Two-phase flows in porous media: Prediction of pressure drops using a diffuse interface mathematical description

In the framework of its research programme on severe nuclear reactor accidents, the Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) investigates the water flooding of an overheated porous bed, where complex two-phase flows are likely to exist. A better understanding of the flow at the pore...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nuclear engineering and design 2007-09, Vol.237 (15), p.1887-1898
Main Authors: Fichot, F., Meekunnasombat, P., Belloni, J., Duval, F., Garcia, A., Quintard, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Controled nuclear fusion plants
Energy
Energy. Thermal use of fuels
Exact sciences and technology
Fission nuclear power plants
Fuels
Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy
Nuclear fuels
Physics
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Summary:In the framework of its research programme on severe nuclear reactor accidents, the Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) investigates the water flooding of an overheated porous bed, where complex two-phase flows are likely to exist. A better understanding of the flow at the pore level appears to be necessary in order to justify and improve closure laws of macroscopic models. To investigate the local features of a two-phase flow in complex geometries, two alternative ways are available: experiments with high accuracy local measurements or direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the flows in small-scale volumes. Within the framework of the second gradient theory, diffuse interface models can be derived for both single-component and binary fluids. The latter model is often referred to as the Cahn–Hilliard model. In this paper, the Cahn–Hilliard model is used to simulate immiscible two-phase flows in a representative geometry of a particle bed. The results are used to characterize the configuration of the phases and possible flow regimes as a function of the saturation. Correlations for the relative permeabilities of each phase as a function of saturation are also presented. The results are discussed and compared with classical correlations.
ISSN:0029-5493
1872-759X
DOI:10.1016/j.nucengdes.2007.01.020