Open AccessHYDRAULIC TESTS OF A PROTOTYPE HALLAM FUEL ELEMENT (SU-9) TO BE TESTED IN SRE
Author(s) -
R. Begley
Publication year - 1961
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/4036376
Subject(s) - body orifice , pressure drop , orifice plate , coolant , hydraulic diameter , mechanics , materials science , volumetric flow rate , flow coefficient , flow measurement , nuclear engineering , mechanical engineering , engineering , physics , turbulence , reynolds number
Pressure-drop measurements were made across a mockup of a Hallam prototype fuel element in a test section installed in the Hallam Hydraulic Loop. The flow channel was identical to an SRE fuel channel and included simulated upper and lower plenums. The fuel element mockup was equipped with a Hallam-type variable orifice at the channel exit and a fixed orifice in the strainer basket at the bottom of the element. Tests were performed to determine the optimum size for the fixed orifice and the temperature adjustment capability of the variable orifice using this optimum fixed orifice. To obtain the predicted 4.1 lb/sec sodium coolant requirement at a core pressure drop of 1.85 psi, a 3/4 in. fixed orifice was determined to be the optimum. With this fixed orifice size the variable orifice will be approximately 1 in. withdrawn during full-power operation. Adjusting the orifice over its entire range of 3 in. from fully inserted to fully withdrawn covers a temperature range from 875 to 1040 deg F which is approximately plus or minus 80'F about the normal outlet temperature of 960 deg F. Curves are presented for use in determination of operating characteristics of the element with other fixed orifice sizes should the core pressure drop or required flow rate of coolant be changed. (auth