Application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to nuclear applications

摘要

Detailed analysis of a quarter channel was performed using VIPRE and CFX. Results211u001eshow that VIPRE and CFX agree closely in both cross-sectionally averaged axial 211u001etemperature and cross-sectionally averaged axial velocity profiles. Detailed 211u001etemperature distributions in the radial direction over 1mm from the clad surface 211u001etowards the center of the channel were calculated using CFX, showing significant 211u001elocal variation. This information can be used for example, to determine if this 211u001etemperature will lead to bubble nucleation. Quarter subassembly calculations were 211u001emade with both VIPRE and STAR-CD. Comparison between the solutions show that the 211u001etwo codes yield very similar solutions under comparable conditions. However, the 211u001eSTAR-CD CFD calculation provides the analyst with much more detailed flow and 211u001etemperature distributions than can be predicted by a one-dimensional code such as 211u001eVIPRE. In addition, a 60 million cell one-eighth reactor core calculation was 211u001emade using STAR-CD. This analysis showed the importance of accurately predicting 211u001ethe flow and temperature fields in all assemblies simultaneously with modern 211u001eparallel processing technology, practical turnaround for these types of 211u001ecalculation can be obtained.