Direct numerical simulation of pebble beds: Analysis of the turbulent heat flux

D. Reger, E. Merzari

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

Abstract

Current interest in the development of pebble bed reactors has increased the demand for a thorough understanding of the flow in packed beds. This work aims to increase the understanding of heat transfer in pebble beds by performing a direct numerical simulation of a bed of 67 pebbles with one heated pebble. The streamwise temperature gradient is compared to the streamwise turbulent heat flux, and it is determined that a constant turbulent prandtl number approach may not be appropriate when simulating packed beds with Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes models. Additionally, analysis of the production and turbulent diffusion of the streamwise turbulent heat flux reveals peaks near the heated pebble where temperature gradients are large and additional streak-like features in the wake of pebbles where the flow is highly turbulent. The dissipation term is also found to be localized almost entirely to the region around the heated pebble with very little dissipation downstream.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication10th International Symposium on Turbulence, Heat and Mass Transfer, THMT 2023
PublisherBegell House Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781567005349
StatePublished - 2023
Event10th International Symposium on Turbulence, Heat and Mass Transfer, THMT 2023 - Rome, Italy
Duration: Sep 11 2023Sep 15 2023

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Symposium on Turbulence, Heat and Mass Transfer
ISSN (Print)2642-5629
ISSN (Electronic)2377-2816

Conference

Conference10th International Symposium on Turbulence, Heat and Mass Transfer, THMT 2023
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityRome
Period9/11/239/15/23

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

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