Test system and test method for alkali metal driven pumps

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of driving pump testing, and in particular to a test system and a test method for an alkali metal driving pump. The test system comprises: a test container; a test auxiliary device; a first inert gas supply member for supplying inert gas to the test container to adjust the air pressure in the test container; the driving pump comprises a mechanical pump; the test container is configured to enable the mechanical pump to be installed in the test container; when the mechanical pump is turned on, the mechanical pump can drive the liquid alkali metal to flow from a test outlet to a test auxiliary inlet and then to a test inlet via a test auxiliary outlet to circulate; and the test auxiliary device is configured to, after the mechanical pump is turned on and the liquid alkali metal circulates at a preset flow rate, drive the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary device to return to the test container by using the air pressure difference and the liquid level difference between the test container. The test system and the test method of the embodiments of the present application are beneficial to testing the performance of the mechanical pump under a large flow condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of drive pump testing technology, specifically to a test system and test method for alkali metal drive pumps. Background Technology

[0002] Sodium-cooled fast reactors are one of the main types of fourth-generation reactors. The drive pumps included in sodium-cooled fast reactors are one of the key pieces of equipment in sodium-cooled fast reactors. They are mainly used to transport liquid alkali metal media and provide power for system operation.

[0003] Currently, the manufacturing technology for drive pumps is not mature, requiring the design of dedicated testing systems to conduct targeted tests on the drive pumps and evaluate their performance. However, no testing system suitable for performance testing of alkali metal drive pumps has yet been designed in the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A brief overview of this application is provided below to offer a basic understanding of certain aspects thereof. It should be understood that this overview is not an exhaustive summary of the application. It is not intended to identify key or essential parts of the application, nor is it intended to limit its scope. Its purpose is merely to present certain concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a test system for an alkali metal driven pump, comprising: a test container having a test inlet and a test outlet for supplying liquid alkali metal into or out of the test container; a test auxiliary device having a test auxiliary inlet and a test auxiliary outlet for supplying liquid alkali metal into or out of the test auxiliary device; and a first inert gas supply unit for supplying inert gas to the test container to regulate the gas pressure inside the test container; wherein the driven pump includes a mechanical pump, the test container is configured such that the mechanical pump can be installed in the test container, and when the mechanical pump is turned on, the mechanical pump can drive liquid alkali metal from the test outlet of the test container to the test auxiliary inlet of the test auxiliary device, and then circulate it through the test auxiliary outlet into the test inlet of the test container; the test auxiliary device is used to drive the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary device back to the test container by utilizing the pressure difference and liquid level difference between the mechanical pump and the test container when the liquid alkali metal circulates at a preset flow rate.

[0006] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide a testing method for an alkali metal mechanical pump. This testing method utilizes the testing system provided in the first aspect of this application. The testing method includes: S1, determining the flow resistance of liquid alkali metal returning from the test auxiliary container to the test container under each test flow value, based on multiple test flow values; S2, determining the initial gas pressure values ​​corresponding to each test flow value for the test container and the test auxiliary container based on the flow resistance; S3, connecting the pipeline between the test container and the test auxiliary container, and filling the liquid alkali metal circuit with liquid alkali metal so that the liquid levels in both the test container and the test auxiliary container reach preset liquid levels. In the alkali metal process, adjust the gas pressure in the test container and the auxiliary test container to any initial gas pressure value determined in step S2; S4, disconnect the connecting pipeline between the test container and the auxiliary test container, adjust the pump impeller speed of the mechanical pump to adjust the liquid alkali metal flow rate in the liquid alkali metal circuit to the test flow rate value corresponding to the initial gas pressure value, and determine the pressure value at the test outlet; S5, adjust the gas pressure in the test container and the auxiliary test container to another initial gas pressure value; S6, repeat steps S4 and S5 to determine the pressure value at the test outlet corresponding to all test flow rates; S7, determine the characteristic curve of the mechanical pump flow rate and head based on multiple test flow rate values ​​and pressure values.

[0007] The embodiments of this application set up a test container and a test auxiliary device. The pressure difference and liquid level difference between the test auxiliary device and the test container are used to drive the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary device back to the test container, which is beneficial to realize the performance testing of mechanical pumps under high flow conditions.

[0008] These and other advantages of this application will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] To further illustrate the above and other advantages and features of this application, the specific embodiments of this application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, together with the following detailed description, are included in and form a part of this specification. Elements having the same function and structure are indicated by the same reference numerals. It should be understood that these drawings only depict typical examples of this application and should not be considered as limiting the scope of this application.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a test system for an alkali metal driven pump according to an embodiment of this application.

[0011] It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are shown only in a schematic manner without affecting the reader's understanding.

