Acoustic detection of the collapse of a sodium vapor bubble in an infinite sea of sodium

A discussion of the problem of sodium vapor bubble collapse is presented. The physics of vapor collapse is presented in light of the work by Peppler et al. Theoretical estimates of the sound source level based on the work by Rayleigh and Judd are compared to an approximate pressure-volume work approach and recent experimental observations. Reactor ambient noise and transmission loss considerations are presented in regard to their impact on this detection problem. A methodology is proposed which considers the importance of the sound source level, ambient noise, transmission loss and a detection threshold and provides a means by which the feasibility of sodium vapor bubble collapse detection in an operating LMFBR may be assessed. The interrelationships between the detection threshold and the probability of detection and false alarm are discussed and applied to a standard acoustic square law detection system. This analysis clearly illustrates that the feasibility of such a detection system is strongly dependent on the knowledge of sound source levels, ambient noise levels and the transmission loss between the source and receiver. Furthermore, requirements of a high degree of probability of detection and a low probability of false alarm were found to require a high signal to noise ratio for a single sensor system but that the probability of false alarm requirement could be relaxed for systems multiple independent sensors. Finally, the need for additional experimental and theoretical information is presented in terms of sound source levels, ambient noise and a means for determining transmission loss. (auth