GB2078971A - Liquid metal level measurement - Google Patents
Liquid metal level measurement Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2078971A GB2078971A GB8118598A GB8118598A GB2078971A GB 2078971 A GB2078971 A GB 2078971A GB 8118598 A GB8118598 A GB 8118598A GB 8118598 A GB8118598 A GB 8118598A GB 2078971 A GB2078971 A GB 2078971A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tank
- elements
- level
- instrumentation
- networks
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 title claims description 5
- 229910001338 liquidmetal Inorganic materials 0.000 title 1
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 210000003141 lower extremity Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 210000001364 upper extremity Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000000696 magnetic material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 229910052783 alkali metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 14
- 150000001340 alkali metals Chemical class 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011490 mineral wool Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003758 nuclear fuel Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000035611 feeding Effects 0.000 claims 4
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
- G01F23/26—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring variations of capacity or inductance of capacitors or inductors arising from the presence of liquid or fluent solid material in the electric or electromagnetic fields
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
- Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)
Abstract
In order to measure the level 2 of an electrically conductive liquid, such as molten sodium, contained in a tank 1 of non-magnetic material, such as stainless steel, a pair of induction elements 7a, are secured to the outside of the tank at its upper and lower extremities. Moveable carriage 4, fixed to a track 3, carries two more induction elements 7b which form complementary elements to elements 7a in two a.c. bridge networks 5,6. Whenever the level 2 alters so that it no longer lies between the positions of the elements 7b, causing one inductive path to comprise two media, the differential of the outputs of the two bridges causes a control means 8 to actuate a servomotor to move carriage 4 until each inductive path comprises only one medium again and the differential output is nulled. The liquid level can then be read off of a scale on the track, in addition to electronically. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Liquid level measuring instrumentation
This invention relates to liquid level measuring instrumentation and is primarily directed to the measurement of the level of liquid alkali metal contained in stainless steel tanks.
Liquid alkali metals such as sodium and potassium are used in the nuclear reactor art as coolants for nuclear reactor fuel assemblies, for example, those used in fast breeder nuclear reactors. It is required to be able to measure the depth of the liquid alkali metal in its containment tank and to detect change of level. Measurements have been made using intank instrumentation, for example, instrumentation incorporating induction coils. The coils are normally housed in thimble tubes set into the tank and they detect level change by variation of the inductive coupling between a pair of vertically mounted windings of the coil. Unfortunately the overall range of the level indication is limited to the useful lengths of the coils and the position of the thimble tube.
An object of the invention is to provide instrumentation which will give a reading over substantially the full depth of the tank and which will indicate the sense of change of level.
According to the invention a tank of non-magnetic material for containing electrically conductive liquid has instrumentation for indicating the level of the liquid therein, the instrumentation comprising a pair of ac bridge networks arranged so that an induction element of each network is fixedly secured relative to the tank, the elements being disposed in proximity one with each of upper and lower extremities of the tank, and complementary induction elements of the networks which are mutually displaceable between the upper and lower extremities, there being means for feeding the differential of the output signals of the two bridge networks to control means for mutually displacing the complementary elements between the fixed elements. The level indicating instrumentation is based on the eddy current induction effect.The out of balance of each bridge network will depend on the presence or absence of liquid in proximity with the displaceable elements, thus when the displaceable elements are disposed one on each side of the liquid level each of the networks will be substantially in balance so that the differential of the bridge outputs will be substantially zero. If the level changes, then one of the bridge networks will produce an out of balance signal and a corresponding differential signal from the bridge networks, the differential signal then being used to indicate the change of level and to effect automatic displacement of the two displaceable coils in the direction of the change until the networks regain their balance.
The invention will also reside in a stainless steel tank containing liquid alkali metal having instrumentation for indicating the level of the liquid alkali metal therein, the means comprising a pair of ac bridge networks arranged so that an induction element of each network is fixedly secured relative to the tank, the elements being disposed in proximity one with each of upper and lower extremities of the tank, and complimentary induction elements of the networks which are mutually displaceable between the upper and lower extremities, there being means for feeding the differential of the output signals of the two bridge networks to control means for mutually displacing the complementary elements between the fixed elements.
