The power industry's view of past, present, and future two-phase flow testing

Since 1974, Siemens' Power Generation Group (KWU) has been operating a high -pressure two-phase flow test loop - called the Benson rest rig - which off ers a range of operating conditions that is unique in the world (1 to 330 b ar 20 to 600 degrees C, and 0 to 2 MW electric heating power). The 25th ann iversary of the first tests performed at this test rig presents a good occa sion not only for reviewing the past, but also for contemplating the future of two-phase flow experiments. The past was characterized by integral and separate effect tests for power generation using nuclear; fossil, and renewable energy sources as well as f or process industries. This article will present examples demonstrating the flexible and broad range of applications for the Benson test rig. The resu lts of the tests have been used to develop algorithms for implementation in computer programs and also for validating such programs. Usually these computer programs - so-called analysis tools - are used for a nalyzing systems or components. From an analyst's point of view: two-phase flow experiments serve either to verify, global flow conditions or to suppl y inputs such as boundary conditions and material laws and/or initial condi tions for the analysis tools. An advanced way of making sure that all avail able knowledge can be input into the analysis tools is to collect and stove it in a program system from which it can be called up, whenever required a ccording to the task in hand. Siemens' KWU Group has started developing suc h a system. Apart from integral tests conducted for new power plants, futur e two-phase flow experiments will probably focus on expanding this program system's database.