Calibrating a vacuum ionization gauge for hydrogen using a frit-type plugging meter

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Nuclear Technology; (USA)

OSTI ID:7013755

Vaden, D E ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (USA)

The hydrogen meter leak detectors at the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) are periodically checked with a vacuum ionization gauge to see if the leak detectors are calibrated. The gauge, which measures equilibrium pressure, requires an equation to convert the gauge pressure to the hydrogen concentration in sodium. The original equation is derived from Sievert's law with adjustments for gauge sensitivity to hydrogen and thermal transpiration effects. EBR-II experience has shown that the Sievert's law equation has not been reliable in accurately determining the hydrogen concentration in sodium. It is also difficult to determine the hydrogen gauge sensitivity, which can change with time. This paper reports the development of a new equation over a hydrogen range of 0.063 to 0.230 ppm, by using a frit-type plugging meter to determine the hydrogen concentration when an equilibrium pressure measurement is done. With sodium hydride as the predominant impurity, the impurity saturation temperature (plugging temperature) measured with the plugging meter can be used to calculate the hydrogen concentration.

• OSTI ID: 7013755
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology; (USA), Journal Name: Nuclear Technology; (USA) Vol. 88:3; ISSN NUTYB; ISSN 0029-5450
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220400* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Control Systems
220600 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Research
Test & Experimental Reactors
ALKALI METALS
BREEDER REACTORS
CALCULATION METHODS
CALIBRATION
EBR-2 REACTOR
ELEMENTS
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
EXPERIMENTAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
HYDROGEN
IONIZATION GAGES
LEAK DETECTORS
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
NONMETALS
POWER REACTORS
PRESSURE GAGES
PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
RADIATION DOSE UNITS
REACTOR MONITORING SYSTEMS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
SIEVERT UNIT
SODIUM
SODIUM COOLED REACTORS
UNITS
VACUUM GAGES