Development experience for experimental reactor facility cooled with evaporating liquid metals

SC RF-IPPE developed a technical project of the experimental reactor facility cooled with evaporating liquid metals in 1988-97. Evaporating sodium is used as a coolant of the facility core. Evaporating sodium-potassium eutectic alloy is used as a coolant for the second loop. The third loop is fulfilled with gas - working fluid of Sterling or Bryton cycle. Nuclear and thermo-hydraulic calculations are performed for a 1.2 MWt nuclear facility. Many thermo-hydraulic experiments with single-element, three-element and seven-element electrical imitators of fuel roads are performed. So, calculated parameters of the core elements are validated. Two fuel rods cooled with evaporating sodium are tested in the nuclear fast reactor. Three-loops sector mock up including 72 imitators of fuel rods is created and tested as well. It corresponds to 1/6 part of the core. Beside it, the mock up includes imitators of a neutron reflector, shield and natural size dome. Outside the dome interlope heat exchanger and the third lope of the facility are placed. Many thermo-hydraulic experiments are performed but not finished, unfortunately. (author)