CFD simulation of the heavy liquid European scaled pool experiment (E-SCAPE)

This work presents the modeling approach and results obtained by VKI using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the flow and heat transport in E-SCAPE facility, which is a thermal hydraulic 1/6-scale model of the MYRRHA reactor. The paper focus on the effects of proper geometry representation and refining mesh in the core region, for the correct prediction of the pressure drop in the system, which has a direct consequence on the evolution of the mass flows and determines the free-surface levels in transient scenarios. CFD analysis of the flow and thermal field for different forced flow conditions are also presented and predicted temperature distribution in the pool, core and plena are compared with experimental results. The comparison between the numerical and experimental data are discussed and guidelines are proposed for CFD simulation of a pool type liquid metal reactor.