|
|
|
Nuclear Reactor Power Monitoring Using Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Radiation Detectors
Volume 140 · Number 2 · November 2002 · Pages 198-208
Technical Paper · Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control, and Human-Machine Interface Technologies
Frank H. Ruddy, Abdul R. Dulloo, John G. Seidel, Frederick W. Hantz, Louis R. Grobmyer
ANS Store: Purchase Article
Silicon carbide semiconductor neutron detectors are being developed for use as ex-vessel power monitors for pressurized water reactors. Key features such as neutron response, radiation resistance, and high-temperature operation have been explored for silicon carbide detectors, and the results are consistent with their use in the ex-vessel environment. Prototype silicon carbide ex-core neutron detectors have been assembled and tested under research reactor conditions simulating ex-core neutron monitoring requirements. Linear, pulse-mode operation without the need for gamma compensation has been demonstrated with these prototype detectors. The silicon carbide detectors are compared to presently deployed gas-filled ex-vessel detectors, and several advantages of the silicon carbide technology can be seen. It is anticipated that a wide-range silicon carbide neutron detector can be designed to replace the combined functions of the multiple power range detectors in use. Furthermore, the need for gamma-ray compensation will be eliminated, and more efficient reactor operation and simplified reactor operating procedures will result.
|
|
|
|
