Thermal-hydraulic simulation of mercury target concepts for a pulsed spallation neutron source
Conference
·
OSTI ID:381043
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
The Oak Ridge Spallation Neutron Source (ORSNS) is a high-power, accelerator-based pulsed spallation neutron source being designed by a multi-laboratory team led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory to achieve very high fluxes of neutrons for scientific experiments. The ORSNS is projected to have a 1 MW proton beam upgradable to 5 MW. About 60% of the beam power (1-5 MW, 17-83 kJ/pulse in 0.5 microsec at 60 cps) is deposited in the liquid metal (mercury) target having the dimensions of 65x30x10 cm (about 19.5 liter). Peak steady state power density is about 150 and 785 MW/m{sup 3} for 1 MW and 5 MW beam respectively, whereas peak pulsed power density is as high as 5.2 and 26.1 GW/m{sup 3}, respectively. The peak pulse temperature rise rate is 14 million C/s (for 5 MW beam) whereas the total pulse temperature rise is only 7 C. In addition to thermal shock and materials compatibility, key feasibility issues for the target are related to its thermal-hydraulic performance. This includes proper flow distribution, flow reversals, possible {open_quotes}hot spots{close_quotes} and the challenge of mitigating the effects of thermal shock through possible injection of helium bubbles throughout the mercury volume or other concepts. The general computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code CFDS-FLOW3D was used to simulate the thermal and flow distribution in three preliminary concepts of the mercury target. Very initial CFD simulation of He bubbles injection demonstrates some potential for simulating behavior of He bubbles in flowing mercury. Much study and development will be required to be able to `predict`, even in a crude way, such a complex phenomena. Future direction in both design and R&D is outlined.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-96OR22464
- OSTI ID:
- 381043
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9603171--; ON: DE96014047
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Thermal-hydraulic analysis of the liquid mercury target for the national spallation neutron source
Applicability of three-dimensional CFD simulation of the Spallation Neutron Source mercury target
The Role of cavitation on Initiating Mercury-Steel Wetting
Conference
·
Mon Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1997
·
OSTI ID:471383
Applicability of three-dimensional CFD simulation of the Spallation Neutron Source mercury target
Conference
·
Sun Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2000
·
OSTI ID:754816
The Role of cavitation on Initiating Mercury-Steel Wetting
Conference
·
Tue Nov 13 23:00:00 EST 2001
·
OSTI ID:788903