ECCO - Coupling ultrasonics to an alumina reactor core

in #science8 years ago (edited)

The image below shows the coupling between a typical ECCO core ceramic and an ultrasonic horn that would fluidise the carefully sized fuel components at their resonant 1Mhz.
Ultrasonic_Horn_Reactor_Coupling.jpg

This transducer attachment is for a fuel tube with an inner diameter of 8.1 mm and an outer diameter of 11 mm.

This is a larger core than that discussed in previous ECCO technical discussions and forms part of a reactor under going trials now that is designed to take a larger quantity of fuel.

Update based on 5th Technical discussion

  • Alumina cement is used to create a heat resistant couple between the ultrasonic horn and the reactor. Aluminium was used initially but this melted and was lost.