Design of a Resistance-Based High Temperature Liquid Metal Flow Meter

Abstract

Flow rate is a parameter that is vital to measure in high temperature pumped liquid metal systems, yet traditional flow meters are unable to perform at these extreme conditions. As a part of the Atomic Simulation & Energy (ASE) Research Group here at MIT, this research seeks to develop a flow meter able to measure the 1200 ºC pumped liquid tin in their methane pyrolysis system. This paper presents a summary of a literature review of methods for measuring liquid metal flow rate. The most viable method allows flow rate to be determined by a height measurement through Torricelli’s law. While liquid metal surface height can be measured in a variety of ways, this paper explores the use of a resistant-based measurement. After reviewing existing designs, an original simple rod design and temperature-insensitive rod-sheath design are presented. A working prototype of the rod-sheath design is detailed and discussed with an experimental procedure as well as considerations recommended for continued work on this inquiry.