Non-invasive liquid metal flow measurements in liquid metal fuel assemblies, reactor coolant pumps, and test cartridges

Abstract

A non-invasive eddy current flow meter that is embedded in the coolant channel to measure the flow rate of liquid metal coolant in a nuclear reactor. This eddy current flow meter measures the flow rate of the coolant in pool type reactors and narrow coolant channels without creating bottlenecks that would impede the flow of coolant in the reactor.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 454,920, filed Nov. 15, 2021, entitled "NON-INVASIVE LIQUID METAL FLOW MEASUREMENT IN LIQUID METAL FUEL ASSEMBLIES, REACTOR COOLANT PUMPS, AND TEST CARTRIDGES," the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] (Government Contract) This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. 212107-01 entitled Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) Experiment Vehicle Development and Design at ORNL and LANL. The Government has certain rights in this invention. [Background technology]

[0003] In nuclear reactors, the flow rate of liquid metal coolant is closely monitored. The flow rate is directly related to the destruction of reactor components due to the erosive and corrosive properties of liquid metal coolant. Measuring the flow rate of coolant can be especially challenging in tight spaces such as coolant inlets and outlets. Traditional eddy current flow meters (ECFMs) are implemented as stand-alone probes, which can impede or disrupt the coolant flow. Stand-alone probes further restrict the coolant flow, resulting in inaccurate flow rate measurements and accelerated wear on components. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In various aspects, the present disclosure discloses a coolant channel flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a liquid metal coolant, the coolant channel flow meter comprising: a primary coil communicatively connected to a constant current alternator, a first secondary coil, a second secondary coil, a coolant channel, and a control circuit communicatively connected to the primary coil, the first secondary coil, and the second secondary, the coolant channel comprising the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil embedded in a cladding wall of the coolant channel, the primary coil being located between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil being configured in a recessed position within the cladding wall. the control circuit is configured to generate a constant current alternating current in the primary coil, determine a voltage difference and a phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, and determine a flow rate of the liquid metal coolant based on the voltage difference and phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and a composition of the liquid metal coolant.

[0005] In various aspects, the present disclosure discloses a system for a test cartridge flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a test cartridge liquid metal coolant, the system comprising: a primary coil communicatively connected to a constant current alternator; a first secondary coil; a second secondary coil; a propeller drive motor configured to actuate a propeller; a coolant channel; and a control circuit communicatively connected to the primary coil, the first secondary coil, and the second secondary coil, the coolant channel comprising: a first secondary coil, a primary coil, and a second secondary coil embedded in a cladding wall of the coolant channel, the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and a second secondary coil, the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and a second secondary coil configured in a recessed position within the cladding wall. a second secondary coil; an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield embedded in the cladding wall, the EMI shield configured as a continuous barrier between the cladding wall and the outer periphery of the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil; and a hollow central channel configured to pass liquid metal coolant through a center defined by the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil, wherein the control circuit is configured to: operate the propeller drive motor in response to a predetermined coolant flow rate, generate a constant current alternating current in the primary coil, determine a voltage difference and a phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, and determine a flow rate of the liquid metal coolant based on the voltage difference and phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and a composition of the liquid metal coolant.

[0006] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure discloses a system for measuring a flow rate of liquid metal coolant in a pool type nuclear reactor, the system comprising: a pool type nuclear reactor having a plurality of submerged coolant channels, the plurality of submerged coolant channels comprising one or more coolant channel flow meters; the one or more coolant channel flow meters comprising a primary coil communicatively connected to a constant current alternator, a first secondary coil, and a second secondary coil; a first coolant channel flow meter configured to measure a coolant flow rate in the first submerged coolant channel; and control circuitry communicatively connected to the primary coil, the first secondary coil, and the second secondary coil, the first sub-coolant channel comprising a first secondary coil embedded in a cladding wall of the first submerged coolant channel, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil. the coil is located between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil configured in a recessed position within the cladding wall; an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield embedded in the cladding wall, the EMI shield configured as a continuous barrier between the cladding wall and an outer periphery of the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil; and a hollow central channel configured to pass liquid metal coolant through a center defined by the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil; and the control circuit is configured to generate a constant current alternating current in the primary coil, determine a voltage difference and a phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, and determine a flow rate of the liquid metal coolant based on the voltage difference and phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and a composition of the liquid metal coolant. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 illustrates a nuclear reactor system including multiple reactor coolant pumps having eddy current flow meters integrated into the outlet ducts in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a conventional probe flowmeter with an eddy current flow measurement circuit.

