AN INFRARED ABSORPTION HYGROMETER FOR USE IN PRIMARY COOLANTLOOPS OF GAS-COOLED NUCLEAR REACTORS

WE HAVE RECENTLY DEVELOPED AN INFRARED ABSORPTION OPTICAL HYGROMETER FOR USE IN THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. IN THIS PROPOSED PHASE I EFFORT WE WILL NUMERICALLY AND EXPERIMENTALLY SHOW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO ADAPT OUR EXISTING TECHNOLOGY TO MONITOR TRACE MOISTURE IN THE HIGH PRESSURE PRIMARY COOLANT LOOPS OF GAS-COOLED NUCLEAR REACTORS. POTENTIAL SENSOR ADVANTAGES INCLUDE FASTER RESPONSE, HIGHER SENSITIVITY, CONTINUOUS RATHER THAN SETPOINT OUTPUT, HIGHER RELIABILITY AND EASIER SERVICEABILITY. THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF COLORADO WILLPROVIDE THE ASSISTANCE OF A STAFF NUCLEAR ENGINEER IN THIS PHASE I EFFORT AT NO COST TO THE CONTRACT. IN PHASE II, OPHIR CORPORATION AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY PLAN TO COOPERATIVELY BUILD, INSTALL, AND TEST A PROTOTYPE OPTICAL HYGROMETER ON THE OPERATING FORT ST. VRAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE GAS-COOLED NUCLEAR REACTOR.