Modelling of ultrasonic propagation in turbulent liquid sodium with temperature gradient

N Massacret,J P Jeannot,M A Ploix,J Moysan,G Corneloup

doi:10.1063/1.4875876

Abstract

The use of ultrasonic instrumentation in sodium-cooled fast reactors requires to understand and to predict how ultrasonic waves can be deflected, slowed down or speeded up, depending on the thermo-hydraulic characteristics of the liquid sodium. These thermo-hydraulic characteristics are mainly the local temperature and flow speed of the sodium. In this study we show that ray theory can be used to simulate ultrasonic propagation in a medium similar to the core of a sodium-cooled fast reactor, in order to study ultrasonic instrumentation and prepare it installation and utilisation in the sodium of the nuclear reactor. A suitable model has been developed and a set of thermo-hydraulics data has been created, taking account of the particularities of the sodium flow. The results of these simulations are then analysed within the framework of acoustic thermometry, in order to determine which disturbance must be taken into account for the correct operation of the temperature measurement.

Highlights

Sodium-cooled fast reactors have been chosen by France as the reference option in the framework of the Generation IV international forum
Acoustic thermometry is a technique based on the temperature-dependent speed of ultrasonic waves in a medium
In this study a simulation code has been implemented in order to calculate the path follow by an acoustic wave in a turbulent sodium flow and inhomogeneous temperature

Summary

Introduction

Sodium-cooled fast reactors have been chosen by France as the reference option in the framework of the Generation IV international forum. Acoustic thermometry is a technique based on the temperature-dependent speed of ultrasonic waves in a medium. It is important to take the thermo-hydraulic characteristics of the medium into account when choosing an appropriate, effective ultrasonic propagation model.

Results

Conclusion