湍流模型对5×5格架棒束通道流动传热数值模拟影响分析

同一软件工具采用不同湍流模型进行燃料组件格架棒束通道CFD分析时会得到不同的数值结果,本文采用ANSYS CFX软件,建立了包含典型5×5格架的棒束通道CFD模型,研究了涡粘和雷诺应力两大类6种典型湍流模型对燃料组件压降与换热特性数值结果的影响,计算了压降和Nu分布结果与相似的实验结果进行对比,通过分析3个典型搅混效果评价因子,探讨了搅混翼流动与换热的内在影响关系,同时对比了不同湍流模型对结果的影响。通过与相似实验数据对比分析,认为雷诺应力模型较适宜计算本文所研究的定位格架及棒束通道内流动传热特性。     

Single-phase convective heat transfer in rod bundles

The convective heat transfer for turbulent flow through rod bundles representative of nuclear fuel rods used in pressurized water reactors is examined. The rod bundles consist of a square array of parallel rods that are held on a constant pitch by support grids spaced axially along the rod bundle. Split-vane pair support grids, which create swirling flow in the rod bundle, as well as disc and standard support grids are investigated. Single-phase convective heat transfer coefficients are measured for flow downstream of support grids in a rod bundle. The rods are heated using direct resistance heating, and a bulk axial flow of air is used to cool the rods in the rod bundle. Air is used as the working fluid instead of water to reduce the power required to heat the rod bundle. Results indicate heat transfer enhancement for up to 10 hydraulic diameters downstream of the support grids. A general correlation is developed to predict the heat transfer development downstream of support grids. In addition, circumferential variations in heat transfer coefficients result in hot streaks that develop on the rods downstream of split-vane pair support grids.     

燃料组件5×5格架多跨模型CFD模拟方法研究

本文详细描述了某典型燃料组件5×5格架模型CFD分析的几何模型简化、网格划分、求解及后处理等过程。在5×5结构单跨模型上研究了弹簧刚突对搅混特性及压降的影响,并采用简化弹簧刚突的5×5格架模型实现了包含11层格架的多跨模型计算。单跨模型计算结果表明,弹簧刚突结构强化了横向流动,利于换热,Nu提高了8%,但弹簧刚突格架模型较简化弹簧刚突模型压降损失增加了40%。多跨模型计算得到了多层格架全程流动换热特性,为燃料组件自主研发中定位格架数量及布置的设计优化以及DNB预测计算提供了有效的CFD分析方法。     

Comparison of thermo-hydraulic performances of large scale vortex flow (LSVF) and small scale vortex flow (SSVF) mixing vanes in 17 × 17 nuclear rod bundle

Spacer grids in the nuclear fuel rod assembly maintain a constant distance between rods, secure flow passage and prevent the damage of the rod bundle from flow-induced vibration. The mixing vanes attached to the spacer grids generate vortex flows in the subchannels and enhance the heat transfer performance of the rod bundle. Various types of mixing vanes have been developed to produce cross flows between subchannels as well as vortex flows in the subchannels.The shapes of the mixing vane have been improved to generate larger turbulence and cross flow mixing. In the present study, two types of large scale vortex flow (LSVF) mixing vanes and two types of small scale vortex flow (SSVF) mixing vanes are examined. SSVF-single is conventional split type and SSVF-couple is split type with different arraying method. LSVF mixing vane has different geometry and arraying method to make large scale vortex. 17 × 17 rod bundle with eight spans of mixing vanes is simulated using the IBM 690 supercomputer. The FLUENT code and IBM supercomputer is employed to calculate the flow field and heat transfer in the subchannels.Turbulence intensities, maximum surface temperatures of the rod bundle, heat transfer coefficients and pressure drops of the four kinds of mixing vanes are compared. LSVF mixing vanes produced higher turbulence intensity and heat transfer coefficient than SSVF mixing vanes. Consequently, LSVF mixing vane increases the thermal efficiency and safety of the rod bundle.     