[0012] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0013] 10. Test container; 11. Test inlet; 12. Test outlet; 13. Installation interface;

[0014] 21. Outflow pipeline; 22. Return pipeline; 23. Heat exchange pipeline; 24. Regulating pipeline; 25. Connecting pipeline; 26. Connecting pipeline; 27. Electromagnetic pump test pipeline;

[0015] 31. Mechanical pump; 32. Electromagnetic pump;

[0016] 41. Flow measurement device; 42. Pressure measurement device; 43. Temperature measurement device;

[0017] 50. Heat exchanger; 501. Gas inlet; 502. Gas outlet; 503. Heat exchanger inlet; 504. Heat exchanger outlet; 53. Second liquid level measuring element; 551. Purification inlet; 552. Purification outlet; 56. Charging and discharging device;

[0018] 61. Regulating valve; 62. Air pressure regulating valve; 63. Shut-off valve;

[0019] 70. Test auxiliary container; 71. Test auxiliary inlet; 72. Test auxiliary outlet;

[0020] 81. First inert gas supply unit; 82. Second inert gas supply unit;

[0021] 90. Fan. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Exemplary embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity and brevity, not all features of actual implementations are described in the specification. However, it should be understood that many implementation-specific decisions must be made in the development of any such actual embodiment to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as complying with constraints related to the system and business, and these constraints may vary depending on the implementation. Furthermore, it should be understood that while development work can be very complex and time-consuming, such development work is merely a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from the content of this application.

[0023] It should also be noted that, in order to avoid obscuring this application with unnecessary details, only the equipment structure and / or processing steps closely related to the solution according to this application are shown in the accompanying drawings, while other details that are not closely related to this application are omitted.

[0024] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by a person with ordinary skills in the field to which this application pertains.

[0025] In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0026] In related technologies, when testing the performance of mechanical pumps, they are usually directly connected to the circuit. However, this setup presents significant testing challenges for large alkali metal mechanical pumps with flow rates exceeding 500 cubic meters per hour.

[0027] This application provides a test system for alkali metal driven pumps, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the test system may include a test container 10, a test auxiliary device, and a first inert gas supply unit 81.

[0028] In some embodiments, the test container 10 is provided with a test inlet 11 and a test outlet 12 for allowing liquid alkali metals to flow into or out of the test container 10. The test auxiliary device is provided with a test auxiliary inlet 71 and a test auxiliary outlet 72 for allowing liquid alkali metals to flow into or out of the test auxiliary device.

[0029] The driving pump may include a mechanical pump 31. The test container 10 is configured such that the mechanical pump 31 can be installed in the test container 10. When the mechanical pump 31 is turned on, the mechanical pump 31 can drive the liquid alkali metal from the test outlet 12 of the test container 10 to the test auxiliary inlet 71 of the test auxiliary device, and then flow into the test inlet 11 of the test container 10 via the test auxiliary outlet 72 for circulation.

[0030] The first inert gas supply unit 81 can be used to supply inert gas to the test container 10 to regulate the gas pressure inside the test container 10. The test auxiliary device is used to drive the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary device back to the test container 10 by utilizing the gas pressure difference and liquid level difference between the test auxiliary device and the test container 10 when the liquid alkali metal circulates at a preset flow rate after the mechanical pump 31 is turned on.

[0031] When performing performance testing on the mechanical pump 31, it is necessary to test the pressure at the test outlet 12 of the test container 10 under different flow rates. Typically, the flow rate of the liquid alkali metal in the test system is adjusted by regulating the rotational speed of the mechanical pump 31. However, the inventors of this application have discovered that for situations requiring a relatively large flow rate, the test system of this embodiment cannot achieve the required flow rate value by simply increasing the rotational speed of the mechanical pump 31. The inventors of this application have further discovered that the flow rate of the mechanical pump 31 is related to the flow resistance of the liquid alkali metal in the pipeline. The embodiments of this application include a test container 10 and a test auxiliary device. The pressure difference and liquid level difference between the test auxiliary device and the test container 10 drive the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary device back to the test container 10, which is beneficial for testing the performance of the mechanical pump 31 under high flow rate conditions.

[0032] In some embodiments, the test auxiliary device includes: a test auxiliary container 70, a second inert gas supply component 82, a connecting pipe 25, and a pressure regulating valve 62. The test auxiliary container 70 is provided with a test auxiliary inlet 71 and a test auxiliary outlet 72. The second inert gas supply component 82 can be used to supply inert gas to the test auxiliary container 70 to regulate the gas pressure inside the test auxiliary container 70. The connecting pipe 25 can be used to connect the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70. The pressure regulating valve 62 is disposed in the connecting pipe 25 and is used to control the opening and closing of the connecting pipe 25, so that the gas pressure and liquid level of the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 can remain the same when the mechanical pump 31 is not started, and a pressure difference and a liquid level difference can be formed respectively after the mechanical pump 31 is started.

