Heat Transfer and Heat Exchangers Flashcards
The transfer of heat from the reactor fuel pellets to the fuel cladding during normal plant operation is
primarily accomplished via __________ heat transfer.
conduction
Refer to the drawing of a fuel rod and coolant flow channel at the beginning of a fuel cycle (see figure
below).
Which one of the following is the primary method of heat transfer through the gap between the fuel
pellets and the fuel cladding?
Conduction
During a loss-of-coolant accident, which one of the following heat transfer methods provides the most
core cooling when fuel rods are not in contact with the coolant?
Radiation
Reactor fuel rods are normally charged with __________ gas; which improves heat transfer by
__________.
helium; conduction
A nuclear power plant is operating at 60 percent power. Which one of the following is the primary
method of heat transfer from the outer surface of the steam generator tubes to the bulk feedwater?
Convection
Which one of the following describes a heat transfer process in which convection is the most
significant mode of heat transfer?
From the fuel rods to the steam generators 24 hours after a trip of all reactor coolant pumps.
Which one of the following describes a heat transfer flow path in which conduction is the dominant
mode of heat transfer?
From a fuel pellet to the fuel cladding via the fuel rod fill gas during normal operation.
If excessive amounts of air are entrained/dissolved in the cooling water passing through a heat
exchanger, the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heat exchanger will decrease because the…
thermal conductivity of the cooling fluid will decrease.
Why is bulk boiling in the tubes of a single-phase heat exchanger undesirable?
The turbulence will restrict fluid flow through the heat exchanger tubes.
Which one of the following pairs of fluids undergoing heat transfer in identical heat exchangers will
yield the greatest heat exchanger overall heat transfer coefficient?
Steam to water
Which one of the following pairs of fluids undergoing heat transfer in identical heat exchangers will
yield the smallest heat exchanger overall heat transfer coefficient?
Air to water.
A nuclear power plant is operating near 100 percent power. Main turbine extraction steam is being
supplied to a feedwater heater. Extraction steam parameters are as follows:
Steam pressure = 414 psia
Steam flow rate = 7.5 x 105 lbm/hr
Steam enthalpy = 1,150 Btu/lbm
The extraction steam condenses to saturated water at 414 psia, and then leaves the feedwater heater via
a drain line.
What is the heat transfer rate from the extraction steam to the feedwater in the feedwater heater?
5.4 x 108 Btu/hr
A nuclear power plant is initially operating at a steady-state power level with the following main
condenser parameters:
Main condenser pressure = 1.2 psia
Cooling water inlet temperature = 60°F
Cooling water outlet temperature = 84°F
Due to increased condenser air inleakage, the overall heat transfer coefficient of the main condenser
decreases by 25 percent. Main condenser heat transfer rate and cooling water temperatures are
unchanged. Which one of the following is the steady-state main condenser pressure resulting from
the reduced heat transfer coefficient?
1.7 psia
Which one of the following pairs of fluids undergoing heat transfer in identical heat exchangers will
yield the greatest heat exchanger overall heat transfer coefficient?
Steam to water.
A nuclear power plant is operating near 100 percent power. Main turbine extraction steam is being
supplied to a feedwater heater. Extraction steam parameters are as follows:
Steam pressure = 500 psia
Steam flow rate = 7.0 x 105 lbm/hr
Steam enthalpy = 1,135 Btu/lbm
The extraction steam condenses to saturated water at 500 psia, and then leaves the feedwater heater via
a drain line.
What is the heat transfer rate from the extraction steam to the feedwater in the feedwater heater?
4.8 x 108 Btu/hr
During steady-state power operation, core thermal power can be most accurately determined by
multiplying the total mass flow rate of the…
feedwater by the change in enthalpy in the steam generators.