[0009] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a coolant channel flow meter including a primary coil, a first secondary coil, and a second secondary coil embedded in a coolant channel cladding wall in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an ECFM with a control circuit communicatively connected to a constant current (CC) alternating current (AC) generator and a secondary coil differential calculator in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a direct linear relationship between different values, output signal (mV rms), and coolant flow rate (ft / sec) for a sodium liquid metal coolant reactor in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a test cartridge including an ECFM according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of an ECFM in a test cartridge, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a test cartridge including a control circuit and an ECFM in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates a fuel channel assembly with a coolant inlet channel according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] [Figure 10] 10 shows a detailed view of a coolant inlet channel with an ECFM integrated into an inlet nozzle of a fuel assembly, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a pool-type reactor system 150 with multiple reactor coolant pumps 152 having eddy current flow meters (ECFMs) 100 integrated into the outlet ducts 154, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Unlike loop-type reactors, the coolant channels and primary piping of the pool-type reactor system 150 are not accessible from outside the reactor, preventing the ECFMs 100 from being retrofitted outside the coolant channels. Additionally, the ECFMs 100 of the pool-type reactor system 150 are exposed to extreme conditions as they are continuously immersed in corrosive coolant at temperatures in excess of 600° C. The present disclosure discloses various embodiments of the ECFMs 100 suitable for measuring the flow of liquid metal coolant under the harsh conditions of a pool-type channel reactor. The ECFMs 100 are of a fixed, non-invasive design configured to measure the flow rate of liquid metal coolant as it passes through the center of the coolant channel and through the center of the ECFMs 100. This embedded design does not disturb or impede the natural flow of the liquid metal coolant, allowing ECFM to be performed in very small coolant channels and ducts. This non-invasive location allows frequent or continuous coolant flow rate measurements with greater measurement accuracy than traditional liquid ECFM. Embedded ECFM can be performed in any coolant channel of the reactor, including, but not limited to, the inlet or outlet channels of the fuel assembly 300 (shown in FIG. 9), the reactor pump 152, the primary heat exchanger 156, the reactor core 158, the experimental test loop 250 (shown in FIG. 6), or the experimental test cartridges 222 and 224 (shown in FIG. 6).

[0018] ECFM is a key component of the experimental test cartridge to monitor and control coolant flow. The test cartridge is a closed environment configured to adjust the coolant flow rate based on a feedback test loop. The test loop and test cartridge expose experimental materials to different coolant compositions and coolant flow rates in a prototype radiation field. The experimental test cartridge allows experimental materials to be evaluated under real-world conditions before being introduced into a commercial reactor. The test area in a commercial reactor is known to be small, making the introduction of a traditional ECFM system difficult.

[0019] 2 is a diagram of a conventional ECFM system 400. The conventional ECFM system 400 includes an ECFM probe 402 disposed within a thimble 404 that is surrounded by a flow duct 406. The ECFM probe 402 measures the flow of metal coolant media 408 within a pool 410 of liquid metal coolant media 408 flowing within the flow duct 406. The liquid metal coolant media 408 may be sodium, lead, etc., flowing within a pool of sodium, lead, etc., respectively.

[0020] Conventional ECFM probe 402 technology operates with a primary coil 412 connected to a voltage source 414, shown as a constant current alternator, and two secondary coils 416a, 416b that provide an output signal to a signal conditioning circuit 418. When the primary coil 412 is energized with an oscillating voltage generated by the voltage source 414, the primary coil 412 generates a magnetic field that surrounds the primary coil 412. Eddy currents are then generated in the surrounding metals, including the flowing liquid metal coolant medium 408 (sodium, lead, etc.). At the same time, the magnetic field of the primary coil 412 couples with the secondary coils 416a, b that are symmetrically positioned adjacent to the primary coil 412. When the flow rate is zero, the voltages generated in each coil 412, 416a, b are equal in magnitude and phase, and the difference results in a zero output voltage. When the flow rate increases, a phase difference is created between the two secondary coils 416a, b, and the output voltage increases with the increase in the flow rate of the molten metal coolant medium 408. The signal conditioning circuit 408 receives the differential voltage from the secondary coils 416a,b and provides a DC output voltage signal 420 to the control circuit. Thus, the DC output voltage signal generated by the signal conditioning circuit 418 increases as the flow rate of the molten metal coolant medium 408 increases. This relationship is shown, for example, in FIG.

