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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Wide-range vortex shedding flowmeter for high-temperature helium gas

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5626225

The existing design of a commercially available vortex shedding flowmeter (VSFM) was modified and optimized to produce three 4-in. and one 6-in. high-performance VSFMs for measuring helium flow in a gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) test loop. The project was undertaken because of the significant economic and performance advantages to be realized by using a single flowmeter capable of covering the 166:1 flow range (at 350/sup 0/C and 45:1 pressure range) of the tests. A detailed calibration in air and helium at the Colorado Engineering Experiment Station showed an accuracy of +-1% of reading for a 100:1 helium flow range and +-1.75% of reading for a 288:1 flow range in both helium and air. At an extended gas temperature of 450/sup 0/C, water cooling was necessary for reliable flowmeter operation.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); American Magnetics, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
5626225
Report Number(s):
CONF-8310102-2; ON: DE84001984
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English