Initial-Value Methods for a Simplified Subchannel Model of Thermal-Hydraulic Behavior

It is shown that many of the numerical difficulties and phenomena encountered in subchannel analysis have counterparts within a simple two-subchannel model, which permits analytic study of these matters. Results are presented that suggest that the reported inability of initial-value techniques for subchannel models to cope with flow-blockage problems may be peculiar to the particular initial-value techniques frequently used.