Method for collecting sample from tank

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for collecting a sample from a tank body. The method comprises the following steps: mounting an outer tube with an accommodating space and a through hole at the bottom of the tank body along the height direction; inserting an inner tube having a collection space inside and a through portion formed therein into the accommodation space of the outer tube; when a sample is loaded from the top of the tank body, the sample is collected into the collection space through the through hole and the through part; and separating the inner tube in which at least a portion of the collection space is filled with the sample from the outer tube.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of collecting a sample from a tank. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a nuclear power plant, a vitrification process is used to reduce the volume of waste materials, waste resins, etc., and to ensure their appropriate disposal.

[0003] After the vitrification process of the target waste material is completed, the molten glass is discharged into a mold or a tank at the bottom of a low-temperature furnace, thereby completing the process.

[0004] In order to evaluate whether the discharged solidified glass body is suitable for disposal, a sample needs to be collected without damaging the integrity of the glass body. SUMMARY

[0005] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0006] The present invention relates to a method of collecting a sample from a tank.

[0007] TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0008] The above object of the present invention is achieved by a method of collecting a sample from a tank, the method including the steps of: installing an outer tube having a receiving space and having a through-hole in a height direction at a bottom of the tank; inserting an inner tube having a collection space inside and formed with a through portion into the receiving space of the outer tube; collecting a sample into the collection space through the through-hole and the through portion when the sample is loaded from a top of the tank; and separating the inner tube in which at least a portion of the collection space is filled with the sample from the outer tube.

[0009] The sample is a radioactive material melted in a vitrification furnace, and the tank is installed at the bottom of the vitrification furnace.

[0010] The outer tube and the inner tube have shapes similar to circular tubes extending in the height direction, and the length of the inner tube is longer than that of the outer tube.

[0011] In the inserting step, an upper end portion of the inner tube protrudes from the outer tube.

[0012] In the inserting step, the positions of the inner tube and the outer tube are adjusted so that the through-hole and the through portion communicate.

[0013] The through-hole and a portion of the through portion overlap each other.

[0014] In the inserting step, the outer tube and the inner tube are fixed to each other by a threaded connection.

[0015] In the above collecting step, different samples are collected at different heights of the collection space of the inner tube.

[0016] In the above collecting step, the sample is sequentially supplied from at least two furnaces and collected.

[0017] Advantageous Effects

[0018] According to the present application, there is provided a method of collecting a sample from a can body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing a method of collecting a sample from a can body according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 2 shows a positional relationship between a can body and an outer tube in a method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an outer tube used in a method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an inner tube used in a method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an insertion configuration of an outer tube and an inner tube in a method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view showing the positions of a through-hole and a through-part when the inner tube is inserted in a method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figures 7a to 7c is a vertical sectional view showing an example of the positions of a through-hole and a through-part when the inner tube is inserted in a method of collecting a sample according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 8 shows a connection portion of an outer tube and an inner tube in a method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application; and

[0027] Figures 9a to 9c shows a sample collected by a method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present application will be described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are merely for the purpose of illustrating the technical concept of the present application, and therefore, the scope of the present application is not limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] A method of collecting a sample from a can body 1 will be described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2

[0030] Figure 1 ​is a flowchart showing a method of collecting a sample from a can body 1 according to an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 shows a positional relationship between the can body 1 and the outer tube 10 in the method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] The sample collected below can be a radioactive material melted in a vitrification furnace (molten glass), but is not limited thereto.

[0032] In addition, the following description exemplifies a low-temperature melting furnace, but is not limited thereto.

[0033] First, the outer tube 10 is installed inside the can body 1 (S10).

[0034] As shown in Figure 2 , the can body 1 is located below the melting furnace and receives molten glass discharged from the melting furnace.

[0035] The can body 1 can be cylindrical or barrel-shaped, and at least a portion of an upper portion thereof is open during the sample collection process.

[0036] The outer tube 10 is installed at the bottom of the can body 1 in the height direction, and can be fixed to the bottom surface of the can body 1 by welding.

[0037] It is preferable that the outer tube 10 be installed away from a position at which a sample is discharged from the low-temperature melting furnace.

[0038] If the installation position of the outer tube 10 is vertically aligned with the position at which a sample is discharged from the low-temperature melting furnace, a sample is collected from a collection space of an inner tube 20, which will be described below, before a sample height within the can body 1 reaches a predetermined level.

[0039] In this case, a time difference can occur between a sample within the collection space and a sample actually supplied to the can body 1, which can cause an error in sample analysis.

[0040] The outer tube 10 is a hollow circular tube having an accommodation space inside and extending in the height direction as shown in Figure 3 , and the outer tube 10 is formed with a plurality of through-holes 110 at a side portion thereof.

