Full-scope simulation of a dry storage cask using computational fluid dynamics

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of a TN24P cask was performed through a full-scope simulation using FLUENT. In order to establish the analysis methodology while minimizing the computational burden, the sensitivities of various parameters were investigated by constructing a small-scale model. The full-scale CFD predictions of the TN24P cask were compared with the experimental data and COBRA-SFS results. There was good agreement between the FLUENT predictions and the experimental data. FLUENT showed similar temperature predictions to COBRA-SFS, while there were deviations between FLUENT and COBRA-SFS in the velocity predictions. By conducting sensitivity studies for the application uncertainties using a full-scale simulation, it was found that the basket gap size was the most sensitive parameter in the analysis.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of a TN24P cask was performed through a full-scope simulation using FLUENT. ▶ The CFD predictions of the TN24P cask were compared with experimental data and COBRA-SFS results. ▶ The comparisons between the experiment and FLUENT were in good agreement. ▶ By sensitivity studies of various parameters, it was found that the basket gap sizes were the most sensitive parameter in the modeling.