[0033] In some embodiments, the system further includes: a first liquid level measuring element, a second liquid level measuring element 53, a first pressure measuring element, and a second pressure measuring element. The first liquid level measuring element is used to measure the liquid level of the liquid alkali metal in the test container 10. The first liquid level measuring element can measure the liquid level of the test container 10 before and after the mechanical pump 31 is started, thereby obtaining the liquid level difference of the test container 10 before and after the mechanical pump 31 is started. The second liquid level measuring element 53 is used to measure the liquid level of the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary container 70. The second liquid level measuring element 53 can measure the liquid level of the test auxiliary container 70 before and after the mechanical pump 31 is started, thereby obtaining the liquid level difference of the test auxiliary container 70 before and after the mechanical pump 31 is started. The first pressure measuring element is used to measure the air pressure of the test container 10 before and after the mechanical pump 31 is started. The second pressure measuring element is used to measure the air pressure of the test auxiliary container 70 before and after the mechanical pump 31 is started.

[0034] In this embodiment, a pressure regulating valve 62 is provided in the connecting pipe 25. This valve can adjust the air pressure in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 to change the flow resistance in the liquid alkali metal circuit, thereby changing the flow rate of the mechanical pump 31. This allows for testing the performance of the mechanical pump 31 at different flow rates. Specifically, when liquid alkali metal is introduced into the test system, the pressure regulating valve 62 is opened to make the liquid level and air pressure in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 the same, at their initial liquid level and initial air pressure, respectively. Then, the pressure regulating valve 62 is closed, the mechanical pump 31 is turned on, and the pump impeller speed of the mechanical pump 31 is adjusted. The mechanical pump 31 drives the liquid alkali metal to flow into the outlet pipe 21. At this time, the liquid level and air pressure in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 change accordingly. When the flow rate of the liquid alkali metal in the outlet pipe 21 is adjusted to the same test flow rate value corresponding to the initial air pressure, the liquid level and air pressure in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 are stable.

[0035] In this embodiment, before the mechanical pump 31 is turned on, the initial liquid level and initial air pressure in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 are made the same through the connecting pipe 25 and the air pressure regulating valve 62. The initial liquid level can be set according to the operating conditions of the test system, and the initial air pressure can be a set value set for the test flow rate.

[0036] After mechanical pump 31 is turned on, the liquid level and air pressure in test container 10 both decrease, while the liquid level and air pressure in test auxiliary container 70 increase accordingly. This allows us to determine the air pressure, liquid level changes in test container 10 and test auxiliary container 70 after pump startup. When the air pressure, liquid level changes in test container 10 and test auxiliary container 70 exceed their respective requirements for liquid level and air pressure, it indicates that the test system cannot meet the operating condition. In other words, the initial air pressure setting for the corresponding test flow rate is inappropriate, and the initial air pressure setting needs to be changed to re-verify its suitability. Therefore, based on the above method, the corresponding initial air pressure can be determined for any flow rate. This initial air pressure ensures stable flow of alkali metals at a specific flow rate within the test system. At this point, by measuring the pressure at the outlet of the test container 10, the performance of the mechanical pump 31 at the corresponding flow rate can be obtained.

[0037] In some embodiments, the test auxiliary container 70 can also provide expansion space for the liquid alkali metal, thus acting as a buffer.

[0038] In some embodiments, the inert gas may be argon, helium, etc.

[0039] In some embodiments, the mechanical pump 31 includes an impeller located below the liquid surface in the test container 10. The test auxiliary container 70 and the test container 10 are configured such that, in the initial state, when liquid alkali metal is introduced into the circuit containing the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70, the liquid alkali metal level in the test auxiliary container 70 is level with the liquid alkali metal level in the test container 10. This ensures that before the mechanical pump 31 is turned on, the back pressure and liquid level in the test auxiliary container 70 are the same as those in the test container 10, thus achieving the operating condition for turning on the mechanical pump 31 and allowing for performance testing of the mechanical pump 31.

[0040] It is easy to understand that the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 each have their own appropriate liquid metal filling amount, their own dimensions, and their own vertical heights, so that the liquid alkali metal level in the test auxiliary container 70 is level with the liquid alkali metal level in the test container 10.

[0041] In some embodiments, after the test auxiliary container 70 is installed, the installation height of the test container 10 can be determined by the method shown in the following embodiments.