[0041] The through-holes 110 are arranged in pairs in the horizontal direction, and the pairs of through-holes are arranged in the vertical direction at regular intervals.

[0042] The formation height L' of the through-holes 110 is formed to be 70%, 80%, or 90% or more of the height L1 of the outer tube 10.

[0043] The through-holes 110 all have the same size, and are generally circular, but the size and shape of the through-holes 110 are not limited thereto.

[0044] In another embodiment of the present application, the through-hole 110 can have different sizes, and its shape can be oval, triangular, square, hexagonal, or diamond-shaped.

[0045] Next, the inner tube 20 is inserted into the outer tube 10 (S20).

[0046] Referring to Figure 4 the shape of the inner tube 20 will be described in detail, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the inner tube 20 used in a method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0047] The inner tube 20 is a hollow circular tube having a collection space inside and extending in a height direction, and the inner tube 20 has a through portion 210 extending in the height direction at a side portion thereof.

[0048] The outer diameter d2 of the inner tube 20 is at least 80%, 90%, 95%, or 98% of the inner diameter (d1, as Figure 3 shown) of the outer tube 10, and is preferably less than 100%.

[0049] In consideration of a process of separating the inner tube 20 from the outer tube 10 in the future, it is preferable that the outer diameter d2 of the inner tube 20 is as close as possible to the inner diameter d1 of the outer tube 10 to prevent a sample from being located between the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10.

[0050] The length L2 of the inner tube 20 can be longer than the length L1 of the outer tube 10.

[0051] The shape of the inner tube 20 inserted into the outer tube 10 will be described with reference to Figure 5 , Figure 5 shows the insertion of the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 in a method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0052] When the insertion is completed, the upper end portion A of the inner tube 20 protrudes from the outer tube 10, and the through portion 210 of the inner tube 20 at least partially overlaps the through-hole 110 of the outer tube 10.

[0053] In consideration of a process of separating the inner tube 20 from the outer tube 10 in the future, the shape of the upper end portion A can be suitable for use with a handle or a tool, and can not form the through portion 210.

[0054] Hereinafter, the positional relationship between the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 and the positional relationship between the through-hole 110 and the through portion 210 during the insertion will be described in detail with reference to Figure 6 .

[0055] Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view showing the positions of the through-hole 110 and the through portion 210 during the insertion of the inner tube 20 in a method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0056] As Figure 6 shown, the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 are in close contact during insertion, and the plurality of through-holes 110a, 110b at least partially overlap and communicate with the through portion 210.

[0057] The positional relationship between the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 described above can vary depending on the dimensions of the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10, the shape of the through-holes 110, and the like, and will be described with reference to Figures 7a to 7c .

[0058] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7a , the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 are in close contact, and the through-holes 110 completely overlap and communicate with the through portion 210.

[0059] In this embodiment, like the through portion 210, the through-holes 110 can be continuously formed in the height direction, or the through-holes 110 can be dispersed in the height direction, but the horizontal (vertical) width of these through-holes can correspond to the width of the through portion 210.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7b , the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 are spaced apart, and the plurality of through-holes 110a, 110b are connected to the through portion 210 in a manner that at least a portion thereof overlaps.

[0061] In this embodiment, in addition to merely reducing the diameter of the inner tube 20, the shapes of the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 are the same as those shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 .

[0062] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7c , the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 are spaced apart, and the plurality of through-holes 110a, 110b are formed in the through portion 210 spaced apart from each other.

[0063] In this embodiment, in addition to merely reducing the diameter of the inner tube 20, the shapes of the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 are the same as those shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 .

[0064] Although the formation positions of the through-holes 110a, 110b and the through portion 210 are spaced apart, the through-holes 110a, 110b and the through portion 210 are connected to each other by the space between the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10.

[0065] At the time of insertion, the inner tube 20 is fixed to the outer tube 10 by engagement. Threaded engagement is one possible fixing method, but is not limited thereto.

[0066] The fixing method will be described with reference to Figure 8 ,Figure 8 The joints B1, B2 of the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 in the method of collecting a sample according to an embodiment of the present application are shown.

[0067] For convenience of explanation, the joints B1, B2 are not shown in Figures 3 to 5

[0068] The joints B1, B2 are formed in the lower portion of the outer tube 10 and the lower portion of the inner tube 20, respectively.

[0069] An inner thread is formed on the inner diameter of the lower portion of the outer tube 10, and an outer thread is formed on the outer diameter of the lower portion of the inner tube 20. Upon insertion, the outer thread and the inner thread are engaged, thereby fixing the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20.

[0070] However, the positions of the joints B1, B2 are not limited thereto, and the joint B1 of the outer tube 10 can be formed in the upper portion of the outer tube 10, and the joint B2 of the inner tube 20 can be formed to correspond to the position of the joint B1.

