| Abstract: | Sodium mist behavior in argon cover gas space over sodium pool was investigated experimentally using of a test vessel having cover gas volume of ～100l. Mass concentration and gravitational settling flux of the mist (i.e. sodium aerosol) were determined between pool temperature range of 290～520°C. Apparatuses used for the concentration determination were a He-Ne laser mist concentration meter (LCM) and mist traps, which were developed specifically for the present experiment. The mist gravitational settling flux φ was determined by using of collection plates, which were exposed to the mist entrained cover gas over sodium pool. The experimental results revealed that the concentration C was very high from 0.15 to 20g/m3. It increased with pool temperature. The mist particle radii, which were determined from the gravitational settling flux φ and decay curve of the concentration, were from 1.5 to 13 μm in the range of the present experiment. The vapor evaporation rate φe from the pool surface, which were also determined from the experimental φ data, were found to increase with saturated vapor pressure Ps at pool surface. This rate did not depend so strongly on experimental geometries and cover gas flow convection pattern over sodium pool. Evaluations of transient C changing and steady state C fluctuation indicated that the mist formation was occurred near the pool surface. |
