Ohmic volumetric heating is used to simulate Natural Circulation Flow at low temperatures by using salt water and electric current as an energy input.
Fluid is heated at low point in the core, as temperature increases the fluid rises like a hot air balloon.
Heat is removed at high point, and cooling increases fluid density and fluid sinks.
Natural Circulation Flow is generated by coupling these two processes.
Ohmic heating testing facilitates tests used to validate computational thermal hydraulic models using low temperature salt water. The process provides nearly identical simulation of actual molten salt at zero cost compared to reactor testing.
Demonstrated volumetric heat input could generate adequate temperature rise in the saltwater mixture.
Test data illustrates system temperature changes starting from initial zero heat output and with increasing load. Response is stable and predictable.
Loop test coupled volumetric heating with cooling to generate and confirm observable natural circulation flow