Validation and Development of DNS Database for Low Prandtl Numbers in Rod Bundle

Author(s):  
Jonathan K. Lai ◽  
Elia Merzari ◽  
Yassin A. Hassan ◽  
Aleksandr Obabko

Abstract Difficulty in capturing heat transfer characteristics for liquid metals is commonplace because of their low molecular Prandtl number (Pr). Since these fluids have very high thermal diffusivity, the Reynolds analogy is not valid and creates modeling difficulties when assuming a turbulent Prandtl number (Prt) of near unity. Baseline problems have used direct numerical simulations (DNS) for the channel flow and backward facing step to aid in developing a correlation for Prt. More complex physics need to be considered, however, since correlation accuracy is limited. A tight lattice square rod bundle has been chosen for DNS benchmarking because of its presence of flow oscillations and coherent structures even with a relatively simple geometry. Calculations of the Kolmogorov length and time scales have been made to ensure that the spatial-temporal discretization is sufficient for DNS. In order to validate the results, Hooper and Wood’s 1984 experiment has been modeled with a pitch-to-diameter (P/D) ratio of 1.107. The present work aims at validating first- and second-order statistics for the velocity field, and then analyzing the heat transfer behavior at different molecular Pr. The effects of low Pr flow are presented to demonstrate how the normalized mean and fluctuating heat transfer characteristics vary with different thermal diffusivity. Progress and future work toward creating a full DNS database for liquid metals are discussed.

Author(s):  
Adnan M. Waked

Several insulation materials are being used in the construction of buildings in Kuwait. In this work the heat transfer characteristics of these insulation materials are being studied. It has been shown that the thermal diffusivity (α) of the insulation materials will significantly influence the characteristics of the heat flow through the material. The results show that materials with high thermal diffusivity, mainly materials with low densities, will have higher peak heat transfer loads than those of higher densities. Thus, the lower the value of (α) the better heat transfer characteristics the material will have.


2007 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-178
Author(s):  
Khalid Alammar

Using the standard k-e turbulence model, an incompressible, axisymmetric turbulent flow with a sudden expansion was simulated. Effect of Prandtl number on heat transfer characteristics downstream of the expansion was investigated. The simulation revealed circulation downstream of the expansion. A secondary circulation (corner eddy) was also predicted. Reattachment was predicted at approximately 10 step heights. Corresponding to Prandtl number of 7.0, a peak Nusselt number 13 times the fully-developed value was predicted. The ratio of peak to fully-developed Nusselt number was shown to decrease with decreasing Prandtl number. Location of maximum Nusselt number was insensitive to Prandtl number.


1981 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Shiralkar ◽  
C. L. Tien

Heat transfer by natural convection in a horizontal cavity with adiabatic horizontal walls and isothermal side walls is investigated numerically for high aspect ratios (width/height). Comparison is made with existing analytical and experimental results. Agreement is generally good at moderate and high Prandtl numbers to which most previous works have been restricted. Improvements of the existing correlation have been proposed in regions of discrepancy. Extension to the low Prandtl number case, including the range of liquid metals, has been made on the basis of an analytical model for high Rayleigh numbers as well as by numerical solution of the full equations. The agreement between the two is found to be very good. A correlation for the heat transfer is proposed for each of the two different cases of high and low Prandtl number.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaou Shen ◽  
Shinian Peng ◽  
Mingyu Yan ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Jian Deng ◽  
...  

Lead-based liquid metals (LLMs) such as lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) and lead, are currently the most interesting candidate coolants for fast reactors because of their excellent physical properties, which can improve safety and reduce costs. However, in comparison to other liquid metals, previous research on the flow and heat-transfer characteristics of LLMs has been limited. Therefore, this work carried out flow and heat-transfer experiments in LBE flowing through a circular tube in the Natural Circulation Capability Loop (NCCL) facility. The results show a significantly higher friction factor than that of water flowing in a smooth pipe. Furthermore, the Nusselt numbers were found to be lower than those found in data in the literature for experiments carried out in a smooth tube at low Péclet numbers, while they were higher at high Péclet numbers. Therefore, theoretical analyses were performed for LLMs flowing in both smooth and rough pipes, and the impacts of roughness on the heat transfer of an LLM were examined. The theoretical relations for a smooth pipe and a rough pipe were validated using experimental data from the literature and the results of the NCCL experiments, respectively. The results of the theoretical relation for a smooth pipe fitted the literature data well. The derived theoretical relation for a rough pipe with a relative roughness of 0.004 fitted the NCCL data best. Moreover, it was established from the theoretical analysis that roughness has two competitive impacts on the heat transfer of an LLM: it reduces conductive heat transfer while enhancing convective heat transfer. Because conductive heat transfer is important for liquid metals, even with turbulent flow, a small roughness will lead to heat-transfer deterioration at low Péclet numbers, and it may even deteriorate across the whole typical Péclet-number range. This discovery has important implications for the thermal–hydraulic design of LLM reactors, because corrosion and erosion by an LLM will lead to a rough surface after long operating times.


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