https://it.linkedin.com/in/pietro-stefanini-81027528a?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
Contact mail:
Ciclo: XXXVII
Curriculum: Nuclear Engineering
Title of the PhD Project: Numerical analyses in support of the upcoming CIRCE-THETIS experimental campaign.
Abstract: In response to the urgent challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation, as well as the increasing global demand for energy, there is a need for high-power production methods that minimize harmful emissions. Nuclear energy emerges as a compelling solution, as it offers the capacity to generate significant amounts of electricity while producing relatively low levels of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Moreover, with the advent of advanced Generation IV (GEN IV) reactor designs, the safety and efficiency of nuclear power are being further elevated.
My PhD research focuses on developing the nuclear energy technology, particularly through the exploration of Liquid Metal Reactors (LMRs). These reactors hold great promise for improving safety and performance in nuclear power generation. Specifically, I am developing advanced numerical methods to analyse the thermal-hydraulic aspects and safety considerations of LMRs. This involves using both System Thermal-Hydraulic (STH) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approaches. In this way, I'm exploring a multi-scale analysis to determine the most effective approach for addressing these challenges, also exploring the coupled STH/CFD approach. All my research findings contribute to the design and construction of the CIRCE-THETIS test section, as well as to the planning and execution of the experimental campaigns within the framework of the EU project PATRICIA. This research not only enhances our understanding of LMRs but also lays the groundwork for their practical implementation, thereby advancing the broader goals of sustainable and reliable energy production.
Supervisor(s): Nicola Forgione (Full Professor at the University of Pisa), Dr Andrea Pucciarelli (RTB at the University of Pisa), Dr Ivan DiPiazza (Researcher at the ENEA Brasimone RC) and Dr Daniele Martelli (Researcher at the ENEA Brasimone RC)
In collaboration with:
ENEA Brasimone in the framework of the EU project PATRICIA
Publications
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=58162470400
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1531-6334
Articles published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Pietro Stefanini, Francesco Galleni, Ivan Di Piazza & Andrea Pucciarelli (2023) Liquid-Metal Thermal-Hydraulic Numerical Analyses in Support of the Upcoming CIRCE-THETIS Experimental Campaign, Nuclear Technology, DOI: 1080/00295450.2023.2189892
- Pietro Stefanini, Andrea Pucciarelli, Nicola Forgione, Ivan Di Piazza, Daniele Martelli, Numerical analyses of the CIRCE-THETIS facility by mean of STH and CFD codes, Nuclear Engineering and Design, Volume 409, 2023, 112349, ISSN 0029-5493, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2023.112349.
Articles published, or accepted for publication, in international scientific conference proceedings
- Paper accepted for the SCOPE 2023 conference titled “Numerical activities in support of the development of GEN IV LMFBRs at the University of Pisa: a review of recent works”, Nov. 13-15, 2023.
- Paper accepted for the ICONE-31 conference titled “pre-test analysis of a PLOFA scenario for CIRCE-THETIS facility by means of coupled STH/CFD calculations”.
- Participation at the NURETH-20 conference with the article titled” CFD and STH Thermal-Hydraulic Analyses in support of the CIRCE-THETIS experimental campaign”, August 20-25 2023, Washington DC.
- Participation at the NURETH-19 conference with the article titled “Analysis of the thermal stratification phenomena in the CIRCE pool by means of STH and CFD codes: state of the art and perspectives for future applications”.
- Participation at the conference Technical Meeting on State-of-the-art Thermal Hydraulics of Fast Reactors with the poster “Numerical analyses of the CIRCE-THETIS facility by mean of STH and CFD codes”, ENEA Brasimone, Camugnano, Italy 26-30 September 2022.