Installation method of tritium-containing gas sealing storage device for self-target neutron tube

Abstract

A method for installing a tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for a self-contained target neutron tube can be used to store and transport gas containing radioactive tritium elements, or to fill tritium gas into a neutron tube containing a blank target, so that the target becomes a self-contained target containing deuterium and tritium elements. The method solves the problem in the prior art that neutron tube manufacturers cannot store radioactive tritium gas in conventional laboratories, or must produce self-contained target neutron tubes in qualified laboratories. The installation method of the device effectively reduces the production and use costs of self-contained target neutron tubes, is safe and reliable, and improves the production efficiency of self-contained target neutron tubes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of neutron tube manufacturing, and specifically relates to an installation method of a tritium-containing gas sealing storage device for a self-contained target neutron tube, which can be used for storing and transporting gas containing radioactive tritium elements, or for filling tritium gas into a blank target to turn it into a production process of a self-contained target containing deuterium and tritium elements. Background Art

[0002] Neutron tube is a small accelerator neutron source, which consists of ion source, acceleration system, target and gas pressure regulation system. It is mainly used in oil exploration, uranium exploration and other fields. Neutron tubes can be divided into commercial target neutron tubes and self-made target neutron tubes. Commercial target neutron tubes are finished targets that have stored tritium gas. Self-made target neutron tubes are first filled with deuterium-tritium mixed gas into the neutron tube, and the gas is ionized by the ion source of the neutron tube. The deuterium and tritium ions are then bombarded onto the target by the accelerator, and the deuterium and tritium elements are injected into the blank target to make it a self-made target containing deuterium and tritium elements. Self-made target neutron tubes have the characteristics of good stability and long life, and their life can reach more than 3 times that of commercial target neutron tubes. In the existing technology, the requirements for tritium gas storage sites and tritium filling operation systems are very high, and the tritium filling operation systems and tritium monitoring and measurement systems are expensive, making it impossible for conventional laboratories to store radioactive tritium gas. General neutron tube manufacturers neither have the relevant radiation safety qualifications nor are willing to purchase expensive equipment. Therefore, they can only produce single commercial target neutron tubes, which cannot meet the production and market demand for self-contained target neutron tubes. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve the problem in the prior art that conventional laboratories cannot store radioactive tritium gas and that self-contained target neutron tube production can only be carried out in qualified neutron tube production enterprises. The present invention provides an installation method for a tritium-containing gas sealing storage device for self-contained target neutron tubes, which can be used for storing and transporting gas containing radioactive tritium elements, or for the production process of converting blank targets into self-contained targets containing deuterium and tritium elements.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is:

[0005] A tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for a self-target neutron tube, which is special in that it comprises a lower flange 2, a storage device 3, a cylindrical shell 4, an upper flange 5, a first gas pipe 6, a vacuum valve 7, an interface flange 8, a second gas pipe 9 and at least two electrode leads 1;

[0006] The upper flange 5 and the lower flange 2 are arranged at both ends of the cylindrical shell 4 to form a sealed cavity; the first air pipe 6 passes through the upper flange 5 from the sealed cavity and is connected to the vacuum valve 7;

[0007] The other end of the vacuum valve 7 is connected to the second air pipe 9; the other end of the second air pipe 9 is connected to the interface flange 8;

[0008] The storage device 3 is fixed on the lower flange 2 in the sealed cavity through a connector 301 and / or a mounting bracket; the connector 301 is connected to the electrode lead 1, and the other end of the electrode lead 1 passes through the lower flange 2;

[0009] The first air pipe 6 and the upper flange 5 as well as the electrode lead 1 and the lower flange 2 are all sealed.

