＂Containment Leakage Acoustic Emission Detection System＂ Achieved Excellent Results in Nuclear Power Plant Tests

The containment is the containment of a nuclear reactor, which is a closed container to prevent the escape of radioactive materials in the event of an accident. Most containments are prestressed concrete thick-walled containers lined with steel plates. Once a nuclear reactor leaks nuclear materials, the consequences will be devastating. If radioactive materials in a nuclear reactor leak and penetrate into the ground, drinking water will be contaminated. If radioactive materials leak into the ocean, they will cause radiation hazards to marine organisms.

On November 3, 2023, Qingcheng AE Institute (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. (also as "QAWRUMS") cooperated with Beijing Institute of Spacecraft Environment Engineering (refer as "BISEE") and China Nuclear Power Operations Co., Ltd. (refer as "CGN") to jointly develop the "Containment Leakage Acoustic Emission Detection System". In the nuclear power safety monitoring project of the "Containment Overall Pressure Test" held at the Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Station in Liaoning, the system was successfully applied in the monitoring project and achieved breakthrough results.

Figure 1 Aerial view of containment

In this project, QAWRUMS fully utilized its expertise in acoustic emission sensor technology, as well as the expertise and investment of BISEE and CGN in algorithms and software strength, and successfully developed an efficient containment leakage acoustic emission monitoring system. The wireless sensor unit of this system can not only accurately sense and collect the acoustic emission signal of the containment leakage, but also realize the wireless transmission function of the complete waveform file. The wireless sensor unit can detect leakage within a radius of 10 meters from the containment wall (0.42MPa pressure difference positive pressure leakage). This technological breakthrough provides an effective detection solution for the safety monitoring of nuclear power facilities, improves the safety monitoring efficiency of nuclear power facilities, and provides a strong technical guarantee for the safe operation of nuclear power plants.

Figure 2: On-site test of the sensor unit

Figure 3 Leakage acquisition signal diagram

Figure 4 Clock synchronization diagram

Figure 5 Leakage simulation test location diagram under real pressure environment

In terms of technical parameters, the acoustic emission sensor unit developed by QAWRUMS performs well. Its sampling rate is not less than 2MHz, which ensures the high resolution and integrity of the data; the sampling accuracy is not less than 16bit, which effectively avoids errors and distortions in data transmission; the time resolution of the wireless sensor unit is better than 0.5μs, and the accuracy is better than ±1μs, which enables the system to capture and record acoustic emission signals more accurately; and the time synchronization between each wireless sensor unit is better than 10μs, which ensures the coordination and accuracy of the entire monitoring system.

The successful implementation of this project demonstrates the leading position of QAWRUMS in the field of acoustic emission sensor technology and also reflects BISEE's deep strength in algorithms and software. The cooperation results of the two parties have provided strong support for the safe operation of CGN and have made positive contributions to the development of the country's nuclear power industry.

In the future, with the continuous development of science and technology and the deepening of its application, QAWRUMS and BISEE will continue to give play to their respective advantages, strengthen cooperation and exchanges, and jointly promote the innovation and development of nuclear power safety monitoring technology, so as to make greater contributions to ensuring the safe operation of nuclear power facilities and promoting the development of clean energy.