Improved Computational Fluid Dynamics Framework for Reactor Core Baffle Swelling Assessment 

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuliia Filonova ◽  
Yaroslav Dubyk ◽  
Vladislav Filonov ◽  
Vadym Kondratjuk

Abstract This paper presents an improved estimation of reactor core baffle temperature distribution, during operation, at the nominal power level to address swelling problems of the reactor internals. Swelling is the main limiting factor in the reactor core internals long term operation of VVER-1000 nuclear units. The material irradiation-induced swelling and creep models are very sensitive to temperature distribution in metal; thus, a more detailed analysis of the core baffle metal thermohydraulic cooling characteristics is required. A framework for the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of VVER-1000 reactor baffle cooling is presented. First, an analytical model was developed to obtain boundary conditions (BCs) and simplify CFD analysis. Second, the CFD analysis was performed using 60 deg symmetry, which included core, baffle, and core barrel, and it is limited by the height of the baffle. Core is simplified as an equivalent coolant domain with considering of spatial volumetric energy release. Core baffle is presented as monolithic body with considering of gamma-ray heat generation. Model includes cooling ribs and simplified geometry of connecting studs, with cooling flow of the coolant through the nuts grooves. Calculated convection coefficient and temperature are in good agreement with analytical model and give a more accurate result comparing to RELAP5/mod3.2. Obtained temperature field was used to estimate baffle swelling process and justify safe long term operation of the reactor internals.

Author(s):  
Yuliia Filonova ◽  
Vladislav Filonov ◽  
Yaroslav Dubyk

This Paper presents an improved estimation of reactor core baffle temperature distribution, during operation, at the nominal power level to address swelling problems of the reactor internals. Swelling is the main limiting factor in the reactor core internals long term operation of VVER-1000 nuclear units. The material irradiation-induced swelling and creep models are very sensitive to temperature distribution in metal, thus a more detailed analysis of the core baffle metal thermohydraulic cooling characteristics is required. A framework for CFD analysis of VVER-1000 reactor baffle cooling is presented. Firstly, an analytical model was developed to obtain boundary conditions and simplify CFD analysis, i.e. the real geometry of the cooling channels was replaced by equivalent elements, the core was presented as porous body with the appropriate characteristics. Secondly, the CFD analysis was performed using 60–degree symmetry, which included: core, baffle and core barrel, it is limited by the height of the baffle. Core is simplified as a homogeneous body with considering of spatial volumetric energy release. Core baffle is presented as monolithic body with considering of gamma-ray heat generation. Model includes a simplified geometry of connecting studs, considering cooling flow of the coolant through the nuts grooves. Calculated convection coefficient and temperature are in good agreement with analytical model, and give a more convenient result comparing to RELAP5/mod3.2. Obtained results were used to estimate baffle swelling process. Due to the less conservative results in temperature distribution swelling and creep deformations significantly decreased.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (6 Part A) ◽  
pp. 2615-2623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Escobedo Carrera ◽  
Rivera Ortiz ◽  
Valdivia Guzman ◽  
Ruiz Garcia ◽  
Orenday Desiga

Computational fluid dynamics is a numerical tool that is highly accurate to simulate a very large number of applications and processes. The CFD analysis has emerged as a viable technique to provide effective and efficient design solutions. In this paper, a CFD analysis for improving temperature distribution in a chili dryer is presented. The CFD technique is used to simulate the temperature distribution inside the chamber. For this purpose, the continuity, momentum and energy equations are considered. The results obtained by CFD analysis based on a specific geometry are presented in order to improve the temperature distribution. In addition, these results were verified experimentally. The distribution of temperatures showed small differences around 4 K during the warming up period. The simulation and experimental results can be useful for further designs of chili dryers with different specific geometries.


2016 ◽  
Vol 819 ◽  
pp. 356-360
Author(s):  
Mazharul Islam ◽  
Jiří Fürst ◽  
David Wood ◽  
Farid Nasir Ani

In order to evaluate the performance of airfoils with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools, modelling of transitional region in the boundary layer is very critical. Currently, there are several classes of transition-based turbulence model which are based on different methods. Among these, the k-kL- ω, which is a three equation turbulence model, is one of the prominent ones which is based on the concept of laminar kinetic energy. This model is phenomenological and has several advantageous features. Over the years, different researchers have attempted to modify the original version which was proposed by Walter and Cokljat in 2008 to enrich the modelling capability. In this article, a modified form of k-kL-ω transitional turbulence model has been used with the help of OpenFOAM for an investigative CFD analysis of a NACA 4-digit airfoil at range of angles of attack.


