1. Bedrijfservaring:
Werktuigkunde
The conceptual design of a traversable Pitot measurement
system for the E-SCAPE facility

2. The Research Centre
• Founded in 1952 , in Mol
• > 700 employees working on medical and
industrial applications of nuclear technology
• Annual budget = € 95M
• Separation from VITO in 1991
• Several nuclear reactors: BR1, BR2,
BR3, VENUS with their own purpose

3. Organizational chart

4. Objective
• MYRRHA: Research Reactor (50-100
MWth) to replace the ageing BR2 reactor
• Operational by 2023
• Accelerator driven system (ADS)
able to operate in sub-critical and
critical modes
• Cooled by Lead Bismuth Eutectic (LBE)
• Asses flow pattern of LBE through:
→ Thermal-Hydraulic scale model
→ Numerical simulations

5. Objective
• E-SCAPE: 1/6th scale model of MYRRHA
• Electrical core (100kW), cooled by LBE
• Objective: Characterise velocity profile of LBE
at pump-outlet with traversable
pitot tube
→ Design of the pitot tube
→ Proposition for traversable system
→ Provisional selection of measurement systems

6. Specifications
• Velocity range: 0,019m/s – 0,717m/s
•
•
•
•
Nominal pressure: 7 bar
Nominal temperature: 200°C
Maximum temperature: 350°C
Density: 10470 kg/m³
• Pump diameter: 146mm
• Minimize chance of LBE leakage!
• Simple design
• Low cost

7. Results
General layout

8. Results
Metal Bellows
• Working pressure = 7 bar
• Maximum working temperature 350°C
• Traversable distance > 146mm: Not commercially available
→ Take 80mm and use 2 pitot tubes
• Material = Stainless steel 1.4571
• Welded on both sides
• Use eccentric reducer flange

9. Results
Pitot tube

10. Results
Pitot tube
• Maximum bending should be limited to < 0,5mm to avoid
vibarations
• D = 10.2mm, touter = 2mm

11. Results
Pitot tube
• Static pressure holes position
• Sensitivity to yaw angles

12. Results
Linear actuator
•
•
•
•
•
DSBC-125-80-PPVA-N3 pneumatic cylinder from FESTO
Dpiston = 125mm
Working pressure of 6 bar
Maximum force of 7363N
Maximum lateral force of 600N
• Fmin = 4276N
• Fmax = 5669N

13. Results
Supporting structure
• Integrate in existing support structure for E-SCAPE
→ Remove diagonal beam assembly

14. Results
Supporting structure
• Be able to withstand weight of
components and force of
pneumatic actuator
• Support for pneumatic actuator
and reducer flange needed
• Horizontal I-beam HE-200-A
• Vertical I-beam HE-200-A

15. Useful courses
• Applied Mechanics: part 3:
→ Calculation of bending of pitot tube
• Selection- and dimensioning of machineparts
→ Material parameters
→ Dimensions of standard parts
→ Tolerances
• Fluidmechanics
→ Calculation of drag forces on pitot tube
→ Calculation of pressure differences that occur in pitot tube

16. Self-reflection: How did I do?

17. Things I’ve learned
• Working independently
• Gathering of information and recognizing its reliability
• Reporting of results
• Communication skills: Oral and written
• Language skills