[0010] Furthermore, a first circular through hole 10 is provided at the center of the upper flange 5, and a first annular groove 11 is provided on the bottom surface of the upper flange 5;

[0011] The lower flange 2 is provided with second circular through holes 12 having the same number as the electrode leads 1, and the top surface of the lower flange 2 is provided with a second annular groove 13; the upper edge of the cylindrical housing 4 is sealed and embedded in the first annular groove 11;

[0012] The lower edge of the cylindrical housing 4 is sealed and embedded in the second annular groove 13;

[0013] The first air pipe 6 passes through the first circular through hole 10 and is sealed and connected to the upper flange 5;

[0014] The electrode lead 1 passes through the second circular through hole 12 and is sealed and insulated with the lower flange 2 .

[0015] Furthermore, the first air pipe 6 and the second air pipe 9 are made of stainless steel and have the same outer diameter;

[0016] The inner diameter of the first air pipe 6 is not less than 1 mm;

[0017] The inner diameter of the second air pipe 9 is not less than 1 mm, and the length thereof is not more than 10 mm.

[0018] Furthermore, the cylindrical shell 4 is made of stainless steel, with a wall thickness of not less than 1 mm, or a pressure bearing capacity of not less than 1 standard atmosphere.

[0019] Furthermore, the cylindrical shell 4 is fixedly connected to the upper flange 5 and the lower flange 2 by argon arc welding; and the upper flange 5 is fixedly connected to the first air pipe 6 by welding.

[0020] Furthermore, the interface flange 8 is a KF vacuum quick-connect flange, and the lower end is fixedly connected to the second air pipe 9 by welding.

[0021] Furthermore, the storage device 3 is an alloy material that absorbs gaseous tritium at room temperature; the electrode lead 1 is a vacuum ceramic sealed lead; and the vacuum valve 7 is a vacuum needle valve with metal sealing rings at both ends.

[0022] Furthermore, the second circular through holes 12 are symmetrically distributed along the center line of the circular end surface of the lower flange 2 .

[0023] At the same time, the present invention also provides a method for installing the above-mentioned tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for the self-target neutron tube, comprising the following steps:

[0024] Step 1, passing the electrode lead 1 through the second circular through hole 12 on the lower flange 2, and sealingly and insulatedly connecting the electrode lead 1 to the lower flange 2;

[0025] Step 2, fix the storage 3 on the lower flange 2 in the sealed cavity through the connector 301 and / or the mounting bracket, and connect the connector 301 at the lower end thereof to the electrode lead 1; then pass the first air pipe 6 through the first circular through hole 10 and seal it with the upper flange 5;

[0026] Step 3, fix the lower end surface of the cylindrical shell 4 to the lower flange 2;

[0027] Step 4: fix the upper end surface of the cylindrical shell 4 to the upper flange 5;

[0028] Step 5, connect one end of the vacuum valve 7 to the first air pipe 6, and the other end to the interface flange 8 through the second air pipe 9;

[0029] Step 6: Connect the interface flange 8 to the helium leak detector, open the vacuum valve 7, and perform an airtightness test on each connection. After the airtightness test is qualified, close the vacuum valve 7 and the installation is completed.

[0030] Furthermore, in step 3, the lower end surface of the cylindrical shell 4 is fixedly connected to the lower flange 2, specifically, the lower end surface of the cylindrical shell 4 is embedded in the second annular groove 13 provided on the top surface of the lower flange 2, and is fixedly connected to the lower flange 2;

[0031] In step 4 , the upper end surface of the cylindrical shell 4 is fixedly connected to the upper flange 5 , specifically, the upper end surface of the cylindrical shell 4 is embedded in the first annular groove 11 provided on the bottom surface of the upper flange 5 , and is fixedly connected to the upper flange 5 .

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0033] 1) The tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for self-contained target neutron tubes of the present invention can complete the storage and transportation of gaseous tritium gas in the enterprise that manufactures self-contained targets, or fill the radioactive tritium gas into the blank target containing the neutron tube to make a self-contained target containing deuterium and tritium elements, without the need to establish an expensive safety laboratory, thereby greatly reducing the production cost of the enterprise.

[0034] 2) The tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for the self-target neutron tube of the present invention has strong sealing performance and high transportation safety, improves the production efficiency of the self-target neutron tube, and meets the increasing market demand for the self-target neutron tube.

