Refining method for liquid metal

TL;DR: In this article, the authors used steel balls for the packings in a refining device for liquid metal in atomic power plants and agitated the balls with magnetic fields to dislodge impurities stuck on their surfaces.

Abstract: PURPOSE:To restore functions even when a refining device for liquid metal in atomic power plants is closed by using steel balls for the packings in said device and agitating the balls with magnetic fields. CONSTITUTION:The liquid metal entering through an inlet 1 descends in a downcomer 2, is reversed in the direction of flow in a settling chamber 3, passes through meshed parts 4 and flows out through an outlet 5. The liquid metal contg. impurities is cooled in the downcomer 2 by the cooling means which are provided in an outer vessel and in which a coolant is passed. The impurities of oversaturated concn. components deposit on the surfaces of the balls 6 packed in the meshes 4. The balls 6 are grid-like plates 8 having meshes smaller than the ball sizes to prevent the outflow of the balls. If the flow passages among the balls are closed on progression of the above-described deposition of the impurities, the device is closed. In such a case, magentic fields are generated by the coil 7 provided on the outside part to rotate the balls. Then the balls 6 contact with each other and the impurities stuck on their surfaces are dislodged from the balls.