LAPSE:2023.36518
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.36518
CFD Modeling of Phase Change during the Flashing-Induced Instability in a Natural Circulation Circuit
Yixiang Liao, Dirk Lucas
August 3, 2023
Flashing-induced instability (FII) has a significant impact on the safe operation of a natural circulation circuit, a phenomenon frequently encountered in the cooling systems of advanced light water reactors. While one-dimensional system codes are commonly used for the engineering design and safety analysis of FII, there is a strong academic interest in understanding the underlying physical mechanisms. To address this, high-resolution computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations serve as a valuable tool. However, the current state of CFD modeling for two-phase flows with phase change, which are particularly highly transient fluctuating flashing flows, is still in its early stages of development. In this study, we establish a CFD model that focuses on interphase heat transfer to analyze the phase change during FII. By incorporating experimental data from the literature, we investigate the transient flow field and thermodynamic behavior in the riser of the GENEVA test facility. The study provides valuable insights into the non-equilibrium and interfacial transfer phenomena during the phase change as well as the effect of high-frequency fluctuation. Additionally, we discuss in detail the challenges associated with FII modeling and the limitations of the current model. We also provide suggestions for potential improvements in future numerical studies. The results show that the thermal phase change and heat transfer coefficient model adopted for the simulation reasonably captures the evaporation and condensation process. However, it tends to under-predict the evaporation rate, which results in a larger pressure drop through the riser. The observation that the void fraction close to the wall is higher than that in the riser center evidences that the reliable modeling of bubble size distribution as well as the inclusion of non-drag forces are important for predicting the transverse void distribution. Furthermore, it reveals that both the temperature and pressure change in an FII, and their effects on phase change should be taken into account simultaneously.
Keywords
CFD modeling, flashing-induced instability, thermal and mechanical non-equilibrium, thermal phase change model
Suggested Citation
Liao Y, Lucas D. CFD Modeling of Phase Change during the Flashing-Induced Instability in a Natural Circulation Circuit. (2023). LAPSE:2023.36518
Author Affiliations
Liao Y: Institute of Fluid Dynamics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany [ORCID]
Lucas D: Institute of Fluid Dynamics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden—Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden, Germany
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
11
Issue
7
First Page
1974
Year
2023
Publication Date
2023-06-29
Published Version
ISSN
2227-9717
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Original Submission
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PII: pr11071974, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2023.36518
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doi:10.3390/pr11071974
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Aug 3, 2023
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CC BY 4.0
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Aug 3, 2023
 
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Original Submitter
Calvin Tsay
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