Application of a vortex shedding flowmeter to the wide range measurement of high temperature gas flow

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6546440

Baker, S P; Ennis, Jr, R M; Herndon, P G

A single flowmeter was required for helium gas measurement in a Gas Cooled Fast Breeder Reactor loss of coolant simulator. Volumetric flow accuracy of +-1.0% of reading was required over the Reynolds Number range 6 x 10/sup 3/ to 1 x 10/sup 6/ at flowing pressures from 0.2 to 9 MPa (29 to 1305 psia) at 350/sup 0/C (660/sup 0/F) flowing temperature. Because of its inherent accuracy and rangeability, a vortex shedding flowmeter was selected and specially modified to provide for a remoted thermal sensor. Experiments were conducted to determine the relationship between signal attenuation and sensor remoting geometry, as well as the relationship between gas flow parameters and remoted thermal sensor signal for both compressed air and helium gas. Based upon the results of these experiments, the sensor remoting geometry was optimized for this application. The resultant volumetric flow rangeability was 155:1. The associated temperature increase at the sensor position was 9/sup 0/C above ambient (25/sup 0/F) at a flowing temperature of 350/sup 0/C. The volumetric flow accuracy was measured over the entire 155:1 flow range at parametric values of flowing density. A volumetric flow accuracy of +- % of reading was demonstrated.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); TRW, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (USA). Energy Systems Group
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6546440
• Report Number(s): CONF-810434-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
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22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
42 ENGINEERING
420400 -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
ACCIDENTS
ACCURACY
BREEDER REACTORS
CALIBRATION
COOLANT LOOPS
COOLING SYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
FLOWMETERS
FLUIDS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GASES
GCFR TYPE REACTORS
HELIUM
LOSS OF COOLANT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METERS
NONMETALS
RARE GASES
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTORS
REYNOLDS NUMBER
SIMULATION