Effect of Electric Power-Supplies on Acoustic Emission Signal during Boiling Process

Abstract

The dynamic bubble phenomena in two-phase, liquid/gas systems occur in many different hydraulic processes such as valves, centrifugal pumps, fluid piping transportation, boiling processes and nuclear reactors. Bubble activity phenomena cause some problems such as vibration, noise, decreased of equipment efficiency and surface pitting. Monitoring and detection of bubble activity at an early stage during the boiling process is very important to nuclear safety and many industrial processes. Acoustic emission (AE) technique in this work investigation covers the frequency between 100 kHz and 1000 kHz. Obtained results show a high feasibility of AE technology in detection and diagnosis of bubble dynamic at an early stage during pool boiling. It was observed that bubble activity is detectable with AE method, and there is a clear relationship between increasing AE signals with increase electric power-supply levels and the bubble formation during pool boiling..