Measurement of noise and vibrations on the RA reactor heavy water system

Full text: Vibration and noise occur during operation of the heavy water system. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable when heavy water used both as moderator and as coolant medium circulates by two heavy water pumps operated at 3000 rotations/min. Noise level is about 90 db and increases with increase of temperature. Noise and vibrations were measured at the heavy water pumps, and special attention was devoted to vibrations on the pipes. Analysis of the measured vibration and noise led to conclusion that some construction improvements would be favourable in order to improve the operation safety of the system and the reactor on the whole. Influence of the vibrations on the safety is especially significant when the RA reactor is operated under forced regime