Magnetic field analysis of an electromagnetic pump for sodium thermohydraulic test in the Sodium Test Loop for Safety Simulation and Assessment - Phase 1

Abstract

This study analyzed the magnetic field on an electromagnetic pump with a flow rate of 1380 L/min and a developed pressure of 4 bar designed for the sodium thermohydraulic test in the Sodium Test Loop for Safety Simulation and Assessment — Phase 1 (STELLA-1). The electromagnetic pump was used for the circulation of the sodium coolant in the intermediate heat transport system (IHTS) of the Prototype Generation-IV Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (PGSFR) with an electric power of 150 MWe, which is being developed in Korea. The magnetic field distribution in the narrow channel and the inner core of the electromagnetic pump was calculated through a numerical analysis method using ANSYS Maxwell to predict its performance characteristics. The end effect by the magnetic field distortion at the pump entrance and exit caused by the finite core length of the electromagnetic pump, which could result in the decrease of the developed pressure, was analyzed. The end effect analysis of the magnetic field considered the modified winding of coils in the outer core of the electromagnetic pump for the end effect reduction. The results showed that the electromagnetic pump performance would be thus improved.