[0042] The initial filling volume of liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary container 70 is set to 0.5, meaning the initial liquid level of the liquid alkali metal reaches the centerline height of the test auxiliary container 70. If the distance between the initial liquid level of the liquid alkali metal in the test container 10 and the bottom of the test container 10 is 3.2m, based on the principle that the initial liquid levels in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 are aligned, when the centerline of the test auxiliary container 70 is 10m above the ground, the absolute height of the bottom of the test container 10 can be determined to be 6.8m.

[0043] In some embodiments, the axial direction of the test auxiliary container 70 extends horizontally, and the axial length of the test auxiliary container 70 is greater than its diameter. This allows the liquid level inside the test auxiliary container 70 to change slowly, ensuring that the test can proceed smoothly.

[0044] In some embodiments, the test system further includes an outflow pipe 21 and a return pipe 22. The outflow pipe 21 is in fluid communication with the test outlet 12 of the test container 10 and is used to receive liquid alkali metal from the test container 10. The return pipe 22 is in fluid communication with the test inlet 11 of the test container 10 and the test auxiliary outlet 72 of the test auxiliary device, and is used to return liquid alkali metal from the test auxiliary device to the test container 10.

[0045] In some embodiments, the test container 10 is provided with a mounting interface 13 for mounting a mechanical pump 31, and the drive pump can be mounted on the mounting interface 13.

[0046] The test system may also include: a flow parameter measuring device for measuring the flow parameters of the liquid alkali metal flowing out of the outlet pipe 21, so as to determine the performance of the mechanical pump 31 based on the flow parameters.

[0047] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the flow parameter measuring device may include a flow measuring device 41 for measuring the flow rate of liquid alkali metal and a pressure measuring device 42 for measuring the pressure of liquid alkali metal.

[0048] The embodiments of this application can obtain the head of the mechanical pump 31 under the corresponding flow rate conditions based on the flow measurement results of the flow measurement element 41 and the pressure measurement results of the pressure measurement element 42.

[0049] In some embodiments, the alkali metal may be sodium.

[0050] In some embodiments, the test outlet 12 of the test container 10 may be located at the bottom of the test container 10. The test inlet 11 of the test container 10 may be located at the lower part of the test container 10. For example, the lower part is located at a distance of one-fifth to one-quarter of the total height of the test container 10 from the bottom of the test container 10. In some embodiments, the mounting interface 13 of the test container 10 may be located at the top of the test container 10.

[0051] In some embodiments, the test auxiliary outlet 72 of the test auxiliary container 70 may be located at the bottom of the test auxiliary container 70. The test auxiliary inlet 71 of the test auxiliary container 70 may be located in the upper middle part of the test auxiliary container 70.

[0052] In some embodiments, the mechanical pump 31 may be a large mechanical pump, such as a mechanical pump with a flow rate exceeding 500 cubic meters per hour.

[0053] The mechanical pump generates heat during operation, which raises the temperature of the liquid alkali metal. In some embodiments, the test system may further include a heat exchanger 50 for cooling the liquid alkali metal from the outflow pipe 21.

[0054] In some embodiments, the test system may include two temperature measuring elements 43. The two temperature measuring elements 43 respectively measure the temperature of the liquid alkali metal flowing into the test container 10 and the temperature of the liquid alkali metal flowing out of the test container 10. The heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange device 50 can be determined based on the measurement results of the two temperature measuring elements 43, so that the temperature of the liquid alkali metal flowing out of the test container 10 drops to the test temperature.

[0055] In some embodiments, the test system may further include a heat exchange pipeline 23, which may be disposed between the test outlet 12 and the test auxiliary inlet 71. For example, the heat exchange pipeline 23 may be disposed on the connecting pipeline 26 mentioned below. A heat exchange device 50 may be disposed on the heat exchange pipeline 23 for cooling the liquid alkali metal from the test vessel 10.

[0056] The inventors of this application have discovered that for large mechanical pumps with a flow rate exceeding 500 cubic meters per hour, when the test flow rate is large, the large flow of liquid alkali metal entering the heat exchanger 50 can cause severe vibration of the heat exchange tubes in the heat exchanger 50, thereby affecting the safety of the entire system. To address this technical problem, in some embodiments, the test system may further include a regulating pipe 24, which is connected in parallel with the heat exchange pipe 23 between the test outlet 12 and the test auxiliary inlet 71, for diverting the liquid alkali metal from the outflow pipe 21. The embodiments of this application, by setting the regulating pipe 24 to regulate the flow rate of the liquid alkali metal entering the heat exchanger 50, can avoid severe vibration of the heat exchange tubes in the heat exchanger 50, ensuring the normal operation of the heat exchanger 50.

[0057] In some embodiments, the heat exchange device 50 may be an air cooler.

[0058] In some embodiments, the test system may further include a fan 90 for supplying heat exchange air to the heat exchange device 50.

