Investigation of different numerical schemes for simulating melt motion on the surface of fuel pin

Abstract

Simulation of severe accident in nuclear reactor is a key element in a safety analysis of nuclear power plants. The goal of presented paper is development of models for fuel pins melting. A detailed description of the system of equations, to simulate melt motion along fuel pin, is presented in the current paper. The system consists of mass, energy and momentum conservation equations. An analysis of hyperbolicity and stability of this system of equations is carried out. Relocation of the melt depends on the balance of the gravitational forces, friction forces between melt and surface of the fuel pins and friction between melt and coolant. The analysis of stability is made with help of Fourier transform. Up-wind scheme, MLU and MUSCL schemes are used to simulate melt motion.