Wireless power level and power distribution monitoring and control system for subcritical spent fuel assembly array using removable SIC neutron detector thimble tube

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11977193-B2
Application number	US-202217813156-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 18, 2022
Priority date	Jul 18, 2022
Publication date	May 7, 2024
Grant date	May 7, 2024

Abstract

A power sensor system for monitoring a subcritical neutron generator is provided. The power sensor system comprises a self-powered sensor insert. The self-powered sensor insert comprises an insert thimble and a detector assembly. The insert thimble includes an outer housing, a power generator configured to produce an electrical power based on an incident radiation and a first electrical interface electrically connected to the power generator. The detector assembly includes a solid state radiation detector able to provide a detector signal directly proportional to a neutron flux level, a transmitter configured to wirelessly output a transmitter signal based on the detector signal and a second electrical interface configured to electrically couple to the first electrical interface. A power monitor system comprising a power sensor system and a control system and a method for optimizing a subcritical neutron generator are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A power sensor system for monitoring a subcritical neutron generator, the power sensor system comprising:
a self-powered sensor insert for measuring neutron flux levels in a spent fuel assembly of the subcritical neutron generator, the self-powered sensor insert comprising:
an insert thimble comprising:
an outer housing comprising a closed end, wherein the outer housing is insertable into a guide thimble of a spent fuel assembly;
a hollow tube positioned within the outer housing;
a power generator positioned between the hollow tube and the outer housing, the power generator comprising an electron emitter and an electron collector, wherein the electron emitter comprises a first material and a second material, wherein the electron emitter is configured to be responsive to an incident radiation produced by the spent fuel assembly, and wherein the power generator is configured to produce an electrical power based on the incident radiation; and
a first electrical interface electrically connected to the power generator; and

a detector assembly, comprising:
a detector tube sized to fit into the hollow tube of the insert thimble, the detector tube comprising a solid state radiation detector, wherein the solid state radiation detector provides a detector signal directly proportional to a neutron flux level;
a transmitter section comprising a transmission circuit, wherein the transmitter section is configured to wirelessly output a transmitter signal based on the detector signal; and
a second electrical interface configured to electrically couple to the first electrical interface, wherein the second electrical interface is electrically connected to the transmission circuit.

2. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the power generator comprises a multilayer wire, the multilayer wire comprising:
an emitter core comprising a first layer and a second layer, wherein the emitter core is configured to produce an electron emission in response to the incident radiation;
an electrical insulation layer, wherein the electrical insulation surrounds the emitter core; and
a collector sheath surrounding the electrical insulation layer, wherein the collector sheath is configured to sink the electron emission.

3. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the first layer comprises a material having a high neutron capture cross section and wherein the second layer comprises a metallic material having a high atomic number.

4. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the first layer comprises Gadolinium-157, Hafnium-177, or a combination thereof.

5. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the collector sheath comprises a metallic material having a low atomic number.

6. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the electrical insulation layer comprises Magnesium oxide.

7. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the multilayer wire is helically wrapped around the hollow tube.

8. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the first electrical contact of the first electrical interface is electrically connected to the emitter core, and wherein the second electrical contact of the first electrical interface is electrically connected to the collector sheath.

9. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the solid state radiation detector comprises a Silicon Carbide based Schottky diode.

10. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the Schottky diode is configured to be primarily neutron sensitive.

11. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the Schottky diode comprises Boron, Lithium, or a combination thereof.

12. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the detector tube comprises a number of radiation detectors, wherein the transmitter signal is based on a detector signal provided by each of the radiation detectors.

13. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the power sensor system comprises a coupler adapted to provide a watertight coupling between the insert thimble and the detector assembly.

14. The power sensor system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the power sensor system comprises an auxiliary power system, the auxiliary power system comprising an auxiliary power insert and an auxiliary power output cap, wherein the auxiliary power insert is configured to produce an auxiliary electrical power based on the incident radiation, wherein the power output cap is electrically connected to the auxiliary power insert and the second electrical interface, wherein the power output cap is electrically connected in parallel with the power generator.

Assignees

• Westinghouse Electric Co Llc

Inventors

• Heibel Michael D

Classifications

• Y02E30/30

  Nuclear fission reactors · CPC title

• G01T3/08

  with semiconductor detectors · CPC title

• G01T3/006 Primary

  using self-powered detectors (for neutrons as well as for Y- or X-rays), e.g. using Compton-effect (Compton diodes) or photo-emission or a (n,B) nuclear reaction (radioisotopic generators G21H1/00, e.g. G21H1/02, G21H1/04; photo-tubes H01J40/00; thermionic generators H01J45/00) · CPC title

• G21C17/06

  Devices or arrangements for monitoring or testing fuel or fuel elements outside the reactor core, e.g. for burn-up, for contamination (G21C17/08, G21C17/10 take precedence; detecting leaking fuel elements during reactor operation G21C17/04) · CPC title

• G21G1/06

  by neutron irradiation · CPC title