Fluent's CFD software is used to model the next generation of safety systems for nuclear reactors. The successful CFD simulations of flow and heat transfer using FLUENT in the In-containment Refueling Water Storage Tank (IRWST) of the AP-600 reactor system have the potential of serving as a reference and virtual laboratory for the development of simplified system-level models in codes such as RELAP or TRAC. In addition, the dynamic coupling between CFD and system-level codes will allow more accurate designs of Advanced Light Water Reactors in the future.

Vapor volume fraction distribution calculated for small bubbles (1mm) and an inlet vapor volume fraction of 40%
Courtesy of the Center for Multiphase Research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)