Extreme Temperature Transducer for Enabling Ultrasonic Flowmetry

There is a need for better understanding the real-time molten salt flow at extreme operating temperatures, up to about 800 ºC, for maintaining heat transfer in Generation IV molten salt reactors. Commercial ultrasonic flowmeters operate with piezoelectric transducers clamped on at the exterior surfaces of pipes and other conduits with operating temperatures limited to 250 ºC. Ultrasound flow measurements at high temperatures are limited by these transducers and cannot survive up to 800 ºC. Leveraging our extreme temperature fiber optic receiversĺ operation, our team proposes to measure position- dependent transit time of ultrasound propagated through liquid at extreme molten salt reactor temperatures conceptually similar to low-temperature clamp-on flow meters. To remedy the lack of reliable 800 ºC temperature ultrasound emitters that transmit resiliently into the molten liquid salt, a novel, remotely actuated ultrasound emitter using high temperature resistant materials is proposed to be designed and operational feasibility to 800 ºC demonstrated in this Phase I. An estimated spatial resolution feasibility of about 10 cm will be demonstrated, adjacently along the flow path of the molten salt. Innoveydaĺs extreme temperature capable fiber optic ultrasound receivers will compliment this emitter, having been validated up to 800 ºC including a system that tracks their ultrasound measures. The goal of the proposed reactor monitoring system is to complete a turnkey hardware and integrated software implementation of in-line multi-parameter detection that will qualify the operating state of molten salt reactors. This will be achieved by integrating transducers into a remotely controlled, autonomous, continuously operating system for in-situ, real-time reactor monitoring at extreme temperatures and under typical radiation levels. The proposed extreme temperature- and radiation-resistant system, operating up to 800 °C, will be based on novel ultrasound launch actuators. The final product is envisaged to provide reactor diagnostics, in operando, by monitoring and analyzing fluctuating flow velocity at varying high temperatures throughout the reactor conduits. The in-line reactor diagnostic instrumentation is expected to greatly improve its operation by correlating with ideal reactor operating conditions that maximize its efficiency and safety. In a potential follow-up Phase II, based on successful Phase I results, we will test and validate the extreme temperature- and radiation-resistant ultrasonic flowmetry system for continuous, in-situ monitoring of fluid flow velocity during ~ 800 ºC reactor operation. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits In addition to nuclear reactors, the proposed technology also applies to oil and gas purification industry and separation at high temperatures exceeding about 250 ºC where transducers are limited.