[0035] 3) The tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for the self-target neutron tube of the present invention has a simple structure, good safety, small size, light weight, convenient operation, low maintenance and use costs, and improves the product competitiveness of neutron tube manufacturers.

[0036] 4) The tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for the self-target neutron tube of the present invention is low-cost, safe and environmentally friendly, and uses reusable components to the maximum extent, further reducing the use and production costs.

[0037] 5) The method for installing the tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for the self-target neutron tube of the present invention effectively reduces the production and use costs of the self-target neutron tube, is safe and reliable, and improves the production efficiency of the self-target neutron tube. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a tritium-containing gas sealing storage device for a self-target neutron tube of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the cylindrical shell structure in the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the upper flange structure in the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the lower flange structure in the present invention;

[0042] Explanation of the reference numerals: 1-electrode lead, 2-lower flange, 3-memory device, 301-connecting head, 4-cylindrical shell, 5-upper flange, 6-first air pipe, 7-vacuum valve, 8-interface flange, 9-second air pipe, 10-first circular through hole, 11-first annular groove, 12-second circular through hole, 13-second annular groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0044] This embodiment provides a tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for a self-contained neutron tube, such as Figure 1As shown, it includes an electrode lead 1, a lower flange 2, a storage 3, a cylindrical shell 4, an upper flange 5, a first air pipe 6, a vacuum valve 7, an interface flange 8 and a second air pipe 9. An upper flange 5 and a lower flange 2 are provided at both ends of the cylindrical shell 4 to form a sealed cavity; a first air pipe 6 passes through a first circular through hole 10 on the upper flange 5 from the sealed cavity and is connected to a vacuum valve 7; one end of a second air pipe 9 is connected to the vacuum valve 7, and the other end is connected to an interface flange 8, which is a KF vacuum quick-connect flange; the storage 3 is fixed to the lower flange 2 in the sealed cavity through a connector 301, and in other embodiments, it can also be fixed to the lower flange 2 in the sealed cavity through a mounting bracket; the connector 301 at the lower end of the storage 3 is connected to one end of the electrode lead 1, and the other end of the electrode lead 1 passes through a second circular through hole 12 on the lower flange 2 and extends out of the sealed cavity; wherein the first air pipe 6 and the second air pipe 9 are made of stainless steel and have the same outer diameter; the inner diameter of the first air pipe 6 is not less than 1 mm; the inner diameter of the second air pipe 9 is also not less than 1 mm, and the length does not exceed 10 mm; the cylindrical shell 4 is made of stainless steel, with a wall thickness of not less than 1 mm, or a pressure bearing capacity of not less than 1 standard atmosphere.

[0045] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a first circular through hole 10 and a first annular groove 11 are provided on the end face of the upper flange 5; the first circular through hole 10 is located at the center of the upper flange 5; the first annular groove 11 is concentric with the circular end face of the upper flange 5; the upper end face of the cylindrical shell 4 is embedded in the first annular groove 11, so as to realize the positioning and installation of the argon arc welding of the upper flange 5 and the cylindrical shell 4, improve the welding quality and efficiency, and thus ensure the sealing of the welding position.

[0046] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, at least two second circular through holes 12 and second annular grooves 13 are provided on the end face of the lower flange 2; the second circular through holes 12 are symmetrically distributed along the center line of the circular end face of the lower flange 2; the second annular groove 13 is concentric with the circular end face of the lower flange 2; the lower end face of the cylindrical shell 4 is embedded in the second annular groove 13, so as to realize the positioning and installation of the argon arc welding of the lower flange 2 and the cylindrical shell 4, improve the welding quality and efficiency, and thus ensure the sealing of the welding position.

