Fluidelastic Instability of U-bend Tube Array Based on Correlated Unsteady Fluid Force in Two-Phase Flow

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003.7 (0) ◽  
pp. 285-286
Author(s):  
Tomomichi NAKAMURA ◽  
Kengo SHIMAMURA ◽  
Toshihiko IWASE ◽  
Seishi NISHIDA
Author(s):  
Tomomichi Nakamura ◽  
Kengo Shimamura ◽  
Toshihiko Iwase ◽  
Seishi Nishida

The fluidelastic instability threshold of tube arrays can be estimated using measured unsteady fluid force. It is usually assumed that the fluid force is completely correlated along the tube axis; this may be true in single phase flow. However, the flow in the two-phase flow is no longer steady, in space or in time. Thus, the correlation of the fluid force acting along the tube axis should be introduced. There are very few measured data for the correlation of the fluid force in two-phase flow, and it is difficult to deduce from measured time-history fluid data, such as the void fraction or the flow velocity. In this report, the average correlation length is derived from critical flow velocities of U-bend tubes in several two-phase flow conditions, based on an approximate theory for the two-phase flow condition when the unsteady fluid force for a short span model has been measured. As a result, the average correlation length gives the critical flow velocities of each U-bend tube. The result gives a good explanation why the critical factor in the U-bend tube is larger than that in short span models. This method can be a new estimation of the fluidelastic instability of U-bend tubes in two-phase flow conditions.


Author(s):  
Teguewinde Sawadogo ◽  
Njuki Mureithi

The time delay is a key parameter for modeling fluidelastic instability, especially the damping controlled mechanism. It can be determined experimentally by measuring directly the time lag between the tube motion and the induced fluid forces. The fluid forces may be obtained by integrating the pressure field around the moving tube. However, this method faces certain difficulties in two-phase flow since the high turbulence and the non-uniformity of the flow may increase the randomness of the measured force. To overcome this difficulty, an innovative method for extracting the time delay inherent to the quasi-steady model for fluidelastic instability is proposed in this study. Firstly, experimental measurements of unsteady and quasi-static fluid forces (in the lift direction) acting on a tube subject to two-phase flow were conducted. The unsteady fluid forces were measured by exciting the tube using a linear motor. These forces were measured for a wide range of void fraction, flow velocities and excitation frequencies. The experimental results showed that the unsteady fluid forces could be represented as single valued function of the reduced velocity (flow velocity reduced by the excitation frequency and the tube diameter). The time delay was determined by equating the unsteady fluid forces with the quasi-static forces. The results given by this innovative method of measuring the time delay in two-phase flow were consistent with theoretical expectations. The time delay could be expressed as a linear function of the convection time and the time delay parameter was determined for void fractions ranging from 60% to 90%. Fluidelastic instability calculations were also performed using the quasi-steady model with the newly measured time delay parameter. Previously conducted stability tests provided the experimental data necessary to validate the theoretical results of the quasi-steady model. The validity of the quasi-steady model for two-phase flow was confirmed by the good agreement between its results and the experimental data. The newly measured time delay parameter has improved significantly the theoretical results, especially for high void fractions (90%). However, the model could not be verified for void fractions lower or equal to 50% due to the limitation of the current experimental setup. Further studies are consequently required to clarify this point. Nevertheless, this model can be used to simulate the flow induced vibrations in steam generators’ tube bundles as their most critical parts operate at high void fractions (≥ 60%).


Author(s):  
Soroush Shahriary ◽  
Njuki W. Mureithi ◽  
Michel J. Pettigrew

Although almost half of the process heat exchangers operate in two-phase flow, the complex nature of the flow makes the prediction of fluidelastic instability a challenging problem yet to be solved. In the work reported here, the quasi-static fluid force-field is measured in a rotated-triangle tube bundle for a series of void fractions and flow velocities. The forces are strongly dependent on void fraction, flow rates and relative tube positions. The fluid force field is employed along with quasi-steady models [1, 2], originally developed for single phase flows, to model the two-phase flow problem. Stability analysis is performed using the single flexible tube model [1] as well as constrained mode analysis [2]. The results are compared with dynamic stability tests [3] and show good agreement. The results of single flexible tube analysis and multiple flexible tubes tend to coincide at low structural damping as expected. The present work uncovers some of the complexities of the fluid force field in two-phase flows. The data are valuable since they are the necessary inputs to the class of quasi-static, quasi-steady and quasi-unsteady fluidelastic instability theoretical models. This database opens a new research avenue on the feasibility of applying quasi-steady models to two-phase flow.


