Science and Technology of Liquid Metal Coolants in Nuclear Engineering

Dr. T. Gnanasekaran has experience spanning more than 40 years in this field. He has been leading a group of scientists developing facilities for handling sodium, analytical characterisation of sodium and carrying out studies on reactions in liquid metals viz., sodium, lead and lead-bismuth eutectic alloy. He has measured thermochemical properties of various compounds formed in these coolant-structural material systems and established the phase diagrams of relevance for understanding corrosion in these systems. Notable instruments developed by him are sensors for measuring non-metallic impurities in liquid sodium and heavy liquid metals. He has also developed a method to fabricate a high temperature ultrasonic transducer for viewing components immersed in liquid metals. Dr. Gnanasekaran superannuated as Associate Director of the Chemistry Group at IGCAR and was Raja Ramanna Fellow of the centre. He was a Senior Professor at Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) and formulating and conducting chemistry related courses at IGCAR. He is currently one of the editors of Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Elsevier.

1. Thermophysical properties of liquid metals and choice of liquid metals and choice of liquid metal coolants for advanced nuclear systems 2. Chemical properties of liquid metal coolants 3. Handling of liquid metal coolants – purification, chemical characterization, metal fires and their extinguishment methods, disposal of liquid metal wastes 4. Pumps and Instrumentation for liquid metal circuits 5. Corrosion and mass transfer in liquid metal systems