[0047] The installation method and use steps of a tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for a self-target neutron tube are as follows:

[0048] Step 1, passing the electrode lead 1 through the second circular through hole 12 on the lower flange 2, and sealingly and insulatedly connecting the electrode lead 1 with the lower flange 2 to ensure the sealing reliability of the connection; the number of the second circular through holes 12 is the same as the number of the electrode leads 1;

[0049] Step 2, after the electrode lead 1 is sealed and insulated with the lower flange 2, the storage 3 is fixed on the lower flange 2 in the sealed cavity through the connector 301 and / or the mounting bracket, and the connector 301 at the lower end of the storage 3 is fixedly connected to the electrode lead 1 by soldering; then the first air pipe 6 is passed through the first circular through hole 10 located on the end face of the upper flange 5, and the first air pipe 6 is sealed and connected to the upper flange 5 to ensure the sealing reliability of the connection;

[0050] Step 3, embed the lower end surface of the cylindrical shell 4 into the second annular groove 13 of the lower flange 2, and fix and seal the lower flange 2 and the cylindrical shell 4 by argon arc welding; the second annular groove 13 plays a positioning role in the installation and welding of the lower flange 2, improves the welding quality and welding efficiency, and thus ensures the sealing of the welding position;

[0051] Step 4, after the cylindrical shell 4 and the lower flange 2 are welded, the upper end surface of the cylindrical shell 4 is embedded in the first annular groove 11 on the upper flange 5, and the cylindrical shell 4 and the upper flange 5 are fixedly sealed and connected together by argon arc welding. The first annular groove 11 plays a positioning role in the installation and welding of the upper flange 5, which improves the welding quality and efficiency, thereby ensuring the sealing of the welding position;

[0052] Step 5, connect one end of the vacuum valve 7 to the first air pipe 6, and the other end to the interface flange 8 through the second air pipe 9;

[0053] Step 6: Connect the interface flange 8 on the sealed storage device to the helium leak detector, open the vacuum valve 7, and perform an airtightness test on each connection; the helium leak detector evacuates the sealed storage device to 10 -5 Pa, to detect whether there is leakage at each welding point and connection to ensure the safety and reliability of the sealed storage device, after the detection is completed, close the vacuum valve 7; the manufacturing and installation process of the self-target neutron tube tritium-containing gas sealed storage device is completed;

[0054] Step 7: Fill the sealed storage device with tritium-containing gas. In a laboratory with tritium filling qualification, connect the sealing storage device to the filling device through the interface flange 8, open the vacuum valve 7, and use the vacuum unit to evacuate the filling pipeline to 10 -5 Pa, and after ensuring that there is no leakage at the connection, close the connection valve with the vacuum pump. Connect the electrode lead 1 of the sealed storage device to a DC power supply to control the storage 3 to inhale and absorb the tritium-containing gas in the filling pipeline;

[0055] Step 8, when it is needed, the self-target neutron tube that is ready for inflation is connected to the sealed storage device through the interface flange 8, the vacuum valve 7 is opened, and the storage in the self-target neutron tube is in an air-intake state, and the electrode lead 1 of the sealed storage device is connected to a DC power supply to control the storage 3 to deflate, so as to realize the function of inflating the self-target neutron tube;

[0056] Step 9: After the inflation is completed, the interface of the self-target neutron tube is sealed, and the vacuum valve 7 is closed at the same time. Then, the connection between the self-target neutron tube and the sealed storage device is disconnected, and the DC power supply connected to the electrode lead 1 is disconnected. The inflation process is completed.

