Thermophysical Properties of Lead-Bismuth Eutectic Alloy in Reactor Safety Analyses

Abstract

A consistent set of thermophysical properties of a lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) alloy was developed for use in safety analyses of lead-alloy-cooled fast reactor systems. The vapor and liquid thermodynamic states of LBE were modeled up to and above the critical point based on a van-der-Waals type of equation. We assumed that LBE vapor is composed of monatomic lead and bismuth and diatomic, bismuth components, and that liquid LBE is a non-ideal mixture of lead and bismuth. Recommended equations were also presented for the transport properties and surface tension of liquid LBE.