Modeling Induction Stirring and Particle Tracking in Molten Uranium

Abrecht, David G.; Bair, Jacob L.; Corbey, Jordan F.; Deshmukh, Nikhil S.; Frazier, William E.; Howard, Amanda A.; Hu, Shenyang; Singh, Rajesh K.

doi:10.2172/1861439

DOE OSTI · 1861439

Modeling Induction Stirring and Particle Tracking in Molten Uranium

Abrecht, David G.·Bair, Jacob L.·Corbey, Jordan F.·Deshmukh, Nikhil S.·Frazier, William E.·Howard, Amanda A.·Hu, Shenyang·Singh, Rajesh K.

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Abstract

Two independent numerical models have been developed to simulate the behavior of carbon impurities in molten uranium metal. Informed by experimental parameters, one model was created using the commercial software Star-CCM+ and compared with another developed using open-source codes, including OpenFOAM, Finite Element Method Magnetics (FEMM) and a First Passage Kinetic Monte Carlo (FPKMC) approach. The target experimental system features a 404g uranium metal charge containing an average carbon concentration of 139 ppm which was melted in a vacuum induction furnace at 1400° C then resolidified. The microstructures of the uranium and its impurities before and after melting have been characterized and reported separately. Prior to simulating the uranium-carbon system described, the numerical models were validated using a previously published nonradioactive experimental system to ensure agreement with expected output values. Focus has been placed on modeling velocity fields under induction stirring and impurity particle trajectories.

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING CFD modeling electromagnetic stirring Induction melting Particle tracking Uranium Carbide

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Abrecht, David G., Bair, Jacob L., Corbey, Jordan F., Deshmukh, Nikhil S., Frazier, William E., Howard, Amanda A., Hu, Shenyang, Singh, Rajesh K.. 2021-09-01. Modeling Induction Stirring and Particle Tracking in Molten Uranium. https://doi.org/10.2172/1861439

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