Leak detection and water-cooled reactor - using electroacoustic transducer at circuit wall for early signalling of leak

摘要

Leak in the cooling water of a nuclear reactor is detected by fitting an acousto-electric transducer at, on or near the wall of the cooling water circuit or a closely associated component. The acoustic vibrations generated by a leak are converted into electrical signals, signals of frequency 0.1-1 MHz being selected; an alarm is initiated to indicate the cooling water leak when the electric signals rise above a predetermined level determined by the background noise. More specifically, the acousto-electric transducer may be fitted to the pressure-retaining wall of the circuit, or to a wave-conducting element in the wall. A piezo-electric element may be used, more specifically a PZT element. A small leak can be detected before occurrence of radioactivity outside the cooling water circuit could be detected. Thus a high response sensitivity is achieved giving early detection.