Kingsley F. Graham

Sensitivity enhancement for airborne radioactivity monitoring system to detect reactor coolant leaks

A method and apparatus for measuring radioactivity associated with nuclear reactor coolant leaks. The method includes providing a delay tank in a gas sampling line upstream of a radiation particulate monitor, the delay tank allowing radioactive noble gases from the leak to decay to radioactive daughter particulates that are monitored by the radiation particulate monitor. The apparatus includes the delay tank as well as a background delay tank and a valve sequencer for comparing radiation associated with the delay tank to radiation associated with the background delay tank.

Apparatus for monitoring the pressure within a cask containing radioactive material

An apparatus for monitoring the pressure within a cask containing radioactive materials is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a differential pressure sensor sealingly connected to a bore that penetrates through the wall of the cask for directly monitoring the pressure of the helium gas contained within the cask and for providing a first barrier between the helium gas and the ambient atmosphere. An evacuated sensor chamber surrounds both the outlet end of the through-wall bore and the differential pressure sensor for providing a second barrier between the helium and the ambient atmosphere as well as a vacuum reference point for the differential pressure sensor. An absolute pressure sensor is connected in parallel to the through-wall bore to allow the system operator to determine whether or not a reduction in the pressure sensed by the differential pressure sensor is the result of a leakage condition in the cask, or in the evacuated sensor chamber. The pressure monitoring apparatus allows direct pressure readings to be taken within the cask itself which are reliably confirmable, and further provides multiple mechanical barriers between the hazardous helium gas contained within such a cask, and the ambient atmosphere.

A Remote Data Acquisition and Display System

A remote data acquisition and display system is described. The system deploys distributed intelligent microprocessors using a structured, high-level language with a simple operating system. The hardware and microprocessor software are modular; thus, the overall system is flexible and can be easily tailored to a wide variety of applications. The remote units accept a variety of analog and digital signals, perform automatic test and calibration of analog inputs, and perform conversion to customary units of measure. Information is digitally multiplexed from the input units to display units which format the data for alphanumeric or graphic displays or for conventional analog meters or recorders. Operator interactions are achieved by means of functional keys on the display or via a maintenance terminal. Software tests and on-line diagnostics are used to detect faults and aid in maintenance and repair.

A Microprocessor Based Reactor Vessel Level Containment Monitor

A Reactor Vessel Level/Containment Monitor is described. Two separate systems, integrated into one, perform the functions of measuring and displaying the reactor core coolant level and the following containment conditions: radiation, pressure, temperature, hydrogen concentration, sump level and spray flow rate. The functions of each system are fully described, along with the hardware and software used in the implementation. Novel features and new technologies are highlighted from the human interface point of view.