Gamma thermometer based reactor core liquid level detector
- Knoxville, TN
A system is provided which employs a modified gamma thermometer for determining the liquid coolant level within a nuclear reactor core. The gamma thermometer which normally is employed to monitor local core heat generation rate (reactor power), is modified by thermocouple junctions and leads to obtain an unambiguous indication of the presence or absence of coolant liquid at the gamma thermometer location. A signal processor generates a signal based on the thermometer surface heat transfer coefficient by comparing the signals from the thermocouples at the thermometer location. The generated signal is a direct indication of loss of coolant due to the change in surface heat transfer when coolant liquid drops below the thermometer location. The loss of coolant indication is independent of reactor power at the thermometer location. Further, the same thermometer may still be used for the normal power monitoring function.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Assignee:
- Burns, Thomas J. (Knoxville, TN)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4406011
- OSTI ID:
- 864709
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
thermometer
based
reactor
core
liquid
level
detector
provided
employs
modified
determining
coolant
nuclear
normally
employed
monitor
local
heat
generation
rate
power
thermocouple
junctions
leads
obtain
unambiguous
indication
presence
absence
location
signal
processor
generates
surface
transfer
coefficient
comparing
signals
thermocouples
generated
direct
loss
due
change
drops
below
independent
normal
monitoring
function
signal based
processor generates
coolant level
generated signal
liquid coolant
signal processor
nuclear reactor
heat transfer
reactor core
liquid level
level detector
coolant liquid
reactor power
thermocouple junctions
surface heat
transfer coefficient
drops below
gamma thermometer
signal process
heat generation
core heat
core liquid
thermocouple junction
liquid drop
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