A two dimensional, two fluid model for sodium boiling in LMFBR fuel assemblies
Author(s)
Granziera, Mario Roberto; Kazimi, Mujid S.
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A two dimensional numerical model for the simulation of sodium boiling
transient was developed using the two fluid set of conservation equations.
A semiimplicit numerical differencing scheme capable of handling the problems
associated with the ill-posedness implied by the complex characteristic roots
of the two fluid problems was used, which took advantage of the dumping effect
of the exchange terms.
Of particular interest in the development of the model was the identi-
fication of the numerical problems caused by the strong disparity between the
axial and radial dimensions of fuel assemblies. A solution to this problem
was found which uses the particular geometry of fuel assemblies to accelerate
the convergence of the iterative technique used in the model.
The most important feature of the model was its ability to simulate severe
conditions of sodium boiling, in particular flow reversal, which was shown in
the tests performed with the model.
Three sodium boiling experiments were simulated with the model, with good
agreement between the experimental results and the model predictions.
Date issued
1980-05Publisher
MIT Energy Laboratory
Other identifiers
06984544
Series/Report no.
MIT-EL80-011
Keywords
Two-phase flow |x Mathematical models, Liquid metal fast breeder reactors, Nuclear fuel elements |x Computer programs, Sodium cooled reactors