The effect of power and cooler flow on

time responds of flow stability in natural

circulation phenomenon using FASSIP-01
loop
Cite as: AIP Conference Proceedings 2062, 020008 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5086555
Published Online: 25 January 2019

Mulya Juarsa, Anhar Riza Antariksawan, Mukhsinun Hadi Kusuma, et al.

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 The Effect of Power and Cooler Flow on Time Responds of
Flow Stability in Natural Circulation Phenomenon Using
FASSIP-01 Loop
Mulya Juarsa1,a), Anhar Riza Antariksawan1,
Mukhsinun Hadi Kusuma1, Surip Widodo1, Nandy Putra2
1
Center for Nuclear Reactor Technology and Safety (PTKRN),
National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia
2
Heat Transfer Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Universitas Indonesia, Kampus UI, Depok 16424, Indonesia
a)
corresponding author: juars@batan.go.id

Abstract. The improvement of thermal management action during the accident of nuclear power plants (NPPs) becomes
important consideration including improving the inherent safety on NPPs for operation, especially in cooling process.
The use of natural circulation as an alternative for thermal management and operating of NPPs, especially in SMRs
becomes an interesting research and development topic of safety engineering. The leak of information related the
characteristic of flow stability in natural circulation for use in passive safety system must be solved for implement this
phenomenon in the real applications. Experimental method was used to determine the characteristic of natural circulation
flow rate due to the temperature differences at two points. To clarify and understand the phenomenon, FASSIP-01 loop
was constructed; with two parameters such as thermal-hydraulics represent by temperature and geometrical effect such as
total pipe length, pipe diameter and height differences of cooler and heater. The purpose of the experiment is to
understand the effect of power variation related into time respond from start-up until stable flow. The variations of heater
power in this experiment are 3840 watt, 4240 watt, and 5928 watt with optimal cooling flow in secondary side (HSS
flow) is 43.10 LPM and HSS flow variation from 21.57 LPM, 33.63 LPM and 43.10 LPM at heater power 5928 watt.
The result of experiment shows It is show that, the effect only related to respond time for stability flow from instability
flow. The increasing HSS flow in cooler area to respond time from 7325 s to 5041 s is more fast only 31.18%. In case of
heater power increasing in heater area to respond time from 4855 s to 3857 s is more fast only 20.55%.

INTRODUCTION
The most important prevention after the occurrence of an accident at a nuclear power plant (PLTN) is to quickly
remove the remaining decay heat from the reactor core using an active system (pump), this condition can be done if
the electricity supply (from diesel generators) can still be operated. However, conditions can turn out to be the worst
problem, if the electricity supply is completely absent, and will lead to severe accidents where the reactor core can
melt and damage the pressure vessel. An example of a real case is the disaster of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear
plant accident due to the Tsunami which has become a learning process in the reactor cooling system to use a
passive cooling system (PCS) as a thermal management action due to the absence of active cooling system (ACS).
Utilization of PCS is the most important consideration at this time as part of thermal management that will be
implemented in the NPP security system design. PCS features are expected to improve the safety of nuclear reactors,
especially during the cooling process after an accident. As well as preventing radiation from being released into the
environment, during the accident experienced by the NPP. The latest design of PCS use has been applied to Korea's
SMART reactors.[1, 2].
The investigation on natural circulation phenomenon during cooling condition using PCS base on operation
condition and in accident condition simulation have been done. Software simulation and experiment were used to

The 10th International Meeting of Advances in Thermofluids (IMAT 2018)

AIP Conf. Proc. 2062, 020008-1–020008-7; https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5086555
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-1790-8/$30.00