An embodiment of the invention is described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagramatic drawing which is a side view of a tank containing liquid alkali metal.
The tank designated 1 in the drawing contains molten sodium, the level being designated 2. A vertically extending track 3 guiding a carriage 4 is attached to the outside of the tank, the track extending over the full depth of the tank. There is a pair of ac bridge networks 5,6 each having a pair of induction elements designated 7a, 7b. The induction element 7a of each network is fixedly secured relative to the tank. The elements are disposed in proximity one with each of upper and lower extremities of the tank. The complementary induction elements designated 7b of each of the bridge networks are mutually displaceable along the track on the carriage 4 between the upper and lower extremities. A differential signal from each bridge network 5, 6 is fed to null point detection and carriage control equipment 8.
The sodium containing tank is lagged the track 3 being disposed within an aluminium boundary frame 9 within which the lagging 10 of slag wool is laid to an even depth and plastered to form a regular outer surface. The lagging is laid without wire reinforcement and trace heating elements thereby to avoid electrical interference to the induction elements.
When the level 2 of the sodium in the tank is disposed between the two induction elements 7b the bridge networks will be in balance, but when the sodium level is displaced to the upper side of both induction elements 7b the upper bridge network 5 will become out of balance thereby initiating a differential of the bridge networks. The out of balance is caused by the change in magnetic field in the upper induction element 7b brought about by eddy currents induced in the sodium. The differential signal effects displacement of the carriage upwardly until, after hunting for the null, the liquid level is again disposed between the two induction elements 7b. The sodium level is then read off a calibrated scale on the track or, alternatively, can be taken from a digital read-out.
1. A tank of non-magnetic material for containing electrically conductive liquid, the tank having instrumentation for indicating the level of liquid therein, the instrumentation comprising a pair of ac bridge networks arranged so that an induction element of each network is fixedly secured relative to the tank, the elements being disposed in proximity one with each of upper and lower extremities of the tank, and complementary induction elements of
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (3)
1. A tank of non-magnetic material for containing electrically conductive liquid, the tank having instrumentation for indicating the level of liquid therein, the instrumentation comprising a pair of ac bridge networks arranged so that an induction element of each network is fixedly secured relative to the tank, the elements being disposed in proximity one with each of upper and lower extremities of the tank, and complementary induction elements of the networks which are mutually displaceable between the upper and lower extremities, there being means for feeding the differential of the output signals of the two bridge networks to control means for mutually displacing the complementary elements between the fixed elements.
2. A stainless steel tank containing liquid alkali metal and having instrumentation for indicating the level of the liquid alkali metal therein, the instrumentation comprising a pair of ac bridge networks arranged so that an induction element cf each network is fixedly secured relative to the tank, the elements being disposed in proximity one with each of upper and lower extremities of the tank, and complementary induction elements of the networks which are mutually displaceable between the upper
and lower extremities, there being means for feed
ing the differential of the output signals of the two
bridge networks to control means for mutually
displacing the complementary elements between
the fixed elements.
3. Atank having instrumentation for indicating
the level of liquid therein substantially as herein
before described with reference to the accompany
ing drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8118598A GB2078971A (en) | 1980-06-23 | 1981-06-17 | Liquid metal level measurement |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8020542 | 1980-06-23 | ||
| GB8118598A GB2078971A (en) | 1980-06-23 | 1981-06-17 | Liquid metal level measurement |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2078971A true GB2078971A (en) | 1982-01-13 |
Family
ID=26275976
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8118598A Withdrawn GB2078971A (en) | 1980-06-23 | 1981-06-17 | Liquid metal level measurement |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2078971A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2003050471A1 (en) * | 2001-12-10 | 2003-06-19 | Em-Tech Llc | Apparatus and method for the measurement of electrical properties of materials through non-magnetizable materials |
-
1981
- 1981-06-17 GB GB8118598A patent/GB2078971A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2003050471A1 (en) * | 2001-12-10 | 2003-06-19 | Em-Tech Llc | Apparatus and method for the measurement of electrical properties of materials through non-magnetizable materials |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |