Optical fiber semiconductor absorption temperature sensor for temperature monitoring in a gas-cooled nuclear reactor

Francis Berghmans; Frans Vos; Marc C. Decreton; Luc Van Den Durpel; Daniel Marloye; Ivo Verwimp

doi:10.1117/12.255351

25 October 1996 Optical fiber semiconductor absorption temperature sensor for temperature monitoring in a gas-cooled nuclear reactor

Francis Berghmans, Frans Vos, Marc C. Decreton, Luc Van Den Durpel, Daniel Marloye, Ivo Verwimp

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2839, Fiber Optic and Laser Sensors XIV; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.255351
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

Optical fiber sensor technology has not yet penetrated the relatively conservative world of nuclear instrumentation. Although the main effect of ionizing radiation on optical fibers is well known to be an increase of the optical absorption, little is known about the response of optical fiber sensors exposed to radiation fields. Our experiments therefore aimed at gaining insight about the behavior of standard commercially available optical fiber sensors in a representative nuclear environment. As experimental target, we have chosen semiconductor absorption optical fiber temperature sensors for monitoring temperature excursions in-situ, within SCK(DOT)CEN's BR1 gas-cooled graphite- moderated nuclear reactor. The sensors are located in the reactor's graphite, where they are exposed to thermal neutron fluxes on the order of 10¹¹ n.cm^-2.s^-1. Temperature excursions were measured for several reactor cycles, i.e. from reactor start to reactor shut-down, and compared to readings obtained from iron-constantan thermocouples. The sensor performed well until severe embrittlement of the fiber protective jacket caused a premature mechanical failure, after only a few days of reactor operation.

Citation Download Citation

Francis Berghmans, Frans Vos, Marc C. Decreton, Luc Van Den Durpel, Daniel Marloye, and Ivo Verwimp "Optical fiber semiconductor absorption temperature sensor for temperature monitoring in a gas-cooled nuclear reactor", Proc. SPIE 2839, Fiber Optic and Laser Sensors XIV, (25 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.255351

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available