ifIMSJ ^ i«ll li^l'A^l^lHl ills A series of potassium vapor turbine driven boiler feed pumps with potassium lubricated bearings has been designed, built and tested for a total of 2000 hr of operation at high temperatiires. This paper summarizes the problems that have arisen in the course of the design, fabrication, and operation of these linits. Approaches to the thermal expansion problems, provisions for lubricant flow to the bearings, speed pickups, and maintenance of moving parts installed in hermetically sealed systems are discussed. Test experience with the units operated with steam and water is related to the test experience obtained in potassium systems. The problems encountered in fabricating tungsten carbide * parts, difficulties both with the brittleness of TZM molybdenum alloy and its tendency to gall and seize, together with solutions that have been foimd effective for coping with these problems are outlined. *Research sponsored by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission \inder contract with the Union Carbide Corporation.
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