Diagnostics of coolant boiling onset based on the analysis of fluctuations of thermohydraulic parameters

When operating heat-exchange facilities, it is of interest to develop methods of diagnostic and prediction for coolant boiling onset. It is known that the surface temperature of a heating element always has stochastic oscillations around an average value, the analysis of such fluctuations will make it possible to predict the change in the heat transfer regimes.

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of temperature fluctuations for an inertial heater and using of method of diagnostic are based on statistical and frequency analysis of temperature fluctuations. It is shown that there is a correlation between the frequency characteristics of heater temperature fluctuations and oscillations in the thermohydraulic parameters of the coolant (temperature, flow, pressure). The obtained results will find application in the development of an automated system for diagnostics the coolant boiling onset in power facilities.