Testing of fiber optic based sensors for advanced reactors in the Texas A&M University TRIGA reactor

An Optical Fiber Based Gamma Thermometer has been developed and tested at the Texas A&M University reactor as well as the Ohio State Research Reactor. This sensor technology provides temperature measurement of a thermal mass undergoing gamma heating, from which the gamma flux along the length of the sensor may be calculated. The gamma flux data from an array of OFBGTs could allow the determination of local power density within a nuclear reactor core in three dimensions. The design of the sensor makes use of optical fiber as a truly distributed temperature sensor with a spatial resolution less than 1 mm and temperature accuracy of +/- 1 degrees C. The testing program showed that the system provided the expected temperature data for each location. Overall, this sensor technology shows promise for current Light Water Reactors as well as advanced nuclear reactors by providing an unparalleled level of precision in reactor power measurement.

Automated summary

The Optical Fiber Based Gamma Thermometer utilizes optical fiber as a distributed temperature sensor to measure the temperature of a thermal mass undergoing gamma heating and calculate the gamma flux data. This technology shows promise in determining the local power density within a nuclear reactor core and provides an unparalleled level of precision in reactor power measurement.