Patent ID: 9721684
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: G21C,Y02E

Claim:
1. A system for detecting an individual leaking fuel channel included in a reactor having an array of fuel channels arranged in columns and rows, each fuel channel including a pressure tube, a calandria tube surrounding the pressure tube, and an annulus space defined between the pressure tube and the calandria tube, the system comprising: a plurality of inlet lines, each of the plurality of inlet lines feeding annulus fluid in parallel to the annulus spaces of a corresponding plurality of fuel channels of a first grouping type; a plurality of detectors, each one positioned at an outlet of one of the plurality of outlet lines, each detector configured to detect moisture in annulus fluid; a plurality of outlet lines, each of the plurality of outlet lines collecting in parallel annulus fluid exiting the annulus spaces of a corresponding plurality of fuel channels of a second grouping type; and a plurality of isolation valves, each one positioned at an inlet of one of the plurality of inlet lines, each isolation valve operable to close and stop annulus fluid from circulating through one of the plurality of inlet lines, wherein the first grouping type is either one of a row or a column, and the second grouping type is the other one of a row or a column such that one of the plurality of detectors detecting moisture in the circulating annulus fluid is operable to identify a row or a column of an individual leaking fuel channel and sequential closing of the plurality of isolation valves is operable to identify the other of a row or a column of the individual leaking fuel channel.