Nuclear power stations convert energy stored in nuclear fuels such as uranium or plutonium into electricity. Energy is released using nuclear fission reactions; neutrons are fired at nuclear fuel rods to form excited nuclei that split into smaller nuclei, free neutrons, heat, and radiation. The heat is then moved away from the nuclear reaction core to generators, producing electricity.^1-4

Nuclear power plants provide several advantages compared to fossil fuel plants including low carbon electricity generation. Small amounts of nuclear fuel provide large amounts of electricity, so nuclear power generation is often more cost effective and reduces fuel mining impacts compared with fossil fuels.^1-4

Nuclear Power Plant Safety Concerns

Catastrophic large-scale nuclear accidents in Chernobyl and Fukushima have resulted in widespread public fear of nuclear power generation. Nowadays, however, modern plant design processes emphasize safety; as a result, the overall risk of accidents at nuclear power plants is low and continues to decline.⁵

Major nuclear accidents, like those at Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011, are typically the result of a series of events involving overheating, fuel meltdowns, and explosions, resulting in the release of large amounts of radioactive material into the environment. Neutrons released during nuclear fission initiate a chain reaction that generates a large amount of heat and controlling the chain reaction is vital.^2-4

There are many different nuclear power plant designs currently in operation, with varying ways to control nuclear fission chain reactions. To remove the heat from a nuclear reactor, coolant is used. Some reactors rely on water as the primary coolant, while others use gases such as CO₂ or Helium, molten metals, or molten salts.^2-4

The role of Coolant in Nuclear Power Safety

Coolant is a substance that is dispersed through a nuclear reactor to remove or transport heat. As mentioned, there are various types of substances used for coolant such as water, CO₂, helium and more.

While water cooling provides high power density and therefore excellent thermal efficiency, systems that use water as the primary coolant have several drawbacks, including the risk of explosions during meltdown events.^2-4 If there is a power cut and the system’s water pumps fail, the fuel rods can reach very high temperatures, at which point water splits, producing explosive hydrogen and oxygen gas.

This possibility was demonstrated in 2011 when an earthquake and tsunami in Japan led to a power outage at the Fukushima nuclear plant, removing power from the cooling systems, resulting in overheating of the fuel reactors, which were flooded with water and led to explosions that released large amounts of radioactive material into the environment.^6-7

CO₂ Cooling System: Why is Carbon Dioxide used as a coolant in Nuclear reactor?

Using a CO₂ cooling system for nuclear reactors is inherently safer than using water, as CO₂ is less reactive and does not pose a risk of exploding. CO₂ is also more flexible in terms of operating temperatures and pressures, resulting in a more stable system that responds more slowly to catastrophic faults than water-cooled reactors. However, reactors that use CO₂ coolant have lower power densities than water-cooled reactors, resulting in larger reactors and reduced efficiencies.^2-4

The first CO₂ gas cooled nuclear reactors were Magnox reactors, which were commissioned in the 1950s-1970s. However, Magnox reactors were never able to reach high efficiencies, and most have now been decommissioned.

The Magnox reactor led to the development of advanced gas reactors (AGR), which used new materials that enabled the reactor to operate at higher temperatures, increasing efficiency. Fourteen AGR reactors are presently in operation in the United Kingdom.^2-4

Cooling Nuclear Reactors Vital for Nuclear Power Safety

In both nuclear research and routine operation of gas-cooled reactors is important to detect CO₂ leaks. A CO₂ leak can leave the reaction core with no coolant and in danger of overheating. Furthermore, large leaks of CO₂ can be dangerous to personnel and the environment, expensive, and disruptive to power plant operation.

Infrared sensors are ideal for monitoring CO₂ levels and detecting leaks. Infrared sensors are easy to use and provide rapid online measurements of CO₂ concentrations in a package that is robust, reliable, low-maintenance, and long-lasting compared with other gas composition sensors.

Edinburgh Sensors are a leading supplier of high-quality infrared gas sensing solutions, including continuous CO₂ detectors. While some infrared sensors suffer from the effects of temperature or pressure variations, sensors from Edinburgh sensors offer extensive temperature and pressure correction to ensure accurate results in a wide variety of operating environments, making them ideal for nuclear research and operations.

CO₂ Sensors for Nuclear Applications

Achieve nuclear power plant safety with Edinburgh Sensor’s Guardian NG. The Guardian NG gas monitor meets stringent UK regulations and is accredited for use in nuclear applications and plants. EDF Energy, who currently operate eight AGR power stations in the UK, rely on Edinburgh Sensors to ensure their CO₂ is stored correctly and to detect any leaks.

We are delighted that EDF Energy have purchased a large number of Guardian NG CO₂ monitors units from Edinburgh sensors to support their control systems at their nuclear power stations.

For more information on how our Gas Sensors can help you with your applications get in touch, and a member of our team will be delighted to help.

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References and Further Reading on Nuclear Applications

1. Nuclear Energy’ https://www.edfenergy.com/future-energy/energy-mix/nuclear
2. ‘Nuclear Energy’ — Ferguson CD, Oxford University Press, 2011.
3. ‘Nuclear Power: A Very Short Introduction’ — Irvine M, Oxford University Press, 2011.
4. ‘Nuclear Power’ — Breeze P, Academic Press, 2016.
5. ‘Safety of Nuclear Power Reactors’ http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/safety-of-nuclear-power-reactors.aspx
6. ‘A Study of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident Process’ — Ishikawa M, Springer, 2015.
7. ‘Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improving Safety of U.S. Nuclear Plants’ — National Research Council, National Academies Press, 2014.