A. G. Mozgovoi

Experimental investigation of the density of molten lead-bismuth eutectic

The density of molten Pb–Bi eutectic is measured by the pycnometer method in a temperature range of 410–726 K. The confidence of error of measurement, made up by the systematic and random components, does not exceed 0.1%. The experimental results are compared with the experimental data on the density of a liquid lead–bismuth alloy of eutectic composition available in the literature.

Density and surface tension of heavy liquid-metal coolants: Gallium and indium

The density and surface tension of liquid high-purity gallium and indium as a function of temperature were studied. The sessile drop method was used to obtain these parameters. Experiments were carried out from the melting points to ∼1300 K in a high vacuum. The confidence error of the experiments was 0.5 and 1% for density and surface tension, respectively. The results of this research are compared with recommended reference data in the literature.

Experimental study of density and thermal expansion of the advanced materials and heat transfer agents for liquid metal systems of thermonuclear reactor: Lithium

Using the gamma-ray attenuation technique, the density of the condensed state of lithium is measured within the range from room temperature up to ∼700 K. The purity of the investigated lithium is as high as 99.95 mass %. The confidence error of experiments is within 0.3%. From the experimental results, the volume thermal expansion coefficient of lithium is calculated within a wide temperature interval. The experimental data obtained on thermal properties of the solid and liquid state of lithium are compared to those available in the literature.

Activity of the Components of Binary Alloys of Alkali Metals: Na–K System

The activity coefficients of the components of the Na–K binary system are determined proceeding from the thermodynamic conditions of liquid–vapor equilibrium. The obtained data are in satisfactory agreement with the results of calculation of these activity coefficients by the pattern of the liquidus curve and using integral heats of mixtures of sodium–potassium alloys, as well as with the experimental data obtained by the emf method and by the effusion method.

The solubility of helium and argon in liquid lead, bismuth, and their eutectic alloy at high temperatures

The “hole” model is used to calculate the solubility of inert gases of helium and argon, in heavy liquid-metal coolants of fast nuclear power reactors, such as lead, bismuth, and lead-bismuth eutectic, at temperatures up to 1000 K and pressure of 0.1 MPa. The relative error of the resultant calculation data is estimated.

New Data on the Solubility of Inert Gases in Liquid Alkali Metals at High Temperature

The solubility of helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon in molten lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium is calculated in the ranges of temperature from 600 to 1500 K and pressure from 0.1 to 10 MPa. The calculated data are compared, in comparable ranges of the parameters of state, with the results of the experimental investigations available in the literature of the solubility of inert gases in liquid alkali metals.

An experimental investigation of the velocity of sound in molten lead and bismuth and in their reciprocal eutectic alloy at high temperatures

The pulse-phase method is used for measuring the velocity of sound in liquid lead and bismuth and in lead-bismuth eutectic in the range from the melting temperature to 1380 K. The purity of investigated metals is 9.99% by mass or better. The confidence error of experimental results does not exceed 0.3%. The experimental data are compared with those available from the literature.

The solubility of inert gases in liquid-metal heat-transfer agents

In the case of neutron irradiation of some metals, many of the nuclear reactions (n, p), (n, α), and (n, 2n) lead to the formation of inert gases [1]. The formation of isotopes of helium in these reactions, as well as of isotopes of xenon133Xe and krypton85Kr, as the products of fission of fuel in fast neutron reactors has a considerable effect on the heat-transfer and hydrodynamic characteristics of the heat-transfer agents (for example, alkali metals and alloys on their basis), this necessitating the investigation of the solubility of inert gases in liquid metals [2]. In addition, note the considerable effect of dissolved inert gases on the thermal properties of liquid metals at high temperatures, especially, in the critical point region. The paper presents the results of calculation of the solubility of inert gases (helium, argon, krypton, xenon) in liquid alkali metals atT=600 K andP = 0.1MPa.

Density and surface tension polytherms of gallium-lead melts

The density and surface tension of gallium-lead melts have been determined using the sessile drop technique in the temperature range of 600–1000°C. According to the form of polytherms of surface tension of a system with Ga-Pb exfoliation, a conclusion was made about the primary distribution of lead ions on the melt-vapor boundary. The excess entropies of melt formation were calculated. The comparison of experimental and calculated values of excess entropies showed that primary interaction between similar ions highlights the linear character of density polytherms.

The Pressure of Saturated Vapors of Liquid Alloys of Alkali Metals at High Temperatures: Na–Rb System

The pressure of saturated vapors of a molten Na–Rb system is calculated from the experimental data on the activity coefficients of the components of this system at temperatures of 773 and 1073 K in a wide range of its compositions available in the literature [1, 2]. The calculated values of the saturation pressure of liquid sodium–rubidium alloys are compared with the results of an experimental investigation of the ps–Ts dependence for a Na–Rb alloy containing 60.78 at. % Rb [3].