Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Kyle Hammond

Publication Date

2-14-2014

Abstract

Following a Loss-of-Coolant-Accident (LOCA) in one of the primary coolant lines in the containment building of a PWR Facility, it is possible that fiberglass pipe insulation could be dislodged and washed down to the sump pool. This fiberglass could collect into a bed' and cause blockage on the sump screens, preventing the emergency re-circulation pumps from operating correctly. GSI-191 is a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) initiative to understand the effects a sump blockage would have on emergency cooling systems. Recently, the focus has been on understanding how the fiberglass bed will behave during an accident. An attempt was made to classify physical properties of the fiberglass bed that will allow for prediction of head loss through these beds. The analysis of experimental data successfully produced the Hammond Fiberglass Head-Loss (HFH) correlation. The HFH correlation predicts head-loss through an NEI fiberglass bed using only the fiber bed mass and the velocity through the bed. The HFH correlation has allowed for better understanding of fiberglass bed mechanics through its approach at assuming a non-uniform bed porosity, something that has not been done to this point.'

Keywords

nuclear, loca, pwr, gsi-191, fiberglass, ergun

Degree Name

Mechanical Engineering

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Mechanical Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Shen, Yu-Lin

Second Committee Member

Howe, Kerry

Third Committee Member

Blandford, Edward

Fourth Committee Member

Kim, Seung-Jun

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

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