Development of a two-phase flow solver with two-fluid model based on OpenFOAM: Validation against two-phase boiling flow

Abstract

The continuous advancement in computer technology and mathematical-physical models has significantly propelled the development of numerical reactor technology. There is a growing focus on high-fidelity, multi-scale, and multi-physics coupling within a unified framework. OpenFOAM, based on the finite volume method, has emerged as a promising tool for addressing this challenge. This study explores its capabilities in system-level scales, successfully developing a two-fluid, six-equation solver. The realistic closure models cover flow and heat transfer scenarios within vertical channels under pre-CHF conditions. A virtual thermal structure accounts for conjugate heat transfer between the fluid and the solid. Furthermore, the solver adheres to the discretization and solution principles within the OpenFOAM framework. The developed solver has been extensively validated against experimental data for two-phase boiling flow, with results showing good agreement, thereby demonstrating the solver’s success. This work builds upon previous efforts involving the drift-flux solver and indicates that OpenFOAM can effectively handle one-dimensional or system-level scale calculations. It provides robust support for future endeavors in multi-scale and multi-physics coupling technologies.