Fission-powered in-core thermoacoustic sensor

Abstract

A thermoacoustic engine is operated within the core of a nuclear reactor to acoustically telemeter coolant temperature (frequency-encoded) and reactor power level (amplitude-encoded) outside the reactor, thus providing the values of these important parameters without external electrical power or wiring. We present data from two hydrophones in the coolant (far from the core) and an accelerometer attached to a structure outside the reactor. These signals have been detected even in the presence of substantial background noise generated by the reactor's fluid pumps.

Asymmetrically heated multi-stage travelling-wave thermoacoustic electricity generator

“…The thermoacoustic engine (TAE) is a new and promising technology that utilises heat to produce high-intensity sound waves that, in turn, can be utilised to generate electricity or refrigeration. There are many applications for thermoacoustic technology, such as refrigeration to obtain low cooling capacity [45] as well as high cooling capacity [46] electricity generation for both waste heat recovery [15,16] and high temperature applications [17,18] monitoring of nuclear fusion temperatures [47,48]. A TAE is highly reliable and is easy to construct since there are no mechanical moving parts except the alternator, which makes it ideal for application in the developing world.…”

Spatial power profiling method using visual information in reactors with optically transparent coolants

“…Los Alamos has done verification of the Cerenkov production in MCNP6. 11 Beta to ensure that it does correctly produce the number of photons predicted [48].…”

Predictive Data Analytics Framework Using Advanced Test Reactor Acoustic Data

“…Installation of the acoustic/vibration receivers represents the first step in developing an acoustic communication infrastructure. The proposed acoustic measurement infrastructure (AMI) will accommodate sensor design and signal-processing tools for telemetry systems that use acoustic-based sensors, such as thermoacoustics [2][3][4] and vibro-acoustics [5]. The acoustic infrastructure will also provide an excellent opportunity to develop diagnostic and predictive capabilities for ATR operations.…”