CTF-R: A novel residual-based thermal hydraulic solver

Journal Article · 13 April 2019 · Nuclear Engineering and Design

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2019.04.006 · OSTI ID:1507403

Porter, N. W. ^[1]; Mousseau, V. A. ^[1]; Avramova, M. N. ^[2]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. North Carolina State Univ., Raleigh, NC (United States)

The traditional scientific process has been revolutionized by the advent of computational modeling, but the nuclear industry generally uses "legacy codes," which were developed early in the evolution of computers. One example of a legacy code, the thermal hydraulic subchannel code CTF, is modernized in this work through the development of a novel residual-based version, CTF-R. Unlike its predecessor, CTF-R is not limited by the strict computational limitations of the early 1980's, and can therefore be designed such that it is inherently flexible and easy to use. A case study is examined to demonstrate how the flexibility of the code can be used to improve simulation results. In this example, the coupling between the solid and liquid fields is examined. Traditionally, this coupling is modeled explicitly, which imposes numerical stability limits on the time step size. These limits are derived and it is shown that they are removed when the coupling is made implicit. Further, the development of CTF-R will enable future improvements in next generation reactor modeling, numerical methods, and coupling to other codes. Through the further development of CTF-R and other residual-based codes, state-of-the-art simulation is possible.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1507403
• Report Number(s): SAND2019--3952J; 674519
• Journal Information: Nuclear Engineering and Design, Journal Name: Nuclear Engineering and Design Journal Issue: C Vol. 348; ISSN 0029-5493
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English