Abstract: Methods of placing sensors in structures may involve placing first particles including a first material of the structure on or above a support surface. Second particles including a second, different material may be dispersed among the first particles at least within a transition region of the structure proximate to a location where a sensor is to be supported by the structure. A sensor may be placed in the location. The first particles of the first material may be fused to one another and to the second particles of the second material to form the structure with the sensor supported by the structure.

Abstract: A sampling system for a high-temperature liquid includes a sampling loop, a venturi pump nebulizer, and an optical cell. The sampling loop includes a liquid inlet configured for the high-temperature liquid to flow into the sampling loop from a high-temperature liquid vessel and a liquid return configured for returning the high-temperature liquid to the high-temperature liquid vessel. The venturi pump nebulizer includes a nozzle positioned in the sampling loop downstream of the liquid inlet. The nozzle is configured to introduce a gas stream into the sampling loop to produce a vacuum within the sampling loop that draws the high-temperature liquid into the sampling loop and aerosolizes the high-temperature liquid in the gas stream. The optical cell is configured to receive the aerosolized high-temperature liquid for on-line chemical monitoring thereof. The optical cell includes at least one optical window configured for data acquisition to perform the on-line chemical monitoring.

Abstract: A method of forming a heat exchanger including selecting process parameters for a directed energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing process for forming a housing and channels within the housing of a heat exchanger and forming the channels within the housing using the process parameters of the DED additive manufacturing process. The inner walls of the channels have hydrophobic or superhydrophobic surface properties, and the inner walls of the channels exhibit an as-fabricated surface roughness factor within a range from about 1.0 to about 2.5. A heat exchanger and a reactor assembly comprising a nuclear reactor and a heat exchanger are also disclosed.

Abstract: Flow meters may include a body defining a fluid channel therein. At least one structure may be positioned within the fluid channel, and fixed relative to the body, that is shaped and positioned to produce a flow-induced vibration that varies according to a rate of fluid flow through the fluid channel. A method of measuring a fluid flow rate may include directing a fluid over a first structure located in a first channel, and producing a first flow-induced vibration that varies according to a rate of fluid flow in a first channel with the first structure. The method may further include measuring the vibration of a remote structure coupled to the first channel, and determining the rate of fluid flow in the first channel from the measured vibration.

Abstract: A method of forming at least a component of a heat exchanger comprises introducing a feed material comprising a first portion including a matrix material and a second portion including a sacrificial material on a surface of a substrate, exposing at least the first portion to energy to form bonds between particles of the matrix material and form a first thickness of a structure, introducing additional feed material comprising the first portion over the first thickness of the structure, exposing the additional feed material to energy to form a second thickness of the structure, and removing the sacrificial material from the structure to form at least one channel in the structure. Related heat exchangers and components, and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Valves may include an opening sized and shaped to permit a subject fluid to flow through the opening when the opening is unobstructed. A heat exchange element may be located proximate to the opening, the heat exchange element positioned and configured to induce a localized phase change in the subject fluid to form and unform a solid plug from the subject fluid around at least a portion of the heat exchange element. A heat transfer rate of the heat exchange element may be variable to control a rate of flow of the subject fluid through the valve by controlling a size of the solid plug from the subject fluid.

Abstract: A fluid flow simulation device may include a heating chamber configured to heat a conductive fluid with one or more electrodes. The fluid flow simulation device may also include a heat exchanger positioned over the heating chamber and a downcomer coupled between an outlet of the heat exchanger and a bottom of the heating chamber.

Abstract: A method of forming at least a component of a heat exchanger comprises introducing a feed material comprising a first portion including a matrix material and a second portion including a sacrificial material on a surface of a substrate, exposing at least the first portion to energy to form bonds between particles of the matrix material and form a first thickness of a structure, introducing additional feed material comprising the first portion over the first thickness of the structure, exposing the additional feed material to energy to form a second thickness of the structure, and removing the sacrificial material from the structure to form at least one channel in the structure. Related heat exchangers and components, and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Valves may include an opening sized and shaped to permit a subject fluid to flow through the opening when the opening is unobstructed. A heat exchange element may be located proximate to the opening, the heat exchange element positioned and configured to induce a localized phase change in the subject fluid to form and unform a solid plug from the subject fluid around at least a portion of the heat exchange element. A heat transfer rate of the heat exchange element may be variable to control a rate of flow of the subject fluid through the valve by controlling a size of the solid plug from the subject fluid.

Abstract: Flow meters may include a body defining a fluid channel therein. At least one structure may be positioned within the fluid channel, and fixed relative to the body, that is shaped and positioned to produce a flow induced vibration that varies according to a rate of fluid flow through the fluid channel. A method of measuring a fluid flow rate may include directing a fluid over a first structure located in a first channel, and producing a first flow induced vibration that varies according to a rate of fluid flow in a first channel with the first structure. The method may further include measuring the vibration of a remote structure coupled to the first channel, and determining the rate of fluid flow in the first channel from the measured vibration.

Abstract: Energy storage systems include a heat source and a thermal energy storage system to store thermal energy produced by the heat source. The thermal energy storage system includes a first tank containing a first salt having a first melting temperature and a second tank containing a second salt having a second melting temperature. At least one input conduit is configured for transferring thermal energy from the heat source to the first tank and second tank. A first output conduit is in thermal communication with the first tank. A second output conduit is in thermal communication with the second tank. Additional energy storage systems include a heat booster positioned and configured to add thermal energy to a heated heat transfer fluid prior to reaching a tank containing at least one thermal storage material. Methods include transferring thermal energy from a thermal energy source to a plurality of thermal energy storage tanks.

Abstract: Methods of placing sensors in structures may involve placing first particles including a first material of the structure on or above a support surface. Second particles including a second, different material may be dispersed among the first particles at least within a transition region of the structure proximate to a location where a sensor is to be supported by the structure. A sensor may be placed in the location. The first particles of the first material may be fused to one another and to the second particles of the second material to form the structure with the sensor supported by the structure.

Abstract: A method of forming at least a component of a heat exchanger comprises introducing a feed material comprising a first portion including a matrix material and a second portion including a sacrificial material on a surface of a substrate, exposing at least the first portion to energy to form bonds between particles of the matrix material and form a first thickness of a structure, introducing additional feed material comprising the first portion over the first thickness of the structure, exposing the additional feed material to energy to form a second thickness of the structure, and removing the sacrificial material from the structure to form at least one channel in the structure. Related heat exchangers and components, and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Energy storage systems include a heat source and a thermal energy storage system to store thermal energy produced by the heat source. The thermal energy storage system includes a first tank containing a first salt having a first melting temperature and a second tank containing a second salt having a second melting temperature. At least one input conduit is configured for transferring thermal energy from the heat source to the first tank and second tank. A first output conduit is in thermal communication with the first tank. A second output conduit is in thermal communication with the second tank. Additional energy storage systems include a heat booster positioned and configured to add thermal energy to a heated heat transfer fluid prior to reaching a tank containing at least one thermal storage material. Methods include transferring thermal energy from a thermal energy source to a plurality of thermal energy storage tanks.