Performance Comparison of ANN-Based Model and Empirical Correlations for Void Fraction Prediction of Subcooled Boiling Flow in Vertical Upward Channel

Abstract

The accurate prediction of void fraction parameter in subcooled boiling flow is very important for nuclear safety since it has significant influences on the mass flow rate, the onset of two-phase flow instability, and the heat transfer characteristics in a nuclear reactor core. Many different models and empirical correlations have been established over a variety of input conditions; however, this classical approach could lead to unsatisfactory prediction due to the uncertainties of model parameter and model forms. To cope with these limitations, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is a powerful machine learning tool for modeling and solving non-linear and complicated physical problems. Therefore, this work is aim at developing an ANN-based model to predict the local void fraction of subcooled boiling flows. The comparison results of the performance between the ANN-based model and empirical correlations for the void fraction prediction of subcooled boiling in vertical upward channel showed the potential use of ANN-based model in the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes to accurately simulate the subcooled boiling phenomena.