Alkali metal leak detection method and apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus for detecting a leak of an alkali metal in liquid form in a structure such as the heat transfer system of a nuclear reactor. When alkali metal leaks from its containment structure and thereupon comes into contact with a compound containing hydrogen which can be displaced by the alkali metal, a chemical reaction occurs by which hydrogen gas is generated. The hydrogen gas so generated will diffuse very rapidly throughout the region proximate to the sodium leak. The hydrogen compound can be present in a variety of physical forms. The compound barium hydroxide is especially suitable as a source for the generation of hydrogen gas. Water vapor in air or in an inert gas also provides a suitable hydrogen source. A sensor located within the region of the alkali metal leak will sense the presence of hydrogen gas and will thereupon activate an alarm or recording device. The efficiency of the leak detection system can be evaluated and periodically tested by simply introducing a measured quantity of hydrogen gas into the region proximate to the alkali containment structure. This obviates the necessity of effecting a controlled alkali metal leak in order to test the leak detection system.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.