Development of numerical simulation technology for high resolution thermal hydraulic analysis

A realistic simulation of two phase flows is essential for the advanced design and safe operation of a nuclear reactor system. The need for a multi dimensional analysis of thermal hydraulics in nuclear reactor components is further increasing with advanced design features, such as a direct vessel injection system, a gravity driven safety injection system, and a passive secondary cooling system. These features require more detailed analysis with enhanced accuracy. In this regard, KAERI has developed a three dimensional thermal hydraulics code, CUPID, for the analysis of transient, multi dimensional, two phase flows in nuclear reactor components. The code was designed for use as a component scale code, and/or a three dimensional component, which can be coupled with a system code. This report presents an overview of the CUPID code development and preliminary assessment, mainly focusing on the numerical solution method and its verification and validation. It was shown that the CUPID code was successfully verified. The results of the validation calculations show that the CUPID code is very promising, but a systematic approach for the validation and improvement of the physical models is still needed