[0021] However, traditional ECFM probes take up space in the coolant channel and restrict the natural flow of coolant. Additionally, because ECFM probes are not fixed in place, they are subject to movement that can reduce the accuracy of flow measurements.

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a coolant channel flow meter 100 including a primary coil 102, a first secondary coil 104, and a second secondary coil 106 embedded in a coolant channel cladding wall 110 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The coolant channel flow meter may be configured to measure coolant flow rates at various different locations throughout the reactor, specifically at the coolant inlet and outlet points. The coolant flow rate in the channel is measured in the longitudinal direction 114 by an ECFM. The ECFM is fixed at a predetermined location in the coolant channel, and the coolant flowing outside the channel may flow in different directions without affecting the measurement of the coolant flow rate. The coolant channel flow meter 100 includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield 108 on the outer portion of the channel coils to prevent interference from outside the channel. The EMI shield 108 blocks interference of magnetic fields caused by coolant flowing in different directions outside the coolant channel.

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an ECFM including a constant current (CC) alternating current (AC) generator 118 and a control circuit 120 communicatively connected to a secondary coil differential calculator 116, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The CCAC generator 118 is communicatively connected to the primary coil 102. The secondary coil differential calculator 116 is communicatively connected to the first secondary coil 104 and the second secondary coil 106. The control circuit 120 activates the CCAC generator 118, which energizes the primary coil 102, which generates a magnetic field in the coolant channel. The magnetic field induces a voltage in the first secondary coil 104 and the second secondary coil 106. When the liquid metal coolant 112 is not moving in the coolant channel, the voltages induced in the first secondary coil 104 and the second secondary coil 106 are equal in phase and magnitude. Thus, when coolant is not moving, the differential value between the secondary coils is zero, and when coolant is moving, the differential value is a non-zero value. Secondary coil differential calculator 116 sends the differential value to control circuit 120, which determines the flow rate of the coolant. The magnitude of the differential value is directly related to the flow rate, and a positive or negative differential value indicates the direction of flow.

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a direct linear relationship between the differential voltage signal, the output signal (mV rms), and the flow rate (ft / sec) of the metal coolant medium, for example, sodium liquid metal coolant. In an exemplary embodiment, the control circuit uses the linear relationship for sodium liquid metal to determine the coolant flow rate in a particular channel in the reactor. However, different liquid metal compositions have different relationships between the output signal difference value and the coolant flow rate. The control circuit 120 may be calibrated according to the metal composition relationships so that the ECFM can be used for a variety of different metal compositions. In various embodiments, the control circuit may be calibrated to measure the coolant flow rate of liquid metal coolant medium, such as lead, lead bismuth eutectic, sodium and potassium, mercury, tin, or other liquid metal coolant medium used to cool the core of a nuclear reactor.

[0025] In another embodiment, FIG. 6 illustrates a test cartridge 200 with an ECFM 250 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The test cartridge 200 operates in a nuclear reactor and includes an isolation barrier 240 that separates the reactor coolant 216 from the test cartridge coolant 234. The test cartridge 200 receives the reactor coolant 216 at an inlet 224, flows through an outer portion 223 of the test cartridge, and returns the reactor coolant 216 through an outlet point 222. The test cartridge 200 is configured to evaluate the effect of the test coolant flow 234 on corrosion and erosion of different configuration components under test in a test region 236. This evaluation process may include the use of different liquid metal coolant compositions, coolant flow rates, or test component compositions. The isolation barrier 240 allows the test cartridge to experiment with different coolant compositions and flow rates without interfering with the operation of the live reactor. The isolation barrier 240 separates the reactor coolant 216 from the test cartridge coolant 234. The coolant flow rate of the test cartridge coolant 234 is controlled by the propeller 232 via the drive rod 230 within the test cartridge coolant channel 238. Figure 3 shows the direction of coolant flow of the test cartridge coolant 234 with arrow 235. However, the direction of test cartridge coolant flow is dependent on the direction of rotation of the propeller 232 and may be configured to flow in the opposite direction.

