Impurity crystallization in liquid sodium systems

The paper predicts the distribution of impurity deposits in the vessel and basket of the PFR primary circuit cold trap by use of an approximate mass transfer limited, crystallization rate model. The calculations are consistent with observations made on the blocked trap. It is shown that the basket mesh acts primarily as a support medium for crystal growth and that it is only after significant growth in a region of mesh that filtration is likely to be effective there. Particle growth rates and sizes are predicted but lack of nucleation data prevents the calculation of a complete oxygen mass balance in the cold trap. Some calculations and measurements of flow rates in a plugging meter orifice are also presented