Numerical simulation of experiments on turbulent natural convection of heat generating liquid in cylindrical pool

Available experimental data on heat transfer of a melt with volumetric heat generation are analyzed in order to use them for validating the computer codes that describe a core catcher. The problem for CFD simulation of the experiments on heat transfer by laminar and turbulent natural convection is described. Information that can be obtained from experiments for verifying the models of convective heat transfer in a melt is analyzed. The effect of variable viscosity on the integral heat flux is discussed. Calculation results are represented and compared with experimental data on temperature distribution and integral heat transfer. The calculations are in good agreement with the experiment. The results are numerically extrapolated to the range of Rayleigh numbers up to 7 · 10¹⁶. It is concluded that the CFD calculations with the κ-ɛ turbulence model can be used in problems concerned with analysis of melt convection in a core catcher.