[0026] 7 shows a detailed view of an ECFM 250 in a test cartridge 200, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. A propeller drive rod 230 is positioned in the center of the test cartridge coolant channel and engages a propeller 232 to create a flow of coolant in a longitudinal direction 214. The ECFM 250 includes a primary coil 202, a first secondary coil 204, a second secondary coil 206, and an EMI shield 208. The EMI shield 208 is located around the outer periphery 244 of the coils 202, 204, 206 and between the cladding walls 210. The EMI shield prevents interference from liquid metal coolant 234 flowing in an opposite direction 242 to the measured flow 214.

[0027] 8 illustrates a block diagram of a test cartridge 200 including a control circuit 220 and an ECFM 250, according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The control circuit 220 is communicatively connected to a constant current alternator 218, a secondary coil differential calculator 216, and a propeller drive motor 238. The constant current alternator 218 is communicatively connected to the primary coil 202 to generate a magnetic field. The differential calculator 216 is communicatively connected to the first secondary coil 204 and the second secondary coil 206 to determine a difference in induced voltages of the secondary coils 204, 206. The propeller drive motor 238 is configured to actuate the propeller 232 via the drive rod 230 in response to a predetermined coolant flow rate. The control circuit 220 determines a flow rate of the liquid metal based on the differential value received from the secondary coil differential calculator 216. The control circuit 220 may regulate the coolant flow rate within the test cartridge through a feedback loop with the propeller drive motor 238 and the secondary coil differential calculator 216 .

[0028] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 9 illustrates a fuel channel assembly 300 including a coolant inlet channel 350 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 illustrates a detailed view of the coolant inlet channel 350 including an ECFM 352 integrated into an inlet nozzle 362 of the fuel assembly 300 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The ECFM 352 includes a primary coil 302, a first secondary coil 304, and a second secondary coil 306. The ECFM 352 is configured to measure the flow of the liquid metal coolant at the inlet nozzle 362 before entering the fuel assembly 300 and prevent obstruction of the coolant flow. The non-invasive configuration allows for accurate measurement of the coolant flow rate without altering the coolant flow or flow rate.

[0029] Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the following numbered examples.

[0030] (Example 1) A coolant channel flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a liquid metal coolant, comprising: a primary coil communicatively connected to a constant current alternator; a first secondary coil; a second secondary coil; a coolant channel; and a control circuit communicatively connected to the primary coil, the first secondary coil, and the second secondary coil, wherein the coolant channel comprises a first secondary coil, a primary coil, and a second secondary coil embedded in a cladding wall of the coolant channel, the primary coil being located between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, and the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil being configured in a recessed position within the cladding wall. and a hollow central channel configured to pass liquid metal coolant through a center defined by the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate a constant current alternating current in the primary coil, determine a voltage difference and a phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, and determine a flow rate of the liquid metal coolant based on the voltage difference and phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and a composition of the liquid metal coolant.

[0031] (Example 2) A coolant channel flow meter as described in Example 1, wherein the recessed positions of the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil do not protrude into the coolant channel.

[0032] (Example 3) A coolant channel flow meter as described in Example 1 and / or Example 2, wherein the hollow central channel is an inlet to a fuel assembly nozzle.

[0033] (Example 4) A test cartridge flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a liquid metal coolant, comprising: a primary coil communicatively connected to a constant current alternator; a first secondary coil; a second secondary coil; a propeller drive motor configured to operate a propeller; a coolant channel; and a control circuit communicatively connected to the primary coil, the first secondary coil, and the second secondary coil, wherein the coolant channel comprises a first secondary coil, a primary coil, and a second secondary coil embedded in a cladding wall of the coolant channel, wherein the primary coil is located between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, and the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil are configured in a recessed position within the cladding wall. and a hollow central channel configured to pass liquid metal coolant through a center defined by the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil, wherein the control circuit is configured to: actuate the propeller drive motor in response to a predetermined coolant flow rate, generate a constant current alternating current in the primary coil, determine a voltage difference and a phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, and determine a flow rate of the liquid metal coolant based on the voltage difference and phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and a composition of the liquid metal coolant.