带MVG和MSMG的5×5全长棒束单相流场和温度行为数值分析

定位格架作为燃料组件的关键部件之一,直接影响到燃料组件的热工性能。本文对带结构格架(MVG)和跨间搅混格架(MSMG)的5×5全长加热棒束单相流场和温度场采用计算流体力学(CFD)程序进行数值分析研究,获得该特征棒束组件出口二次流场以及温度场分布特性。研究表明,定位格架下游流场受定位格架和距离的影响,定位格架上游流场对下游二次流几乎无影响,定位格架导致流体强烈的横向二次流,增强了流体和加热棒之间的换热能力,使得棒束子通道截面流体温度更加均匀。与5×5全长棒束出口子通道温度的实验数据对比分析表明,获得的计算模型可以较好地分析该型棒束组件结构温度场行为。     

A second order turbulence model based on a Reynolds stress approach for two-phase boiling flow and application to fuel assembly analysis

High-thermal performance PWR (pressurized water reactor) spacer grids require both low-pressure loss and high critical heat flux (CHF) properties. Numerical investigations on the effect of angles and position of mixing vanes and to understand in more details the main physical phenomena (wall boiling, entrainment of bubbles in the wakes, recondensation) are required.In the field of fuel assembly analysis or design by means of CFD codes, the overwhelming majority of the studies are carried out using two-equation Eddy Viscosity Models (EVM), especially the standard K-? model, while the use of Reynolds Stress Transport Models (RSTM) remains exceptional.The simulation of swirling flow generated by the mixing vanes plays an important role for the prediction of the CHF for the fuel assemblies. For this reason, according to [14] and [Mimouni et al., 2009b], rotation effects and RSTM model are more specifically addressed in the paper.Before comparing performance of EVM and RSTM models on fuel assembly geometry, we performed calculations with simpler geometries, the DEBORA case and the ASU-annular channel case. ASU-annular channel case has already been addressed in [14] and [Mimouni et al., 2009b].Then, a geometry closer to actual fuel assemblies is considered. It consists of a rectangular test section in which a 2 × 2 rod bundle equipped with a simple spacer grid with mixing vanes is inserted. The influence of the turbulence model on target variables linked to CHF limitation will be discussed. Moreover, the sensitivity to the mesh refinement will be particularly examined. The study of this case is a further step towards the modelling of the two-phase boiling flow in real-life grids and rod bundles.     

CFD methodology and validation for single-phase flow in PWR fuel assemblies

This paper presents the CFD modeling methodology and validation for steady-state, normal operation in a PWR fuel assembly. This work is part of a program that is developing a CFD methodology for modeling and predicting single-phase and two-phase flow conditions downstream of structural grids that have mixing devices. The purpose of the mixing devices (mixing vanes in this case) is to increase turbulence and improve heat transfer characteristics of the fuel assembly. The detailed CFD modeling methodology for single-phase flow conditions in PWR fuel assemblies was developed using the STAR-CD CFD code. This methodology includes the details of the computational mesh, the turbulence model used, and the boundary conditions applied to the model. The methodology was developed by benchmarking CFD results versus small-scale experiments. The experiments use PIV to measure the lateral flow field downstream of the grid, and thermal testing to determine the heat transfer characteristics of the rods downstream of the grid. The CFD results and experimental data presented in the paper provide validation of the single-phase flow modeling methodology. Two-phase flow CFD models are being developed to investigate two-phase conditions in PWR fuel assemblies, and these can be presented at a future CFD Workshop.     

5×5棒束通道中简单支撑格架对流动过冷沸腾传热的影响分析

采用壁面热分配模型(即RPI模型)对PSBT基准题中的5×5均匀加热全长棒束过冷沸腾传热进行了数值模拟研究。重点分析了加热段末端搅混格架（MVG）下游简单支撑格架（SSG）对棒束通道内流动过冷沸腾传热特性的影响。在水力特性方面,研究发现SSG的形阻压降约为MVG的53%,且对棒束通道内的横向流动具有显著抑制作用。为反映SSG对搅混过程的影响,采用子通道平均横流速度比沿轴向的发展过程对其进行了分析。分析发现,在SSG附近横流速度比迅速衰减,衰减后的横流速度比与光棒束时的大小相当。由于SSG对横流过程的破坏,改变了发热表面的传热特性,在其下游气相迅速包覆加热表面,蒸发热流密度较无SSG情况偏高5%,加热段末端空泡份额偏高0.006,壁面过热度偏高0.3 ℃。     