020008-1
conduct analysis for local phenomenon and general condition using software and many experimental facilities.
Several investigation has been done using RELAP5 involves a system or facilities related to PCS research for
development of design new NPP (such as SMART). In the other countries, the natural circulation behavior was
investigated by many researcher using RELAP5 for passive residual heat removal system (PRHRS) for integrated
pressurized water reactor (i-PWR) and experimental data during accident condition [3, 4, 5]. In Indonesia,
Antariksawan et. al [6,7,8], also conducted simulation using RELAP5 both for natural circulation characteristics and
operational condition, PCS facility owned by BATAN with FASSIP-02 and FASSIP-01 Loop. Yan et. al also
investigated two-phase flow characteristics using SMART PCS loop (SMART-ITL), both in experiment and
simulation for standard design approval of SMART [9]. In Indonesia, previous research in experimental study to
investigate natural circulation flow in transient condition has been done by Juarsa et al. using NC-QUEEN apparatus
[10,11]. Continues research also have been performing for steady state condition in experimentally using FASSIP-
01 Loop [12]. Other countries were investigated natural circulation phenomenon for PCS using large-scale facilities,
[13,14,15]. BATAN its self have been build FASSIP-01 loop which rectangular loop form as a medium-scale
facility with total height is 6.5 meter and wide 3 m with total length is 19 m, Since 2015[16]. This facility was
dedicated to investigate natural circulation phenomenon which influences by temperature differences between hot
and cold areas base onpower control and temperature control, height differences between hot and cold areas, and
pipes diameter variation [16,17]. Then, BATAN also have a large-scale test facility called FASSIP-02 (FAsilitas
Simulasi SIstem Pasif unit-02) with total height is 11 meter (9.1 meter is the height differences between cooler and
heater area and total length of 1 inch diameter stainless steel pipe is 43.17 meter [18]. The FASSIP-02 Loop base on
SMART model references, this research is a research corporation project between PTKRN BATAN and DTM FTUI
under INSINAS Kemitraan program since 2017. To understand flow phenomena by visualization, and to make sure
the accuracy of flow measurement and flow pattern of natural circulation, the Pre-FASSIP-02 loop also has been
constructed. This paper shows the experimental research using FASSIP-02 loop to understand the effect of power on
time responds to achieve the flow stability in natural circulation phenomenon.

METHODOLOGY

FASSIP-01 Loop Facility

The medium scale experimental facility for investigating natural circulation flow phenomenon FASSIP-01 loop
has been constructed by the Center for Nuclear Reactor Technology and Safety (PTKRN), National Nuclear Energy
Agency of Indonesia (BATAN) since 2015. FASSIP-01 loop research facility has form with the rectangular loop
placed in vertically as medium size facility. The geometrical size of the rectangular loop is 3.5 m width and 6 m high
and total length of pipe is 19 m[18]. The HSS (heat sink system) loop used as cooling system to the cooler tank in
the rectangular loop and heater cartridge was use to heated-up water in heater tank in the rectangular loop.

Experimental Setup
FASSIP-01 loop consisting, a heater tank as a heat source with total electric heater of 10 kW (each heater
cartridge 5000 W), a cooler tank connected to heat sink system (HSS) loop, and an expansion tank to compensate a
sudden pressure rise during experiment (Figure 1). The HSS loop consists of pre-cooler tank as a cold water source
which is cooling by copper coil and connected to the refrigerant. The piping SS304 of rectangular loop consist of 32
sections with each section is 1 inch in diameter and 50 cm of length. A high speed pump (Grundfos) with frequency
of flow rate variation from 5 Hz to 50 Hz was uses to make different cooling process in the rectangular pipe of
cooler tank area. Measurement for temperature consists of type K of 50 thermocouples with average error of 4.2%
and installed along the rectangular loop. To measure natural circulation flow, the flow meter FLR1009ST-I type for
low flow with maximum flow 0.5 LPM with error of 6.43% was used. All data from measurement points was
collected in PC through data acquisition system (DAS) consisting of a few of temperature module (NI-9213 and NI-
9214) and a universal module for flow and pressure (NI-9203), the modules were plugged in cDAQ-9188 using
LAN cable connected to PC.
The experiment has been done for 25000 seconds with matrix experiment with variations of HSS flow rate 21.57
LPM, 33.63 LPM and 43.10 LPM for heater power 5928 watt and second variation of heater power 3840 watt, 4240
watt and 5928 watt for HSS flow rate 43.10 LPM, the matrix experiment shows in Table 1. In this case, pressure of

020008-2
system is atmospherically by open the valve in the top of expansion tank. Also, in the cooler and heater tank was
open to prevent over pressure.

