Leak Flow Analysis Through Narrow Cracks In High-Pressure High Temperature Pipe
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Keywords:
Crack Growth, Finite Element Method, Leak Detection, Pipeline Integrity, Pressure ContoursAbstract
This research examines the behavior of high-pressure pipelines with narrow cracks under various
pressure conditions relevant to transportation systems in power plants. The focus is on the detection and
measurement of leaks, crucial for safety analysis, particularly in nuclear reactors where radioactive
substances are transported. The study investigates crack formation and growth under sustained mechanical
and thermal loads, emphasizing the importance of leak detection in Leak Before Break (LBB) analysis.
Various numerical techniques, including the Finite Element Method (FEM), are used to evaluate crack
growth and through-wall crack opening under high-pressure leak flow conditions. Material selection is also
emphasized, with an analysis of different alloys, such as carbon steel and stainless steel. The research covers
both rectangular and circular crack geometries, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to
analyze mass flow rate and velocity under different pressure scenarios. Findings indicate that mass flux
increases consistently with pressure for both crack types, highlighting the need for precise analysis and
continuous monitoring to maintain pipeline integrity and prevent hazards. Inlet pressures ranging from 70
bar to 180 bar are considered to assess their impact on mass flux and leak flow velocity through the cracks.
The study observed that mass flux and leak flow velocity both increased consistently with rising inlet
pressure for rectangular cracks, while for circular cracks, mass flux showed similar growth, but leak flow
velocity exhibited uneven growth with increasing inlet pressure. Pressure and velocity contour images are
provided to visualize flow behavior through cracks of different geometries. Overall, this research offers
valuable insights into crack behavior and leakage in high-pressure duct systems, contributing to the
development of improved safety measures and maintenance strategies for power plant pipelines.
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