Studies of the Annular Linear Induction Pumps for sodium circuits use in nuclear plants

The work refers to the most representative results obtained with respect to the analysis of the magnetohydrodynamic interaction in the sodium pumping channel of Annular Linear Induction Pumps. It is given an analysis of a given size pump in order to obtain the optimal couple supply frequency - number of poles when a maximum pumping force at high flow rates is required. An electromagnetic study of the pump transient start-up, steady sate regime, braking effects, dynamical behavior at sudden load jumps is done. The results of a fully coupled numerical model for the magnetohydrodynamic interaction analysis are presented. They refer to the iterative solving process, flattening of the velocity radial profile along the pumping channel, structure of the force density along the channel thickness and the magnetic field entrainment effect that flow exerts.