Experimental research and numerical simulation of moving molten metal pool

Abstract

Plenty of numerical simulations were performed to analyze the Molten Core-Concrete Interaction (MCCI) phenomena since 1980s. However, uncertainties remain among thermal hydraulic codes. Thus, in order to avoid the effect of uncertainties due to the different empirical formulas and interfacial models, a new CFD code based on Moving Particle Semi-implicit (MPS) method was proposed to simulate the MCCI event in the literature. Validation of the heat transfer and phase-change models is still necessary to utilize MPS method for the MCCI modeling. In this study, a small-scale visualization experiment was conducted using melted hot u-alloy and solid transparent gel wax to acquire quantitative data for validating heat transfer and phase change models of MPS method. Comparison of the simulation and experimental results demonstrates good agreement on ablation behavior and deformation profile of the molten metal moving downwards by the phase change of wax. Additionally temperature evolution in time showed consistency with the thermocouple measurements. Obtained results suggest that MPS code have capacity to simulate the phase change and heat transfer mechanisms of moving molten metal pool which are important mechanisms for the MCCI event.