ORNL-2106 - the Molten Salt Energy Technologies Web Site

to permit the examination of individual tubes is
shown in Fig. 3.4.29. Each tube was numbered
for the subsequent investigation as shown in
Fig. 3.4.30.
The frequency and severity of the cracks de-
tected in the initial inspection were most pro-
nounced in the forward rows of tubes, that is,
those with short bends. The distance from the
tube bends to the headers was significantly shorter
Fig. 3.4.28. Bottom of NaK Inlet Header of
Fuel-tdaK Heat Exchanger IHE-3. Dark reaction
product indicates area of tube failure. The light
solidified material is the fuel mixture (No. 30)
NoF-tF,-UF, (50-46-4 mole %). (Secret wiih
caption)
PERIOD ENDING JUNE 10, 1956
for the first row of. tubes, being 3\ in, as com-
pared with 6 in. for the last row of tubes. For a
given expansion of the 6-ft overs11 straight length
of the tubes as a result of heating, a substantial
degree of strain occurs in these locations. As
would be expected, cracking was more pronounced
on the tension sides of the tubes. A crack in the
tension side of tube 2 could be seen upon visual
examination (Fig, 3.4.31). Further evidence of
tube distortion at the headers can be seen.in
Fig. 3.4.32, which shows the NaK outlet header.
Several of the tubes of interest were mounted
intact in Castolite and polished to the approximate
KUUIFIID
*.1Sl1.
Fig. 3.4.29. NaK Inlet Header After Dissection
for Further Examination.
UNCLASSIFIED
OANL-LR-DWG 44728
Fig. 3.4.30. Diagram of NaK Inlet Header Showing Identification Numbers of Tubes Removed for
Examination.
1 95