ENGINEERING PROPERTIES OF POTASSIUM. Quarterly Report No. 9, October 1- December 31, 1962

Technical Report · Wed Jan 30 04:00:00 EST 1963

OSTI ID:4699086

Lemmon, Jr, A W

Measurements of the viscosity, vapor pressure, and enthalpy of liquid K were concluded. Thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity was measured up to about 800 un. Concent 85% C; the apparatus is being modified so that measurements can be continued up to 1150 un. Concent 85% C as planned. The P-V- T equipment is being calibrated and checked; measurements should be completed in about another month. The design study of equipment for the direct determination of the specific heat of K vapor was concluded. A decision was reached that the most favorable method for measuring the thermal conductivity of K vapor is a dynamic method in which a barewire probe is used; apparatus design is continuing. Final equations for the enthalpy and specific heat of solid and liquid K as well as a value for the heat of fusion (14.30 cal/g) are reported. The equations are H/sub t/ (solid) = 0.1705 t + 0.2095 x 10/sup -3/ t/sup 2/ (0to 63.2 un. Concent 85% C), H/sub t/ (liquid) = 13.453 + 0.20070 t-- 0.45421 x 10/sup -4/ t/sup 2/ + 0.38019 x 10/sup -7/t/sup 3/ (63.2 to 1150 un. Concent 85% C), C/sub s/ (solid) = 0.1705 + 0.4190 x 10/sup -3/ (0to 63.2 un. Concent 85% C), C/sub s/ (liquid) = 0.2004-- 0.8777 X 10/sup -4/ t + 1.0970 X 10/sup -7/ t/sup 2/ (63.2 to 1150 un. Concent 85% C). Enthalpies and specific heats show excellent agreement with work of previous investigators below 800 un. Concent 85% C. Thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of liquid K were measured to about 800 un. Concent 85% C, and tentative values were previously reported. Modification of the heat sink of the apparatus to permit measurements to 1150 un. Concent 85% C is now being made. Since the failure previously reported, parts of the vapor viscometer were reconstructed. The last of four tests designed to determine the adequacy of the furnace atmosphere were successful, and K was charged to the boiler to begin operation. Activity during the quarter on the vapor compressibility (P-V-T) apparatus was that of assembly, testing, and calibration. It was determined that the dynamic probe method offers the best possibility for the accurate measurement of the thermal conductivity of K vapor. Data on electrical conductivity of the vapor indicate that it is much lower than expected, and thus a bare wire probe may be satisfactory. Design of apparatus is continuing. (auth)

• Research Organization: Battelle Memorial Inst., Columbus, Ohio
• NSA Number: NSA-17-019992
• OSTI ID: 4699086
• Report Number(s): NP-12689
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CHEMISTRY
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
EQUATIONS
FAILURES
FURNACES
HIGH TEMPERATURE
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
LIQUID METALS
MEASURED VALUES
PLANNING
POTASSIUM
PRESSURE
SOLIDS
SPECIFIC HEAT
STANDARDS
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMODYNAMICS
VAPORS
VISCOSITY