THM-SC coupling

[kyriv1980]

Imported from https://github.inl.gov/ncrc/subchannel/issues/310 : @kyriv1980 created issue at Nov 27, 2023 11:40AM MST:

Rationale for the PR

Create the necessary interface and an example, showcasing the coupling of THM (system code) and Pronghorn-SC (subchannel code).

Description of the PR

This PR adds an example case of THM to Subchannel coupling based on: https://mooseframework.inl.gov/modules/thermal_hydraulics/tutorials/single_phase_flow/step05.html for the THM file and the ORNL-19 pin (M. Fontana, et All ”Nuclear Technology, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 176–200, 1974.) subassembly for the subchannel file. The subchannel solve calculates a subassembly mass flow averaged pressure drop, which is transferred to THM via the multiAPP functionality of MOOSE. THM calculates an appropriate friction factor to replicate this pressure drop in the core region of the model. THM sends mass-flux at the core inlet and pressure at the core outlet to subchannel.

Identified impact

Demonstrate the capability of subchannel to couple with system codes using domain overlapping.

Caveats

• Sodium fluid properties are hacked in THM. This needs to change.
• Core is assumed to exhibit mostly one directional flow (no negative mass flow at the exit of the core)
• THM model was moved axially by 0.5 meters from the original for better visualization. (Subchannel mesh can only be shown around the origin)

[kyriv1980]

Issue closed at: Jan 03, 2024 01:08PM MST by @kyriv1980