Induced nuclear reactions: processes – systems – and elements – Testing – sensing – measuring – or detecting a fission reactor... – Vessel monitoring or inspection
Patent
1993-01-15
1994-06-21
Walsh, Donald P.
Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
Testing, sensing, measuring, or detecting a fission reactor...
Vessel monitoring or inspection
376305, G21C 900
Patent
active
053234294
ABSTRACT:
Stress-corrosion damage is monitored in penetrations traversing the wall of a vessel containing an electrolyte, such as a nuclear reactor pressure vessel containing a coolant. The vessel wall has tubular penetrations for coupling external devices to internal structures of the vessel while maintaining a pressure barrier, such as control rod guides and sensor signal cables. The penetrations are subject to stress-corrosion damage, especially adjacent welds affixing the tubes to the vessel head. One or more of the penetrations is provided with a probe forming with the tube an electrochemical sensor cell, including an electrode exposed to the electrolyte together with the surface of the penetration. The electrode and the surface are otherwise insulated, and a plurality of electrodes can be arrayed for monitoring distinct localized areas. The electrodes are wired to a detector circuit developing signals as a function of electrochemical activity due to stress and corrosion, indicative of corrosion of all the penetrations. Electrochemical potential, impedance, current, and particularly noise levels in these signals are detected and read out for assessing deterioration of the penetration surface as a function of the electrochemical activity.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2834858 (1958-05-01), Schaschi
patent: 3491012 (1970-01-01), Winslow, Jr.
patent: 3504323 (1970-03-01), Meany, Jr.
patent: 4425193 (1984-01-01), Taylor
patent: 4426618 (1984-01-01), Ronchetti et al.
patent: 4548785 (1985-10-01), Richardson et al.
patent: 4575678 (1986-03-01), Hladky
patent: 4655077 (1987-04-01), Purvis et al.
patent: 4759902 (1988-07-01), Anstine
patent: 4831324 (1989-05-01), Asakura et al.
patent: 4935195 (1990-06-01), Palusamy et al.
patent: 5139627 (1992-08-01), Eden et al.
patent: 5171517 (1992-12-01), Solomon et al.
"On-Line Materials Surveillance for Improved Reliability in Power Generation Systems," Paper No. 254, NACE Annual Conference and Corrosion Show, Mar. 1991.
Eden David A.
Roarty David H.
Chelliah Meena
Walsh Donald P.
Westinghouse Electric Corporation
LandOfFree
Electrochemical monitoring of vessel penetrations does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electrochemical monitoring of vessel penetrations, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electrochemical monitoring of vessel penetrations will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2226438