Validating and Verifying a New Thermal-Hydraulic Analysis Tool

The Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) has developed a new analysis tool by coupling the Fluent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code to the RELAP5-3D^©/ATHENA advanced thermal-hydraulic analysis code. This tool enables researchers to perform detailed, three-dimensional analyses using Fluent’s CFD capability while the boundary conditions required by the Fluent calculation are provided by the balance-of-system model created using RELAP5-3D^©/ATHENA. Both steady-state and transient calculations can be performed, using many working fluids and point to three-dimensional neutronics. A general description of the techniques used to couple the codes is given. The validation and verification (V&V) matrix is outlined. V&V is presently ongoing.