TABLE 1. Matrix experiment

Constant Parameters
Heater Power = 5928 watt
HSS flow rate = 43.10 LPM
Variable Parameters
HSS flow rate 1 = 21.57 LPM
HSS flow rate 2 = 33.63 LPM
HSS flow rate 3 = 43.10 LPM
Heater Power 1 = 3840 watt
Heater Power 2 = 4240 watt
Heater Power 3 = 5928 watt

Recording data was starting at 5 minutes before the heater and the pump in HSS is turned on according to the
parameters as in Table 1. In this experimental, the characteristic of natural circulation flow rate (NC flow) appears in
LPM units become the object of the research.

FIGURE 1. Experiment Setup of FASSIP-01 Loop[18]

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Experimental data of NC flow measurement in FASSIP-01 loop during 25000 seconds presents in Fig. 2a,
Fig.2b, and Fig.2c for variations of HSS flow rate 21.57 LPM, 33.63 LPM and 43.10 LPM with heater power 5928
watt. Then, characteristics of NC flow rate shows in Fig.3a, Fig.3b and Fig.3c for variation of heater power 3840
watt, 4240 watt and 5928 watt for HSS flow rate 43.10 LPM. Each figures for the curves of NC flow characteristics
shows three condition, first as an instability flow, then respond NC flow and stability NC flow. From the figures
shows that the minimal NC flow at the end of instability flow is almost the same for every variations of HSS flow
and heater power, the NC flow is 0.0522 LPM and the maximum NC flow at starting point for stability flow around
0.0653 LPM for HSS flow variations. For heater power variation is 0.0529 LPM and the maximum NC flow is
0.064 LPM. The time respond for stability flow is starting time from the point of the end of instability NC flow until
the point of starting stability flow.

020008-3
 Natural Circulation Flow Rate Natural Circulation Flow Rate
Measurement Data Measurement Data Natural Circulation Flow Rate
0.100 0.100 Measurement Data
0.100

Flow Rate in Rectangular, QRec [LPM]

Flow Rate in Rectangular, QRec [LPM]

0.095 Exp. Parameter 0.095 Exp. Parameter

Flow Rate in Rectangular, QRec [LPM]

0.095 Exp. Parameter
0.090 P = 5928 watt NC flow Rate 0.090 P = 5928 watt NC flow Rate
0.085 Qp-HSS = 21.57 LPM 0.085 Qp-HSS = 33.63 LPM
0.090 P = 5928 watt NC flow Rate
0.085 Qp-HSS = 43.10LPM
0.080 0.080
0.080
0.075 0.075
stability NC flow stability NC flow 0.075
0.070 0.070 stability NC flow
0.0653LPM 0.0653LPM 0.070
0.065 0.065 0.0653LPM
0.065
0.060 0.060 0.060
respond NC flow respond NC flow
0.055 0.055 respond NC flow
0.055
0.050 0.0522 LPM 0.050 0.0522 LPM 0.050 0.0522 LPM
0.045 0.045 0.045
0.040 0.040 0.040
w
flo

0.035 0.035 0.035

w
C

w
flo
0.030 0.030 0.030
yN

flo
NC

NC
ilit

0.025 0.025 0.025

ty
backward backward
ab

backward

ity
ili
0.020 flow 0.020 flow 0.020

ab
st

flow

il
ab
in

st
0.015 0.015 0.015

st
in

in
0.010 Non-Isolated Pipe 0.010 Non-Isolated Pipe 0.010 Non-Isolated Pipe
0.005 0.005 0.005
0.000 0.000 0.000
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000
time, t [s] time, t [s] time, t [s]

