Low Mach number model for compressible flows and application to HTR

Abstract This paper deals with a numerical study of a pebble bed reactor. The calculations are performed with the Trio_U/Priceles code. The results obtained with the Boussinesq approximation and the quasi-compressible model are compared. It is seen that the expanding effect are important. The quasi-compressible model leads to a lower maximum value for the temperature field. The maximum pressure difference is detected when the density variations are taken into account.