1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Pettigrew ◽  
C. E. Taylor ◽  
J. H. Jong ◽  
I. G. Currie

Two-phase cross-flow exists in many shell-and-tube heat exchangers. The U-bend region of nuclear steam generators is a prime example. Testing in two-phase flow simulated by air-water provides useful results inexpensively. However, two-phase flow parameters, in particular surface tension and density ratio, are considerably different in air-water than in steam-water. A reasonable compromise is testing in liquid-vapor Freon, which is much closer to steam-water while much simpler experimentally. This paper presents the first results of a series of tests on the vibration behavior of tube bundles subjected to two-phase Freon cross-flow. A rotated triangular tube bundle of tube-to-diameter ratio of 1.5 was tested over a broad range of void fractions and mass fluxes. Fluidelastic instability, random turbulence excitation, and damping were investigated. Well-defined fluidelastic instabilities were observed in continuous two-phase flow regimes. However, intermittent two-phase flow regimes had a dramatic effect on fluidelastic instability. Generally, random turbulence excitation forces are much lower in Freon than in air-water. Damping is very dependent on void fraction, as expected.


Author(s):  
Njuki W. Mureithi ◽  
Soroush Shahriary ◽  
Michel J. Pettigrew

While steam generators operate in two-phase flow, the complex nature of the flow makes the prediction of flow-induced fluidelastic instability of steam generator tubes a challenging problem yet to be solved. In the work reported here, the quasi-static fluid force-field, which is the important unknown for two-phase flows, is measured in a rotated-triangle tube bundle for a series of void fractions and flow velocities. The forces are shown to be strongly dependent on void fraction, flow rates and relative tube positions. The fluid force field is then employed along with quasi-steady vibration stability models, originally developed for single phase flows, to model the two-phase flow problem and predict the critical instability velocity. The results are compared with dynamic vibration stability tests and are shown to be in good agreement. The present work uncovers some of the complexities of the fluid force field in two-phase flows. The database provides new potential to designers to estimate expected fluid dynamic loads under operating conditions. The force field data may also be applied in dynamic computations for tube wear simulations, replacing the simple Connors’ model which is currently used.


1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Pettigrew ◽  
C. E. Taylor

Two-phase flow exists in many industrial components. To avoid costly vibration problems, sound technology in the area of two-phase flow-induced vibration is required. This paper is an overview of the principal mechanisms governing vibration in two-phase flow. Dynamic parameters such as hydrodynamic mass and damping are discussed. Vibration excitation mechanisms in axial flow are outlined. These include fluidelastic instability, phase-change noise, and random excitation. Vibration excitation mechanisms in cross-flow, such as fluidelastic instability, periodic wake shedding, and random excitation, are reviewed.


2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Pettigrew ◽  
C. E. Taylor ◽  
V. P. Janzen ◽  
T. Whan

The results of a series of tests describing the vibration behavior of several rotated triangular tube bundles subjected to two-phase cross flows are presented. Tube bundles with a pitch-to-diameter ratio of approximately 1.5 were tested over a broad range of void fractions and mass fluxes. Fluidelastic instability, random turbulence excitation, hydrodynamic mass, two-phase damping and local void-fraction were investigated. Well-defined fluidelastic instabilities were observed in continuous two-phase flow regimes. However, intermittent two-phase flow regimes had a dramatic effect on fluidelastic instability leading to lower than expected threshold flow velocities for instability. This effect was more pronounced in Freon two-phase flow than in air-water, and appeared well correlated to the transition between continuous and intermittent flow regimes. Generally, random turbulence excitation forces were much lower in Freon than in air-water. Although very dependent on void fraction, as expected, damping was quite similar in air-water and Freon.


2021 ◽  
pp. 219-269
Author(s):  
Michel J. Pettigrew ◽  
Colette E. Taylor

Author(s):  
Njuki W. Mureithi

In the 80’s a number of theoretical models were developed to model fluidelastic instability, primarily for single phase flows. The models ranged from purely analytical models to semi-empirical models requiring considerable experimental data as input. While these models were very successful in uncovering the nature of fluidelastic instability and the underlying mechanisms in single phase flow, this work seemed to stop short of getting to the next step of practical application to two-phase flows. During the same period, Connors formula became ‘entrenched’ in industry to the extent that the formula now forms part of the design norms against fluidelastic instability. In an ongoing research program the quasi-steady model has been chosen as a possible candidate for modeling fluidelastic instability in two-phase flows. This paper discusses the challenges associated with accurate modeling of fluidelastic instability in two phase flows using this and other models. The unsteady model is shown to have limitations when it comes to measuring accurately the necessary unsteady fluid force coefficients. A comparison of the stability analysis results with experimental measurements shows that the quasi-steady model can give a reasonable estimate of the instability velocity as well as the inter-tube dynamics. Finally, the remaining challenges, before the quasi-steady model and possibly other models can be fully implemented for prototypical conditions are discussed. In particular the need for more work to understand the flow itself is highlighted.


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