Surface wave growth characteristics of the high speed liquid Li flow

The present paper reports on characteristics of surface waves on a liquid lithium jet for the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF). Surface waves at locations of 15 and 175 mm from the nozzle exit were examined experimentally, to see an influence of the initial growth of surface waves. Experiments were carried out using the lithium circulation loop at Osaka University. Surface fluctuations were measured using an electrical scanning probe across the Li surface. From the contact signal, wave height distributions of surface waves were obtained. Three statistical wave heights to represent characteristics of the wave height distribution were calculated, and the wave height ratios of three statistical meanings were examined. Characteristics of the wave height distributions at locations 15 and 175 mm were examined by comparing with the Rayleigh distribution.