Lead-bismuth eutectic as advanced reactor collant : operational experience

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2004

OSTI ID:977676

Woloshun, K A ^[1]; Watts, V ^[2]; Li, N ^[3]

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1. Keith A.
2. Valentina
3. Ning

Some proposed advanced reactor concepts would be cooled by lead or lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE). An LBE test loop was designed and built at Los Alamos to develop the engineering and materials technology necessary to successfully implement LBE as a coolant (Fig. 1). Operational since December 2001, this test loop has been used to develop and demonstrate safe operation, oxygen concentration and metal corrosion control, instrumentation, thermal-hydraulic performance of heat exchangers and recuperators, and free convection and forced pumping. This paper discusses the technology development and lessons learned from the operation of this facility. A LBE test loop has been operational since December 2001. Using procedures, training, and engineering controls, this loop has operated without an accident. Continuous improvements in operation procedures and instrumentation over these years have resulted in a facility of high reliability, providing the groundwork for the use of LBE as a reactor coolant for temperatures up to 550 C.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE
• OSTI ID: 977676
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-04-3925
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
BISMUTH
COOLANTS
CORROSION
EUTECTICS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
LEAD
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
MATERIALS TESTING
NATURAL CONVECTION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
TEST FACILITIES