Numerical analysis of fragmentation mechanisms in vapor explosions

Fragmentation of molten metal is the key process in vapor explosions. However, this process is so rapid that the mechanisms have not yet been clarified in experimental studies. In addition, numerical simulation is difficult because we have to analyze water, steam and molten metal simultaneously with boiling and fragmentation. The authors have been developing a new numerical method, the moving particle semi-implicit (MPS) method, based on moving particles and their interactions. Grids are not necessary. Incompressible flows with fragmentation on free surfaces have been calculated successfully using the MPS method. In the present study, numerical simulation of the fragmentation processes using the MPS method is carried out to investigate the mechanisms. A numerical model to calculate boiling from water to steam is developed. In this model, new particles are generated on water-steam interfaces. A two-step pressure calculation algorithm is also developed. Pressure fields are separately calculated in both heavy and light fluids to maintain numerical stability with the water and steam system. The new model and algorithm are added to the MPS code. Water jet impingement on a molten tin pool is calculated using the MPS code as a simulation of collapse of a vapor film around a melt drop. Penetration of the water jet, which is assumed in Kim-Corradini's model, is not observed. If the jet fluid density is hypothetically larger, the penetration appears. Next, impingement of two water jets is calculated. A filament of the molten metal is observed between the two water jets as assumed in Ciccarelli-Frost's model. (orig.)