Numerical Simulation of Size Effects on Countercurrent Flow Limitation in PWR Hot Leg Models

I. Kinoshita, M. Murase, A. Tomiyama
2012 Science and Technology of Nuclear Installations  
We have previously done numerical simulations using the two-fluid model implemented in the CFD software FLUENT6.3.26 to investigate effects of shape of a flow channel and its size on CCFL (countercurrent flow limitation) characteristics in PWR hot leg models. We confirmed that CCFL characteristics in the hot leg could be well correlated with the Wallis parameters in the diameter range of0.05 m≤D≤0.75 m. In the present study, we did numerical simulations using the two-fluid model for the
more » ... r tests withD=0.0254 m to determine why CCFL characteristics forD=0.0254 m were severer compared with those in the range,0.05 m≤D≤0.75 m. The predicted CCFL characteristics agreed with the data forD=0.0254 m and indicated that the CCFL difference betweenD=0.0254 m and0.05 mm≤D≤0.75 mm was caused by the size effect and not by other factors.
doi:10.1155/2012/907364 fatcat:kmwhf4fxcjdlrpn3xxx27aru5u