A Preliminary Study to Assess Model Uncertainties in Fluid Flows

Abstract

In this study, the impact of various flow models is assessed under free and forced convection: compressible versus incompressible models for a Pressurized Water Reactor, and Darcy's law vs full momentum equation for High Temperature Gas Reactor. Euler equations with friction forces and a momentum and energy source/sink are used. The geometric model consists of a one-dimensional rectangular loop system. The fluid is heated up and cooled down along the vertical legs. A pressurizer and a pump are included along the horizontal legs. The compressible model is assumed to be the most accurate model in this study. Simulations show that under forced convection compressible and incompressible models yield the same transient and steady-state. As free convection is studied, compressible and incompressible models have different transient but the same final steady-state. As Darcy's law is used, pressure and velocity steady-state profiles yield some differences compared to the compressible model both under free and forced convections. It is also noted some differences in the transient.