Real-time reactor coolant system boron concentration monitor utilizing an ultrasonic spectroscpopy system
US11238996B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 6, 2020 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 6, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and a system for performing real-time, continuous, measurements of the boron concentration in the water entering a nuclear reactor coolant system. The invention utilizes knowledge of the impact that boron contained in liquid water has on the attenuation of acoustic or ultrasonic waves. This information, coupled with radiation damage resistant and high temperature operability capable transmitter and receiver equipment, provides the means to place the measurement system sensors and signal processing electronics on the reactor coolant system charging flow piping or the hot leg or cold leg of the reactor coolant loop. This will allow the reactor operator to directly monitor both the reactor coolant system boron concentration value and detect changes in the reactor coolant system boron concentration relative to a reference value as they occur.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.