[0059] In some embodiments, the heat exchange device 50 has a gas inlet 501, a gas outlet 502, a heat exchange inlet 503, and a heat exchange outlet 504. The gas inlet 501 and the gas outlet 502 are used to supply heat exchange air into and out of the heat exchange device 50. The heat exchange inlet 503 and the heat exchange outlet 504 are used to supply liquid alkali metal in the heat exchange pipeline 23 into the heat exchange device 50 for heat exchange with the heat exchange air inside the heat exchange device 50.

[0060] In some embodiments, the test system may further include: a regulating valve 61, disposed in the regulating pipeline 24, for regulating the flow rate of liquid alkali metal entering the heat exchange device 50.

[0061] In some embodiments, the test system may further include an electromagnetic pump test line 27. The electromagnetic pump test line 27 is arranged in parallel with a flow path formed by the return line 22, the test container 10, and the outflow line 21. The drive pump may further include an electromagnetic pump 32. The electromagnetic pump 32 is disposed in the electromagnetic pump test line 27. In such an embodiment, the test system is capable of testing the performance of the mechanical pump 31 and the electromagnetic pump 32.

[0062] In some embodiments, the test system may further include a connecting pipe 26 for connecting the outflow pipe 21 and the test auxiliary container 70.

[0063] In this embodiment, the outflow pipe 21, the connecting pipe 26, the test auxiliary container 70, the return pipe 22, and the test container 10 together form a first liquid alkali metal circuit for testing the mechanical pump 31. The electromagnetic pump test pipe 27, the connecting pipe 26, and the test auxiliary container 70 together form a second liquid alkali metal circuit for testing the electromagnetic pump 32.

[0064] In some embodiments, the outflow line 21 and the return line 22 may be respectively provided with a pressure measuring element 42 and a temperature measuring element 43.

[0065] In some embodiments, the testing system may further include a liquid alkali metal detector for detecting the presence of liquid alkali metal. The liquid alkali metal detector may be positioned at the lower points at both ends of the electromagnetic pump test line 27 to detect the presence of liquid alkali metal in the electromagnetic pump test line 27. The electromagnetic pump 32 may be configured to start when the liquid alkali metal detector detects the presence of liquid alkali metal in the electromagnetic pump test line 27.

[0066] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the test system may also include a heating element. The liquid heating element can be installed in the test auxiliary container 70. The heating element is used to heat the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary container 70. Based on the measurement result of the second liquid level measuring device 53, the heating element can be activated when the liquid level of the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary container 70 reaches the minimum liquid level limit, so as to utilize the heating element to heat the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary container 70.

[0067] In some embodiments, the heating element can also be used to maintain the temperature of the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary container 70 within the test temperature range (e.g., not exceeding a preset temperature threshold). By adjusting the heating temperature of the heating element, the temperature of the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary container 70 can be adjusted to maintain the temperature within the test temperature range.

[0068] In some embodiments, the testing system may further include a purification device for purifying and removing impurities from the liquid alkali metal. The purification device has a purification inlet 551 and a purification outlet 552. Both the purification inlet 551 and the purification outlet 552 can be in fluid communication with the connecting pipe 26. The liquid alkali metal flowing out of the pipe 21 enters the purification device via the purification inlet 551. The purified liquid alkali metal can be returned to the connecting pipe 26 via the purification outlet 552.

[0069] In some embodiments, the test system may further include a filling and discharging device 56 for filling the test system with liquid alkali metal or discharging the liquid alkali metal from the test system.

[0070] In some embodiments, the lowest point of the outflow pipe 21, connecting pipe 26, etc., may be provided with a liquid alkali metal inlet and outlet. The filling and discharging device 56 is connected to the liquid alkali metal inlet and outlet and is used to fill the test system with liquid alkali metal or discharge the liquid alkali metal from the test system.

[0071] In some embodiments, the test system may further include a plurality of shut-off valves 63, respectively disposed in the outflow pipe 21 and the return pipe 22, to control the opening and closing of the outflow pipe 21 and the return pipe 22. In some embodiments, the plurality of shut-off valves 63 may also be disposed in the electromagnetic pump test pipe 27, and respectively located on both sides of the electromagnetic pump 32, to control the connection of the liquid alkali metal circuit in which the electromagnetic pump 32 is located or to isolate the electromagnetic pump 32.

[0072] Embodiments of this application also provide a test method for alkali metal mechanical pumps. This test method can be implemented using the test system of any embodiment of this application. The test method may include at least the following steps S1 to S7.

[0073] S1. Based on multiple test flow rates, determine the flow resistance of liquid alkali metal returning from test auxiliary container 70 to test container 10 under each test flow rate condition.

