Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Real-time reactor coolant system boron concentration monitor utilizing an ultrasonic spectroscpopy system
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Application No.: US16840498Application Date: 2020-04-06
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Publication No.: US11238996B2Publication Date: 2022-02-01
- Inventor: Michael D. Heibel , Jorge V. Carvajal , Nicola G. Arlia , Melissa M. Walter , Robert W. Flammang , Michael A. James , David M. Sumego
- Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
- Applicant Address: US PA Cranberry Township
- Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
- Current Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
- Current Assignee Address: US PA Cranberry Township
- Agency: K&L Gates LLP
- Main IPC: G21C17/022
- IPC: G21C17/022 ; G21C17/112 ; G01S15/88 ; G01S15/89

Abstract:
A method and a system for performing real-time, continuous, measurements of the boron concentration in the water entering a nuclear reactor coolant system. The invention utilizes knowledge of the impact that boron contained in liquid water has on the attenuation of acoustic or ultrasonic waves. This information, coupled with radiation damage resistant and high temperature operability capable transmitter and receiver equipment, provides the means to place the measurement system sensors and signal processing electronics on the reactor coolant system charging flow piping or the hot leg or cold leg of the reactor coolant loop. This will allow the reactor operator to directly monitor both the reactor coolant system boron concentration value and detect changes in the reactor coolant system boron concentration relative to a reference value as they occur.
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