Extension of CFD codes application to two-phase flow safety problems

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of a Writing Group on the Extension of CFD codes to two-phase flow safety problems, which was created by the Group for Analysis and Management of Accidents of the Nuclear Energy Agency's Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (NEA-CSNI). Two-phase CFD used for safety investigations may predict small scale flow processes, which are not seen by system thermalhydraulic codes. However, the two-phase CFD models are not as mature as those in the single phase CFD and potential users need some guidance for proper application. In this paper, a classification of various modelling approaches is proposed. Then, a general multi-step methodology for using two-phase-CFD is explained, including a preliminary identification of flow processes, a model selection, and a verification and validation process. A list of 26 nuclear reactor safety issues that could benefit from investigations at the CFD scale is identified. Then, a few issues are analyzed in more detail, and a preliminary state-of-the-art is proposed and the remaining gaps in the existing approaches are identified. Finally, guidelines for users are proposed.