Studies on natural convection in 3-D heat generating porous cavity

In the event of hypothetical severe accident in a light water reactor may result in deep (up to 30 cm) particulate bed consisting of a spectrum of particles sizes (0.5 to 16 mm). The in-vessel retention of the severe accident depends on the coolability of the porous bed. The analysis of coolability involves estimation of the fluid flow and heat transfer processes with this particulate porous bed. In this work, we have solved the governing equations for natural convection in porous media. The numerical simulations of natural convection in 3-D porous cavities have been carried out. Different values of internal heat generation and different types of boundary conditions have been assessed. (author)