Visualization and measurement of gas–liquid metal two-phase flow with large density difference using thermal neutrons as microscopic probes

In a core melt accident of a fast breeder reactor, there is a possibility of boiling of the fuel–steel mixture in the containment pool. In relation to safety evaluation on severe accident, it is indispensable to evaluate the possibility of re-criticality of melted core. Gas–liquid two-phase flow with a large liquid-to-gas density ratio is formed due to the boiling of fuel–steel mixture. Although it is anticipated that the large density ratio may affect the basic characteristics of two-phase flow, little work has been performed so far on two-phase flow with a large liquid-to-gas density ratio. In this study, visualization and void fraction measurement of gas–liquid metal two-phase flow were performed by using neutron radiography and image processing techniques. Then, the effect of large density difference between gas and liquid phases on the basic flow characteristics of two-phase flow was clarified.