Keynote: Simulating Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in the HFIR

In this recorded keynote speech from the COMSOL Conference 2014 Boston, James Freels of Oak Ridge National Laboratory chronicles the evolution of engineering tools used over the last 40 years. Shortly after, Freels summarizes his use of COMSOL Multiphysics in studying the High-Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR).

During his keynote, Freels shares how the models used for analyzing fluid flow, heat transfer, structural displacement due to thermal expansion, and fluid-structure interaction (FSI) aided in his modeling of the HFIR's fuel and coolant system. Freels then continues to explain his process of implementing turbulence models, including nonlinear effects of temperature-dependent material properties and using different meshing techniques to obtain converged solutions.