Research on the internal pressure pulsation characteristics of reactor coolant pump under non-uniform inflow

In the third generation of nuclear power technology, the first circuit of the nuclear power plant consists of a steam generator and two vertical reactor coolant pumps (RCPs). The two vertical nuclear pumps are installed upside down at the bottom of the steam generator, resulting in uneven flow at the inlet of the reactor coolant pump due to the special structure of the lower chamber of the steam generator. The RCPs is the sole high-speed rotating machinery in the primary circuit, operating under non-uniform flow conditions for extended periods. The resulting effects on pump performance remain ambiguous. In this study, we focused on the pressure pulsation of the non-uniform flow of a third-generation RCP. To analyze this, we utilized high-precision numerical simulation methods to obtain information regarding the internal pressure pulsation characteristics of the non-uniform inflow. Additionally, we investigated the impact that non-uniform inflow has on the radial force characteristics of the RCP. This study aims to enhance the comprehension of pressure pulsation characteristics in reactor coolant pumps under non-uniform inflows. It will offer valuable insights for research on vibration control in these pumps, and support the development of third-generation nuclear power technology.