Vibration method for the characterization of bubble behavior in sodium flows

Abstract

Real-time bubble behavior characterization is critical in the chemical industry, especially for leakage in sodium–water reactions. In this study, the injection of gas into sodium flows was conducted to evaluate bubble characterization methods. Simulation research was performed to dynamically characterize bubble generation, growth and bursting in flowing sodium, and experimental research was conducted to explore the time-frequency and time domain statistical characteristics of bubble signals. After gas injection, significant low-amplitude signals were observed in the time domain, the power spectral density fluctuated in the 0–20 kHz band; its spectral components were more abundant above 8 kHz, and the short-time Fourier transform of the energy spectrum exhibited a nonlinear intermittent distribution in the 8–20 kHz band. Based on these differences, the bubble signal was effectively detected when the gas injection rate was 0.11 m3/h with a signal-to-noise ratio less than 0.5 dB. Thus, this study complemented the present techniques and knowledge in the field of chemical engineering.