Fluid flow simulation devices, fluid heating chambers, and associated methods
A fluid flow simulation device may include a heating chamber configured to heat a conductive fluid with one or more electrodes. The fluid flow simulation device may also include a heat exchanger positioned over the heating chamber and a downcomer coupled between an outlet of the heat exchanger and a bottom of the heating chamber.
1 . A fluid flow simulation device comprising:
a heating chamber comprising one or more electrodes, a conductive fluid, and an orifice plate configured to control flow of the conductive fluid through the heating chamber;
a heat exchanger positioned over the heating chamber; and
a downcomer coupled between an outlet of the heat exchanger and a bottom of the heating chamber.
2 . The fluid flow simulation device of claim 1 , wherein the conductive fluid comprises a salt water solution including less than about 25 wt % salt.
3 . The fluid flow simulation device of claim 1 , wherein the orifice plate is adjustable.
4 . The fluid flow simulation device of claim 1 , wherein the heating chamber and the downcomer comprise nested tubes.
5 . The fluid flow simulation device of claim 4 , wherein the heating chamber comprises a first tube and the heat exchanger and the downcomer comprise a second tube, the first tube being separate from the second tube.
6 . The fluid flow simulation device of claim 4 , wherein the heating chamber comprises a first tube and the downcomer comprises a second tube, the first tube nested within the second tube.
7 . A fluid heating chamber comprising:
a salt water solution comprising a salt concentration of less than about 25 wt %; and
one or more electrodes positioned within the fluid heating chamber, the one or more electrodes configured to induce a current through the salt water solution to heat the salt water solution and induce upward flow of the salt water solution through natural circulation.
8 . The fluid heating chamber of claim 7 , wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to generate heat in the salt water solution at a rate of between about 0.5 MW/m 3 and about 3 MW/m 3 .
9 . The fluid heating chamber of claim 7 , wherein a tubular structure defines the fluid heating chamber.
10 . The fluid heating chamber of claim 9 , further comprising an inlet positioned on a first end of the tubular structure and an outlet positioned on a second opposite end of the tubular structure.
11 . The fluid heating chamber of claim 10 , wherein the inlet comprises an orifice plate configured to control flow of the salt water solution entering the fluid heating chamber through the inlet.
12 . The fluid heating chamber of claim 11 , wherein the orifice plate is adjustable.
13 . A method of simulating fluid flow comprising:
heating a conductive fluid in a heating chamber by generating a current through the conductive fluid with one or more electrodes;
allowing the heated conductive fluid to rise through the heating chamber through natural circulation;
removing heat from the conductive fluid with a heat exchanger positioned above the heating chamber; and
allowing the cooled conductive fluid to travel downward in an outer fluid passage outside the heating chamber.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein generating the current through the conductive fluid comprises applying a voltage between two electrodes of the one or more electrodes.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein heating the conductive fluid comprises generating a temperature differential in a range from about 1° C. to about 100° C. between an inlet temperature entering the heating chamber and an outlet temperature exiting the heating chamber.
16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising measuring a temperature and a pressure of the conductive fluid in at least one position in the heating chamber.
17 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising measuring a temperature differential of the conductive fluid between an inlet temperature entering the heating chamber and an outlet temperature exiting the heating chamber.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising adjusting the current through the conductive fluid to control the temperature differential to a threshold temperature differential.