US 12,451,261 B2
Apparatus for detecting nuclear reactor coolant leaks
Yong Kyun Kim, Sejong-si (KR); Tae Soon Kwon, Daejeon (KR); Sang Min Lee, Seoul (KR); Ki Hong Pak, Seoul (KR); Jong Heon Kim, Seoul (KR); and Young Sik Cho, Sejong-si (KR)
Assigned to IUCF-HYU (INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY), Seoul (KR); and KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Daejeon (KR)
Filed by IUCF-HYU (INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY), Seoul (KR); and KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Deajeon (KR)
Filed on Jan. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/581,277.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2021-0120266 (KR), filed on Sep. 9, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0081538 A1, Mar. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. G21C 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 17/002 (2013.01) 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for detecting nuclear reactor coolant leaks, comprising:
a shield
having an internal space
configured to allow sample air containing a coolant leaking from a primary coolant system pipe of a nuclear reactor to be introduced,
and configured to close the internal space or expand the internal space through detachable coupling;
a collection pipe
provided to be located in a same area as the primary coolant system pipe and having a plurality of collection holes formed on an outer peripheral surface of the collection pipe in a longitudinal direction thereof,
wherein the collection pipe allows the coolant to be introduced into at least one collection hole among the plurality of collection holes;
a sensor disposed in the internal space, wherein the sensor is configured to detect and count a radiation from the sample air containing the coolant leaking from the primary coolant system pipe
and obtain a radiation signal from the radiation; and
a discriminator for determining, based on the radiation signal, whether the coolant is leaking,
wherein the shield comprises:
an inlet pipe connected to the collection pipe through which the sample air is introduced into the internal space; and
a discharge pipe through which the sample air located in the internal space is discharged outside,
wherein a time for the sample air containing the coolant to reach the shield varies according to locations of the plurality of collection holes, such that a count rate at a time of detecting the radiation changes according to a location of the at least one collection hole into which the coolant is introduced, and
wherein the discriminator is configured to determine, based on a change in the count rate according to the locations of the plurality of collection holes, a leakage location of the coolant of the primary coolant system pipe.