Publikationsrepositorium - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

The present study presents the experimental measurements of the sodium flow rate in the KASOLA (KArlsruhe SOdium LAboratory) and SOLTEC-2 (SOdium Loop for TEst materials
and Corrosion) facilities available at KIT. KASOLA facility is a versatile sodium facility designed for thermal-hydraulic experiments and tests of components at prototypical and industrial scale [1]. The facility has a sodium inventory of 7 m3 and can be operated up to a temperature of 550°C at an overpressure of 2.5 bar. The maximal flow rate is specified at 150 m3/h, which can be achieved with a 75 kW annular linear induction pump. The sodium flow rate measurements have been performed using a Coriolis flowmeter, which has been used as reference for the calibration of a magnetic flow meter. The influence of the temperature field has been considered in the determination of the flow rate curve for the magnetic flow rate sensor. SOLTEC-2 facility is a 720 °C high temperature sodium loop currently used for experimental investigations of sodium corrosion on high temperature steels. The facility has a sodium inventory of ~14 L and it was operated up to 720 °C at an overpressure of 2.5 bar. The maximal mass flow rate specified is 300 kg/h. An innovative eddy current flowmeter (ECFM) sensor developed at HZDR, Dresden [2] has been installed in the high temperature side and operated in the SOLTEC loop. Successful measurements have been performed up to 700 °C, which to our knowledge represent so far a worldwide premiere. A comparison has been made between the results generated by the ECFM sensor with the experimental data delivered by the magnetic fly-wheel that is installed in the low temperature side of the loop. The study discusses the experience gained and the differences between these two flow rate sensors.