Sodium Pump Test Facility
The Sodium Pump Test Facility (SPTF) started operations in 1974 and continued through October 2001. Constructed in the early 70s, the SPTF was one of seven liquid metal test facilities at the ETEC used for research and development. The SPTF’s primary purpose was to provide a test bed for development, performance, and verification testing of large sodium pumps.
Both electric-magnetic and conventional pumps were tested at SPTF. The pumps were part of a larger effort to design safe and efficient thermal transfer loops for liquid metal cooled reactors. To test the pump, sodium in the facility was heated with electric heaters.
Cleanup
The SPTF is currently undergoing cleanup and closure activities. The high-grade pure sodium has been removed and shipped to another industrial facility for reuse. Demolition is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.
