Design optimization analysis of a large electromagnetic pump for sodium coolant transportation in PGSFR

Abstract

An annular linear induction electromagnetic pump (ALIP) with a flow rate of 0.86 m(3)/s and a developed pressure of 3.6 bar is designed by conducting an optimization analysis of its geometrical, electromagnetic, and hydrodynamic variables. The purpose of the ALIP involves circulating liquid sodium in the intermediate heat transport system of the Prototype Generation-IV Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (electric output: 150 MWe) that is currently under development in Korea. The efficiency and developed pressure of the ALIP are derived as a function of its design variables and include the core length, flow gap, number of poles, flow velocity, pole pitch, input frequency, and input current. In terms of electromagnetic variables that can be controlled during its operation, hydraulic efficiency is maximized at an input frequency of a few tens of Hertz. The P-Q characteristics of the optimized ALIP are analyzed and verified via a theoretical comparison with an extremely large ALIP.