Abstract: This study investigates the internal flow characteristics and separation performance of a single-hook corrugated-plate steam-water separator used in pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plants. The gas-liquid two-phase flow through a single corrugated-plate channel was simulated using computational fluid dynamics, the realizable k-ε turbulence model, and the discrete phase model (DPM). The gas-phase velocity distribution, inlet-to-outlet pressure drop, and droplet separation efficiency were evaluated at different inlet velocities. The results show that the pressure drop increases approximately quadratically with inlet velocity, in agreement with the theoretical relationship. Separation efficiency generally increases with inlet velocity and approaches a plateau once the velocity exceeds a certain value. These results provide guidance for equipment selection and structural optimization of corrugated-plate steam-water separators.

pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant,corrugated plate steam-water separator,numerical simulation,separation efficiency,pressure drop