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DEVELOPMENT TESTING OF LIQUID METAL AND MOLTEN SALT HEAT EXCHANGERS

Journal Article · · Nuclear Sci. and Eng.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.13182/NSE8-1-14· OSTI ID:4185739

In order to investigate the design and fabrication problems inherent in compact, high-performance heat exchangers for aircraft nuclear propulsion applications, extensive development testing was done on bifluid Molten salt-NaK) heat exchangers and on liquid metal (NaK-air) radiators. These test units were prototypes of the heat transfer equipment which was to be used in the Aircraft Reactor Test (ART) at ORNL. Five bifluid test loops and one liquid metal test loop were used for performance and endurance testing of these components at simulated reactor operating conditions. The molten salt used was a ternary mixture of composition NaF 50 mole%, ZrF/sub 4/ 46 mole%, UF/sub 4/ 4 mole%. The NaK used was 56 wt% Na and44 wt % K. A total of 47,000 hr of operation at 1200 to 1700 tained F was accumulated on 18 heat exchangers and 20 radiators. The program demonstrated that the compact heat exchanger geometries tested possessed the performance capabilities and mechanical integrity to meet ART design requirements. (auth)

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., Tenn.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-14-019109
OSTI ID:
4185739
Journal Information:
Nuclear Sci. and Eng., Journal Name: Nuclear Sci. and Eng. Vol. Vol: 8
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English