The "Vizus" sound vision system for safety control in the BN-800 reactor was tested at the Beloyarsk NPP

Employees of the Beloyarsk NPP (Sverdlovsk region) have completed preliminary tests of the "Vizus" sound vision system (obtaining images of objects in various media using acoustic waves) for the reactor of power unit No. 4. This was reported by the station's press service.

Control systems for water-cooled reactors are not suitable for the Beloyarsk NPP

The Beloyarsk NPP uses power units with a liquid metal coolant (sodium), so control systems, as in water-cooled power reactors (VVER), do not work here. To ensure the safety of the reactor core, the "Vizus" system was created, which works on a different principle.

An ultrasonic transducer is placed in the reactor core using a manipulator. The equipment automatically scans the space and sends data to employees. Thus, nuclear scientists can "see" through the layer of sodium the inside of the power unit, where a chain reaction of fission of heavy isotopes of uranium occurs.

Experts monitored the tests

The tests were carried out on a stand the height of a five-story building under the supervision of a special commission, which included representatives of 6 nuclear organizations in Russia. Among them were also designers from OKBM Afrikantov, scientists from NIKIMT-Atomstroy.

The test results confirmed the effectiveness of the development. Now "Vizus" will be tested in the reactor itself.

After this stage, the developers will send the documents for "Vizus" to Rostekhnadzor. In addition, specialists will develop instructions for the operation and repair of the new control system.

Read also on the topic:

• Power unit No. 4 of the Beloyarsk NPP stopped for scheduled repairs and modernization
• Beloyarsk NPP is modernizing power unit No. 3 with a BN-600 reactor
• The supply of spare equipment will be expanded at the Beloyarsk NPP