Abstract
Although area-averaged void fractions in subchannels have been measured frequently in literatures, distribution of local void fraction in a rod bundle have been rarely reported. Little is also known on bubble motion in a rod bundle. Distributions of local void fraction and bubble velocity in a 4x4 rod bundle were, therefore, measured using a conductance probe in this study. Liquid velocity was also measured using LDV. Experimental results showed that the distributions of the void fractions in the inner and side subchannels depend not only on lift force acting on bubbles but also on geometrical interaction between the bubble and the rod wall. The relative velocity between bubbles and liquid phase in the subchannel possesses non-uniform distribution over the cross-section. This is caused by increase in drag force acting on bubbles due to bubble deformation induced by interaction between the bubbles and the rod wall.
