Influence of Molten Pool Temperature on the Jet Structure of Submerged Reaction

The closed-cycle power system, which treats the submerged gas-liquid reaction jet as an energy source, has broad application prospects in underwater propulsion and aerospace. In this study, a numerical simulation of the influence of molten lithium molten pool temperature on the submerged reaction jet structure is conducted based on Lee’s phase change model and eddy dissipation reaction rate model. The results show that the simulation results agree well with the experimental results, and the numerical model used in this study can predict the submerged reaction jet process well. The core region of the steam plume of gaseous oxide is not affected by the molten pool temperature, whereas at a high molten pool temperature, as more liquid metal would be evaporated, and with the reduction of condensation driving potential, the condensation rate of the metal vapor would also decrease accordingly, which indicates that the evaporation rate and condensation rate jointly determine the macroscopic size of the steam plume of the metal vapor. The research results can guide the design and safe operation of gas-liquid jet reactors.