Buoyancy Effects on Turbulent Mixing in the LMFBR Outlet Plenum

Abstract

The effect of flow stratification is of particular concern during transient after scram in the outlet plenum of LMFBR. In this case, buoyancy effects on turbulent mixing are of importance to designers. An investigation has been made to identify the appropriate change in the available turbulence models which are necessary to include the effects of buoyancy on turbulence transport equations. The developed physical model of the buoyant turbulent flow are solved through SMAC method. Testing of the developed numerical model was undertaken and compared with experimental results. The results show that the buoyant turbulent effects account for a significant increase in the stability of the stratification, with a strong suppression of turbulence in the outlet plenum.