NUCLEAR REACTOR NEUTRON FLUX MONITORING SYSTEM Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC G21C17/00 

FIELD: monitoring neutron flux to check up, control, and protect tank reactors.

SUBSTANCE: proposed nuclear reactor neutron flux monitoring system has neutron flux sensors as well as input signal processing and protection signal generating device. Neutron flux sensors are disposed along vertical axis beyond reactor vessel. There are three neutron flux sensors. One of them is installed in center of reactor core height and two other ones, above and below core center. Input signal processing and protection signal generation device is made in the for of a number of modules. First module functions to evaluate axial offset, variation factor of axial energy distribution mean for reactor core, and reactor thermal capacity corrected including correction factors. First module is coupled with three neutron flux sensors and with following reactor process inspection sensors: control element position sensors and coolant temperature sensors at inlet of rector circulation loops. Second module functions to evaluate reactor thermal capacity corrected including desired limitation of correction factor and generation of signals initiating protection responses to enhancement of mentioned capacity admissible value. Second module is coupled with first output of first module and also directly with top and bottom neutron-flux sensors. Third module functions to evaluate margin to maximal admissible linear energy release, margin to burnout, and to generate signals initiating protective properties upon attaining mentioned maximal admissible margins. Third module is coupled with second output of first module as well as with following sensors of reactor process inspection systems: reactor pressure sensors, flow sensors of coolant discharge through core. Second and third modules are coupled with reactor control and protection system.

EFFECT: enhanced reliability of rector protective gear.

4 cl, 2 dwg