Developing Separate Effects Transient Test Experiments Using an Out-of-Pile Flowing Water Loop

Figures & data

Fig. 1. Isometric rendering of the TREAT reactor.¹³

Fig. 2. (a) SAT vehicle and (b) STEP vehicle schematic.¹⁷

Fig. 3. (a) Sectional view of MARCH system assembly, (b) SETH capsule, and (c) M-SERTTA module.¹⁸

Fig. 4. (a) Picture of TRTL and (b) rendering of TRTL primary loop.

TABLE I Engineering Requirements for Operational Envelope

Operating Condition	PWR^a	TRTL
System pressure (psig)	Atmosphere to 2300	Atmosphere to 3000
Steady fluid temperature (°F)	600 to 650	Atmosphere to 625
Flow rate (gpm)^b	~1 to 25	~1 to 45
Power transient, FWHM (ms)	~60 to ∞	~25 to ∞

^aReference 35.

^bFlow rate range equivalent to flow rates for a single average fuel pin.

Fig. 5. General phenomenological mechanisms and respective time constants for HSN versus HI (Ref. 30).

Fig. 6. (a) Isometric cut view and (b) isometric cut breakouts of TRTL primary loop.

Fig. 7. Local pressure losses computed across the TRTL test section.

TABLE II Instrumentation Plan and Respective Alignment with FOMs

FOM	Measurement Parameter	Measurement Method	Manufacturer/Model Number	Quantity
Momentum, energy, CHF	System pressure, P (psig)	Bulk coolant pressure transmitter	Omega/PX-409-3.5KGI	3
Mass, momentum, CHF	Mass flux, G (gpm)	Venturi flow meter	Validyne/P365D-4-S-1-50-W-4-A	1
		Turbine flow meter	Flowmetrics/FM-16NT2WLDH-XB40	1
CHF, equilibrium quality	Test section coolant temperature, Tf (°F)	Test section thermocouple	Watlow/ABE000Q990U4100	18
Energy	Coolant temperature, Tf (°F)	Bulk coolant thermocouple	Watlow/AFGJ0FA120G4060	10
Clad temperature	Heater temperature, Tw (°F)	Thermocouple	Watlow/ABE000Q990U4100	6
Equilibrium quality	Void fraction, α (dP/dt)	Test section DP	Validyne/P365D-4-S-1-50-W-4-A	6
Linear heat generation rate	Heater power, Q (kW)	Current transformer Voltage transducer	CR Magnetics/CR6240 National Instruments/CR5SFT-501	1 1

Fig. 8. (a) Schematic for the TRTL pressure and (b) temperature sensor arrangement [DP = differential pressure measurement, PT = gage-pressure measurement, FIT = volumetric flow measurement, TF = temperature measurement of fluid, and TW = temperature measurement at a wall (outer clad temperature).]

Fig. 9. Placement of pressure tube and thermocouple in the flow channel.

Fig. 10. High-powered heater rod with thermocouple sheath.

Fig. 11. Arrangement of pressure tube and thermocouples for test section.

Fig. 12. Flow and differential pressure measurement assessment.

Fig. 13. System pressure measurement assessment.

Fig. 14. Temperature measurement assessment.

Fig. 15. Linear heat generation rate measurement assessment.

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