Apparatus for and method of monitoring for breached fuel elements

Patent · Tue Apr 28 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6312872

Gross, K C; Strain, R V

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-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: EDB-83-094303; ERA-08-029614; NTS-83-012024
• Patent Number(s): None
• Application Number: ON: DE83010464
• OSTI ID: 6312872
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
440101 -- Radiation Instrumentation-- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DETECTION
FAILED ELEMENT DETECTION
FAILED ELEMENT MONITORS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORS
NEUTRON DETECTORS
POWER REACTORS
RADIATION DETECTORS
REACTORS