[0034] (Example 5) A test cartridge flow meter as described in Example 4, wherein the test cartridge liquid metal coolant has a different metal composition than the main reactor liquid metal coolant, and the test cartridge liquid metal coolant and the main reactor liquid metal coolant are separated by a separation barrier.

[0035] (Example 6) A test cartridge flow meter as described in Example 4 and / or Example 5, wherein the control circuit is further configured to determine a flow rate of the test cartridge liquid metal coolant and adjust the speed of the motor to achieve a predetermined coolant flow rate.

[0036] (Example 7) A system for measuring a flow rate of liquid metal coolant in a pool-type nuclear reactor, the system comprising: a pool-type nuclear reactor having a plurality of submerged coolant channels, the plurality of submerged coolant channels comprising one or more coolant channel flow meters; the one or more coolant channel flow meters comprising a primary coil communicatively connected to a constant current alternator, a first secondary coil, and a second secondary coil; a first coolant channel flow meter configured to measure a coolant flow rate in the first submerged coolant channel; and control circuitry communicatively connected to the primary coil, the first secondary coil, and the second secondary coil, the first submerged coolant channel comprising a first secondary coil embedded in a cladding wall of the first submerged coolant channel, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil. a first secondary coil, a primary coil, and a second secondary coil located between the secondary coil and the second secondary coil, the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil being configured in a recessed position within the cladding wall; an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield embedded in the cladding wall, the EMI shield being configured as a continuous barrier between the cladding wall and an outer periphery of the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil; and a hollow central channel configured to pass liquid metal coolant through a center defined by the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate a constant current alternating current in the primary coil, determine a voltage difference and a phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, and determine a flow rate of the liquid metal coolant based on the voltage difference and phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and a composition of the liquid metal coolant.

[0037] (Example 8) The system of Example 7, wherein the recessed locations of the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil do not protrude into the first submerged coolant channel.

[0038] (Example 9) The system of Example 7 and / or Example 8, wherein the hollow central channel is an inlet to a fuel assembly nozzle.

[0039] (Example 10) The system of Example 7, Example 8, and / or Example 9, further comprising a second coolant channel flow meter configured to measure a coolant flow rate in the second submerged coolant channel.

[0040] (Example 11) The system of Example 7, Example 8, Example 9, and / or Example 10, further comprising a second coolant channel flow meter configured to measure the coolant flow rate in the test cartridge.

[0041] Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in this disclosure and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements are not described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in this disclosure. The reader will appreciate that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and exemplary. Variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that terms such as "forward", "backward", "left", "right", "upward", "downward", etc. are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0042] In this disclosure, like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0043] All patents, patent applications, publications, or other disclosure materials mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, as if each individual reference material were expressly incorporated by reference. All references and materials, or portions thereof, that are intended to be incorporated herein by reference are incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials do not contradict existing definitions, descriptions, or other disclosure materials set forth in this disclosure. Therefore, to the extent necessary, the disclosure set forth herein takes precedence over any conflicting materials incorporated herein by reference, and the disclosure expressly set forth in this application controls.

[0044] The present disclosure has been described with reference to various exemplary and exemplary embodiments. The embodiments described herein are understood to provide exemplary features of various details of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, and therefore, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that, to the extent possible, one or more features, elements, components, ingredients, components, structures, modules, and / or aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined, separated, substituted, and / or rearranged with one or more other features, elements, components, ingredients, components, structures, modules, and / or aspects of the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosed disclosure. Thus, those skilled in the art will recognize that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations of the exemplary embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to identify, upon reading this specification, many equivalents of the various embodiments of the present disclosure described herein without more than routine experimentation. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited by the description of the various embodiments, but rather by the scope of the claims.

[0045] Furthermore, it should be noted that the implementations of the control circuits 120, 220 described above are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting in any way. The control circuits 120, 220 can be utilized in a variety of different processing contexts.

