Device for fixing cladding to quartz tube and device for conducting high temperature oxidation test on cladding

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of nuclear reactor testing, and specifically to a device for fixing a cladding to a quartz tube and a device for performing a high-temperature oxidation test on the cladding. The device for fixing the cladding to the quartz tube includes a first fixing member, a clamping member, and a second fixing member. The first fixing member and the second fixing member are both configured to be connected to the clamping member, and are configured so that when an external force acts on the clamping member, the first fixing member and the second fixing member both contract, and when the external force is removed from the clamping member, the first fixing member and the second fixing member both return to their original shapes; wherein, when the first fixing member returns to its original shape, it abuts against the inner wall of the cladding, and when the second fixing member returns to its original shape, it abuts against the inner wall of the quartz tube. The embodiments of the present application also provide a device for performing a high-temperature oxidation test on the cladding. The device for fixing the cladding to the quartz tube provided in the embodiments of the present application can simplify the fixing operation, facilitate remote operation of a manipulator, and improve the efficiency of the high-temperature oxidation test; and is conducive to achieving a stable fixation of the cladding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of nuclear reactors, and more particularly to a device for fixing a cladding to a quartz tube and a device for performing a high-temperature oxidation test on the cladding. Background Art

[0002] The statements herein merely provide background information related to the present application and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] During a loss of coolant accident (LOCA), core cooling deteriorates rapidly, causing the cladding temperature to rise sharply and degrading its performance. In severe cases, the cladding loses its primary safety barrier function, posing a threat to reactor safety. Therefore, this accident is a design basis accident for pressurized water reactor nuclear power plants. During a LOCA, nucleate boiling and film boiling occur on the surface of the fuel elements, causing the cladding temperature to rise sharply. After the emergency core cooling system is activated, the cladding experiences a sudden temperature change due to the change in cooling conditions. During this process, the zirconium cladding is subjected to extreme conditions such as high-temperature oxidation, thermal shock, and quenching, which can lead to cladding rupture and the release of nuclear fuel within.

[0004] Current safety standards are based on extensive testing of unirradiated cladding. Continuing research has shown that these standards may no longer be applicable to the safety assessment of irradiated cladding. However, due to its radioactivity, irradiated cladding cannot be easily manipulated as in ex-pile testing. It can only be operated using a manipulator, and the operating space is limited. Existing ex-pile hoisting and flat-plate placement methods are less practical in a hot chamber, resulting in lengthy operation times and an inability to effectively secure the cladding of short specimens. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A brief overview of the present application is provided below to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the present application. It should be understood that this overview is not an exhaustive overview of the present application. It is not intended to identify key or important portions of the present application, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present application. Its purpose is simply to present certain concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that will be discussed later.

[0006] In response to the above problems, embodiments of the present application provide a device for fixing a cladding to a quartz tube and a device for performing a high-temperature oxidation test on the cladding.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for fixing a cladding to a quartz tube, the device comprising a first fixing member, a clamping member, and a second fixing member, wherein the first fixing member is configured to be connected to the clamping member, and the second fixing member is configured to be connected to the clamping member, and is configured such that when an external force acts on the clamping member, the first fixing member contracts and the second fixing member contracts, and when the external force is removed from the clamping member, the first fixing member and the second fixing member restore to their original shape; wherein the first fixing member is configured to abut against the inner wall of the cladding when it restores to its original shape, and the second fixing member is configured to abut against the inner wall of the quartz tube when it restores to its original shape.

[0008] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the short sample cladding fixing member of the device for fixing the cladding to the quartz tube provided in the embodiment of the present application can realize the installation and removal of the short sample cladding in the quartz tube respectively by only one clamping by the manipulator, which can simplify the installation and removal operations of the cladding in the quartz tube, facilitate remote operation of the manipulator, and improve the efficiency of conducting high-temperature oxidation tests of the cladding after irradiation in the hot chamber; at the same time, the first fixing member and the second fixing member are configured to abut against the inner wall of the cladding and the inner wall of the quartz tube respectively when returning to their original shape, which is conducive to achieving stable fixation of the cladding, thereby facilitating high-temperature oxidation tests on the cladding.