[0074] S2. Based on the flow resistance, determine the initial air pressure values ​​corresponding to each test flow rate value for the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70.

[0075] S3. Connect the connecting pipe 25 between the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70, and fill the liquid alkali metal circuit with liquid alkali metal so that the liquid level in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 reaches the preset liquid level. During the process of filling the liquid alkali metal, adjust the gas pressure in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 to any initial gas pressure value determined in step S2.

[0076] S4. Disconnect the connecting pipe 25 between the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70, adjust the speed of the pump wheel of the mechanical pump 31 to adjust the liquid alkali metal flow rate of the liquid alkali metal circuit to the test flow rate value corresponding to the initial gas pressure value, and determine the pressure value at the test outlet of the test container 10.

[0077] S5. Adjust the air pressure in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 to another initial air pressure value.

[0078] S6. Repeat steps S4 to S5 to determine the pressure value at the test outlet of test container 10 corresponding to all test flow values.

[0079] S7. Based on multiple test flow and pressure values, determine the flow rate and head characteristic curve of mechanical pump 31.

[0080] It is easy to understand that the liquid alkali metal circuit in the test method of this application embodiment refers to the first liquid alkali metal circuit used to test the mechanical pump 31 in the test system.

[0081] In the liquid alkali metal circuit of the embodiments of this application, the flow resistance in the test circuit varies depending on the flow rate of the liquid alkali metal. There is a positive correlation between the flow rate of the mechanical pump 31 and the flow resistance; that is, the greater the flow rate of the liquid alkali metal, the greater the flow resistance. During the test, by controlling the flow resistance to be the same as the head of the mechanical pump 31, the first liquid alkali metal circuit can achieve stable operation, that is, the flow rate of the liquid alkali metal remains stable.

[0082] The inventors of this application discovered that the liquid alkali metal in the return pipe 22 between the test auxiliary container 70 and the test container 10 is driven by the back pressure difference and liquid level difference between the gas chambers of the test auxiliary container 70 and the test container 10 (during the rotation of the mechanical pump 31, the back pressure and liquid level of the gas chamber of the test auxiliary container 70 are higher, while the back pressure and liquid level of the gas chamber of the test container 10 are lower). Therefore, the first liquid alkali metal circuit can be stably operated at different flow rates by adjusting the back pressure and liquid level of the gas chambers of the test auxiliary container 70 and the test container 10. Furthermore, since it is necessary to ensure that the impeller of the mechanical pump 31 is completely immersed in the test container 10 during the test, the liquid level adjustment range of the liquid alkali metal in the test container 10 is small. Therefore, the power requirement at different test flow rates can be achieved by adjusting the initial gas pressure values ​​in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70.

[0083] Based on the test flow rate and its corresponding initial air pressure, the pressure at the test outlet of the test container 10 can be determined. Based on multiple test flow rate and pressure values, the flow rate and head characteristic curve of the mechanical pump 31 can be determined, thereby determining the performance of the mechanical pump 31 and facilitating its development.

[0084] In some embodiments, different test flow rates to be measured can be determined first. In some embodiments, step S2 may include: for each test flow rate, a corresponding initial air pressure value can be preset; and then, based on the flow resistance returning from the test auxiliary container 70 to the test container 10, the dimensions of the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70, the liquid level difference between the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 before and after the mechanical pump 31 is turned on, and the air pressure values ​​of the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 after the mechanical pump 31 is turned on, the preset initial air pressure value is verified to be appropriate.

[0085] Specifically, for any test flow rate value The corresponding initial air pressure value is set as P0, and the corresponding flow resistance P from the test auxiliary container 70 to the return test container 10 is calculated. Z .

[0086] The following expression can be used to verify whether the preset initial air pressure value P0 is appropriate.

[0087] △h2=△h1 / k (1);

[0088] P s =P0*h s / (h s -△h1) (2);

[0089] P c =P0*h c / (h c -△h2) (3);

[0090] P c -P s +ρ*g(△h2-△h1)=P Z (4);

[0091] Where P0 represents the initial gas pressure values ​​of the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70; k represents the ratio of the cross-sectional area of ​​the test container 10 to the cross-sectional area of ​​the test auxiliary container 70; ρ represents the density of the liquid alkali metal; and g represents the acceleration due to gravity. Z Indicates the test flow rate value The corresponding flow resistance from the test auxiliary container 70 to the return test container 10; △h1 represents the liquid level change in the test container 10 after the mechanical pump 31 is turned on; △h2 represents the liquid level change in the test auxiliary container 70 after the mechanical pump 31 is turned on; h s h represents the height of the air chamber in test container 10. c P represents the height of the air chamber in the test auxiliary container 70. s This indicates the air pressure value inside the test container 10 after the mechanical pump 31 is turned on; P c This indicates the air pressure value inside the test auxiliary container 70 after the mechanical pump 31 is turned on.

