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Using Lead-Bismuth Eutectic in MERIT Syringe Pump

Van Graves

October, 2007

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Goal

Feasibility study to evaluate use of Lead-Bismuth Eutectic (LBE) free jet as a high-power target

Repeat of MERIT Hg jet experiment at CERN– 20m/s, 1cm dia jet in 15T magnetic field

– High-speed optical diagnostics

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Some LBE References

Handbook on Lead-bismuth Eutectic Alloy and Lead Properties, Materials Compatibility, Thermal-hydraulics and Technologies– Nuclear Energy Agency document– http://www.nea.fr/html/science/reports/2007/nea6195-handbook.html

Thermophysical properties of lead and lead-bismuth eutectic– Sobolev, Journal of Nuclear Materials, V362 (2007), p235-247

Expansion of solidified lead bismuth eutectic– Glasbrenner et al, Journal of Nuclear Materials, V343 (2005), p341-348

Lead-bismuth eutectic recrystallization studies for the Megapie target– Zucchini et al, Journal of Nuclear Materials, V336 (2005), p291-298

Review of liquid metal corrosion issues for potential containment materials for liquid lead and lead-bismuth eutectic spallation targets as a neutron source– Park et al, Nuclear Engineering and Design, V196 (2000), p315-325

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Hg – LBE Liquid Comparison

Parameter Unit Hg (@293K) LBE (@423K)

Melting temperature K 234 397.7

Latent heat of fusion kJ/kg 11.6 38.6

Boiling temperature K 630 1943

Latent heat of vaporization kJ/kg 295 854

Density kg/m^3 13540 10536

Sound velocity m/s 1407 1766

Isobaric specific heat J/kg-K 139 149

Dynamic viscosity Pa-s 1.53E-03 2.94E-03

Electrical resistivity Ohm-m 0.96E-06 1.08E-06

Thermal conductivity W/m-K 2.0 9.7

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Heating/Cooling Issues

LBE solidification – Groeshel paper gives recommended cooling rate of 0.02 °C/min to prevent container damage (expansion rate reduced to 0.05%)

Entire primary flow path should be heated– Air temperature/pressure issues– Expansion cooling at nozzle– Precipitation/deposition on walls/windows

Hydraulic cylinder operation at 150 °C

Flange loosening from thermal cycles

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Thermal Input

Energy required to heat LBE from 20C to 150C– Assumed volume = 15 L (158 kg)

– Latent heat of fusion = 38.6 kJ/kg

– Specific heat = 149 J/kg-K

Raise temp from 20C to 125C E=m*c*dt 2470 kJ

Solid to liquid E=m*q 6100 kJ

Raise temp from 125C to 150C E=m*c*dt 590 kJ

Total 9160 kJ(8700 BTU)

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MERIT Syringe Pump Layout

Entire primary containment would have to be heated

Major safety issue if nozzle solidifies

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Other Issues

Wetting – LBE on sapphire windows

Oxide formation

Seal compatibility – Viton seals used for Hg pump

Complete fluid removal from system

Filling/draining – flow path and containers should be heated

Containment materials

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Health/Safety Considerations

Lead is the primary hazard

From LBE Handbook,– Permissible LBE exposure level 50-100μg/m3

– Maximum allowable concentration 100-150 μg/m3

Elevated temperatures for LBE handling

Systems we have in place for Hg vapors should be sufficient for LBE, perhaps different filters

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Approach

Determine feasibility– Check design/materials/heating issues– Preliminary engineering concepts

LBE Wettability Study– Rudimentary experiments to verify compatibility with

sapphire, lexan, etc.– Expect minimal amount of experimental hardware to be

procured– Internal ORNL safety issues with handling LBE resolved

Fully developed engineering models, choose vendor parts

Detailed fabrication drawings

No hardware procurements in this phase

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Engineering Study Cost Estimate

Item Estimated Cost

Materials (LBE wetting study) $2K

Labor (LBE wetting study) $23.6K

Labor (Engineering design) $113K

Labor (Engineering drawings) $7.8K

Travel $6K

Total $152.4K