Continuous monitoring for fuel elements in a core reactor - using a venturi nozzle and differential pressure gauge to produce a change of pressure signal

摘要

Continuous monitoring of material elements in conveyor pipes such as fuel element balls in a core reactor which are pneumatically conveyed along conveyor pipes kept continuously under conveyor gas pressure by a compressor. The fuel elements are each sent individually through a conveyor pipe and the change in pressure arising during the passage of each element is measured by a venturi nozzle installed within the gas inlet socket. A differential pressure gauge produces a signal corresponding to the actual effective pressure and then any change in that pressure is converted into an electric signal, subsequently used to count the quantity of elements being conveyed.