Recent Developments in Liquid-Metal Heat Transfer

This review summarizes developments in liquid-metal heat transfer which have occurred, for the most part, during the past 5 years. It presents comparisons between theoretical and empirical predictions and experimental results, with accompanying discussions. Also, areas where further research is needed are indicated. Since the subject cannot be completely covered in a single article, emphasis is given to those topics of most engineering interest. Moreover, with each topic the thoroughness of treatment varies according not only to reported progress but also to current interest. The principal topics covered include liquid-metal heat transfer for: (a) flow in pipes, (b) flow in annuli, (c) flow between parallel plates, (d) in-line flow through rod bundles, (e) 90° cross flow through rod bundles, (f) oblique flow through rod bundles, (g) pool boiling, (h) natural convection boiling in a recirculating loop, (i) forced-convection boiling in a recirculating loop, and (j) critical heat flux in both pool and forced-convection boiling. (author)