CARR辐照压水堆小组件热工水力分析

分析压水堆4×4小组件在CARR高温高压回路中进行辐照考验时的热工水力问题。利用计算流体动力学(CFD)软件对其进行三维数值模拟,以获得详细的热工水力参数。首先,模拟简化的燃料棒束模型,得出三维温度与速度分布,并分析了传热过程。然后,模拟全尺寸小组件,与棒束模型所得的结果进行对比分析,着重研究其流动,并分析了格架的搅混特性,得出可应用于一维热工水力程序的搅混因子。结果表明,燃料棒最高温度可满足安全性要求,且格架的搅混作用明显。     

7棒束紧密栅元流体流动传热数值研究

紧密栅元内的流体流动传热研究对高转化比反应堆燃料组件的优化有十分重要的意义。本文采用CFD方法对7棒束紧密栅元棒束通道内流体流动传热现象进行了数值模拟,并与7棒束紧密栅元内氟利昂流体传热的实验结果进行对比分析,详细分析了定位格架对棒束内流体传热流动的影响。结果表明：数值计算所得的非加热棒的壁面温度和实验吻合良好,定位格架的存在对其下游流体流动、棒束最高温度分布及交混系数有明显的影响,棒束某些位置因流动滞止导致温度大幅上升,在设计中应加以注意。     

Evaluation of a numeric procedure for flow simulation of a 5 × 5 PWR rod bundle with a mixing vane spacer

The fuel assemblies of the Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) are constituted of rod bundles arranged in a regular square configuration by spacer grids placed along its length. The presence of the spacer grids promote two antagonist effects on the core: a desirable increase of the local heat transfer downstream the grids and an adverse increase of the pressure drop due to the constriction on the coolant flow area. Most spacer grids are designed with mixing vanes which cause a cross and swirl flow between and within the subchannels, enhancing even more the heat transfer performance in the grid vicinity. The improvement of the heat transfer increases the departure from the nucleate boiling ratio, allowing higher operating power in the reactor. Due to these important thermal and fluid dynamic features, experimental and theoretical investigations have been carried out in the past years for the development of spacer grid design. More recently, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using three dimensional Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) analysis has been used efficiently for this purpose. Many computational works have been performed, but the appropriate numerical procedure for the flow in rod bundle simulations is not yet a consensus. This work presents results of flow simulations performed with the commercial code CFX 11.0 in a PWR 5 × 5 rod bundle segment with a split vane spacer grid. The geometrical configuration and flow conditions used in the experimental studies performed by Karoutas et al. were assumed in the simulations. To make the simulation possible with a limited computational capacity and acceptable mesh refinement, the computational domain was divided in 7 sub-domains. The sub-domains were simulated sequentially applying the outlet results of a previous sub-domain as inlet condition for the next. In this study the k-ε turbulence model was used. The simulations were also compared with those performed by Karoutas et al. in half a subchannel and In et al. in one subchannel computational domains. Comparison between numerical and experimental results of lateral and axial velocities along of the rod bundle show good agreement for all evaluated heights downstream the spacer grid. The present numerical procedure shows better predictions than Karoutas et al. model especially further from the spacer grid where the peripheral subchannels have more influence in the average flow.     

CFD analysis of flow field in a triangular rod bundle

The flow field was investigated in subchannels of VVER-440 pressurized water cooled reactors’ fuel assemblies (triangular lattice, P/D = 1.35). Impacts of the mesh resolution and turbulence model were studied in order to obtain guidelines for CFD calculations of VVER-440 rod bundles. Results were compared to measurement data published by Trupp and Azad in 1975. The study pointed out that RANS method with BSL Reynolds stress model using a sufficient fine grid can provide an accurate prediction for the turbulence quantities in this lattice. Applying the experiences of the sensitivity study thermal hydraulic processes were investigated in VVER-440 rod bundle sections. Based on the examinations the spacer grids have important effects on the cross flows, axial velocity and outlet temperature distribution of subchannels therefore they have to be modeled satisfactorily in CFD calculations.     

