Electromagnetic Pump Fabrication and Predicted Performance

1
Electromagnetic Pump Fabrication and Predicted
Performance

• Presented to
• Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space

James Werner Idaho National Laboratory Harold
Adkins Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
June 16, 2009
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Annular Linear Induction Pump (ALIP)

• Operates in a manner similar to a polyphase
  induction motor.
• Contains an electromagnetic stator assembly
  surrounding the annular duct assembly.
• Power is applied to the three-phase stator
  winding,
• a traveling wave is produced in the liquid metal
  annulus
• this magnetic field induces voltage in the NaK
  fluid contained in the duct induced voltage
  currents will flow in the fluid.
• currents interact with the magnetic field of the
  stator to produce a body force on the fluid,
  causing it to move through the annular duct,
  thereby developing pressure.
• The pressure gradient at any point in the fluid
  is proportional to the magnetic field strength.
• The total pressure rise developed by the pump is
  integral over the axial length of flow passages
  in the pump duct.

Pre-Decisional, For Discussion Purposes Only
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Technology Heritage/Pedigree
Pre-Decisional, For Discussion Purposes Only

• MHD Systems ALIP Design Software and proprietary
  fabrication practices
• Represents over 35 years of development of
  electromagnetic (EM) Annular Linear Induction
  Pump (ALIP) technology
• Software has been benchmarked and proven to be a
  highly effective predictive tool
• Used to design and construct 55 liquid metal
  units ranging in capacity from 0.3 kg/s to 40
  kg/s (MHD Systems, Inc. 1972-1996)
• Predictions performed by software over past 20
  years have been within 10 to 15 of actual
  post-tested unit operations (associated
  predictions typically erred on conservative side)

4
Technology Heritage/Pedigree
Pre-Decisional, For Discussion Purposes Only

• MHD Systems ALIP Design Software and proprietary
  fabrication practices
• Have been applied at operating temperatures
  ranges of 358K to 1116K
• Used to developed units for Lithium, Sodium,
  Magnesium, and NaK(78)
• In-loop and submersibles developed

5
Technology Heritage/Pedigree
Pre-Decisional, For Discussion Purposes Only
6
Technology Heritage/Pedigree
Pre-Decisional, For Discussion Purposes Only
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Preliminary FSP ALIP Demonstration Unit
Pre-Decisional, For Discussion Purposes Only

• Characteristics
• Weight 82 kg
• Length 69 cm
• Diameter 24 cm
• Speculated Efficiency 15
• Source Requirements 70 volt, 36 Hz
• Performance Requirements
• Operating temperature 800-825K
• Nominal Exit Pressure 194 kPa
• Developed head pressure 58 - 68 kPa
• Working fluid NaK(78)
• Fluid flow 4.0 - 4.3 kg/s

8
Preliminary ALIP Demonstration Unit Construction
Goals
Pre-Decisional, For Discussion Purposes Only

• Design Evolution of tools
• Construction Evolution of assembly process
• Investment to streamline future initiative

9
ALIP 3-D Model
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ALIP component materials

• Materials List
• Flux Return Core Hyperco 50
• Stator Laminates Hyperco 50
• Coil rings Aluminum Nitrate
• Coils Dispersion Hardened Copper
• Mica sheet
• Bellows SSt 304 or 347
• Conax feed throughs SSt 316
• Duct SSt 316
• Housing, Flux Shell, etc. SSt 316

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Building Stators
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Coil Assembly
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Pump assembly
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Final Assembly and Shipment
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ALIP Pressure vs. Voltage
36 Hz, NaK at 825 K with a 5.08 cm diameter inlet
/ outlet
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ALIP Flow Rate vs. Voltage
36 Hz, NaK at 825 K with a 5.08 cm diameter inlet
/ outlet
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ALIP Efficiency vs. Voltage
36 Hz, NaK at 825 K with a 5.08 cm diameter inlet
/ outlet
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CONCLUSIONS

• A new design of an ALIP pump has been completed
  that will meet the operational performance
  characteristics for Fission Surface Power (FSP)
• Initial modeling and analysis indicate that the
  pump will be able to meet the established FSP
  design requirements
• Because ALIP pumps have not been built for quite
  some time, it was necessary to re-establish or
  develop new fabrication, coating and assembly
  processes and identify material and component
  vendors
• Testing will begin at NASA Marshall this summer

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Pre-Decisional, For Discussion Purposes Only
Questions?