[0046] Although several embodiments have been illustrated and described, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Numerous modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents to these embodiments may be implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the structure of each element associated with the described embodiments may be alternatively described as a means for providing the function performed by the element. Also, where materials are disclosed for a particular component, other materials may be used. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing description and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variations as fall within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Also, the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

[0047] The foregoing detailed description has illustrated various forms of apparatus and / or processes through the use of block diagrams, flow charts, and / or examples. To the extent that such block diagrams, flow charts, and / or examples include one or more functions and / or operations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that each function and / or operation within such block diagrams, flow charts, and / or examples may be implemented, individually and / or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or substantially any combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein may be equivalently implemented, in whole or in part, in an integrated circuit, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as any combination thereof on a computer, and designing circuitry and / or writing software and / or firmware code will be within the capabilities of those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as one or more program products in a variety of forms, and that the illustrative forms of the subject matter described herein apply regardless of the particular type of signal-bearing medium actually used for distribution.

[0048] The instructions used to program the logic to perform the various disclosed aspects can be stored in a memory in the system, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), cache, flash memory, or other storage. Additionally, the instructions can be distributed over a network or by other computer-readable media. Thus, a machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), such as a floppy disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a read-only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a magnetic or optical card, a flash memory, or a tangible, machine-readable storage used to transmit information over the Internet via electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals (carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Accordingly, non-transitory computer-readable media includes any type of tangible machine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions or information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).

[0049] As used in any aspect of the present specification, the term "control circuitry" may refer to, for example, hardwired circuitry, programmable circuitry (e.g., a computer processor, processing unit, processor, microcontroller, microcontroller unit, controller, digital signal processor (DSP), programmable logic device (PLD), programmable logic array (PLA), or field programmable gate array (FPGA) that includes one or more individual instruction processing cores), state machine circuitry, firmware that stores instructions executed by the programmable circuitry, quantum processor, spike network hardware, and any combination thereof. The control circuitry may be embodied, collectively or individually, as circuits that form part of a larger system, such as, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on a chip (SoC), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a server, a smartphone, etc. Thus, a "control circuit" as used herein includes, but is not limited to, an electrical circuit having at least one discrete electrical circuit, an electrical circuit having at least one integrated circuit, an electrical circuit having at least one application specific integrated circuit, an electrical circuit forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program that at least partially executes the processes and / or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program that at least partially executes the processes and / or devices described herein), an electrical circuit forming a memory device (e.g., in the form of a RAM), and / or an electrical circuit forming a communication device (e.g., a modem, a communication switch, or an optoelectronic device). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in analog or digital fashion, or a combination thereof.

[0050] As used in any aspect herein, the term "logic" may refer to apps, software, firmware, and / or circuitry configured to perform any of the operations described above. Software may be embodied as a software package, code, instructions, instruction sets, and / or data recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Firmware may be embodied as code, instructions, instruction sets, and / or data hard-coded (e.g., non-volatile) in a memory device.

[0051] As used in any aspect of this specification, the terms "component," "system," "module," and the like may refer to a computer-related entity that is either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution.

[0052] As used in any aspect of the present specification, an "algorithm" refers to a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result, where the "steps" refer to the manipulation of physical quantities and / or logical states, which may, but need not, take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transmitted, connected, compared, and otherwise manipulated. These signals are commonly referred to as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. These and similar terms may be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities and / or states.

[0053] As is apparent from the foregoing disclosure, unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions throughout the foregoing disclosure using terms such as "processing," "operation," "calculation," "determination," "display," and the like, are understood to refer to operations and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and transform data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the computer system's registers and memory into other data that is similarly represented as physical quantities in the computer system's memory or registers, or other information storage, transmission, or display device.

[0054] One or more components may be referred to herein as being "configured," "configurable," "operable," "adapted," "capable," "adaptable," etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that unless the context requires otherwise, "configured" can generally encompass active components and / or inactive components and / or standby components.