Evaluation of a numeric procedure for flow simulation of a 5 × 5 PWR rod bundle with a mixing vane spacer

The fuel assemblies of the Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) are constituted of rod bundles arranged in a regular square configuration by spacer grids placed along its length. The presence of the spacer grids promote two antagonist effects on the core: a desirable increase of the local heat transfer downstream the grids and an adverse increase of the pressure drop due to the constriction on the coolant flow area. Most spacer grids are designed with mixing vanes which cause a cross and swirl flow between and within the subchannels, enhancing even more the heat transfer performance in the grid vicinity. The improvement of the heat transfer increases the departure from the nucleate boiling ratio, allowing higher operating power in the reactor. Due to these important thermal and fluid dynamic features, experimental and theoretical investigations have been carried out in the past years for the development of spacer grid design. More recently, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using three dimensional Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) analysis has been used efficiently for this purpose. Many computational works have been performed, but the appropriate numerical procedure for the flow in rod bundle simulations is not yet a consensus. This work presents results of flow simulations performed with the commercial code CFX 11.0 in a PWR 5 × 5 rod bundle segment with a split vane spacer grid. The geometrical configuration and flow conditions used in the experimental studies performed by Karoutas et al. were assumed in the simulations. To make the simulation possible with a limited computational capacity and acceptable mesh refinement, the computational domain was divided in 7 sub-domains. The sub-domains were simulated sequentially applying the outlet results of a previous sub-domain as inlet condition for the next. In this study the k–ε turbulence model was used. The simulations were also compared with those performed by Karoutas et al. in half a subchannel and In et al. in one subchannel computational domains. Comparison between numerical and experimental results of lateral and axial velocities along of the rod bundle show good agreement for all evaluated heights downstream the spacer grid. The present numerical procedure shows better predictions than Karoutas et al. model especially further from the spacer grid where the peripheral subchannels have more influence in the average flow.     

冷却剂与含格架燃料棒束多场耦合分析

燃料棒束作为压水堆燃料组件的组成部分,其热工和结构特性直接关系到反应堆的安全。本文利用ANSYS WORKBENCH软件分析了冷却剂在5×5含定位格架燃料棒束通道内流动的分布,采用冷却剂与燃料棒束多场耦合的方式研究了燃料棒束的流动传热特性和结构形变特性。结果表明：定位格架扰动冷却剂形成横向二次流并在下游棒束间形成绕流;多场耦合条件下二次流峰值速度和平均速度均小于单流场的;二次流与燃料棒的热应力使棒束发生形变,功率和流动分布的不均匀导致形变在轴向和径向的不均匀;相较于无格架情况,定位格架的存在使冷却剂的搅混流动更加明显,冷却剂对燃料棒冲击增大;在有、无定位格架两种情况下棒束形变均很小,可保持原本结构的稳定。     

棒束通道定位格架沸腾临界特性数值研究

为研究核反应堆中定位格架及搅混翼对沸腾临界现象产生的影响,本文采用计算流体动力学（CFD）分析方法,探讨了棒束通道中定位格架的数目、位置和搅混翼的角度对于沸腾临界现象的影响。结果表明:定位格架会对主流流动产生阻力,同时定位格架数目越多,沸腾临界发生的温度也越高,但将定位格架布置在沸腾临界发生位置时,则可有效改善壁面传热环境并降低沸腾临界发生时的峰值温度。搅混翼的存在则会有效降低加热面附近空泡份额,改善传热环境,但搅混翼角度过大时会导致沸腾临界提前发生。      

Non-intrusive experimental investigation of flow behavior inside a 5 × 5 rod bundle with spacer grids using PIV and MIR

The validity of the simulation results from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is still under scrutiny. Some existing CFD closure models for complex flow produce results that are generally recognized as being inaccurate. Development of improved models for complex flow simulation requires an improved understanding of the detailed flow structure evolution with dynamic interaction of the flow multi-scales. Thus, the goal of this work is to contribute to a better understanding of presupposed and existent events that could affect the safety of nuclear power plants. The fundamental phenomena of fluid flow in rod bundles with spacer grids can be elucidated by using state-of-the-art measurement techniques. This study aims to develop an experimental data base with high spatial and temporal resolution of fluid flow velocity inside a 5 × 5 rod bundles with spacer grids. The full-field detailed data base is intended to validate CFD codes at various temporal-spatial scales. Measurements are carried out using dynamic particle image velocimetry (DPIV) technique inside an optically transparent rod bundle utilizing the matching index of refraction (MIR) approach. This work presents full field velocity vectors and turbulence statistics for a rod bundle under single phase flow conditions.     

