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On-Line Measurement of Liquid Metal Level by Change of Static Gas Pressure

Ryunosuke NISHIO and Masatoshi KONDO¹⁾

Tokyo Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan

1)

Tokyo Institute of Technology, Institute of Innovative Research, Laboratory for Zero-Carbon Energy, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan

(Received 7 January 2022 / Accepted 18 May 2022 / Published 22 July 2022)

Abstract

On-line measurement of liquid metal level is an essential technique for the coolant systems of fusion reactors to keep their safety operation and to recognize accidents such as a coolant leakage and a coolant blockage. The purpose of the present study is to propose a static gas type level meter which is widely applicable in various coolant systems. This level meter consists of a differential pressure meter and a measurement compartment which is inserted into fluids. The change of the liquid level is measured on-line by the change of the differential pressure between the filler gas in the level meter and the cover gas. The experiments were performed with three fluids: water, viscous fluid (PVA starch) and liquid metal PbBi. The output of the level meter indicated good linearity and reproducibility. The meter output obtained in the experiments was slightly larger than that estimated by theory since the meter output was influenced by surplus gas which was unintentionally involved in the insertion procedure of the level meter. This technical issue was improved by the use of the measurement compartment with several slits, which can release the surplus gas through the slits.

Copyright (c) 2022 The Japan Society of Plasma Science and Nuclear Fusion Research

Keywords

level meter, liquid metal, molten salt, liquid blanket, coolant loop

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.17.2405085

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