Research

Our research focuses on computational modeling of physical processes, which are important for the operation and safety of nuclear power plants.

Experimental support is needed for verification and validation of our simulations and is secured through international cooperation and international infrastructure access projects.

Current research topics include:

Thermal Hydraulic Safety Analyses

• Validation & uncertainty of system codes & CFD [dr. Andrej Prošek or dr. Boštjan Končar];
• Improving the deterministic assessment of plant transients [dr. Andrej Prošek];
• Counter-current gas-liquid flow modeling using interface tracking methods [dr. Boštjan Končar];
• Turbulent flows DNS, LES (Water, Liquid Sodium) [prof. dr. Iztok Tiselj or dr. Boštjan Končar];
• Fast transients in two-phase flows(Water hammer) [prof. dr. Iztok Tiselj];
• Two-phase flows with two-fluid models and interface tracking schemes [prof. dr. Iztok Tiselj];
• Transitional two phase flows [dr. Boštjan Končar];
• Modeling of flows in complex geometries (fuel bundles, multiple jets) [dr. Boštjan Končar];
• Subcooled flow boiling and critical heat flux [dr. Boštjan Končar];
• CFD analysis of conjugate heat transfer and design assessment of a divertor cooling finger for ITER [dr. Boštjan Končar].

Severe Accidents

• Interaction between containment safety systems and atmosphere, including management of hydrogen [prof. dr. Ivo Kljenak];
• Fuel-coolant interactions (water, liquid sodium) [dr. Matjaž Leskovar].

Integrity and ageing

• Multiscale models of intergranular/intragranular damage [prof. dr. Leon Cizelj or dr. Samir ElShawish];
• Models of cracks in complex conditions, including dissimilar welds [prof. dr. Leon Cizelj].

Probabilistic Safety Assessment

• Uncertainties in the PSA;
• Time dependent (ageing) PSA;
• Impact of grid reliability and power system optimization on the plant safety.

Multiphysics Modelling

• Models of thermal fatigue (computational fluid dynamics & structural mechanics) [prof. dr. Leon Cizelj];
• Coupling of neutronics & thermal hydraulics [prof. dr. Iztok Tiselj];
• Integration of deterministic and probabilistic safety analyses [dr. Andrej Prošek].

Other related topics

• Setting up a management system based on safety culture [dr. Andrej Prošek].

List of on-going and completed research projects.

Page editor: Tadej Holler