FLUID TRANSIENTS IN MERCURY AND MERCURY-HELIUM FLOWS

摘要

Mercury flow is used in chemical and nuclear systems. The sound speed of mercury is similar to that of water, but the density is over an order of magnitude greater, making the consequences of fluid transients like fluid column separation followed by fluid-hammer much more severe in mercury systems than in water systems. Fluid transients in a mercury flow loop are considered and fluid transients in a loop filled with mercury and 0.5% by volume helium bubbles are evaluated. The helium bubbles add compressibility, which helps mitigate consequences of some transients of concern to nuclear applications.