An Experimental Study of Steam Generator Tube Loading During Blowdown

If the main steam line from a nuclear steam generator were to break, the water in the steam generator would rapidly flash off in what is called a blowdown. Such an event could produce significant loading on the steam generator tubes, which if fractured, could lead to a loss of radioactive materials from containment. Thus, knowing the tube loading during such an event is an important input for safe design. This paper presents the results of an …