A hybrid domain overlapping method for coupling System Thermal Hydraulics and CFD codes. (1st September 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huxford, Aaron; Leite, Victor Coppo; Merzari, Elia; Zou, Ling; Petrov, Victor; Manera, Annalisa
• Is Part Of: Annals of nuclear energy. Volume 189(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-09-01
• Subjects: Coupling -- Overlapping -- STH -- SAM -- CFD -- NekRS; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 621.4805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2023.109842
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4549

Abstract

Abstract: A hybrid multiscale coupling methodology based on a domain overlapping approach has been developed for coupling System Thermal Hydraulics (STH) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes. The method has been implemented between the modern STH code SAM and the CFD code NekRS, using the coupling tool Cardinal. The coupling aims to extend the STH code's applicability to scenarios where local momentum and energy transfers are important yet difficult for STH codes to capture, such as three-dimensional mixing. Two coupling strategies are implemented and compared: a hybrid domain overlapping method and the conventional domain decomposition method. The strategies are applied to two closed-loop applications, and the present method shows superior stability behavior when compared to the domain decomposition method. Then, the present coupling method is validated against experimental data from a double T-junction experiment. The present STH/CFD coupling shows improved agreement with experimental data when compared to STH standalone simulations. Highlights: A hybrid domain overlapping coupling method is presented. Numerical stability is compared against a domain decomposition method using two loop configurations. Proposed method found to exhibit more favorable stability behavior. Proposed method is validated against experimental data considering three-dimensional scalar mixing.