MAX Fluid Dynamics Facility
Providing high resolution data for development of computational tools that model fluid flow and heat transfer within complex systems such as the core of a nuclear reactor.
Simulation vs. Reality
SimulationAnalysts simulate flows using high-performance computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools. Results are compared to experimental data to verify accuracy. |
ExperimentExperimentalists measure flows using a collection of high-resolution instruments: a laser illuminates particles suspended in air jets for imaging by a high-speed camera to measure turbulence. An infrared camera measures temperatures where hot and cold jets impact the lid. |
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TranscriptFiber optic distributed temperature sensor
 A fiber optic distributed temperature sensor suspended within the MAX tank generates thousands of data points along a single strand of glass as slender as human hair. |
Air temperature measured by the distributed sensor; 2800 data points along the tank centerline from 30 m of fiber optic cable. This high-resolution temperature data complements flow field measurements. |
Who is Right?
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Simulation tools are becoming ever more powerful, sometimes even revealing phenomena that remain beyond the reach of instruments. |
Experiments, on the other hand, always harbor uncertainties. And advanced instruments often generate “real” data using abstract models akin to those in CFD codes. |
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Both are tools for examining the physical world. Which is closer to the “truth,” that is, to nature? In code validation, the answer can be unexpected.
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Fact Sheets:
- NEAMS CFD Code Validation with the MAX Fluid Dynamics Facility, brochure [2.2MB]
Related publications:
- S. Lomperski, C. Gerardi, and W.D. Pointer (2015) Fiber optic distributed temperature sensor mapping of a jet-mixing flow field, Experiments in Fluids, 56:55.
- S. Lomperski and C. Gerardi (2014) Assessment of distributed fiber optic sensors for flow field temperature mapping, Proc. ASME 2014 4th Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting and 12th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels FEDSM2014 August 3-7, Chicago.
- S. Lomperski, C. Gerardi, and W.D. Pointer (2013) Distributed fiber optic temperature sensing for CFD code validation, The 15th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, NURETH-15, Pisa, Italy May 12-17 2013.
- S. Lomperski, E. Merzari, A. Obabko, W.D. Pointer, P. Fischer (2012) The MAX facility for CFD code validation, Proceedings of ICAPP’12, Chicago, USA June 24-28, paper 120060.
- S. Lomperski, C. Gerardi, W.D. Pointer, PIV accuracy and extending the field of view for validation of multi-scale CFD tools, Advances in Thermal Hydraulics (ATH’12), November 11-15, San Diego, CA.
- W. David Pointer, S. Lomperski, P. Fischer, and A. Obabko, Proposed experiment for validation of CFD methods for advanced SFR design: upper plenum thermal striping and stratification, Proceedings of ICONE17, July 12-16, 2009, Brussels, Belgium.
OTHER PHOTOS: The MAX Facility at Argonne National Laboratory - Flickr Gallery
For more information:
Steve Lomperski
Primary Investigator
Last Modified: Thu, April 21, 2016 5:25 AM