Validation and Application of CFD Methodology for Core Inlet Flow Distribution in APR1000 Reactor

Sung Man Son, Won Man Park, Dae Kyung Choi and Choengryul Choi ()
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Sung Man Son: ELSOLTEC, 1401-2, 184 Jungbu-daero, Giheung-gu, Yougin-si 17095, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Won Man Park: ELSOLTEC, 1401-2, 184 Jungbu-daero, Giheung-gu, Yougin-si 17095, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Dae Kyung Choi: ELSOLTEC, 1401-2, 184 Jungbu-daero, Giheung-gu, Yougin-si 17095, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
Choengryul Choi: ELSOLTEC, 1401-2, 184 Jungbu-daero, Giheung-gu, Yougin-si 17095, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-23

Abstract: The core inlet flow distribution in the APR1000 reactor is critical for ensuring the reactors safety and efficient operation by maintaining uniform coolant flow across fuel assemblies. Previous studies, though insightful, faced challenges in fully replicating reactor-scale flow conditions due to technical and economic constraints associated with scaled-down experimental models and the limited numerical validation methodologies. This study addresses these limitations by developing and validating a robust computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methodology to accurately analyze the core inlet flow distribution. A 1/5 scaled-down experimental model adhering to similarity laws was employed for validation. CFD analyses using ANSYS Fluent and CFX, combined with turbulence model evaluations and grid sensitivity studies, demonstrated that the SST and RNG k-ε turbulence models provided the most accurate predictions, with a high correlation to previous experimental data. Full-scale simulations revealed uniform coolant distribution at the core inlet, with peripheral assemblies exhibiting higher flow rates, consistent with previous experimental observations. Quantitative metrics such as the coefficient of variation (COV), relative error (RD), and root mean square error (RMSE) confirmed the superior performance of the SST model in CFX, achieving a COV of 7.993% (experimental COV: 5.694%) and an RD of 0.047. This methodology not only validates the CFD approach but also highlights its applicability to reactor design optimization and safety assessment. The findings of this study provide critical guidelines for analyzing complex thermal-fluid systems in nuclear reactor designs.

Keywords: APR1000 reactor; 1/5 scale-down model; core inlet flow distribution; computational fluid dynamics (CFD); grid sensitivity; turbulence model sensitivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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