Experimental evaluation of line-type water leakage location detection sensor and its application at Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex

A cable-type water leak detection sensor capable of visually pinpointing leaks along its length was evaluated for application in a proton accelerator cooling system. A dedicated 10 m test stand was constructed to assess the sensor’s performance under conditions simulating accelerator cooling water. The position detection water leakage sensor (AD-LS) detected minute leaks within seconds and provided quantitative location readouts. For tap water, increasing leak volume reduced the detection response time to below 4 s for leaks exceeding 400 µL. Alarm signals reset automatically as the water evaporated, and the sensor’s color indication returned to its normal state within 54 min. For low-conductivity water (2.9–13.9 MΩ cm), leaks were detected within 80 s, and alarm recovery times remained below 19 min, showing limited dependence on water resistivity. Repeated leak tests yielded a standard deviation of 33 cm in location error over a 10 m sensor length, indicating sufficient spatial resolution for practical maintenance. Following validation on the test stand, seven sensor circuits were installed in a 100 MeV proton accelerator facility. The system successfully detected an actual cooling-water leak in real time and provided accurate location information, enabling prompt corrective action. These results demonstrate the practical applicability of the AD-LS sensor for early leak detection and localization in accelerator environments.