Experimental and RELAP5-3D results on IELLLO (Integrated European Lead Lithium LOop) operation

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design Vol. 123; pp. 143 - 147
• Main Authors: Venturini, A., Utili, M., Gabriele, A., Ricapito, I., Malavasi, A., Forgione, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.11.2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Computer simulation; Contact pressure; Energy efficiency; Experiments; Heat exchangers; IELLLO; Instruments; ITER; Lead; Lead-Lithium-Eutectic; Lithium; Mass flow rate; Nuclear power plants; Nuclear reactors; RELAP5-3D; TBM; Turbines; RELAP5-3D; ITER; Lead-Lithium-Eutectic; TBM; IELLLO
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2017.04.001

•Analysis of the behavior of the main components of the loop.•Testing of a pressure transducer and a Vortex mass flow meter for use in LLE systems.•Investigation of the performance of an air-cooler and a regenerative heat exchanger.•Validation of the system code RELAP5-3D against the obtained experimental data. The experimental facility IELLLO (Integrated European Lead Lithium LOop) was designed and installed at the ENEA Brasimone Research Centre to support the design of the HCLL TBM (Helium Cooled Lithium Lead Test Blanket Module). This work presents the results of the experimental campaign carried out within the framework of F4E-FPA-372 and which had three main objectives. First, to produce new experimental data for flowing LLE (Lead-Lithium Eutectic) for an analysis of the loop and the characterization of its main components. Then, to evaluate performances of commercial instrumentation as available instrumentation is not designed for use in LLE. Lastly, to use the data for validation of the model developed with the system code RELAP5-3D. The data collected could prove helpful to analyze the behavior of the LLE loop of ITER and DEMO in accidental conditions. The results show that the regenerative countercurrent heat exchanger has an efficiency ranging from 70 to 85%, mainly depending on the LLE mass flow rate. It was verified that the air cooler has the capability to keep the cold part of the loop at 623K, even in the most demanding situation (700rpm and maximum temperature of the hot part). The instrumentation tested showed good accuracy, with the exception of the turbine flow meter. Nevertheless, specific limitations in the upper operative temperatures were found for the LLE direct contact pressure transducer. RELAP5-3D simulations fit very well the associated experimental results achieved.