PROCESS HEAT REACTOR PROGRAM. Quarterly Progress Report, August 1-October 31, 1961
Heat transfer tests with the 1/2-inch cooler for the 250psig helium recycle loop were completed. Helium film coefficients ranged from 62 to 188 Btu/ hr-ft/sup 2/- deg F as Reynolds number was varied between 4,400 and 17,500. The operating characteristics of the helium recycle compressor are being determined at 100, 150, 200, and 250 psig and at helium temperatures of 100, 400, 700, and 1,000 deg F. Helium flow is being varied from 2,000 to 4,000 scfh up to the maximum flow that will not overload the compressor motor. The compressor operates at a constant speed of 18,600 rpm. Design work was completed on a coal gasifier for the ISR system, and construction of the unit is progressing. Additional induction heating was provided so that gas-solids suspensions can be heated in the heliumgraphite suspension loop to at least 500 deg F., and a positive displacement meter was installed to measure the flow of suspensions. A torsion-bar dynamometer that measures shaft deflections was used to determine compressor motor output at various speeds and input voltages. Tests were then made to determine the compressor power requlred to transfer heat with helium. The design and procurement of equipment are continuing for a pilot-scale system with a 10-hp centrifugal compressor to operate at 1,200 deg F. Suspensions of 105 to 250 mu graphite in nitrogen at 50 psig were recycled through the laboratory- scale system to determine the rate of particle degradation. Most degradation occurred within 2 hours, after which the maximum and minimum size of particles was only 15 and 1 mu . To determine the thermal stability of methane in stainless-steel tubes, mixtures of methane and steam were heated to 1,200 to 1,800 deg F in the helium-heated coal gasifier. Results could not be evaluated owing to difficulties in analyzing mixtures of hydrocarbon gases. Attempts to gasify low-temperature bituminous coal tar in the same gasifier were unsuccessful. At steam-tar weight ratios of 6 and 10, tue preheaters plugged with coke. Electrical characteristics were previously determined for a precipitator with stainless steel or platinum electrodes operating on clean and dust-laden air at temperatures to 1,500 deg F and pressures to 80 psig. These results could not be duplicated. Tests with the platinum electrodes were repeated. At 1,500 deg F the results were erratic, indicating that current leaked through the insulator. At all temperatures and pressures of the tests, positive polarity permitted application of higher voltages. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Bureau of Mines. Morgantown Coal ResearchCenter, W. Va.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-001277
- OSTI ID:
- 4151035
- Report Number(s):
- TID-19574
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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