PILOT-PLANT TESTING OF A TWO-PHASE VORTEX FLUID AMPLIFIER FOR LIQUID FLOW CONTROL

摘要

Pilot-plant tests were conducted to evaluate a vortex restrictor for use as a substitute flow control device in a radioactive slurry feed sys¬tem in which mechanical control valves have "been plugged "by suspended solids. The restrictor was operated satisfactorily for 1169 hours using a mock-up of the Waste Calcining Facility feed system;successful flow control was obtained without failure due to plugging or erosion in the restrictor. Air was used to regulate the flow rate and to avoid any dilution of the slurry. This device performed at least as well as the more expensive mechanical valve in the particular application for which it was tested.