Method and apparatus for monitoring physical integrity of a wall in a vessel

摘要

An apparatus and method is described for monitoring the physical integrity of a vessel, such as a molten metal reactor. The apparatus includes a vessel for containing an electrically-conductive liquid having at least one electrically-grounded detection unit located within the containment wall of the vessel. Monitoring changes in electrical current flow of the detection unit relates to the physical integrity of the vessel containment wall and prevents unanticipated breaching of the vessel by the electrically-conductive liquid.