Numerical Simulation of Darcy and Forchheimer Force Distribution in a HBC Fuse

We present the breaking of a short-circuit current in a HBC fuse simulation based on an isentropic non-stationary model in a porous medium for a one dimensional geometry. The fluid flow is affected by the nature of the gas and by the morphology of the silica sand. To model the gas–silica sand interaction, we introduce two classical laws: the Darcy's law due to the viscous interaction and the Forchheimer's law due to the inertial force. Numerical simulations with realistic physical parameters have been performed using a finite volume scheme with a fractional step technique. We show the evolution of Darcy and Forchheimer forces during time and according to the position in the fuse. We place in prominent position the fact that either force is predominant in the fuse according to the time and the position which justifies a numerical treatment to cover all the situations.