[0009] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide an apparatus for performing a high-temperature oxidation test on a cladding, comprising a quartz tube, a heating device, and the apparatus provided in the embodiments of the first aspect of the present application. The cladding is disposed within the quartz tube; the heating device is disposed externally of the quartz tube and heats the quartz tube; the apparatus provided in the embodiments of the first aspect of the present application secures the cladding within the quartz tube. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Other objects and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present application.

[0011] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the device for fixing the cladding and the quartz tube provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0012] Figure 2 It is the use of Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the device after fixing the cladding and the quartz tube.

[0013] Figure 3 It is the use of Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of the device is shown when the first fixing member abuts against the inner wall of the enclosure.

[0014] Description of reference numerals:

[0015] 10. Device for fixing the cladding to the quartz tube; 11. First fixing member; 111. Notch; 12. Second fixing member; 121. Notch; 13. Clamping member; 131. Clamping surface;

[0016] 20. Cladding; 30. Quartz tube.

[0017] It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are merely shown in a schematic manner that does not affect the reader's understanding. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of clarity and conciseness, not all features of actual implementations are described in the specification. However, it should be understood that many implementation-specific decisions must be made in the process of developing any such actual implementation in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as meeting those constraints related to the system and business, and these constraints may vary depending on the implementation. In addition, it should be understood that although the development work may be very complex and time-consuming, it is a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from the content of this application.

[0019] It is also necessary to explain here that, in order to avoid obscuring the present application due to unnecessary details, the accompanying drawings only show the device structure and / or processing steps that are closely related to the solution according to the present application, while other details that are not closely related to the present application are omitted.

[0020] The inventors of the present application discovered that since high-temperature oxidation tests on unirradiated cladding cannot fully reflect the condition of the irradiated cladding, in order to better understand the performance of the irradiated cladding under high-temperature oxidation conditions, it is necessary to perform a high-temperature oxidation test on the irradiated cladding. However, since the irradiated cladding is radioactive, the irradiated cladding can only be operated by a manipulator in a hot chamber, and it is very difficult to fix the cladding by the manipulator. In addition, since the length of the cladding undergoing the high-temperature oxidation test is relatively small, the difficulty of operating the cladding is further increased.

[0021] To solve the above problems, see Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3An embodiment of the present application provides a device for fixing a cladding 20 to a quartz tube 30 (hereinafter referred to as the device 10). The cladding 20 is fixed to the interior of the quartz tube 30 by the device 10. The device 10 includes a first fixing member 11, a clamping member 13, and a second fixing member 12. The first fixing member 11 is configured to be connected to the clamping member 13, and the second fixing member 12 is configured to be connected to the clamping member 13. When an external force acts on the clamping member 13, the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12 are configured to contract and contract. When the external force is removed from the clamping member 13, the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12 return to their original shapes. The first fixing member 11 is configured to abut against the inner wall of the cladding 20 when it returns to its original shape, and the second fixing member 12 is configured to abut against the inner wall of the quartz tube 30 when it returns to its original shape.

[0022] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the device 10 provided in the embodiment of the present application can realize the installation and removal of the cladding 20 in the quartz tube 30 respectively through only one clamping by the manipulator, which can simplify the installation and removal operations of the fixed cladding 20 in the quartz tube 30, facilitate remote operation of the manipulator, and facilitate improving the efficiency of conducting high-temperature oxidation tests of the cladding after irradiation in the hot chamber; at the same time, the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12 are configured to abut against the inner wall of the cladding 20 and the inner wall of the quartz tube 30 respectively when returning to their original shape, which is conducive to achieving stable fixation of the cladding 20, thereby facilitating high-temperature oxidation tests on the cladding 20.

[0023] In some embodiments, the cladding 20 to be fixed may be an irradiated cladding 20 that is radioactive.

[0024] In some embodiments, when the first fixing member 11 contracts, the first fixing member 11 may enter the enclosure 20 .

[0025] In some embodiments, the first fixing member 11, the second fixing member 12, and the clamping member 13 can be integrally formed. For example, the first fixing member 11, the second fixing member 12, and the clamping member 13 can be stamped from a ring tube. In other embodiments, the first fixing member 11, the second fixing member 12, and the clamping member 13 can be connected by welding. For example, the device 10 can be formed by rolling a strip of material and then welding it.