[0092] Based on expressions (1)-(4), P can be calculated. s P c , △h2, △h1.

[0093] If Δh1 and Δh2 are within the allowable liquid level variation range of test container 10 and test auxiliary container 70 respectively, and the gas pressure value P s P cIf the initial pressure value P0 is within the allowable pressure variation range of both the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70, then the initial pressure setting is deemed acceptable. That is, when a flow rate of... When testing the performance of the mechanical pump 31 under operating conditions, the air pressure in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 can be set to P0 before starting the mechanical pump 31. Then, the mechanical pump 31 can be started. As the impeller speed increases, the alkali metal in the first liquid alkali metal circuit can reach the required flow rate at this value. It operates stably under certain conditions.

[0094] If either Δh1 or Δh2 exceeds the allowable liquid level variation range of test container 10 and test auxiliary container 70, or the gas pressure value P s P c If one of the pressure values ​​exceeds the allowable pressure variation range of test container 10 and test auxiliary container 70, it means that the initial pressure value P0 is not set correctly and needs to be reset.

[0095] After determining the initial air pressure values ​​corresponding to the mechanical pump 31 and the test auxiliary container 70 for each test flow rate, steps S2 to S6 can be executed.

[0096] In some embodiments, the preset liquid level in step S2 may be equal to the initial liquid level in the embodiments of this application.

[0097] In some embodiments, the above steps can be used to determine that: for a test flow rate of 256 m³ / s... 3 Under the operating condition of / h, the initial gas pressure in test container 10 and test auxiliary container 70 is 0.1MPa; for the test flow rate of 513m³ / h... 3 Under the operating condition of / h, the initial gas pressure in test container 10 and test auxiliary container 70 is 0.15MPa; for the test flow rate of 599m³ / h... 3 Under the operating condition of / h, the initial gas pressure in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 is 0.18MPa.

[0098] Based on the obtained sets of corresponding test flow rates and initial air pressure values, the performance of the mechanical pump 31 can be tested. The specific test method is as follows:

[0099] First, the flow rate of mechanical pump 31 was measured to be 256 m³ / h. 3 Head at / h.

[0100] The sodium filling and discharging device 56 is used to fill the first liquid alkali metal circuit with sodium. During the sodium filling process, the connecting pipe 25 between the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 is opened to connect the gas chambers of the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70. During the sodium filling process, the gas in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 is discharged outward as needed using the first inert gas supply device 81 and the second inert gas supply device 82 to ensure that the gas pressure in the gas chambers of the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 is maintained at the initial gas pressure of 0.1 MPa until the liquid sodium in the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70 is filled to the initial liquid level H0.

[0101] Disconnect the connecting pipe 25 between the test container 10 and the test auxiliary container 70, turn on the mechanical pump 31, and adjust the impeller speed of the mechanical pump 31 according to the reading of the flow meter 41 so that the flow rate of the first liquid alkali metal circuit is the test flow rate value of 256 m³ / h. 3 / h.

[0102] The flow rate of the liquid alkali metal circuit was stabilized at the test flow rate of 256 m³ / h. 3 After / h, record the pressure value of the pressure measuring device 42. The pressure value measured by the pressure measuring device 42 is the corresponding flow rate of the mechanical pump 31, which is 256m³ / h. 3 Head at / h.

[0103] Using the method described above, the flow rate of mechanical pump 31 can be measured to be 513 m³ / s. 3 / h、599m 3 / h, up to 1000m 3 The head at / h. Based on the head characteristics at different flow rates, the flow rate and head characteristic curve of the mechanical pump 31 can be obtained.

[0104] During the experiment, once the flow rate of the liquid alkali metal circuit stabilizes at the test flow rate value, the pressure and liquid level of the gas chamber in test container 10 and the pressure and liquid level of the gas chamber in test auxiliary container 70 can be recorded. These data are then compared with P calculated during the process of determining the initial pressure value. s P c By comparing Δh1, Δh2, and Δh1, the P determined by the method described above in this application can be determined. s P c The parameters Δh2 and Δh1 are basically consistent with those in actual operation, proving the feasibility and accuracy of the test method proposed in this application.