[0057] The above disclosure is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and any changes that can be conceived by those skilled in the art should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for installing a tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for a self-target neutron tube, characterized in that: The tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for the self-target neutron tube comprises a lower flange (2), a storage device (3), a cylindrical shell (4), an upper flange (5), a first gas pipe (6), a vacuum valve (7), an interface flange (8), a second gas pipe (9) and at least two electrode leads (1); The upper flange (5) and the lower flange (2) are arranged at both ends of the cylindrical outer shell (4) to form a sealed cavity; the first air pipe (6) passes through the upper flange (5) from the sealed cavity and is connected to the vacuum valve (7); The other end of the vacuum valve (7) is connected to the second air pipe (9); the other end of the second air pipe (9) is connected to the interface flange (8); The storage device (3) is fixed to the lower flange (2) in the sealed cavity via a connector (301) and / or a mounting bracket; the connector (301) is connected to the electrode lead (1), and the other end of the electrode lead (1) passes through the lower flange (2); The first air pipe (6) and the upper flange (5), and the electrode lead (1) and the lower flange (2) are all sealed connections; The first air pipe (6) and the second air pipe (9) are made of stainless steel and have the same outer diameter; The inner diameter of the first air pipe (6) is not less than 1 mm; The inner diameter of the second air pipe (9) is not less than 1 mm, and its length is not more than 10 mm; The cylindrical outer shell (4) is made of stainless steel, with a wall thickness of not less than 1 mm, or a pressure bearing capacity of not less than 1 standard atmosphere; the cylindrical outer shell (4) is fixedly connected to the upper flange (5) and the lower flange (2) by argon arc welding; the upper flange (5) and the first air pipe (6) are fixedly connected by welding; The storage device (3) is an alloy material that absorbs gaseous tritium at room temperature; the electrode lead (1) is a vacuum ceramic sealed lead; the vacuum valve (7) is a vacuum needle valve with metal sealing rings at both ends; The installation method comprises the following steps: Step 1: Pass the electrode lead (1) through the second circular through hole (12) on the lower flange (2) and connect it to the lower flange (2) in a sealed and insulated manner; Step 2: fix the storage device (3) to the lower flange (2) in the sealed cavity via a connector (301) and / or a mounting bracket, and connect the connector (301) at its lower end to the electrode lead (1); then pass the first air pipe (6) through the first circular through hole (10) and seal it to the upper flange (5); Step 3, fixing the lower end surface of the cylindrical housing (4) to the lower flange (2); Step 4, fixing the upper end surface of the cylindrical housing (4) to the upper flange (5); Step 5: Connect one end of the vacuum valve (7) to the first air pipe (6), and connect the other end to the interface flange (8) through the second air pipe (9); Step 6: Connect the interface flange (8) to the helium leak detector, open the vacuum valve (7), and perform an airtightness test on each connection. After the airtightness test is qualified, close the vacuum valve (7) and the installation is completed.

2. A method for installing the tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for the self-target neutron tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step 3, the lower end surface of the cylindrical outer shell (4) is fixedly connected to the lower flange (2), specifically, the lower end surface of the cylindrical outer shell (4) is embedded in a second annular groove (13) provided on the top surface of the lower flange (2), and is fixedly connected to the lower flange (2); In step 4, the upper end surface of the cylindrical outer shell (4) is fixedly connected to the upper flange (5), specifically, the upper end surface of the cylindrical outer shell (4) is embedded in a first annular groove (11) provided on the bottom surface of the upper flange (5) and fixedly connected to the upper flange (5).

3. The method for installing the tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for the self-target neutron tube according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first circular through hole (10) is provided at the center of the upper flange (5), and a first annular groove (11) is provided on the bottom surface of the upper flange (5); The lower flange (2) is provided with a number of second circular through holes (12) that matches the number of the electrode leads (1), and a second annular groove (13) is provided on the top surface of the lower flange (2); The upper edge of the cylindrical housing (4) is sealed and embedded in the first annular groove (11); The lower edge of the cylindrical housing (4) is sealed and embedded in the second annular groove (13); The first air pipe (6) passes through the first circular through hole (10) and is sealedly connected to the upper flange (5); The electrode lead (1) passes through the second circular through hole (12) and is sealed and insulatedly connected to the lower flange (2).

4. The method for installing the tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for the self-target neutron tube according to claim 3, characterized in that: The interface flange (8) is a KF vacuum quick-connect flange, and the lower end is fixedly connected to the second air pipe (9) by welding.

5. The method for installing the tritium-containing gas sealed storage device for the self-target neutron tube according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second circular through holes (12) are symmetrically distributed along the center line of the circular end surface of the lower flange (2).

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