ANSYS Software for Simulating Fluid Phase Change in Steam Generators

[law&theorem]

Hi, guys there is a quesetion:
Could ANSYS software be used for simulate system temperature and flow fields when fluid phrase change, such as in steam generators.

 

[Astronuc]

Hi, guys there is a quesetion:
Could ANSYS software be used for simulate system temperature and flow fields when fluid phrase change, such as in steam generators.

ANSYS CFX is capable of modeling two phase flow in steam generator geometries.

http://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pOid=24686&pNid=3016

Here is an example by Westinghouse: Design and Analysis of Nuclear Steam Generator Components Using CFX-5 (2004)

"Each component has its unique fluid conditions ranging from single phase to two-phase flow plus corrosion particles and solute. Modules of CFD analysis for various components are being developed using the CFX-5 program."

http://www.ansys.com/staticassets/ANSYS/staticassets/resourcelibrary/confpaper/2004-Int-ANSYS-Conf-42.PDF

Here is an example of ANSYS Fluent
http://yadda.icm.edu.pl/yadda/element/bwmeta1.element.elsevier-ef38385b-eb1b-389d-80b3-f8a58d329f2b

B&W has applied CFX in 3D flow simulations.
http://www.babcock.com/services/Pages/3-Dimensional-CFD-Analysis.aspx

 

[rpp]

Modeling two-phase flow with CFD is extremely difficult and is on the cutting edge of research. You need to know exactly what flow regime you are modeling and whether the code can handle it. STAR-CCM+ claims to be able to model bubbly flow with fairly good results. I can't speak for CFX.

Looking at the papers that Asronuc cited, it is not clear if these are actually modeling two-phase flow regimes of interest.
The ANSYS paper is modeling stratified flow, where the two phases are fairly separate.
The Westinghouse paper appears to be modeling single-phase regions of the steam generator.
The "yadda" paper says it is using a "simplified boiling model" with porous media. I don't know what that means exactly.

I suspect that true two-phase capability is not quite ready. In any case, you should validate the results for any CFD calculation to your specific application.