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Experimental study of the two-phase natural convection and vaporization regimes in the cooling pool of a


Thesis topic details

General information

Organisation

The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.

Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.

The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
  

Reference

SL-DES-25-0048  

Thesis topic details

Category

Engineering science

Thesis topics

Experimental study of the two-phase natural convection and vaporization regimes in the cooling pool of a nuclear facility

Contract

Thèse

Job description

Nuclear energy, with low CO2 emissions, is one of the major players in France's energy transition. In this context, the management of the cooling of irradiated fuel elements is a matter of utmost importance. This thesis focuses on two-phase natural convection flows and vaporization phenomena that can develop in the cooling pools of various nuclear facilities, particularly those having a significant vertical variation in the saturation temperature of the coolant due to their great depth. These pools are used to dissipate the residual heat from irradiated fuels in many types of nuclear reactors, both existing and planned. In an accident scenario with a significant heat release from the fuels, the water in these pools can vaporize, eventually limiting their cooling capability. Among the possible phase change mechanisms in deep pools is the gravity-driven flashing, a phenomenon found in various natural or industrial systems analogous to vertical channels heated from below. However, this phenomenon has been little studied in the specific configuration of a pool and was only recently observed in this context. Therefore, the objective of this thesis is to better understand the phenomenon, as well as the turbulence induced within the coolant by the bubbles it generates, in order to improve state-of-the-art thermal-hydraulic models for simulating such pools. The proposed research, of an experimental nature, will be conducted in collaboration with the Catholic University of Louvain (UCLouvain, Belgium) and the LEGI laboratory of CNRS Grenoble, with a significant portion of the research carried out at UCLouvain. The candidate will be affiliated to the Core and Circuit Thermal-hydraulics Laboratory (LTHC) of CEA IRESNE, specialized in the study of two-phase flows in nuclear facilities. During the thesis, finely resolved experimental data in both space and time will be acquired and interpreted, contributing to a better understanding of the phenomenon. To achieve this, advanced techniques such as stereo particle image velocimetry (3D PIV) in two-phase media, thermometry and shadowgraphy will be employed. During this thesis project, the PhD student will be able to develop skills in the field of experimental thermal-hydraulics through the definition, execution, and interpretation of tests, as well as the use of advanced two-phase flow measurement techniques.

University / doctoral school


Autre

Thesis topic location

Site

Cadarache

Requester

Position start date

01/09/2025

Person to be contacted by the applicant

MARTIN Jimmy jimmy.martin@cea.fr
CEA
CEA/DES/IRESNE/DTN/STCP/LTHC
CEA Cadarache
CEA/DES/IRESNE/DTN/STCP/LTHC
Bât. 220 - pièce 105
13115 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance
France
+33.4.42.25.63.96

Tutor / Responsible thesis director

BARTOSIEWICZ Yann yann.bartosiewicz@uclouvain.be
Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)
UCLouvain/EPL/iMMC/TFL
UCLouvain
Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering (iMMC)
Thermodynamics and FLuid division (TFL)
Bat. Stevin Room a.026 (L5.04.03)
Place du Levant 2
Louvain la Neuve
1348 Belgium

+32 (0) 10 47 21 51

En savoir plus


https://www.cea.fr/energies/iresne/Pages/Accueil.aspx
https://uclouvain.be/en/research-institutes/immc/thermodynamics-and-fluid-mechanics.html