SEF-POOL test rig

The main parts of the separate effect test rig are the sparger piping and condensation pool. The sparger piping is connected with a pipeline to the PACTEL test facility which supplies steam needed in the tests. The sparger pipe is pivoted on a vertical axis with low friction bearings in order to allow the direct force measurement. The lower end of the sparger pipe mounts a flow plate with injection holes and a polycarbonate (PC) pipe. Steam is discharged through the injection holes and it condenses inside the PC pipe.

Temperatures are measured from the sparger pipe and condensation pool. Pressure transducers are used to measure pressure of steam in the sparger piping. The water level in the pool is measured with a differential pressure transducer.

The condensation pool is made of stainless steel. It is 1500 mm long, 300 mm wide and 600 mm tall. The pool is open on top and it is uninsulated. Windows on both sides are 1000 mm wide and 300 mm tall. The sparger piping is made of sections of DN80 stainless steel pipes and it is insulated with 13 mm thick AP Armaflex® XG flexible elastomeric thermal insulation. The direct force measurement is arranged with a load cell. The load cell is located outside the condensation pool. The load cell is at that end of the condensation pool, where the sparger piping is submerged. Force is transmitted from the sparger piping to the sensor via a rod.