An Integrated Fiber Optic and Acoustic Leak Detection Technologies for Nuclear Power Plants Water Supply and Reactor Cooling Systems

Abstract

Leak Detection Systems (LDS) play a critical role in ensuring the safety and operational integrity of nuclear reactors. The detection of small leaks is of paramount importance in this context, as even minor breaches might lead to the release of radioactive materials, posing significant environmental and health risks. Furthermore, small leaks often precede larger failures, making early detection crucial for preventing catastrophic incidents. The development of leak patterns from small, undetected leaks underscores the need for advanced detection technologies that can identify and localize these leaks with high precision.

The current technologies employed for leak detection in nuclear reactors face several critical limitations, including their extremely slow response times, inability to detect small or early-stage leaks, and lack of precise localization capabilities. These shortcomings pose significant risks, as undetected or delayed leak identification can lead to severe hazards and operational inefficiencies. This paper presents a solution to these issues that integrates advanced acoustic leak detection technique using fiber optic sensors (FOS) and fiber optic leak detection algorithms such as Raman, Rayleigh, Brillouin, Interferometric sensing, and Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) based methods. With the highly sensitive fiber optic sensor, the acoustic leak detection systems are capable of detecting acoustic pressure wave, generated by even the smallest leaks and propagates inside the pipeline. Additionally, distributed fiber optic sensing with various algorithms offer high-resolution, real-time monitoring of temperature, strain, and vibration along the length of the water supply line or reactor cooling systems (RCS) to detect leak based on any external phenomena change (including temperature, strain, and vibration) resulting from any leak event, Together, these technologies provide a comprehensive and effective solution for early leak detection and precise localization, significantly enhancing the safety and reliability of nuclear reactors.

By integrating these technologies, nuclear reactors can achieve a comprehensive leak detection strategy to safeguard the water supply line and reactor cooling systems with early and precise leak detection that enhances safety, reduces the risk of radioactive contamination, and ensures the long-term reliability of the reactor infrastructure. The integration of acoustic leak detection and distributed fiber optic leak detection technologies provides a multi-layered defense against leaks, enabling the timely identification of potential issues before they escalate into serious problems. This system will be expanded to detect leaks in the reactor and steam generators in future investigations.