Methods and apparatuses for monitoring nuclear reactor core conditions
AssigneeGE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
InventorsRobert J. Ginsberg, John R. Bass, Mark A. Bergman
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Abstract
A temperature sensor array includes several temperature sensors at different positions for installation within an instrumentation tube of a nuclear reactor. The temperature sensors measure temperature at multiple axial positions of the nuclear reactor, and plant operators are able to access and interpret this measurement data. Temperatures associated with vessel coolant boiling or loss and/or fuel damage can be detected by the temperature sensors to permit more direct determinations of core fluid levels. Multiple temperature sensor arrays permit vessel fluid levels and conditions to be measured at multiple core locations.
Claims20
A temperature sensor array comprising:
- a plurality of temperature sensors aligned at different axial positions, wherein the temperature sensors are configured to be inserted into an instrumentation tube within a nuclear reactor, and wherein the temperature sensors are further configured to substantially maintain their physical characteristics within an operating nuclear reactor environment.
A nuclear reactor comprising:
- a core containing nuclear fuel;
- an instrumentation tube extending into the core, wherein the instrumentation tube has an opening outside the reactor to permit enclosed access to the core;
- and
- a temperature sensor array extending into the instrumentation tube, wherein the temperature sensor array includes a plurality of temperature sensors aligned at different axial positions within the instrumentation tube.
A method of monitoring a nuclear reactor, the method comprising:
- installing a plurality of temperature sensors at different axial positions within an instrumentation tube of the nuclear reactor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.