It is of practical significance to analyze the multi physical process of nuclear system for guiding the system operation. Such a multi physical process implies the transients of neutronics, heat transfer and thermoelasticity. The neutron field will change the heat source inside the system, and the heat source will affect the temperature field. The temperature field will eventually lead to the change of stress and strain, which in turn will affect the neutron field, so it is necessary to analyze the evolution of neutron flux, temperature, node stress and strain. Aiming at this scientific goal, firstly, based on the Galerkin finite element theory, the governing equations of neutronics, heat transfer and thermoelasticity were established, which could not only describe the transient law of multi physical process, but also the law of its steady state. Secondly, a multi physical analysis code was developed, the code includes three modules of neutronics, heat transfer, thermoelasticity and the interface between them. Finally, using the code developed in the previous step, a typical steady-state benchmark for multi physical processes was calculated and studied, and some meaningful results were obtained. The research showed that the theoretical model is correct and the calculation results of the developed code are credible. This work can provide some support and reference for related research.


Numerical Simulation of Multi-Physics Processes in Nuclear System Based on Galerkin Finite Element Method

Division / Sponsors: 
Power Division & Nuclear Engineering Division (NED)

Power Conference
Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/POWER/POWER2020/volume/83747

International Conference on Nuclear Engineering
Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/ICONE/ICONE2020/volume/83761

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