Pool CFD modelling: lessons from the SESAME project

A workshop paper has served as preprint of this article and can be found here: http://publications.crs4.it/pubdocs/2019/MPAFMBFMTFECYGJKRZVBNM19. The current paper describes the Computational Fluid-Dynamics (CFD) modelling of Heavy Liquid Metal (HLM) flows in a pool configuration and in particular how this is approached within the Horizon 2020 SESAME project. SESAME’s work package structure, based on a systematic approach of redundancy and diversification, is explained along with its motivation. The main achievements obtained and the main lessons learned during the project are illustrated. The paper focuses on the strong coupling between the experimental activities and CFD simulations performed within the SESAME project. Two different HLM fluids are investigated: pure lead and Lead-Bismuth Eutectic. The objective is to make CFD a valid instrument used during the design of safe and innovative Gen-IV nuclear plants. Some effort has also been devoted to Proper Orthogonal Decomposition with Galerkin projection modelling (POD-Galerkin), a reduced order model suited for Uncertainty Quantification that operates by post-processing CFD results. Assessment of Uncertainty highly improves the reliability of CFD simulations. Dedicated experimental campaigns on heavily instrumented facilities have been conceived with the specific objective to build a series of datasets suited for the calibration and validation of the CFD modelling. In pool configuration, the attention is focused on the balance between conductive and convective heat transfer phenomena, on transient test-cases representative of incidental scenarios and on the possible occurrence of solidification phenomena. Four test sections have been selected to generate the datasets: (i) the CIRCE facility from ENEA, (ii) the TALL-3D pool test section from KTH, (iii) the TALL-3D Solidification Test Section (STS) from KTH and (iv) the SESAME Stand facility from CVR. While CIRCE and TALL-3D were existing facilities, the STS and SESAME Stand facility have been conceived, built and operated within the project, heavily relying on the use of CFD support. Care has been taken to ensure that almost all tasks were performed by at least two partners. Specific examples are given on how this strategy has allowed to uncover flaws and overcome pitfalls. Furthermore, an overview of the performed work and the achieved results is presented, as well as remaining or new uncovered issues. Finally, the paper is concluded with a description of one of the main goals of the SESAME project: the construction of the Gen-IV ALFRED CFD model and an investigation of its general circulation.

@Article{MPAFMBFMTFCYGJKRZVBNM19,
  author       = {Moreau, V. and Profir, M. and Alemberti, A. and Frignani, M. and Merli, F. and Belka, M. and Frybort, O. and Melichar, T. and Tarantino, M. and Franke, S. and Class, A. and Yanez, J. and Grishchenko, D. and Jeltsov, M. and Kudinov, P. and Roelofs, F. and Zwijsen, K. and Visser, D. and Badillo, A. and Niceno, B. and Martelli, D.},
  title        = {Pool CFD modelling: lessons from the SESAME project},
  journal      = {Nuclear Engineering and Design},
  number       = {110343},
  volume       = {355},
  month        = {december},
  year         = {2019},
  publisher    = {Elsevier https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1ZlCr6j-yhZ9e},
  keywords     = {CFD, numerical simulation, pool thermal-hydraulics, lead solidification, Gen-IV reactors},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.nucengdes.2019.110343},
  url          = {https://publications.crs4.it/pubdocs/2019/MPAFMBFMTFCYGJKRZVBNM19},
}