Technique for detecting liquid metal leaks

Patent · 31 December 1978

OSTI ID:863254

Bauerle, James E ^[1]

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1. Pittsburgh, PA

In a system employing flowing liquid metal as a heat transfer medium in contact with tubular members containing a working fluid, i.e., steam, liquid metal leaks through the wall of the tubular member are detected by dislodging the liquid metal compounds forming in the tubular member at the leak locations and subsequently transporting the dislodged compound in the form of an aerosol to a detector responsive to the liquid metal compound. In the application to a sodium cooled tubular member, the detector would consist of a sodium responsive device, such as a sodium ion detector.

• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4134290
• OSTI ID: 863254
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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