Advances in two-phase flow modeling for LMFBR applications

Abstract

This paper summarizes the development of numerical models for analysis of sodium boiling phenomena in LMFBR which has been carried out at M.I.T. over the last five years. With regard to the degree of spatial averaging, our models use the porous body approach, in two and three-dimensional configurations. One important advantage of this model is the ability to accommodate homogenization of arbitrary-sized regions of interest. From a numerical point of view our basic approach is a semi-implicit method in which pressure pulse propagation and local effects characterized by short time constraints are treated implicitly, while convective transport and diffusion heat transfer phenomena, associated with longer time constants, are handled explicitly. This method remains tractable and efficient in multi-dimensional applications. Both a six-equation (“two-fluid”) model and a four-equation (“mixture”) model have been pursued. A considerable effort has been devoted to the development of constitutive relations. Our current package provides an adequate simulation capability for a wide range of applications. This paper will present the general physical formulation of the codes, the constitutive relations, the general numerical approach, applications, and finally some concluding remarks based on our experience with these codes.