AbstractAn electrical resistivity monitor for the detection of composition changes in the lithium-lead eutectic alloy, Pb17Li, has been developed. A miniature electromagnetic pump is used to sample alloy continuously from a pool or loop system and force it through a capillary section, within which the necessary resistance measurement are made, prior to its return to the bulk source.To calibrate the monitor, detailed resistivity-temperature and resistivity-composition data have been determined for PbLi alloys at temperatures from 600 to 800K and composition from 0 to 20.5 at% Li. The resistivity increases with both temperature and composition; for Pb17Li at 723 K, dϱ/dT = 0.054×10−8ωK−1 and dϱ/d[K] = 1.27×10−8ωm(at% Li)−1.The sensitivity of the monitor is such that changes in composition of as little as ±0.05 at% Li can be detected and its response time is limited solely by the rate of sampling.
Experimental calibration of electromagnetic flowmeters for Pb17Li