[0026] In some embodiments, the material of the device 10 may be a high-temperature resistant alloy, such as GH2747 alloy, niobium-zirconium alloy, tantalum material, or other alloy materials.

[0027] See also Figure 1In some embodiments, the first fixing member 11 can be configured as a circular member having a notch 111, connected to one end of the clamping member 13 at the notch 111. In some embodiments, the second fixing member 12 can also be configured as a circular member having a notch 121, connected to the other end of the clamping member 13 at the notch 121. In such an embodiment, by configuring the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12 as circular members having a notch 111 and a notch 121, respectively, the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12 can shrink when an external force acts on the clamping member 13, and can restore the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12 to their original shape when the external force is removed.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first fixing member 11 is located radially inward of the second fixing member 12, so that the fixed cladding 20 can be located radially inward of the quartz tube 30. In some embodiments, the radius of the circle of the first fixing member 11 is smaller than the radius of the circle of the second fixing member 12.

[0029] See also Figure 1 In some embodiments, the clamping surface 131 of the clamping member 13 can be located between the connection position with the first fixing member 11 and the connection position with the second fixing member 12. In such an embodiment, when an external force acts on the clamping member 13, both the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12 can be contracted; and when the external force is removed from the clamping member 13, both the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12 can return to their original shapes.

[0030] See also Figure 1 In some embodiments, the first fixture 11 has a first predetermined length along the extension direction of the cladding 20, the second fixture 12 has a second predetermined length along the extension direction of the cladding 20, and the clamping member 13 has a third predetermined length along the extension direction of the cladding 20. The first predetermined length is greater than the third predetermined length, and the second predetermined length is greater than or equal to the third predetermined length. In such an embodiment, the first predetermined length is greater than the third predetermined length, allowing the inner wall of the cladding 20 to abut against the outer wall of the first fixture 11. Furthermore, because both the first fixture 11 and the second fixture 12 are annular in design, high-temperature steam rising from the bottom of the quartz tube can flow between the inner and outer surfaces of the cladding 20, facilitating simultaneous oxidation of both the inner and outer surfaces of the cladding 20.

[0031] See also Figure 2In some embodiments, the location where the first fixing member 11 and the clamping member 13 are connected can be configured as an arc shape, and the radius of the arc shape is configured such that when the first fixing member 11 returns to its original shape and abuts against the inner wall of the cladding 20, the abutment force between the two is within a predetermined range, thereby preventing the abutment force from damaging the cladding 20 and thereby preventing the test results of the high-temperature oxidation test from being affected. In some embodiments, the abutment force between the first fixing member 11 and the cladding 20 can be controlled by controlling the radius of the arc shape at the location where the first fixing member 11 and the clamping member 13 are connected.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first fixing member 11 and the cladding 20 structurally satisfy the following expression, so that the quartz tube 30 is stably connected to the first fixing member 11 and the quartz tube 30 is prevented from being elastically damaged by the first fixing member 11:

[0033]

[0034] Among them, F a It is the difference between the gravity of the cladding 20 and the force exerted by the airflow on the cladding 20 during the high-temperature oxidation test.

[0035] μ1 is the sliding friction coefficient between the first fixing member 11 and the cladding 20 .

[0036] R a0 is the middle value between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the first fixing member 11 after deformation.

[0037] α a It is half of the opening angle of the notch 111 after the first fixing member 11 is deformed.

[0038] I a is the moment of inertia of the circular cross section of the first fixing member 11.

[0039] G a is the shear elastic modulus of the material of the first fixing member 11 .

[0040] A a is the area of ​​the circular cross section of the first fixing member 11.

[0041] k a is the annular interface shear shape coefficient of the first fixing member 11.

[0042] E a is the elastic modulus of the material of which the first fixing member 11 is made.

[0043] R c2 is the inner diameter of the cladding 20.

[0044] R a1 is the outer diameter of the first fixing member 11 before deformation.

[0045] In such an embodiment, the above expression can ensure a stable connection between the cladding 20 and the first fixing member 11, while also preventing the cladding 20 from being damaged by the abutment force between the first fixing member 11 and the cladding 20 when the first fixing member 11 returns to its original shape.

