US 4,032,395 A · Fuel leak detection apparatus for gas cooled nuclear reactors

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for detecting nuclear fuel leaks within nuclear power system reactors, such as high temperature gas cooled reactors. The apparatus includes a probe assembly that is inserted into the high temperature reactor coolant gaseous stream. The probe has an aperture adapted to communicate gaseous fluid between its inside and outside surfaces and also contains an inner tube for sampling gaseous fluid present near the aperture. A high pressure supply of noncontaminated gas is provided to selectively balance the pressure of the stream being sampled to prevent gas from entering the probe through the aperture. The apparatus includes valves that are operable to cause various directional flows and pressures, which valves are located outside of the reactor walls to permit maintenance work and the like to be performed without shutting down the reactor.

Claims9

Dependent claims

Apparatus for use in the detection of gaseous radioactive iodine in the gaseous coolant of a nuclear reactor comprising:

elongated probe means extending through a penetration of a reactor vessel to the gaseous coolant stream, said elongated probe being sealed to prohibit leakage of said coolant from between said probe and the penetration;
said probe means having an outer generally cylindrically shaped wall, a conduit means positioned inside of said outer wall and defining a first passage adapted to communicate gaseous coolant therethrough, the area between said conduit means and said outer wall providing a second passage, said inner conduit means terminating adjacent the end of said probe means so as to define a reservoir, the outer wall of said probe means having an orifice therein for selectively communicating gaseous coolant from said stream to said reservoir in response to the relative pressures on opposite sides of said orifice;
valve means adapted to selectively open and close said first and second passages to permit flow therethrough;
said conduit means having an iodine absorption bed located therein adjacent the reservoir.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fuel leak detection apparatus for gas cooled nuclear reactors

Life of this patent

Fuel leak detection apparatus for gas cooled nuclear reactors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9