Monitoring nuclear reactor core - using acoustic sensors and computer to detect accidents, or damage to fuel rods

摘要

The reactor consists of a pressure vessel contg. numerous fuel rod assemblies, and in which a cooling fluid circulates. Guide tubes for measuring appts. pass through the wall of the vessel, and are located in the assemblies. At least one of the guide tubes is also provided with a sensor picking up the acoustic signals originating in the reactor core; and these signals are used to monitor the operation of the reactor. The acoustic signals are pref. filtered to obtain certain frequencies used to detect accidents, and to detect the level of the boiling cooling fluid so water can be added through safety circuits. The signals are pref. processed by a computer.S Appts. is used for example, in a pressurised water nuclear reactor.