Publication

foamForNuclear: A unified OpenFOAM multi-physics platform for nuclear applications

2026

Abstract

OpenFOAM has been extensively used to develop dedicated physics solvers for nuclear applications, ranging from thermal-hydraulics to structural mechanics and neutronics. However, existing frameworks still lack a general-purpose structure for coupling arbitrary physics across multiple regions and meshes. This work presents foamForNuclear, a new OpenFOAM-based open-source multiphysics architecture that addresses this limitation. Building on the established GeN-Foam and OFFBEAT codes, the platform introduces a flexible, modular structure that enables users to configure simulations with different combinations of physics, solvers, and coupling strategies without source code modifications. The platform architecture, physics libraries, and verification and validation processes are detailed. Its capabilities and applicability to both fission and fusion systems are demonstrated through selected test cases, including the simulation of the ORNL 19-pin sodium-cooled fuel assembly, the sloshing of liquid metals in pool-type reactors under seismic loading, and the thermal performance of a dual-coolant lithium-lead fusion blanket.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/39edac8b-9f2d-472e-ab5f-ff30e05225e0

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2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/39edac8b-9f2d-472e-ab5f-ff30e05225e0

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Nuclear reactor

A nuclear reactor is a device used to initiate and control a fission nuclear chain reaction or nuclear fusion reactions. Nuclear reactors are used at nuclear power plants for electricity generation and in nuclear marine propulsion. Heat from nuclear fission is passed to a working fluid (water or gas), which in turn runs through steam turbines. These either drive a ship's propellers or turn electrical generators' shafts. Nuclear generated steam in principle can be used for industrial process heat or for district heating.

Structural mechanics

Structural mechanics or mechanics of structures is the computation of deformations, deflections, and internal forces or stresses (stress equivalents) within structures, either for design or for performance evaluation of existing structures. It is one subset of structural analysis. Structural mechanics analysis needs input data such as structural loads, the structure's geometric representation and support conditions, and the materials' properties. Output quantities may include support reactions, stresses and displacements.

Generation IV reactor

Generation IV reactors (Gen IV) are nuclear reactor design technologies that are envisioned as successors of generation III reactors. The Generation IV International Forum (GIF) - an international organization that coordinates the development of generation IV reactors - specifically selected six reactor technologies as candidates for generation IV reactors. The designs target improved safety, sustainability, efficiency, and cost.

Related publications (15)

foamForNuclear: A unified OpenFOAM multi-physics platform for nuclear applications

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