Numerical simulation of sodium pool fire

A numerical simulation thermal-hydraulics code called SPOOL based on computational fluid dynamics considering sodium reaction and aerosol transport is developed. Sodium pool fires are simulated using the SPOOL code, and periodic oscillation of the flame is observed with frequency similar to that observed for small-scale pool fire experiments with industrial fuels. The calculated mass-burning rate differs slightly from experimental results, yet it increases with pool temperature in agreement with experimental trends. The mass flux of aerosol driven by thermophoresis is calculated to be about 100 times larger than that by gravity, and the aerosols become concentrated at the edge of the pool. The release fraction, obtained by dividing the total mass of aerosol released into the atmosphere by that produced, increases with pool temperature in qualitative agreement with experiments.