FIGURE 2a. NC flow at FIGURE 2b. NC flow at FIGURE 2c. NC flow at

flow 21.57 LPM and 5928W flow 33.63 LPM and 5928 W flow 43.10 LPM and 5928 W

Natural Circulation Flow Rate Natural Circulation Flow Rate

Measurement Data Measurement Data Natural Circulation Flow Rate
0.100 0.100 Measurement Data
Exp. Parameter 0.100
Flow Rate in Rectangular, QRec [LPM]

Flow Rate in Rectangular, QRec [LPM]

0.095 Exp. Parameter 0.095

NC flow Rate

Flow Rate in Rectangular, QRec [LPM]

P = 4240 watt 0.095 Exp. Parameter
0.090 P = 5928 watt 0.090 NC flow Rate
0.085 Qp-HSS = 21.57 LPM 0.085 Qp-HSS = 43.10 LPM 0.090 P = 5928 watt NC flow Rate
0.085 Qp-HSS = 43.10 LPM
0.080 0.080
0.080
0.075 0.075
stability NC flow stability NC flow 0.075
0.070 0.070 stability NC flow
0.0640LPM 0.070
0.065 0.0640LPM 0.065
0.065 0.0640LPM
0.060 0.060 0.060
respond NC flow respond NC flow
0.055 0.055 respond NC flow
0.055
0.050 0.0522 LPM 0.050 0.0529 LPM
0.050 0.0529 LPM
0.045 0.045 0.045
0.040 w
0.040 0.040
0.035 flo 0.035 0.035
NC
w

w
f lo

0.030 0.030

flo
y 0.030
ilit
C

NC
N

0.025 ab 0.025 0.025

st
y
lit

backward backward

ity
backward
in
bi

0.020 flow 0.020 0.020

il
flow flow
a

ab
st

0.015 0.015 0.015

st
in

in
0.010 Non-Isolated Pipe 0.010 Non-Isolated Pipe 0.010 Non-Isolated Pipe
0.005 0.005 0.005
0.000 0.000 0.000
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000

time, t [s] time, t [s] time, t [s]

FIGURE 3a. NC flow power FIGURE 3b. NC flow power 4240 W FIGURE 3c. NC flow power
3840 W for flow 43.10 LPM for flow 43.10 LPM 5928 W for flow 43.10 LPM

Fig. 4 shows NC flow measurement comparison for three variations of HSS cooling flow. It can be said for
minimum HSS flow 21.57 LPM is slower than 33.63 LPM and 43.13 LPM. But in the end, starting point of stability
flow remain the same for all HSS flow variations. This situation could be occurs, because of system pressure was set
in atmospheric and temperature in heater tank just around 100oC. Table 2 shows time respond for stability flow for
HSS flow variations.

TABLE 2. Time respond for HSS flow variations

HSS Flow, Q
No t1 [s] t2 [s] t [s]
[LPM]
1 21.57 6475 13800 7325
2 33.63 8213 13800 5587
3 43.1 8759 13800 5041

TABLE 3. Time respond for heater power variations

Heater power, P
No t1 [s] t2 [s] t [s]
[watt]
1 3840 7873 12728 4855
2 4240 8773 12728 3955
3 5928 8871 12728 3857

Fig.5 shows NC flow measurement comparison for three variations of heater power. Time respond of NC flow
for heater power at heater power 3840 watt was slower than 4240 watt and 5928 watt. But in the end, starting point
of stability flow remain the same for all heater power variations. Table 3 shows time respond for stability flow for
three heater power variations.

