Electromagnetic Pumps for Main Cooling Systems of Commercialized Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor

Abstract

An electromagnetic pump (EMP) has superior potential to improve the economic performance and ease of maintenance of sodium-cooled fast reactors. This study investigates the adequateness of a modular-type EMP system for large-sized (1,500 MWe class) sodium-cooled fast reactors. A flow rate of over 500 m 3 /min is required for the main circulating pump of such reactors. There is concern that such a large EMP will cause flow instability. A modular-type EMP system can solve this issue since smaller EMPs are arranged in parallel and the flow rate of each EMP is reduced. Parallel-module EMP systems have been investigated as the primary and secondary circulating pumps. The results of the design study and electromagnetic analysis of the primary main pump confirmed that flow instability does not occur under all operational conditions. From a safety viewpoint, a reliable flow-coast-down system has been proposed, comprising an electric supply system with a permanent magnet synchronous motor and a reliable circuit breaker system. The modular-type EMP system is also effective for the secondary system, drastically simplifying the piping arrangement. The results of this study show that the modular-type EMP system is highly compatible with the main circulating pumps of large-sized sodium-cooled fast reactors, as well as the advantages gained from adopting this system.

Core design of long‐cycle small modular lead‐cooled fast reactor

“…A study on electromagnetic pumps (EMPs) for the main cooling systems of a commercialized fast reactor 54 shows that this fluid velocity is compatible with the EMP technology, which is reported to achieve a fluid velocity higher than 10 m/second. The maximum and average fuel temperatures and the peak cladding temperature and several coolant parameters at BOC, MOC, and EOC are summarized in Table 8.…”

“…The velocity of the coolant is calculated according to Equation and equals 0.464 m/second (which is less than the design limit of 2 m/second retained in Table ): where P th is the thermal power, H is the active core height, c p is the specific heat, m is the total coolant mass, and ∆T is the temperature gap (assumed equal to 100 K). A study on electromagnetic pumps (EMPs) for the main cooling systems of a commercialized fast reactor shows that this fluid velocity is compatible with the EMP technology, which is reported to achieve a fluid velocity higher than 10 m/second.…”

Design and preliminary test of an annular linear induction electromagnetic pump for a sodium-cooled fast reactor thermal hydraulic experiment

“…Although they are sometimes less efficient, they are an attractive technology owing to their relatively small size and structural simplicity. As they do not contain bearings or moving parts, they require less routine maintenance than mechanical pumps [1]. In addition, the working fluid in the electromagnetic pump has no possibility of leakage because there is no sealing of parts where working fluids, such as sodium (Na), can react strongly with air.…”

“…In addition, a large-capacity sodiumimmersed self-cooled electromagnetic pump (LEMP) with a flow rate of 160 m 3 /min and a developed pressure of 0.28 MPa was designed, built, and tested [9,10]. Further, parallel-module ALIP systems were studied to consider the flow instability for flow rates over 500 m 3 /min [1].…”