Since no anti-reverse device is equipped in the system of the third generation AP 1000 of nuclear power plant, the reactor coolant pump (RCP) might operate in the reverse condition. However, it is hard to carry out the experiments of RCP in reverse condition due to its high temperature and special thrust bearing (their thrust bearing may not afford the reverse condition either). Hence, CFX with unsteady RANS turbulence model is employed to thoroughly study the characteristics of the reactor coolant pump in reverse pump mode as well as the normal pump condition. Their different flow patterns between the normal case and the reverse case are compared. It is found that a beat frequency captured in the impeller in the reverse case is suggested to be the diagnostic signal of the generation of reverse condition.
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