Romero, Frank Patrick | Engineering Papers

DOE OSTI2019

Production Facility Prototype Blower 1000 Hour Test Results IV

Long duration operations tests of the Aerzen GM 12.4 roots style blower in a closed loop configuration provides valuable data and lessons learned for long-term operation at the Mo-99 production facility. The blower was operated in a closed loop configuration with the flow conditions anticipated in plant operation with a Mo-100 target inline. The additional thermal energy generated from beam heating of the Mo-100 disks was not included in these tests. Twelve long duration 500 to 1000 hour tests have been completed since the first test was performed in January of 2016. All twelve long duration tests have proven successful in exposing preventable issues related to oil and helium leaks. All blower tests to this date have resulted in stable blower performance and consistency. A summary of the results for the end of the ninth test to the twelfth test is included in this report. Complete details for the previous tests are shown in the reports, Production Facility Prototype Blower 1000 Hour Test Results, II, and III.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2019

Off-Normal Scenarios Using Resistively Heated Targets

This report describes the continuation of thermal experiments using the resistively heated target assembly within the helium flow loop at LANSCE that is described in the report, Resistively Heated Target Tests Using Helium Flow Loop, by Alexander Wass et al. In order to replicate off-normal operating scenarios of the helium cooled Mo-100 plant design disks during beam heating, an array of resistive heaters were placed within the helium flow loop, cooled via helium, and modified slightly. The resistively heated test piece is comprised of seven ceramic electric heaters with embedded thermocouples allowing temperature measurements of each heater. A total of three scenarios were performed. One unmodified scenario, and two off-normal scenarios were conducted to simulate a blocked cooling channel due to debris within the flow loop and a broken disk during in-beam heating at the Mo-99 production facility. A removable insert was placed within a cooling channel to block the flow of helium, and a resistive heater was removed to simulate a broken disk that had been evacuated from the target assembly. The inlet and outlet cooling pipe employs rectangular tubing to make a 90° bend at a radius consistent with and practical for the actual plant design.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2018

Resistively Heated Target Tests Using Helium Flow Loop

A helium flow and heat transfer experiment has been conducted using the helium flow loop facility at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. In order to replicate the helium cooled Mo-100 plant design disks during beam heating, an array of resistive heaters were placed within the helium flow loop, and cooled via helium. The resistively heated test piece is comprised of seven ceramic electric heaters with embedded thermocouples allowing temperature measurements of each heater.Computation fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations and analysis from theory are compared to the experiment results in order to have predictable capabilities for future experiments.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2018

Production Facility Prototype Blower 1000 Hour Test Results III

Long duration operations tests of the Aerzen GM 12.4 roots style blower in a closed loop configuration provides valuable data and lessons learned for long-term operation at the Mo-99 production facility. The blower was operated in a closed loop configuration with the flow conditions anticipated in plant operation with a Mo-100 target inline. The additional thermal energy generated from beam heating of the Mo-100 disks was not included in these tests. Eight long duration 500 and 1000 hour tests have been completed since the first test was performed in January of 2016. All eight long duration tests have proven successful in exposing preventable issues related to oil and helium leaks.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