[0046] See also Figure 1 In some embodiments, the location where the second fixing member 12 connects to the clamping member 13 can also be configured as an arc shape, and the radius of the arc shape is set so that when the second fixing member 12 returns to its original shape and abuts against the inner wall of the quartz tube 30, the abutment force between the two is within a predetermined range, thereby preventing the abutment force from damaging the quartz tube 30 and thereby preventing the test results of the high-temperature oxidation test from being affected. In some embodiments, the abutment force between the second fixing member 12 and the quartz tube 30 can be controlled by controlling the radius of the arc shape at the location where the second fixing member 12 connects to the clamping member 13.

[0047] See also Figure 2 In some embodiments, the second fixing member 12 and the quartz tube 30 structurally satisfy the following expression, so that the quartz tube 30 and the second fixing member 12 are stably connected and the quartz tube 30 can be prevented from being elastically damaged by the second fixing member 12.

[0048]

[0049] Among them, F b It is the difference between the sum of the gravity of the cladding 20, the first fixing member 11, the second fixing member 12 and the clamping member 13 and the force exerted by the airflow on the above four during the high-temperature oxidation test.

[0050] μ2 is the sliding friction coefficient between the second fixing member 12 and the cladding 20 .

[0051] R b0 is the middle value between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the second fixing member 12 after deformation.

[0052] α b It is half of the opening angle of the notch 121 after the second fixing member 12 is deformed.

[0053] I b is the moment of inertia of the circular cross section of the second fixing member 12.

[0054] G b is the shear elastic modulus of the material of the second fixing member 12 .

[0055] A b is the area of ​​the circular cross section of the second fixing member 12.

[0056] k b is the annular interface shear shape coefficient of the second fixing member 12.

[0057] E b is the elastic modulus of the material of the second fixing member 12.

[0058] R d2 is the inner diameter of the quartz tube 30.

[0059] R b1 is the outer diameter of the second fixing member 12 before deformation.

[0060] In such an embodiment, the quartz tube 30 can be stably connected to the second fixing member 12 according to the above expression, and the quartz tube 30 can be prevented from being damaged by the abutment force between the second fixing member 12 and the quartz tube 30 when the second fixing member 12 returns to its original shape.

[0061] The embodiments of the present application also provide an apparatus for performing a high-temperature oxidation test on a cladding 20, which may include a quartz tube 30, a heating device, and the apparatus 10 provided in the embodiments of the present application. The cladding 20 is disposed within the quartz tube 30; the heating device is disposed outside the quartz tube 30 and heats the quartz tube 30; and the apparatus 10 provided in the embodiments of the present application is capable of securing the cladding 20 within the quartz tube 30. In such an embodiment, the apparatus 10 provided in the embodiments of the present application is used to secure the cladding 20 to the quartz tube 30, thereby achieving a secure fixation of the cladding 20 without welding the cladding 20 and the quartz tube 30, facilitating high-temperature oxidation testing of the cladding 20.

[0062] In some embodiments, during the high-temperature oxidation test, steam flows through the quartz tube 30. In some embodiments, the heating device can be a heating furnace, which heats the quartz tube 30 from outside the quartz tube 30, thereby indirectly heating the cladding 20. In some embodiments, the heating device can also directly heat the cladding 20.

[0063] In some embodiments, the apparatus for performing a high-temperature oxidation test on the cladding 20 may further include a manipulator, which is configured to operate the apparatus 10 for securing the cladding 20 to the quartz tube 30, thereby completing the operation of securing the cladding 20 to the quartz tube 30 through remote operation. In such an embodiment, utilizing the manipulator to complete the operation of securing the cladding 20 to the quartz tube 30 through remote operation can reduce manual intervention and help reduce radiation exposure to operators.

[0064] The process of fixing the cladding 20 to the quartz tube 30 using a manipulator and the device 10 provided in an embodiment of the present application includes: using the manipulator to apply an external force to the clamping member 13, so that the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12 shrink, placing the cladding 20 on the first fixing member 11, and then using the manipulator to install the device 10 into the quartz tube 30; when the device 10 reaches the appropriate position in the quartz tube 30, slowly release the manipulator, remove the external force applied by the manipulator to the clamping member 13, and the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 12 return to their original shape, completing the fixation of the cladding 20 to the quartz tube 30.

