Studies of small particle suspensions for L.M.F.R. Part II fluid flow with suspensions simulating the UBe13-Na system

Abstract

Suspensions of barium sulphate in water at concentrations of up to 16.5% w/w were circulated in a 1-inch loop to simulate the behaviour of the UBe13-Na system for L.M.F.R. In a horizontal pipe the mean velocity for the formation of a moving bed was 1.6 feet per second and the mean velocity for the formation of a stationary bed was 1.4 feet per second. The corresponding mean Reynolds numbers were 15,000 and 13,000 respectively. No agreement as found with Dallavalle's (2) equation previously suggested (1) for calculating the horizontal settling velocities. For fully suspended flow, friction factors were the same as for clean water the density and viscosity terms in the Reynolds number related to the suspension. The validity of the Orr and Dallavalle (5) viscosity equation for such systems was confirmed and non-Newtonian relationships were not required. Striations similar to those previously reported for the tungsen-water system, were observed before and during settling.