Experimental investigation of the thermal conductivity and viscosity of liquid In-Bi-Sn eutectic alloy (Field's metal) for use in a natural circulation experiental loop

This work experimentally determined the viscosity and thermal conductivity of In-Bi-Sn eutectic alloy (Field's metal), which possesses a melting temperature of 333 K. The Field's metal was fabricated at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) in Oshawa, Canada. The work will include a discussion of the non-Newtonian behaviour of Field's metal and the thermal dependence of both viscosity and thermal conductivity. The work used a rotational viscometer to measure the viscosity of the metal in a liquid state up to 363 K. The work used an axial type experimental configuration to measure the thermal conductivity up to 400 K. The results will compare the viscosity and thermal conductivity to the traditional liquid metal coolants of sodium and lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE). Finally a prediction of the expected Prandtl number in low velocity natural circulation will be determined based on the geometry of the liquid metal natural circulation experimental loop at UOIT.