Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gbm5v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-18T22:17:55.407Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Experimental investigation of dynamo effect in the secondary pumps of the fast breeder reactor Superphenix

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 January 2000

A. ALEMANY ,
Ph. MARTY ,
F. PLUNIAN  and
J. SOTO
A. ALEMANY
Affiliation:
Laboratoire LEGI, BP 53 X, F-38041 Grenoble cedex, France
Ph. MARTY
Affiliation:
Laboratoire LEGI, BP 53 X, F-38041 Grenoble cedex, France
F. PLUNIAN
Affiliation:
Laboratoire LEGI, BP 53 X, F-38041 Grenoble cedex, France
J. SOTO
Affiliation:
Laboratoire LEGI, BP 53 X, F-38041 Grenoble cedex, France
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The fast breeder reactors (FBR) BN600 (Russia) and Phenix (France) have been the subject of several experimental studies aimed at the observation of dynamo action. Though no dynamo effect has been identified, the possibility was raised for the FBR Superphenix (France) which has an electric power twice that of BN600 and five times larger than Phenix. We present the results of a series of experimental investigations on the secondary pumps of Superphenix. The helical sodium flow inside one pump corresponds to a maximum magnetic Reynolds number (Rm) of 25 in the experimental conditions (low temperature). The magnetic field was recorded in the vicinity of the pumps and no dynamo action has been identified. An estimate of the critical flow rate necessary to reach dynamo action has been found, showing that the pumps are far from producing dynamo action. The magnetic energy spectrum was also recorded and analysed. It is of the form k−11/3, suggesting the existence of a large-scale magnetic field. Following Moffatt (1978), this spectrum slope is also justified by a phenomenological approach.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 403 , 25 January 2000 , pp. 263 - 276
Copyright
© 2000 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)