[0055] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the terms used in this specification, in general, and in the appended claims, particularly in the appended claims (e.g., the body of the appended claims), are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the word "comprise" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," the word "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," and the word "comprise" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to"). Those skilled in the art will further recognize that if a particular number of claim recitations introduced is intended, such intent will be expressly set forth in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent exists. For example, as an aid to understanding, the appended claims below may use the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce the claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed as intending that a claim recitation introduced by the indefinite article "a" or "an" is intended to limit any particular claim that includes a claim recitation so introduced to claims that contain only one such recitation, even if the same claim includes the introductory phrase "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should generally be construed to mean "at least one" or "one or more"). The same applies to definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

[0056] Furthermore, even if a particular number of recitations in an introduced claim is explicitly stated, a person skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should generally be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the plain recitation "two recitations" without other modifiers generally means at least two, or more than two recitations). Furthermore, when a convention similar to "such as at least one of A, B, and C" is used, such a construction is generally intended to have the meaning that a person skilled in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" includes, but is not limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and / or A, B, and C). When a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, such construction is generally intended to have the meaning that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" includes, but is not limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and / or A, B and C, etc.). As will be further understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, disjunctive words and / or disjunctive phrases presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, should typically be understood to contemplate the possibility of including one of the words, either of the words, or both of the words, unless the context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase "A or B" is typically understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B," or "A and B."

[0057] With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operations recited therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, while the claims are presented in a sequence, it should be understood that various operations may be performed in other orders than those recited, or may be performed simultaneously. Examples of such alternative orders include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremented, preparatory, supplemental, concurrent, reversed, or other variant orders, unless the context dictates otherwise. Moreover, words such as "according to," "with respect to," or other past tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless the context dictates otherwise.

[0058] It should be noted that references to "one embodiment," "one embodiment," "one example," "one example," etc., mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in one embodiment," "in one example," and "in one example" in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined as appropriate in one or more embodiments.

[0059] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0060] As used herein, directional terms such as, for example, but not limited to, up, down, left, right, below, upward, front, rear, and variations thereof, refer to the orientation of the elements as shown in the accompanying drawings and do not limit the scope of the claims, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0061] The term "about" or "approximately" as used in this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, refers to an acceptable error for a particular value as determined by a person skilled in the art, which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, the term "about" or "approximately" refers to within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments, the term "about" or "approximately" refers to within 50%, 200%, 105%, 100%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.05% of a given value or range.

[0062] In this specification, unless otherwise noted, all numerical parameters are understood to be prefaced and modified in all instances by the word "about." In this case, numerical parameters have the inherent variability inherent in the underlying measurement techniques used to determine the numerical value of the parameter. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter set forth herein should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0063] Numerical ranges mentioned herein include all subranges subsumed within the mentioned range. For example, a range of "1-100" includes (and includes) all subranges between a minimum value of 1 and a maximum value of 100, i.e., all subranges having a minimum value of 1 or more and a maximum value of 100 or less. Also, all ranges mentioned herein include the endpoints of the mentioned range. For example, a range of "1-100" includes the endpoints 1 and 100. Any maximum numerical limitation set forth herein is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein, and any minimum numerical limitation set forth herein is intended to include all upper numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, applicants have the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly set forth any subranges subsumed within the expressly set forth ranges. All such ranges are inherently described herein.

[0064] Any patent applications, patents, non-patent literature, or other disclosure materials referred to in this disclosure and / or set forth in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that the incorporated materials do not conflict with this specification. Therefore, to the extent necessary, the disclosures expressly set forth herein supersede any conflicting materials incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portions thereof, that is intended to be incorporated herein by reference that conflicts with existing definitions, descriptions, or other disclosure materials set forth herein is incorporated only to the extent that there is no conflict between the incorporated materials and the existing disclosure materials.

[0065] "Comprises" (and any form of "comprises", such as "comprises" or "comprising"), "has" (and any form of "comprises", such as "have" or "having"), "include" (and any form of "includes", such as "includes" or "containing"), and "contains" (and any form of "contains", such as "contains" or "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. Thus, a system that "comprises", "has", "includes", or "contains" one or more elements has those one or more elements, but is not limited to having only those one or more elements. Similarly, a system, device, or apparatus element that "comprises", "has", "includes", or "contains" one or more features has those one or more features, but is not limited to having only those one or more features.

[0066] In summary, numerous advantages resulting from the adoption of the concepts described herein have been described. The foregoing description of one or more embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. One or more embodiments have been selected and described in order to explain the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to utilize the various embodiments, with various modifications, as appropriate for the particular application contemplated. The claims submitted herein are intended to define the overall scope.

Claims

1. 1. A coolant channel flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a liquid metal coolant, comprising: a primary coil communicatively connected to a constant current alternator; A first secondary coil; A second secondary coil; A coolant channel; a control circuit communicatively connected to the primary coil, the first secondary coil, and the second secondary coil; Equipped with The coolant channel is the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil embedded in a cladding wall of the coolant channel, the primary coil being located between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, and the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil being configured in a recessed position within the cladding wall; an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield embedded in the cladding wall, the EMI shield configured as a continuous barrier between the cladding wall and an outer periphery of the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil; a hollow central channel configured to pass liquid metal coolant through a center defined by the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil; The control circuit includes: A constant current AC is generated in the primary coil, determining a voltage difference and a phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil; determining a flow rate of the liquid metal coolant based on the voltage difference and the phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and a composition of the liquid metal coolant. It is configured as follows: Coolant channel flow meter.

2. The coolant channel flow meter of claim 1 , wherein the recessed locations of the first secondary coil, the primary coil and the second secondary coil do not protrude into the coolant channel.

3. The coolant channel flow meter of claim 1 , wherein the hollow central channel is an inlet to a fuel assembly nozzle.

4. A test cartridge flow meter for measuring the flow rate of a liquid metal coolant, comprising: a primary coil communicatively connected to a constant current alternator; A first secondary coil; A second secondary coil; a propeller drive motor configured to actuate a propeller; A coolant channel; a control circuit communicatively connected to the primary coil, the first secondary coil, and the second secondary coil; Equipped with The coolant channel is the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil embedded in a cladding wall of the coolant channel, the primary coil being located between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, and the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil being configured in a recessed position within the cladding wall; an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield embedded in the cladding wall, the EMI shield configured as a continuous barrier between the cladding wall and an outer periphery of the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil; a hollow central channel configured to pass liquid metal coolant through a center defined by the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil. The control circuit includes: activating the propeller drive motor in response to a predetermined coolant flow rate; A constant current AC is generated in the primary coil, determining a voltage difference and a phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil; determining a flow rate of the liquid metal coolant based on the voltage difference and the phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and a composition of the liquid metal coolant. It is configured as follows: Test cartridge flow meter.

5. 5. The test cartridge flow meter of claim 4, wherein the test cartridge liquid metal coolant is of a different metal composition than the main reactor liquid metal coolant, and the test cartridge liquid metal coolant and the main reactor liquid metal coolant are separated by a separation barrier.

6. 5. The test cartridge flow meter of claim 4, further comprising a control circuit configured to determine a flow rate of the test cartridge liquid metal coolant and adjust a speed of the motor to achieve the predetermined coolant flow rate.

7. 1. A system for measuring a flow rate of liquid metal coolant in a pool type nuclear reactor, comprising: The system comprises: a pool-type nuclear reactor having a plurality of submerged coolant channels, the plurality of submerged coolant channels comprising one or more coolant channel flow meters; The one or more coolant channel flow meters, a primary coil communicatively connected to a constant current alternator; A first secondary coil; a second secondary coil; and a first coolant channel flow meter configured to measure a coolant flow rate in the first submerged coolant channel; a control circuit communicatively connected to the primary coil, the first secondary coil, and the second secondary coil; Equipped with The first submerged coolant channel comprises: the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil embedded in a cladding wall of the first submerged coolant channel, the primary coil being located between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil, and the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil being configured in a recessed position within the cladding wall; an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield embedded in the cladding wall, the EMI shield configured as a continuous barrier between the cladding wall and an outer periphery of the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil; a hollow central channel configured to pass liquid metal coolant through a center defined by the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil; The control circuit includes: A constant current AC is generated in the primary coil, determining a voltage difference and a phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil; determining a flow rate of the liquid metal coolant based on the voltage difference and the phase difference between the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and a composition of the liquid metal coolant. It is configured as follows: system.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the recessed locations of the first secondary coil, the primary coil, and the second secondary coil do not protrude into the first submerged coolant channel.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the hollow central channel is an inlet to a fuel assembly nozzle.

10. The system of claim 7 , further comprising a second coolant channel flow meter configured to measure the coolant flow rate in a second submerged coolant channel.

11. The system of claim 7 , further comprising a second coolant channel flow meter configured to measure the coolant flow rate in a test cartridge.

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