| Abstract: | Sensors and methods of experimental measurement being employed in fast breeder reactor fuel assembly tests are reviewed. Such tests are being carried out in sodium, water and air environments. In sodium tests direct measurement of bundle performance parameters such as temperature, flow, pressure, boiling inception, and void fraction are being performed. Development of improved instrumentation is needed for reliable fast-response, high-temperature pressure detection and small, more readily interpretable, void detectors. Water and air environment tests are being undertaken to measure parameters used in models which predict design behavior in sodium. Parameters being measured are subchannel average velocity, local axial and transverse velocities, wall shear stress, salt and other tracer concentrations, and turbulence parameters. Adequate techniques exist for measurement of each of these parameters. |
