects, this paper establishes a temporal instability model for the water-steam-LBE coaxial jet based on linear stability theory. Interfacial mass and energy conservation equations are introduced to derive a dispersion relation incorporating HMT, characterized by two coefficients for the water-steam and steam-LBE interfaces. Key breakup parameters (dominant wavelength, breakup length) are obtained and validated against experimental data. Parametric studies reveal that HMT promotes instability, dominated by the water-steam interface. Increasing jet velocity or decreasing steam film thickness enhances K-H instability, reducing breakup scales. The Weber number We1 governs the competition between R-P and K-H mechanisms. The destabilizing effect of HMT is most significant at low steam velocities. This work provides a theoretical foundation for SGTR safety analysis in LFRs.

Suggested Citation

  • Jia, Yun & Tang, Simiao & Pan, Liangming & Lian, Qiang & Zhu, Longxiang & Zhang, Luteng & Sun, Wan & Ma, Zaiyong & Yan, Meiyue, 2026. "Influence of heat and mass transfer on three-phase jet instability at SGTR accident in lead-cooled fast reactors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:360:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226018530
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.141746
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