[0065] Regarding the embodiments of the present application, it should also be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features therein can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0066] The above are only specific implementation methods of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. The protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A device for fixing a cladding to a quartz tube, characterized in that: It includes: A first fixing member, a clamping member, and a second fixing member, wherein the first fixing member is configured to be connected to the clamping member, and the second fixing member is configured to be connected to the clamping member, and configured such that when an external force acts on the clamping member, the first fixing member contracts and the second fixing member contracts, and when the external force is removed from the clamping member, the first fixing member returns to its original shape and the second fixing member returns to its original shape, wherein, The first fixing member is configured to abut against the inner wall of the cladding when it returns to its original shape, and the second fixing member is configured to abut against the inner wall of the quartz tube when it returns to its original shape; The first fixing member is configured as a circular member with a notch, and is connected to one end of the clamping member at the notch. The second fixing member is configured as a circular member having a notch, and is connected to the other end of the clamping member at the notch; The position where the first fixing member is connected to the clamping member is configured to be in an arc shape, and the radius of the arc shape is configured so that when the first fixing member returns to its original shape and abuts against the inner wall of the cladding, the abutting force therebetween is within a predetermined range, thereby preventing the abutting force from damaging the cladding; The position where the second fixing member is connected to the clamping member is arranged to be in an arc shape, and the radius of the arc shape is arranged so that when the second fixing member abuts against the inner wall of the quartz tube when it returns to its original shape, the abutting force between the two is within a predetermined range, so as to avoid the abutting force causing damage to the quartz tube.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The clamping surface of the clamping member is arranged between a connection position between the clamping member and the first fixing member and a connection position between the clamping member and the second fixing member.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first fixing member has a first predetermined length along the extension direction of the shell, the second fixing member has a second predetermined length along the extension direction of the shell, and the clamping member has a third predetermined length along the extension direction of the shell, the first predetermined length is greater than the third predetermined length, and the second predetermined length is greater than or equal to the third predetermined length.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first fixing member and the cladding satisfy the following expression in structure, so that the quartz tube and the first fixing member are stably connected and the quartz tube can be prevented from being elastically damaged by the first fixing member: ， in, is the difference between the gravity of the cladding and the force exerted by the airflow on the cladding during the high-temperature oxidation test, is the sliding friction coefficient between the first fixing member and the cladding, is the median value between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the first fixing member after deformation, is half of the opening angle of the notch after the first fixing member is deformed, is the moment of inertia of the circular cross section of the first fixing member, is the shear elastic modulus of the material of which the first fixing member is made, is the area of ​​the circular cross section of the first fixing member, is the annular interface shear shape coefficient of the first fixing member, is the elastic modulus of the material of which the first fixing member is made, is the inner diameter of the cladding, is the outer diameter of the first fixing member before deformation.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The second fixing member and the quartz tube structurally satisfy the following expression, so that the quartz tube and the second fixing member are stably connected and the quartz tube can be prevented from being elastically damaged by the second fixing member: ， in, is the difference between the sum of the weights of the cladding, the first fixing member, the second fixing member, and the clamping member and the force exerted by the airflow on the above four during the high-temperature oxidation test, is the sliding friction coefficient between the second fixing member and the cladding, is the median value between the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the second fixing member after deformation, is half of the opening angle of the notch after the second fixing member is deformed, is the moment of inertia of the circular cross section of the second fixing member, is the shear elastic modulus of the material of the second fixing member, is the area of ​​the circular cross section of the second fixing member, is the annular interface shear shape coefficient of the second fixing member, is the elastic modulus of the material of which the second fixing member is made, is the inner diameter of the quartz tube, is the outer diameter of the second fixing member before deformation.

6. A device for performing high temperature oxidation test on cladding, characterized in that: It includes: a quartz tube, wherein the cladding is disposed within the quartz tube; A heating device, which is disposed outside the quartz tube and heats the quartz tube; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, used to fix the cladding in the quartz tube.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that Also includes: A manipulator is configured to operate a device for fixing the cladding to the quartz tube, so as to complete the operation of fixing the cladding to the quartz tube by remote operation.

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