lnvestigation of β-Emission Methods of Monitoring Coolant Water Level in Nuclear Power Plants

Abstract

This investigation was performed on a vessel heat-engineering bench. The working medium was water under pressure up to it 20.5 MPa and temperature from 20 (cold) to 350°C (hot). The controllers were a β-emission sensor of level and a Sapfir-22DD differential manometer as the standard. The objective was to determine the characteristics of a β-emission sensor under the conditions of the working medium. Analysis of the experimental data showed that the indications of the β-emission sensor and differential manometer were identical and linear as a function of the level of both the cold and hot water. The characteristics of the β-emission sensor are: minimal response time and measurement error, very small dimensions, serviceability at pressures to 20.5 MPa and temperature to 350°C, at least 10 years life, and energy independence of the primary converter.