020008-4
 Flow Measurement for Three Variations of Cooling Flow in HSS
0.100
0.095 Exp. Parameter Q at QHSS=21.57 LPM

Flow Rate in Rectangular, QRec [LPM]

0.090 P = 5928 watt
0.085 Qp-HSS = 21.57 LPM, 33.63 LPM, 43.10 LPM Q at QHSS=33.63 LPM
0.080 a2 at t=13800 s, Q=0.065 LPM
b2 at t=13800 s, Q=0.065 LPM
Q at QHSS=43.10 LPM
0.075
c2 at t=13800 s, Q=0.065 LPM
0.070
0.0653 LPM
0.065
b1
0.060
0.055 a1 c1 0.0522 LPM
0.050
a1 at t=6475 s, Q=0.052 LPM
0.045
b1 at t=8213 s, Q=0.052 LPM
0.040 c1 at t=8759 s, Q=0.052 LPM
0.035
0.030
0.025
0.020
0.015 b0
a0 at t=942 s, Q=0.005 LPM
0.010 a0 b0 at t=1203 s, Q=0.005 LPM
0.005 c0
c0 at t=2223 s, Q=0.008 LPM Non-Isolated Pipe
0.000
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000

time, t [s]

FIGURE 4. Backward flow phenomenon due to temperature drop near pipe wall

0.100
Flow Measurement for Three Variations of Heater Power
0.095 Exp. Parameter
Q at P=3840 watt
0.090 Qp-HSS = 43.10 LPM (cooling rate in HSS)
0.085
Q at P=4240 watt
Flow measurement, Q [LPM]

0.080 a2 at t=12728 s, Q=0.064 LPM Q at P=5928 watt

0.075 b2 at t=12728 s, Q=0.064 LPM
c2 at t=12728 s, Q=0.064 LPM
0.070
0.065 0.0640 LPM

0.060 b1
a1
0.055 0.0529 LPM
a1 at t=7873 s, Q=0.053 LPM
0.050 c1
b1 at t=8773 s, Q=0.053 LPM
0.045 c1 at t=8871 s, Q=0.053 LPM
0.040
0.035
0.030
0.025
0.020
0.015 a0 at t=190 s, Q=0.013 LPM
a0
0.010 b0 at t=1310 s, Q=0.0079 LPM
0.005 b0 c0 c0 at t=2271 s, Q=0.0076 LPM Non-Isolated Pipe
0.000
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000 22000 24000

time, t [s]
FIGURE 5. Backward flow phenomenon due to temperature drop near pipe wall

Base on Fig. 4 and Fig.5, both for HSS flow variation and heater power variation shows NC flow pattern in the
same form. Although, the starting point of the instable flow is different for each flow variation and power heater
variation, but ultimately the NC flow rate reaches the same value. This condition caused by steady state temperature
both in heater tank and cooler tank. The effect of heater power and HSS flow to the stability NC flow does not have
a large effect on the value of the final NC flow rate. This experiment was dedicated to investigate NC flow at
atmospheric temperature, and then the differences temperature of water inside pipe between in cooler tank and
heater tank is the same. The effect of heater power and HSS flow to the NC flow does have the effect only into time
respond from the end of instability flow to starting point for stability flow.

020008-5
 CONCLUSION
The experiment to investigate thermal hydraulics parameter effect to NC flow with scenario HSS flow variations
and heater power variation to NC flow using The FASSIP-01 has been done. It is show that, the effect only related
to respond time for stability flow from instability flow. The increasing HSS flow in cooler area to respond time from
7325 s to 5041 s is more fast only 31.18%. In case of heater power increasing in heater area to respond time from
4855 s to 3857 s is more fast only 20.55%.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work is supported by the fund from the research activity (KAK) entitled "Assessment of Safety and
Technical Design of Nuclear Power Plant" of PTKRN-BATAN, year 2017. The work is also supported by IAEA
Research Contract No: 20948 as part of the IAEA Coordinated Research Project I32010 and many thanks to the
Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of Indonesia for funding this work through INSINAS
Program under the contract No.: 01/INS-1/PPK/E/E4/2018.

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