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

Abstract

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 of 0.05 m≤D≤0.75 m. In the present study, we did numerical simulations using the two-fluid model for the air-water tests with D=0.0254 m to determine why CCFL characteristics for D=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 for D=0.0254 m and indicated that the CCFL difference between D=0.0254 m and 0.05 mm≤D≤0.75 mm was caused by the size effect and not by other factors.