Background noise for acoustic emission in a boiling water and a pressurized water nuclear-power reactor

Abstract

The acoustic noise spectra from 0 to 700 kHz of a boiling water reactor (BWR) have been normalized and compared with the available noise data of a pressurized water reactor (PWR). At frequencies near 500 kHz, which is the interesting frequency range for acoustic emission technology, the hydraulic turbulent and cavitation noises of the PWR were about 0 dB for the selected normalization and the noises of the BWR varied from 0 to 15 dB for the various locations that were monitored. Since the intensity levels of acoustic emission signals are on the order of 0 to 20 dB, the PWR background noise should not completely mask them; however, the BWR noise would obliterate some weak acoustic signals in some locations but allow them to be observed in other locations.