Development of Sodium Leak Detection Technology Using Laser Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry

In a sodium-cooled fast reactor, highly sensitive technology is required to detect a sodium leak from the cooling system piping or components. Conventional sodium leak detectors have difficulty in measuring small amounts of sodium leak because of the presence of salinity in the atmosphere. In order to overcome this problem, an innovative technology has been developed to selectively detect the radioactive sodium of the primary cooling system using Laser Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry (RIMS). This research and development program consists of investigating the detection process of sodium aerosol by RIMS, manufacturing the prototype sodium detection system, and testing its function using an actual radioactive sodium sample, which will be taken from the experimental fast reactor Joyo. The schedule and the results obtained from the investigation of the sodium leakage detection process are shown in this paper.