TECHNIQUES FOR MEASURING THE QUALITY OF HIGH TEMPERATURE POTASSIUM VAPOR

A number of improvements were incorporated into the final design of the additive heat calorimeter to assure better performance and ease of fabrication. Additional development paths were indicated as one of the test results leading toward further improvements in manufacturing and operational characteristics. The test results, using meticulous laboratory procedures, indicated an accuracy within the goals established in the contract; that is, an accuracy within 2 percent for the quality of vapor ranging between 95 percent to 100 percent, and an accuracy of 0.5 percent for quality of vapor ranging between 80 percent and 95 percent. The development work on the sampling techniques indicated that with proper design of a mixing element in the vapor conduit and a properly designed probe, a sample which is reasonably representative of the overall quality of the vapor can be drawn off the fluid flow. Additional work is necessary to develop the calorimeter proper, the readout, and the control system to provide a useable laboratory instrument having a simple procedure, and to develop a generalized mixing system permitting a representative sample to be drawn from the fluid stream. (Author)