The correlation analysis of RCPs impeller geometrical parameters and optimization in coast-down process. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: An, Ce; Zhu, Rongsheng; Wang, Xiuli; Long, Yun; Lu, Yonggang; Chen, Yiming; Zhong, Huazhou
• Is Part Of: Annals of nuclear energy. Volume 142(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Nuclear reaction coolant pump (RCP) -- Coast-down process -- Impeller geometrical parameters -- Correlation analysis -- Partial correlation analysis; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2019.107283
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4549

Abstract

Abstract: Correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis are conducted for RCPs impeller geometric parameters and hydraulic performance in this study by orthogonal test, the goal of which is to reduce energy loss as well to prolong the coast-down time of the reactor coolant pump during the coast-down process. The correlation and partial correlation analyses combined reveal that impeller geometrical parameters are not independent of each other but rather mutually reinforcing or weakening in terms of certain performance indicators. Such analyses do not reflect the coupling relationship and effect size between different geometric parameters. The impeller design is optimized by selecting the optimal parameter combination as-defined by correlation analyses, then validated by an experiment. The optimized impeller is shown to lengthen the coast-down time of the pump rotor by 10%, and to significantly enhance coast-down process performance.