Apparatus for and method of monitoring for breached fuel elements
This invention teaches improved apparatus for the method of detecting a breach in cladded fuel used in a nuclear reactor. The detector apparatus uses a separate bypass loop for conveying part of the reactor coolant away from the core, and at least three separate delayed-neutron detectors mounted proximate this detector loop. The detectors are spaced apart so that the coolant flow time from the core to each detector is different, and these differences are known. The delayed-neutron activity at the detectors is a function of the delay time after the reaction in the fuel until the coolant carrying the delayed-neutron emitter passes the respective detector. This time delay is broken down into separate components including an isotopic holdup time required for the emitter to move through the fuel from the reaction to the coolant at the breach, and two transit times required for the emitter now in the coolant to flow from the breach to the detector loop and then via the loop to the detector.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- Assignee:
- ERA-08-029614; NTS-83-012024; EDB-83-094303
- Application Number:
- ON: DE83010464
- OSTI ID:
- 6312872
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Apparatus for and method of monitoring for breached fuel elements
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Related Subjects
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FAILED ELEMENT MONITORS
NEUTRON DETECTORS
POWER REACTORS
FAILED ELEMENT DETECTION
DETECTION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORS
RADIATION DETECTORS
REACTORS
220200* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Components & Accessories
440101 - Radiation Instrumentation- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments