Oxygen measurements in stagnant lead-bismuth eutectic using electrochemical sensors

Sensors are the major part of an active oxygen control system (OCS) to be used in ADS reactors employing lead bismuth eutectic (LBE). We tested Pt/air and Bi/Bi₂O₃ probes based on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) solid electrolytes. The sensors were calibrated by evaluating the electromotive force (EMF) - temperature dependencies in oxygen un-/saturated stagnant LBE compared to the van’t-Hoff’s isotherm. Also, probe kinetics while changing the H₂/H₂O ratio was studied. Typical, reproducible curves are presented confirming attainment of oxygen equilibrium between the fluids. The sensor outputs are deterministic, predictable. Exceptional small drifts were due to interfacial kinetics, not to the sensors behavior. Simultaneous testing of several probes in one melt was performed. The sensors seemed to be qualified for large scale use.     

Electrochemical oxygen sensors for on-line monitoring in lead-bismuth alloys: status of development

This paper presents the state of development of oxygen sensors based on the electromotive force (emf) measurement at null current, using yttria stabilized zirconia as solid electrolyte for application in liquid lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE), which is envisaged as a nuclear coolant or as a spallation target in accelerator driven system (ADS) for nuclear waste transmutation. The assembly procedure, the calibration method, as well as the summary of the various validation tests undergone in both static and loop facilities are presented so as to define a real state of achievement and the basics needs for further studies. The sensors are efficient, accurate, rapid and reliable for research loops. However, the poor mechanical resistance as well as the effect of traces of impurities, promoting an increasing time-drift under certain conditions, are to be further studied to improve the sensor reliability for a nuclear use. The oxygen and chromium solubilities were reassessed in the process of the sensor testing, those relations are also given and discussed.     

Aspects of minimizing steel corrosion in liquid lead-alloys by addition of oxygen

Minimizing steel corrosion in liquid lead-alloys by addition of oxygen requires devices for efficient oxygen transfer and reliable oxygen sensors. The accuracy of electrochemical oxygen sensors is analyzed using theoretical considerations and results from experiments in stagnant lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE). Additionally, the feasibility of gas/liquid oxygen-transfer and the long-term performance of electrochemical sensors in flowing liquid metal are addressed on the basis of the operating experience of the CORRIDA loop, a facility for testing steels in flowing LBE.     

饱和氧浓度铅铋共晶合金中Cu/Cu2O型氧传感器性能研究

共晶在池式液态铅铋合金固态氧控实验装置平台上进行了Cu/Cu2O型氧传感器的研发和测试,氧控平台从500℃阶梯式降温到300℃,降温过程铅铋合金中通入95%Ar+5%O2的混合气体令液态铅铋共晶合金（LBE）保持氧饱和状态。结果表明,在300~500℃温度区间内,采用Cu/Cu2O作为参比电极的氧传感器从准确性、响应性上都表现出良好的性能;氧传感器能迅速地对因温度变化而带来的氧浓度变化做出响应;氧传感器测量的电动势与理论电动势的相对误差保持在±3%内,氧浓度误差保持在±10%内,信号波动小于1.7 mV。      

Development of Sensors for On-Line Monitoring of Nonmetallic Impurities in Liquid Sodium

Sensors for on-line monitoring of hydrogen and carbon in sodium and hydrogen in argon cover gas circuits over sodium have been developed. The performance of these sensors in fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) and large sodium facilities is evaluated. A sensor for monitoring oxygen in sodium is under development. The in-sodium electrochemical hydrogen sensors are found to detect about 10 ppb increase in hydrogen concentration over a background of 50 ppb. The cover gas hydrogen monitoring sensor system is found to sense hydrogen down to 2 vppm in argon over sodium systems. Electrochemical carbon sensors are capable of detecting down to 1 ppm of carbon in sodium.     

Development of a hybrid ECT sensor for JSFR SG double-wall tubes

A new design has been adopted for the steam generator (SG) tubes of the Japan Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (JSFR) using double-wall tubes. This paper estimates and assesses the effectiveness of detecting defects in SG double-wall tubes of the JSFR by using combined high-frequency eddy current testing (ECT) and low-frequency remote field eddy current sensors. We confirm that the proposed hybrid ECT sensor is highly sensitive to small defects, fatigue cracks, and other defects even when located under support plates of tubes. The parameters of the hybrid ECT sensor are designed and optimized to detect small defects using accurate numerical simulations based on the finite element method, using an in-house developed code. The sensitivity and high performance of the hybrid ECT sensor was validated with experimental measurements.     

Signal validation techniques and power plant applications

Computerized signal validation is a software technique for integrating information from redundant and from functionally diverse sensors to provide highly reliable information to operating crews and to auto matic controllers. High reliability results from greater and more comprehensive use of existing sensor redundancy, and from inherent fault detection and isolation (FDI) of faulty sensors.

Operating crews at power plants have always performed some measure of manual signal validation. With the current thrust to introduce digital computers to support plant monitoring and operator aid functions# signal validation has become generally recognized as a key element in the interface between plant sensors and algorithms using sensor data. For any computerized system to be robust and to yield a false alarm rate that is credibly low, high information reliability must be assured at the front end.

Progress of research in computerized signal validation techniques has benefited the U.S. utilities by improving the reliability of safety parameter display systems (SPDS) implemented in the nuclear power plants. Conventional signal validation techniques have been combined with more robust parity space and analytic redundancy methods to provide reliable and real-time SPDS monitoring information to PWR and BWR operators. The technical details of the methods, application to PWR and BWR SPDS, and the extension of the techniques to plant control functions are reviewed in this paper.     

Performance of oxygen sensor in lead–bismuth at high temperature

Performance of yttria-stabilized zirconia solid electrolyte oxygen sensor with a reference electrode of Bi/Bi₂O₃ was investigated. The oxygen sensor was tested in alumina vessel in order to prevent generating of impurities. The oxygen potential in the melt was controlled by injecting steam–hydrogen gas mixture (P_H2/P_H2O) into stagnant LBE. The electromotive force (EMF) of the sensor was compared with the theoretical EMF derived from the Nernst equation at various LBE temperatures (550–700 °C). The influences of various injection gas temperatures (200–500 °C) on the sensor output were also investigated. It was found that the sensor signals of the oxygen potential in LBE have not been affected by the injection gas temperature. The results also showed that the measured EMFs were in good agreement with the theoretical values of the EMF. The material aspects were investigated as well. The SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) devices were used to analyze the cross-section of oxygen sensors after the exposition to LBE at 700 °C for 1000 h. The SEM micrograph showed that the yttria-stabilized zirconia solid electrolyte had an excellent corrosion resistance to the high temperature LBE as the working fluid and high temperature bismuth as the reference fluid.     

An ensemble approach to sensor fault detection and signal reconstruction for nuclear system control

To efficiently control a process, accurate sensor measurements must be provided of the signals used by the controller to decide which actions to actuate in order to maintain the system in the desired conditions. Noisy or faulty sensors must, then, be promptly detected and their signals corrected in order to avoid wrong control decisions. In this work, sensor diagnostics is tackled within an ensemble of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) models whose outcomes are aggregated by means of a local fusion (LF) strategy. The aggregated model thereby obtained is used for both the early detection and identification of faulty sensors, and for correcting their measured values. The fault detection decision logic is based on the Sequential Probability Ratio Test (SPRT). The proposed approach is demonstrated on a simulated case study concerning the pressure and level control in the pressurizer of a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR). The obtained results show the possibility to achieve an adequate control of the process even when a sensor failure occurs.     

Studies on reducing leakage current of large-area siliconmicrostrip sensors

8×4 cm² single-sided p⁺-i (or v)-n⁺ silicon microstrip sensors with coupling capacitors and polysilicon bias resistors were fabricated with the planar technology, and various techniques used to reduce the leakage currents of sensors and their results are presented. Different gettering processes have been employed to remove the impurities and defects from the sensor active regions, and the Electronic Research and Service Organization (ERSOs) Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) gettering technique, combined with backside polysilicon and oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) deposition process, was found to be the most effective and suitable one. From the measurement results of the special p⁺-i (or v)-n⁺ junction test structures, it was found that the sensor leakage current mainly came from the side-wall leakage of its p⁺-strip. A modified LOCal Oxidation of Silicon (LOGOS) isolation process has been used to reduce this side-wall leakage. Also, the Sirtl-etch analysis of the sensor revealed that the side-wall leakage current has been caused by residual boron-implantation defects after annealing. These defects would concentrate along the edge of p⁺-strip and be enhanced to cause dislocations by the film-edge-induced stress effect. Several annealing techniques have also been studied to remove the boron-implantation damages. The fabricated prototype sensors have been tested in a beam at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron area. The test results showed that the sensor concept under study is feasible     

Total dose radiation effects of pressure sensors fabricated on Unibond－SOI materials

1 INTRODUCTIONSi1icon On Insulator (SOI) is used as an attIactive substrate fOr modern sub-Ancrometer integrated circults, especially fOr low t-oltage, low Jpower integrated cir-cuits. Moreover, SOI circuits are inherently toleranf, to ionizing irradiations and hightemperatures[1]. There has been an increasing tend,3ncy in recent years to aPply SOImaterials in the AncroelectromechanicaJ systems (MI:MS)t't']. ComPaxed with bulk si1-icon, SOI wafer has a bu-ried SiO2 layer. It c…     

Development of a Capsule-Type Electrochemical Sensor for Monitoring Oxygen in Heavy Coolant

A ZrO₂-based solid-electrolyte ceramic was developed in the course of engineering sensors. This ceramic is characterized by high strength and thermal shock resistance. This ceramic was used to fabricate sensitive elements in the form of capsules. Sital was developed for an air-tight and strong ceramic-metal bond. Different modifications of sensors for the thermodynamic activity of oxygen for different conditions were designed and built. The sensor was certified by Gosstandart of Russia, entered into the State registry of means for performing measurements, and approved for application.__________Translated from Atomnaya Energiya, Vol. 98, No. 5, pp. 360–365, May 2005.     

Applying particle swarm optimization algorithm for tuning a neuro-fuzzy inference system for sensor monitoring

A neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) tuned by particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm has been developed for monitoring the relevant sensor in a nuclear power plant (NPP) using the information of other sensors. The antecedent parameters of the ANFIS that estimates the relevant sensor signal are optimized by a PSO algorithm and consequent parameters use a least-squares algorithm. The proposed methodology to monitor sensor output signals was demonstrated through the estimation of the nuclear power value in a pressurized water reactor using as input to the ANFIS six other correlated signals. The obtained results are compared to two similar ANFIS using one gradient descendent (GD) and other genetic algorithm (GA), as antecedent parameters' training algorithm.     

Oxygen concentration measurement and control of lead-bismuth eutectic in a small,static experimental facility

ABSTRACT

Oxygen measurement and control system is critical for minimizing corrosion in nuclear systems. Oxygen measurement and control tools use lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) and pure lead as a coolant or as a spallation target. Oxygen can be supplied by either gas phase (H₂O or O₂) or solid phase (PbO dissolution); thus, oxygen control includes both gas phase and solid phase methods. This article focuses on oxygen concentration measurement and control of lead-bismuth eutectic in a small, static experimental facility. This facility was developed for oxygen sensor calibration and gas/solid phase control systems test programs. The oxygen sensor with Nano Cu/Cu₂O closely the Nernstian behavior down to 195°C; the oxygen sensor measurement accuracy satisfied the requirements of subsequent experiments. The gas phase control system (verified according to different type of mass transfer, such as air, H₂O, gas injection, and coverage) and the solid phase control system were very successful in small experimental devices. Accurate oxygen concentration control was achieved with both the gas and solid phase control systems.     

Experiences from sensor tests and evaluation of sensor performance

Sensors are part of the protection system in a nuclear power plant. They are the first link in the chain with influence to the protection system. It is therefore important that the sensors fulfil the demands of reliability and response time. Dynamic investigations of the sensor systems are possible to perform during operation of the plant with the aid of advanced signal analysis. Correctly performed, such an investigation indicates if any sensor with attached sensing lines deviates from the expected dynamic behaviour. The paper presents results from Ringhals 1 in Sweden where snubbers (pulsations dampers with exchangeable needles) were used in the sensing lines to differential pressure sensors. The dynamic influence of the needles was equivalent to a time constant = 0.55 s. It was clear that the response time was longer than the demanded response time with respect to the sensors task in the safety system. By eliminating the needles the demand on the response time was fulfilled. The deviation lead to a report to the Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate (equivalent to a Licensee Event Report) with INES level 1. The title of the report is “Too long response time caused by not correct installed pulsation dampers in swelling transmitters”. The paper proves convincingly that signal analysis of multiple sensor signals is a fruitful way to observe dynamic deviations in measurement systems in nuclear power plants.     

Fundamental data: Solubility of nickel and oxygen and diffusivity of iron and oxygen in molten LBE

Experiments for determining nickel solubility limit and iron diffusion coefficient are presented and their results are discussed. Nickel solubility limit is determined by two methods: ex situ by solid sampling followed by ICP-AES analysis and in situ by Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and their results are compared. The iron diffusion coefficient is obtained using the technique of rotating specimen dissolution.Also a method to determine the oxygen solubility and diffusivity in LBE is developed and results at 460, 500 and 540 °C are presented. It is based on the following electrochemical cell: O₂ (reference mixture), Pt //YSZ//O₂ (LBE) which can work as an oxygen sensor or as a coulometric pump.     

Active oxygen control by a PbO mass exchanger in the liquid lead–bismuth eutectic loop: MEXICO

Accurate control of dissolved oxygen concentration is crucial in order to use liquid lead alloys as a coolant of advanced nuclear systems. An oxygen control system based on PbO mass exchanger (PbO MX) technology was implemented in order to control the dissolved oxygen concentration in the liquid lead--bismuth eutectic (LBE) loop MEXICO. The oxygen control system consisted of a packed bed of PbO spheres, an oxygen sensor and a pneumatic control valve. The concentration of dissolved oxygen in the loop was controlled by regulating the LBE flow through the PbO MX using a proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller with feedback from the oxygen sensor. Highly accurate control of the dissolved oxygen concentration in the loop was achieved by this system.     

Determination of the minimal number and optimal sensor location in a nuclear system with fixed incore detectors

The determination of the minimal number of sensors and the optimal sensor location in a nuclear system with fixed incore detectors, which is represented by a linear stochastic distributed parameter system, was studied in this work. The partial differential equation representing nuclear reactor dynamics was approximated to the finite dimensional ordinary differential equation by the modal expansion. A scalar measure of the covariance matrix error in the optimal filter was minimized with respect to the sensor locations. The necessary conditions for optimal sensor location were derived using the matrix minimum principle, thus making the calculations computationally more attractive. The locations of sensors were guessed initially through sensitivity analysis to reach solutions of the optimal location quickly. A method to determine the minimum number of sensors is suggested based on the observability and admissible error bound. Several numerical simulations are performed to determine the minimal number and optimal sensor location for a one-dimensional slab reactor and a two-dimensional ABB Combustion Engineering type reactor with fixed incore detectors. Through the simulations the possibility of practical implementation and the rapid convergence of the algorithm are verified.     

Development of localization system using ultrasonic sensor for an underwater robot to survey narrow environment

This paper describes a localization system for a swimming robot to survey underwater narrow environments. In that environment, external sensors cannot be set up to localize the robot position, as there are many structures and the robot moves three-dimensionally. Therefore, the position needs to be calculated only by internal sensors. In this work, a new localization method based on map-matching is proposed, referring to cross-sectional shape data cut from a three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) data as an environmental map and structural shapes measured by a range sensor. As a range sensor, an ultrasonic sensor which is two-dimensional scanning-type was developed. The reflected signals of the ultrasonic sensor have some noise. Only structural shape data are extracted from the reflected signals. The image correlation is used as the matching method. Experiments to evaluate the performance of the proposed system were implemented at a mock-up environment. As a result, it was confirmed that the position was detected with an accuracy of 100 mm. The error is mainly caused by measurement error of the ultrasonic sensor that is used to calculate structural shapes. We concluded to improve the measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic sensor to reduce localization error.