The study of ultrasonic reflex-radar waveguide coolant level gage for a nuclear reactor

Results of experimental study of operation of ultrasonic reflex-radar waveguide level gage in water coolant at elevated parameters with pressure up to 18 MPa and temperature up to 350 °C are examined.In contrast to the known waveguide level gages, traveltime of acoustic pulses along the waveguide from the radiator to the subsurface layer and back is measured in the level gage under study. Waveguide consists of two acoustically isolated waveguides – the radiating waveguide and the receiving waveguide. Waveguides of zero-order flexural waves and piezoelectric transformers operated at frequency of ∼800 kHz are applied. Processing of received signals is performed by microprocessor-based electronic circuit. Measurement uncertainty does not exceed ± 10 mm. Description of the experimental setup and the experimental methodology is provided.The instrument works reliably and does not require introducing corrections of readings when coolant thermal physical properties change. The measurement instrument is intended for application in heat exchanging equipment in thermal and nuclear power generation.