[2I11-15] Operation Management, Inspection and Maintenance

3:30 PM - 3:45 PM JST(6:30 AM - 6:45 AM UTC)

[2I13] Development of a Pipe Gas Leakage Detection System Using Ultrasonic Wave

*Shuji Oshima¹, Kazuya Yasui, Hiroshige Kikura¹, Hideharu Takahashi¹ (1. Tokyo Tech)

Keywords:

Ultrasonic measurement,gas leak detection,decommissioning

Early leak detection in power plants is crucial to prevent health, environmental, and economic hazards caused by aging or poorly installed piping. At the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, nitrogen gas is used in pipes to prevent hydrogen explosions, but there is concern about leaks during decommissioning. Remote leak detection technology is needed in this high radiation environment, especially for invisible gas leaks. This study explores using small, lightweight ultrasonic sensors to detect nitrogen gas leaks and prevent hydrogen explosions. Experiments in simulated environments showed that ultrasonic sensors, combined with Fourier transform and acoustic signal processing, can identify leak locations and conditions with a certain degree of accuracy, considering factors like distance from the leak, pipeline pressure, and material.