Direct Numerical Simulation of High Prandtl Number Fluid Flow in the Downcomer of an Advanced Reactor

Tri Nguyen, Elia Merzari, Cheng Kai Tai, Igor A. Bolotnov

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The passive safety is a crucial feature of advanced nuclear reactor (Gen IV) design. During loss of power scenarios, the downcomer plays a crucial role. The fluid-flow behavior in the downcomer can involve forced to mixed to natural convection and characterizing the heat transfer for these changing regimes is a daunting challenge. High-resolution heat transfer numerical database can potentially support the development of precise and affordable reduced resolution heat transfer models. These models can be designed based on a multiscale hierarchy developed as part of the recently DOE-funded center of excellence for thermal-fluids applications in nuclear energy. In this paper, the downcomer is simplified to heated parallel plates and High Prandtl number fluid (FLiBe) is considered for all simulations. The calculations are performed for a wide range of Richardson number from 0 to 400 at 2 different FLiBe's Prandtl numbers (12 and 24) which result in 40 simulated cases in total. Time averaged and time series statistics as well as Nusselt number correlations are investigated to illuminate the mixed convection behaviors. The calculated database will be instrumental in understanding the flow behaviors in the downcomer. Ultimately, we aimed to evaluate existing heat transfer correlations and some modifications will be proposed for cases where no satisfactory choice is available.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of Advances in Thermal Hydraulics, ATH 2022 - Embedded with the 2022 ANS Annual Meeting
PublisherAmerican Nuclear Society
Pages162-176
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9780894487811
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Event5th International Topical Meeting on Advances in Thermal Hydraulics 2022, ATH 2022, held in conjunction with the 2022 American Nuclear Society ,ANS Annual Meeting - Anaheim, United States
Duration: Jun 12 2022Jun 16 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of Advances in Thermal Hydraulics, ATH 2022 - Embedded with the 2022 ANS Annual Meeting

Conference

Conference5th International Topical Meeting on Advances in Thermal Hydraulics 2022, ATH 2022, held in conjunction with the 2022 American Nuclear Society ,ANS Annual Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnaheim
Period6/12/226/16/22

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering
  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

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