Modelling of multi-physics phenomena in fast reactor design; Safety and experimental validation

Ninokata, Hisashi*; Pellegrini, M.*; Kamide, Hideki; Ricotti, M.*

Proceedings of International Conference on Fast Reactors and Related Fuel Cycles; Safe Technologies and Sustainable Scenarios (FR-13), Vol.2, p.151 - 166, 2015/04

http://www-pub.iaea.org/books/iaeabooks/10682/Fast-Reactors-and-Related-Fuel-Cycles-Safe-Technologies-and-Sustainable-Scenarios-FR13

The paper provides a cursory look at current approaches in numerical modeling and simulation of typical multi-physics phenomena of concern relevant to the sodium-cooled fast reactor design and safety. Emphasis is placed on the methods that are in practice and their verification and validation programs, including for those of fluid-structure thermal interactions due to thermal striping, thermodynamics of sodium-water chemical reactions, multi-component and multi-phase flows in the fuel degradation and core meltdown phases. Several of numerical simulations of these multi-physics phenomena are shown with verification and validation programs that employ not only separate-effect small-scale experiments of clean geometry but also for large-scale integral tests or mock-up experiments. The last part of this paper will be spent on discussions on more quantitative validation basis with identification of errors and/or uncertainties based on the Bayesian rule.