Numerical analysis of high-speed liquid lithium free-surface flow

The free-surface stability of the target of the International Fusion Material Irradiation Facility (IFMIF) is one of the crucial issues, since the spatio-temporal behavior of the free-surface determines the neutron flux to be generated.This article investigates the relation between the evolution of a wall boundary layer in a convergent nozzle and the free surface shape of a high speed lithium jet by means of a CFD LES analysis using the Osaka University experiments. The study is aiming to validate adequate LES technique to analyze the individual flow phenomena observed. Four cases with jet flow velocities of 4, 9, 13 and 15 m/s are analyzed. First analyses of calculation results show that the simulation exhibits a good qualitative and a quantitative agreement with the experimental data, which allows in the future a more realistic prediction of the IFMIF target behavior.

► The free surface behavior of a high speed lithium jet is investigated by means of a CFD LES analysis.
► The study is aiming to validate adequate LES technique.
► The Osaka University experiments with liquid lithium jet have been simulated.
► Four cases with jet flow velocities of 4, 9, 13 and 15 m/s are analyzed.
► Calculation results show a good qualitative and a quantitative agreement with the experimental data.