Experimental and theoretical MHD performance of a round pipe at high temperature with a NaK-compatible Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} coating
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States); and others
A key feasibility issue for the ITER Vanadium/Lithium breeding blanket is the question of insulator coatings. Design calculations show that an electrically insulating layer is necessary to maintain an acceptably low MHD pressure drop. To begin experimental investigations of the MHD performance of candidate insulator materials and the technology for putting them in place, a new test section was prepared as follows. A round pipe of type 304 stainless steel was aluminized on the inside surface, resulting in a layer of 50-100 micron thick Fe-Al alloy. A commercially available high temperature packed powder process was used. The resultant aluminum rich surface layer was subsequently oxidized in air at 980{degrees}C for four hours, followed by a slow cool in air to room temperature. The end product was a stainless steel tube having an aluminum oxide layer on the inside surface which was a few microns in thickness. Aluminum oxide was chosen as the first candidate insulating material because it may be used in combination with NaK in the ITER vacuum vessel and/or the divertor; and MHD performance tests could begin early in ALEX (Argonne`s Liquid Metal Experiment) because NaK was already the working fluid in use. Future testing will move toward Vanadium ducts with an appropriate insulating layer. Details on the methods used to produce the aluminum oxide layer as well as the microstructures of the coating and the aluminize sublayer are presented and discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 196894
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940664-; TRN: 95:005767-0063
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: ISFNT-3: international symposium on fusion nuclear technology, Los Angeles, CA (United States), 27 Jun - 1 Jul 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Third international symposium on fusion nuclear technology; PB: 362 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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