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Title: Petascale algorithms for reactor hydrodynamics.

Conference · · J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

We describe recent algorithmic developments that have enabled large eddy simulations of reactor flows on up to P = 65, 000 processors on the IBM BG/P at the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility. Petascale computing is expected to play a pivotal role in the design and analysis of next-generation nuclear reactors. Argonne's SHARP project is focused on advanced reactor simulation, with a current emphasis on modeling coupled neutronics and thermal-hydraulics (TH). The TH modeling comprises a hierarchy of computational fluid dynamics approaches ranging from detailed turbulence computations, using DNS (direct numerical simulation) and LES (large eddy simulation), to full core analysis based on RANS (Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes) and subchannel models. Our initial study is focused on LES of sodium-cooled fast reactor cores. The aim is to leverage petascale platforms at DOE's Leadership Computing Facilities (LCFs) to provide detailed information about heat transfer within the core and to provide baseline data for less expensive RANS and subchannel models.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1009791
Report Number(s):
ANL/MSC/CP-62149; TRN: US1101539
Journal Information:
J. Phys.: Conf. Ser., Vol. 125, Issue 2008; Conference: Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC 2008); Jul. 13, 2008 - Jul. 17, 2008; Seattle, WA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH