Monitoring system for a liquid-cooled nuclear fission reactor

Patent · Tue Mar 10 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6682226

De Volpi, A

This patent describes a fission reactor having a pressure vessel, a core in the pressure vessel, means for generating fission reaction heat in the core, and means including a coolant circulating under pressure through the reactor vessel and core for transmitting the heat to outside of the reactor for external conversion to useful work. An improved monitoring means is described for determining the level of the coolant at various regions in the reactor vessel, comprising the combination of gamma radiation detectors; means for positioning the radiation detectors adjacent the reactor vessel on the exterior side thereof. The radiation detectors are vertically spaced apart over the reactor vessel and the detectors are arranged in at least two sets, wherein each set of detectors is oriented radially to span different radially adjacent regions in the reactor to the exclusion primarily of the other sets; means for collimating each of the detectors to admit gamma radiation energy only along a limited substantially straight beam path; and means for detecting changes in the signals of the respective detectors and for apprising the corresponding changes in the level and density of the water proximate thereto.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4649015
• OSTI ID: 6682226
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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