Sodium reactor coolant distillation plant

摘要

The still is for discontinuous separation of metallic sodium from its oxide at very low pressure and consists of a cylindrical pressure vessel with a coaxial insert whose base is a plate carrying crucibles for the sodium to be evaporated. Over this plate is a radiation shield and a radiant heater. The upper part of the insert is sealed by a gasket pressed against a sealing flange in the vessel by a spring. Cheap, simple method using relatively low temp. i.e. 300 degrees C compared to 883 degrees C b.pt. at atmos. pressure.