[0071] Then, a sample is collected (S30).

[0072] During the sample collection, the sample loaded from the upper portion of the can 1 is collected into the collection space through the through-hole 110 and the through portion 210.

[0073] The sample collection is performed in a vitrification process, and the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 can be installed in only a portion of the can 1. In other words, the can 1 equipped with the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 is used only when a sample needs to be collected. The time point at which a sample needs to be collected can vary, for example, at fixed time intervals or when the composition of the molten object changes.

[0074] The process of collecting a sample will be described in detail below.

[0075] As the sample discharged from the low-temperature melting furnace accumulates at the bottom of the can 1, the sample level inside the can 1 rises.

[0076] As the sample level rises, the sample flows into the through-hole 110 of the outer tube 10 and into the through portion 210 of the inner tube 20 connected to the through-hole 110.

[0077] The sample is contained in the collection space of the inner tube 20 through the through portion 210.

[0078] According to the height (level) of the sample accumulated in the can 1, a corresponding sample is collected into the collection space.

[0079] Referring to Figures 9a to 9c the sample collected in the inner tube 20 according to the height will be described.

[0080] Figures 9a to 9c ​A sample collected using a method of collecting a sample according to one embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 1, a first sample is deposited on the bottom of the inner tube 20 during a first discharge of the vitrification apparatus. Figure 9a As shown in FIG. 2, a second sample is deposited on the top of the first sample during a second discharge after the first discharge of the vitrification apparatus. Figure 9b As shown in FIG. 3, a third sample is deposited on the top of the second sample during a third discharge after the second discharge.

[0082] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, a fourth sample is deposited on the top of the third sample during a fourth discharge after the third discharge. Figure 9c As shown in FIG. 5, a fifth sample is deposited on the top of the fourth sample during a fifth discharge after the fourth discharge.

[0083] Thus, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth samples are collected in a structure stacked in the height direction, thereby allowing samples having different components to be collected at different heights of the inner tube 20.

[0084] In another embodiment, the samples can be sequentially supplied from at least two furnaces.

[0085] Finally, the inner tube 20 is separated from the outer tube 10 (S40).

[0086] After the samples collected in the collection space of the inner tube 20 are solidified, the inner tube 20 is separated from the outer tube 10.

[0087] If a threaded connection is employed, the upper end portion A of the inner tube 20 protruding to the outside of the outer tube 10 can have a polygonal shape instead of a circular shape to facilitate tool use.

[0088] To facilitate separation, the samples can be contained lower than the outer tube 10, or the outer tube 10 can be installed higher than the can body 1.

[0089] According to the present application, the outer tube 10 having the through hole 110 is in physical communication with the through portion 210 of the inner tube 20, thereby facilitating collection of the inflowing molten glass.

[0090] Because the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20 employ a threaded connection, separation and extraction are easy after sample collection.

[0091] The through portion 210 of the inner tube 20 extends in the height direction, thereby being able to reflect a component change of the molten glass.

[0092] Thereafter, the solidified samples are separated from the inner tube 20 and analyzed.

[0093] While specific aspects of the application have been described above in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such detail is merely for the purposes of preferred embodiments and variations, and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. The scope of the application, therefore, is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A method for collecting samples from a tank, comprising: An outer tube with a receiving space and a through hole is installed at the bottom of the tank along the height direction; An inner tube with a collection space and a through section is inserted into the receiving space of the outer tube; When a sample is loaded from the top of the tank, it is collected into the collection space through the through hole and the through section; and The inner tube, which contains at least a portion of the collection space and is filled with the sample, is separated from the outer tube.

2. The method for collecting samples according to claim 1, wherein, The sample is radioactive material melted in a vitrification furnace, and the container is mounted at the bottom of the vitrification furnace.

3. The method for collecting samples according to claim 1, wherein, The outer tube and the inner tube are in the form of circular tubes extending in the height direction, and the length of the inner tube is longer than the length of the outer tube.

4. The method for collecting samples according to claim 1, wherein, During the insertion step, the upper end of the inner tube protrudes from the outer tube.

5. The method for collecting samples according to claim 1, wherein, During the insertion step, the positions of the inner tube and the outer tube are adjusted so that the through hole and the through part are connected to each other.

6. The method for collecting samples according to claim 5, wherein, During the insertion step, the through hole and a portion of the through portion overlap each other.

7. The method for collecting samples according to claim 1, wherein, During the insertion step, the outer tube and the inner tube are fixed to each other by a threaded connection.

8. The method for collecting samples according to claim 1, wherein, During the collection step, different samples are collected at different heights in the collection space of the inner tube.

9. The method for collecting samples according to claim 1, wherein, In the collection step, samples are sequentially supplied from at least two furnaces and the samples are collected.

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