Open AccessPERMANENT MAGNET AND PITOT-STATIC PROBE FLOMETERS FOR LIQUID SODIUM
Author(s) -
D.L. Lessor,
B.H. Duane
Publication year - 1969
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/1089655
Subject(s) - pitot tube , magnet , sensitivity (control systems) , materials science , magnetic flow meter , flow measurement , linearity , liquid metal , mechanics , flow (mathematics) , nuclear engineering , electrical engineering , engineering , physics , composite material , electronic engineering
A permanent magnet probe flowmeter and a Pitot-static bubbler flowmeter are considered for coolant flow measurement in the Fast Test Reactor. The permanent magnet probe offers a sensitivity on the order of tenths of a millivolt per foot/second flow velocity, appropriate linearity of response, simplicity of operation, and no contact between liquid metal and electrical insulation. Its applicability is contingent on magnetic material having sufficient magnetization retention in high temperature and high neutron flux environments. The Pitot-static bubbler offers low sensitivity to nuclear radiation, use of off-the-shelf materials, and high, though non-linear, sensitivity. Positive displacement flow in the bubbler may eliminate plugging of the probe tubing by sodium oxide