HYPERCOMP INC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: 15b

Description

Liquid metal flows in the presence of a strong magnetic field (MHD flows) and associated heat and mass transfer represent a highly multi-physical problem whose solution is vital to US interests in liquid breeder blankets. Current modeling tools are limited to single rather than multiple effects, relatively low flow parameters, and/or simplified geometries. Databases to assist blanket design are incomplete or unavailable. There is an imminent need for more comprehensive physical treatment, reliable software solutions and for scientific and engineering analysis to improve the existing lead blanket concepts. We are developing a comprehensive predictive capability tool suitable for diverse liquid metal blanket applications, including: (a) high-performance computational tools based on multiple physical models, (b) scientific and engineering analysis of the important physical processes, which have not been addressed before, and (c) development of a design-oriented database for MHD flows. Two MHD codes (finite-difference and finite-volume), both based on a novel approach that utilizes the induced magnetic field as the main electromagnetic variable, have been developed in Phase I and successfully tested. The new software has shown great promise in solving the class of unsteady, finite magnetic Reynolds number MHD problems, which cannot be solved with most existing codes. In Phase II we will advance and mature the induced field solver development started in phase-I, and integrate it in a suite of codes which address a wide range of MHD flows, heat and mass transfer of fusion interest. Graphical user interfaces will be provided, transient phenomena caused by plasma disruptions will be studied, and a design database for MHD pressure drop will be developed. This project deals with the flow of liquid metals under extreme electromagnetic interactions and thermal exposure. Efficient software systems developed for this purpose will have immediate relevance to metallurgical processing of steel and aluminum and liquid fuel flows in advanced aerospace engines. We plan on integrating this development with other activities at HyPerComp in electromagnetic processing of materials and electromagnetic flow control, leading to an attractive software solution for a broad range of potential users, in semiconductor and glass manufacturing as well as other endeavors.