Author(s):  
Andres F. Osorio ◽  
Alain J. Kassab ◽  
Eduardo A. Divo ◽  
I. Ricardo Argueta-Morales ◽  
William M. DeCampli

Presently, mechanical support is the most promising alternative to cardiac transplantation. Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) were originally used to provide mechanical circulatory support in patients waiting planned heart transplantation (“bridge-to-transplantation” therapy). The success of short-term bridge devices led to clinical trials evaluating the clinical suitability of long-term support (“destination” therapy) with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The first larger-scale, randomized trial that tested long-term support with a LVAD reported a 44% reduction in the risk of stroke or death in patients with a LVAD. In spite of the success of LVADs as bridge-to-transplantation and long-term support. Patients carrying these devices are still at risk of several adverse events. The most devastating complication is caused by embolization of thrombi formed within the LVAD or inside the heart into the brain. Prevention of thrombi formation is attempted through anticoagulation management and by improving LVADs design; however there is still significant occurrence of thromboembolic events in patients. Investigators have reported that the incidence of thromboembolic cerebral events ranges from 14% to 47% over a period of 6–12 months. An alternative method to reduce the incidence of cerebral embolization has been proposed by one of the co-authors, namely William DeCampli M.D., Ph.D. The hypothesis is that it is possible to minimize the number of thrombi flowing into the carotid arteries by an optimal placement of the LVAD outflow conduit, and/or the addition of aortic bypass connecting the ascending aorta (AO) and the innominate artery (IA), or left carotid artery (LCA). This paper presents the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the aortic arch hemodynamics using a representative geometry of the human aortic arch and an alternative aortic bypass. The alternative aortic bypass is intended to reduce thrombi flow incidence into the carotid arteries in patients with LVAD implants with the aim to reduce thromboembolisms. In order to study the trajectory of the thrombi within the aortic arch, a Lagrangian particle-tracking model is coupled to the CFD model. Results are presented in the form of percentage of thrombi flowing to the carotid arteries as a function of LVAD conduit placement and aortic bypass implantation, revealing promising improvement.


2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (28) ◽  
pp. 1291-1301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Van Wassenbergh ◽  
Peter Aerts

Most theoretical models of unsteady aquatic movement in organisms assume that including steady-state drag force and added mass approximates the hydrodynamic force exerted on an organism's body. However, animals often perform explosively quick movements where high accelerations are realized in a few milliseconds and are followed closely by rapid decelerations. For such highly unsteady movements, the accuracy of this modelling approach may be limited. This type of movement can be found during pivot feeding in pipefish that abruptly rotate their head and snout towards prey. We used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to validate a simple analytical model of cranial rotation in pipefish. CFD simulations also allowed us to assess prey displacement by head rotation. CFD showed that the analytical model accurately calculates the forces exerted on the pipefish. Although the initial phase of acceleration changes the flow patterns during the subsequent deceleration phase, the accuracy of the analytical model was not reduced during this deceleration phase. Our analysis also showed that prey are left approximately stationary despite the quickly approaching pipefish snout. This suggests that pivot-feeding fish need little or no suction to compensate for the effects of the flow induced by cranial rotation.


Author(s):  
Lilas Deville ◽  
Mihai Arghir

Brush seals are a mature technology that has generated extensive experimental and theoretical work. Theoretical models range from simple correlations with experimental results to advanced numerical approaches coupling the bristles deformation with the flow in the brush. The present work follows this latter path. The bristles of the brush are deformed by the pressure applied by the flow, by the interference with the rotor and with the back plate. The bristles are modeled as linear beams but a nonlinear numerical algorithm deals with the interferences. The brush with its deformed bristles is then considered as an anisotropic porous medium for the leakage flow. Taking into account, the variation of the permeability with the local geometric and flow conditions represents the originality of the present work. The permeability following the principal directions of the bristles is estimated from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations. A representative number of bristles are selected for each principal direction and the CFD analysis domain is delimited by periodicity and symmetry boundary conditions. The parameters of the CFD analysis are the local Reynolds number and the local porosity estimated from the distance between the bristles. The variations of the permeability are thus deduced for each principal direction and for Reynolds numbers and porosities characteristic for brush seal. The leakage flow rates predicted by the present approach are compared with experimental results from the literature. The results depict also the variations of the pressures, of the local Reynolds number, of the permeability, and of the porosity through the entire brush seal.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleonora Bottani ◽  
Roberto Montanari ◽  
Andrea Volpi ◽  
Giulio Di Maria ◽  
Federico Solari ◽  
...  

COVID-19 brought several management problems, and among these surely the topic of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) turned out to be crucial. Indeed, in the light of mandatory measurements adopted by governments both for private individuals and companies, their demand has rapidly increased, thus generating shortages, increased waste and unbalanced prices. In response to that, many industrial fields offered their tools and know-how for trying to partly face this issue, and in this paper part of a solution of this kind is presented. Specifically, it is meant the redesign of a food oven produced by an Italian company operating in the food sector (Nilma S.p.A.) for thermal sanitization against the virus in question. In this paper, the simulation of the temperature distribution inside the chamber is simulated, with subsequent experimental validation at 95°C.


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