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Method of detecting leakage of reactor core components of liquid metal cooled fast reactors

Patent ·
OSTI ID:862880
A method of detecting the failure of a sealed non-fueled core component of a liquid-metal cooled fast reactor having an inert cover gas. A gas mixture is incorporated in the component which includes Xenon-124; under neutron irradiation, Xenon-124 is converted to radioactive Xenon-125. The cover gas is scanned by a radiation detector. The occurrence of 188 Kev gamma radiation and/or other identifying gamma radiation-energy level indicates the presence of Xenon-125 and therefore leakage of a component. Similarly, Xe-126, which transmutes to Xe-127 and Kr-84, which produces Kr-85.sup.m can be used for detection of leakage. Different components are charged with mixtures including different ratios of isotopes other than Xenon-124. On detection of the identifying radiation, the cover gas is subjected to mass spectroscopic analysis to locate the leaking component.
Research Organization:
Hanford Engineering Development Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
DOE Contract Number:
AT(45-1)-2170
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
4,033,813
Application Number:
05/624804
OSTI ID:
862880
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English