PROBLEMS OF ATOMIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants

since 1971

Русский (РФ)

ISSN 2414-1038 (online)

LEYPUNSKY: THERMOPHYSICS OF LIQUID-METAL COOLANTS FOR NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING

EDN: CAEZFP

Authors & Affiliations

Sorokin A.P., Kuzina Yu.A., Alekseev V.V., Askhadullin R.Sh., Delnov V.N.
A.I. Leypunsky Institute for Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia

Sorokin A.P. – Cheaf Researcher, Dr. Sci. (Tech.). Contacts: 1, Bondarenko sq., Obninsk, Kaluga region, 249033. Tel.: +7  (484) 399-84-47, (905) 641-20-99; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Kuzina Yu.A. – Director of Nuclear Energetic Department, Cand. Sci. (Tech.).
Alekseev V.V. – Cheaf Researcher, Dr. Sci. (Tech.).
Askhadullin R.S. – Head of Department, Cand. Sci. (Tech.).
Delnov V.N. – Head of Department, Dr. Sci. (Tech.).

Abstract

The article reflects the role of A.I. Leipunsky as the organizer and supervisor of studies of hydrodynamics, heat transfer, physical chemistry and coolant technology in nuclear power plants with liquid metal coolants (LMC). As a result of the development of LMT: the scientific foundations for their use in nuclear power engineering have been created, the thermal-hydraulic parameters and highly efficient technologies have been scientifically substantiated. Apparatus and systems have been developed and practically implemented, which ensured the successful operation of fundamentally new nuclear power plants. The article presents the results of studies carried out directly under the guidance of A.I. Leipunsky and his students and followers, members of the scientific school on thermophysics of liquid metals at IPPE. The main areas of research were: hydrodynamics and heat transfer, boiling, condensation of LMC, physical chemistry and technology of LMC, systematization, analysis and generalization of thermophysical data in relation to the creation of nuclear power plants with LMC for nuclear power, submarine fleet, space applications and thermonuclear installations. In the article, any liquid metal coolant is considered as part of a general system, which also includes a structural material in contact with the coolant, a gas space that compensates for the thermal expansion of the coolant. The state of the system is determined by the physicochemical properties of the components of the system. At the same time, the coolant and structural materials also represent some subsystems consisting of the base material, the coolant and impurities contained in the material and the coolant. The key point of the technology of any LMC is the content and state of impurities in it. Each coolant has its own set of impurities that determine its technology. It depends on the type of coolant, the physicochemical properties of impurity solutions and structural material components in the coolant. Experience shows that the technology of liquid metal systems should minimize the structural material corrosion and change in service characteristics, and exclude the appearance of excess phases in the coolant flow. The tasks of further research are formulated, arising from the need to improve safety, efficiency, environmental friendliness, reliability and extend the service life of operating and being created nuclear power plants with liquid metal coolants.

Keywords
liquid metals, nuclear power plants, fast reactors, thermonuclear reactors, experimental studies, calculation codes, thermal hydraulics, physical chemistry, liquid metal coolant technology, safety, core, reactor vessel

Article Text (PDF, in Russian)

References

UDC 536.24: 621.039.524.4: 621.039.58

Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. Series: Nuclear and Reactor Constants, 2023, issue 3, 3:13