CFD analysis of thermal-hydraulic behavior in SCWR typical flow channels

Investigations on thermal-hydraulic behavior in SCWR fuel assembly have obtained a significant attention in the international SCWR community. However, there is still a lack of understanding and ability to predict the heat transfer behavior of supercritical water. In this paper, CFD analysis is carried out to study the flow and heat transfer behavior of supercritical water in sub-channels of both square and triangular rod bundles. Effect of various parameters, e.g. thermal boundary conditions and pitch-to-diameter ratio on the thermal-hydraulic behavior is investigated. Two boundary conditions, i.e., constant heat flux at the outer surface of cladding and constant heat density in the fuel pin are applied. The results show that the structure of the secondary flow mainly depends on the rod bundle configuration as well as the pitch-to-diameter ratio, whereas, the amplitude of the secondary flow is affected by the thermal boundary conditions, as well. The secondary flow is much stronger in a square lattice than that in a triangular lattice. The turbulence behavior is similar in both square and triangular lattices. The dependence of the amplitude of the turbulent velocity fluctuation across the gap on Reynolds number becomes prominent in both lattices as the pitch-to-diameter ratio increases. The effect of thermal boundary conditions on turbulent velocity fluctuation is negligibly small. For both lattices with small pitch-to-diameter ratios (P/D < 1.3), the mixing coefficient is about 0.022. Both secondary flow and turbulent mixing show unusual behavior in the vicinity of the pseudo-critical point. Further investigation is needed. A strong circumferential non-uniformity of wall temperature and heat transfer is observed in tight lattices at constant heat flux boundary conditions, especially in square lattices. In the case with constant heat density of fuel pin, the circumferential conductive heat transfer significantly reduces the non-uniformity of circumferential distribution of wall temperature and heat transfer, which is favorable for the design of SCWR fuel assemblies.     

Numerical analysis of heat transfer in supercritical water cooled flow channels

Research activities are ongoing worldwide to develop nuclear power plants with a supercritical water cooled reactor (SCWR) with the purpose to achieve a high thermal efficiency and to improve their economical competitiveness. However, there is still a big deficiency in understanding and prediction of heat transfer in supercritical fluids. In this paper, heat transfer of supercritical water has been investigated in various flow channels using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code CFX-5.6 to provide basic knowledge of the heat transfer behaviour and to gather the first experience in the application of CFD codes to heat transfer in supercritical fluids. Three different flow channels are selected, i.e. circular tubes, the sub-channel of a square-array rod bundle and the sub-channel of a triangular-array rod bundle. The effect of mesh structures, turbulence models, as well as flow channel configurations is analysed. Based on the present results, recommendations are made on the application of turbulence models to the heat transfer of supercritical fluids in various flow channels. A new definition for the onset of heat transfer deterioration is proposed. A strong non-uniformity of heat transfer is observed in sub-channel geometries. This non-uniformity has to be taken into account in the design of fuel assemblies of SCWR.     

脉动流下棒束通道内流场与湍流特性的PIV实验研究

事故条件下路基核反应堆以及受到海洋条件附加惯性力影响的浮动核反应堆一回路冷却剂会处于非稳定流动状态,进而改变冷却剂的流动和传热特性,影响反应堆的安全运行。本文应用锁相粒子图像测速（PIV）以及折射率匹配技术分别对脉动流条件下有无定位格架棒束通道内瞬时速度进行了测量。实验结果表明：对于不带定位格架的棒束通道,加速使得靠近通道壁面附近流体速度变大,而靠近中心区域流体速度变小。此外湍流强度分量随流体加速而逐渐变小,随流体减速而逐渐增加。对于流向压力梯度驱动的周期性脉动流,横向脉动速度均方根分量u′滞后于流向脉动速度均方根分量v′,且二者都滞后于流速的变化;对于带定位格架的棒束通道,带有搅浑翼的定位格架强烈的交混作用极大地减小了流体加速度对棒束通道内速度分布和湍流强度带来的影响。实验结果有助于更加清晰地揭示脉动流在棒束通道中的作用机理。