CFD Analysis Applications in BWR Reactor System Design

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis has been used to evaluate phenomena related to the flow since the late twentieth century. Here, through some examples of its applications, the roles of CFD analysis in the actual design process are shown. The first example is an application to the design improvement for flow stabilization at a cross branch pipe in the recirculation loop of the jet pump-type BWR. The second example is an application to evaluations of the ABWR lower plenum flow characteristics and FIV stresses. The third example is an application to the development of a thicker reactor internal pump nozzle for seismic performance improvement. All of these applications were confirmed by tests before being applied to the design of actual reactor structures.