[0105] Regarding the embodiments of this application, it should also be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments of this application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0106] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. The scope of protection of this application shall be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A test method for alkali metal mechanical pumps, characterized in that, The experimental method is implemented using an experimental system, which includes: The test container is equipped with a test inlet and a test outlet for allowing liquid alkali metal to flow into or out of the test container, respectively. The test auxiliary device is equipped with a test auxiliary inlet and a test auxiliary outlet for allowing liquid alkali metals to flow into or out of the test auxiliary device, respectively. A first inert gas supply unit is used to supply inert gas to the test container in order to regulate the gas pressure inside the test container; The test container is configured such that the mechanical pump can be installed in the test container. When the mechanical pump is turned on, the mechanical pump can drive the liquid alkali metal from the test outlet of the test container to the test auxiliary inlet of the test auxiliary device, and then circulate it into the test inlet of the test container through the test auxiliary outlet. The test auxiliary device is used to drive the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary device back to the test container by utilizing the pressure difference and liquid level difference between the test auxiliary device and the test container when the liquid alkali metal circulates at a preset flow rate after the mechanical pump is turned on; the test auxiliary device includes a test auxiliary container, which is provided with a test auxiliary inlet and a test auxiliary outlet; The test method includes: S1. Based on multiple test flow rates, determine the flow resistance of the liquid alkali metal returning from the test auxiliary container to the test container under each test flow rate condition; S2. Based on the flow resistance, determine the initial air pressure values ​​corresponding to each of the test flow rates for the test container and the test auxiliary container; S3. Connect the pipeline between the test container and the test auxiliary container, and fill the liquid alkali metal circuit with liquid alkali metal so that the liquid level in both the test container and the test auxiliary container reaches the preset liquid level. During the filling of liquid alkali metal, adjust the gas pressure in the test container and the test auxiliary container to any initial gas pressure value determined in step S2. S4. Disconnect the connecting pipeline between the test container and the test auxiliary container, adjust the speed of the impeller of the mechanical pump to adjust the liquid alkali metal flow rate of the liquid alkali metal circuit to the test flow rate value corresponding to the initial gas pressure value, and determine the pressure value at the test outlet. S5. Adjust the air pressure in the test container and the test auxiliary container to another initial air pressure value; S6. Repeat steps S4 and S5 to determine the pressure value at the test outlet corresponding to all test flow values; S7. Based on the multiple test flow rates and the pressure values, determine the characteristic curve of the mechanical pump's flow rate versus head.

2. The test method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The test auxiliary device also includes: The second inert gas supply unit is used to supply inert gas to the test auxiliary container in order to regulate the gas pressure inside the test auxiliary container; A pressure regulating valve is installed in the connecting pipeline to control the opening and closing of the connecting pipeline, so that the pressure and liquid level of the test container and the test auxiliary container can remain the same when the mechanical pump is not started, and form a pressure difference and a liquid level difference respectively after the mechanical pump is started.

3. The test method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The impeller is located below the liquid surface in the test container; The test auxiliary container and the test container are configured such that, in the initial state, when liquid alkali metal is filled into the circuit where the test container and the test auxiliary container are located, the liquid level of the liquid alkali metal in the test auxiliary container is level with the liquid level of the liquid alkali metal in the test container.

4. The test method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The testing system also includes: The first liquid level measuring device is used to measure the liquid level in the test container before and after the mechanical pump is started; The second liquid level measuring device is used to measure the liquid level in the test auxiliary container before and after the mechanical pump is started; The first pressure measuring device is used to measure the air pressure in the test container before and after the mechanical pump is started; The second pressure measuring device is used to measure the air pressure in the test auxiliary container before and after the mechanical pump is started.

5. The test method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The testing system also includes: The outflow pipe is in fluid communication with the test outlet of the test container and is used to receive liquid alkali metal from the test container; The return pipeline is in fluid communication with the test inlet of the test container and the test auxiliary outlet of the test auxiliary container, for returning liquid alkali metal from the test auxiliary device to the test container; A flow parameter measuring device is used to measure the flow parameters of the liquid alkali metal in the outlet pipeline, so as to determine the performance of the mechanical pump based on the flow parameters.

6. The test method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The flow parameter measuring device includes a flow measuring device for measuring the flow rate of liquid alkali metal and a pressure measuring device for measuring the pressure of liquid alkali metal.

7. The test method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The testing system also includes: A heat exchange pipeline is installed between the test outlet and the test auxiliary inlet; A heat exchange device, installed in the heat exchange pipeline, is used to cool the liquid alkali metal from the test container; A regulating pipeline, connected in parallel with the heat exchange pipeline, is located between the test outlet and the test auxiliary inlet, for diverting liquid alkali metal from the test container.

8. The test method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The test system further includes a regulating valve, which is installed in the regulating pipeline and is used to regulate the flow rate of liquid alkali metal entering the heat exchange device.

9. The test method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The testing system also includes: An electromagnetic pump test pipeline is provided, wherein the electromagnetic pump test pipeline, the return pipeline, the test container, and the outflow pipeline are arranged in parallel to form a flow path; An electromagnetic pump is installed in the electromagnetic pump test pipeline.

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