Sample holder for resin casting of radioactive samples

Abstract

An embodiment of the present application provides a sample holder for resin casting of radioactive samples, comprising a first pallet, a second pallet, and a connector. The surface of the first pallet is recessed downward to form a plurality of pallet grooves distributed circumferentially. The second pallet is arranged above the first pallet, and a plurality of second pallet through-holes are provided on the second pallet, each second pallet through-hole being coaxial with a pallet groove and having the same size. The connector connects the first pallet and the second pallet. The bottom end of the sample is inserted into the pallet groove after passing through the second pallet through-hole, and the sample is positioned and supported by the second pallet and the first pallet. The sample holder of the embodiment of the present application facilitates an operator to operate a manipulator outside a hot chamber to place the radioactive sample into the second pallet through-hole before resin casting. When casting the resin, the operator can observe the degree of resin casting in the radioactive sample through the gap between the two pallets while operating the manipulator to pour the casting resin into the radioactive sample.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of nuclear technology, in particular to a sample holder for resin casting of radioactive samples. Background Art

[0002] In some cases, radioactive materials, such as spent fuel rods, need to be cut, polished, or polished for performance testing or other inspections. To prevent debris from falling during the cutting and polishing process, epoxy resin is poured around the radioactive material to secure it. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An embodiment of the present application provides a sample holder for resin casting of radioactive samples, comprising: a first pallet, a second pallet, and a connector. The surface of the first pallet is recessed downward to form a plurality of pallet grooves distributed circumferentially. The second pallet is arranged above the first pallet, and a plurality of second pallet through holes are provided on the second pallet, each of which is coaxial with a pallet groove and has the same size. The connector connects the first pallet and the second pallet. The bottom end of the sample passes through the second pallet through hole and is inserted into the pallet groove, and the second pallet and the first pallet position and support the sample.

[0004] The present application forms multiple pallet grooves on the first pallet, and arranges multiple second pallet through holes on the second pallet that are coaxial with the pallet grooves and of the same size. The coaxially arranged second pallet through holes and pallet grooves are used to carry radioactive samples (such as spent fuel rod samples). Before pouring the resin, it is convenient for the operator to operate the manipulator outside the hot room to place the radioactive sample into the second pallet through holes. When pouring the resin, it is convenient for the operator to observe the degree of resin pouring in the radioactive sample through the gap between the two pallets while operating the manipulator to pour the pouring resin into the radioactive sample. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention.

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a radioactive sample according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic exploded view of the radioactive sample shown;

[0008] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a sample holder according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which four samples are carried;

[0009] Figure 4yes Figure 3 Schematic exploded view of the sample holder shown;

[0010] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Schematic exploded view of the sample holder after omitting 4 samples;

[0011] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a sample holder according to another embodiment of the present invention, which carries four samples;

[0012] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Schematic structural diagrams of the sample holder and the vacuum chamber at different angles according to one embodiment of the present invention are shown respectively;

[0013] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A partial magnified view of the sample holder shown;

[0014] Figure 10 yes Figure 7 A top view of the sample holder and vacuum chamber is shown;

[0015] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A magnified detail of the sample holder shown.

[0016] 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.

[0017] Description of reference numerals:

[0018] 11. Vacuum chamber; 111. Locking member; 12. Cover plate; 121. Slide; 122. Locking member; 13. Base plate;

[0019] 20. Sample; 201. First sample; 202. Second sample; 203. Third sample; 21. Upper resin support frame; 211. Hollow hole; 22. Radioactive rod-shaped material; 23. Lower resin support frame; 231. Hollow hole; 24. Resin tube; 25. End piece;

[0020] 30. Sample holder; 31. First support plate; 311. First groove; 312. Second groove; 313. Hollow tubular structure; 3131. First step surface; 314. Connecting rod; 315. Positioning member; 32. Second support plate; 321. First through hole; 322. Second through hole; 323. Second center through hole; 33. Third support plate; 331. Third support plate through hole; 332. Third center through hole; 34. Base; 35. Turntable; 36. Column; 37. Funnel holder; 38. Funnel; 391. First transmission member; 392. First horizontal rotating rod; 393. First operating unit;

[0021] 40. Feeding part; 41. Container supporting part; 42. Container clamping part; 43. Third operating part; 431. Third horizontal rotating rod; 44. Second horizontal rotating rod; 45. Second operating part; 46. Container; 47. First connecting rod; 48. Second connecting rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiment is only one embodiment of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the described embodiment of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application should have the common meanings understood by persons having ordinary skills in the field to which the invention belongs.

[0024] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, “a plurality of” means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0025] In the related art, when preparing spent fuel rod samples, the spent fuel rods need to be placed in a resin tube 24 and then resin is poured into the resin tube 24. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, sample 20 includes a resin tube 24 and a radioactive rod-shaped material 22 disposed within the resin tube 24. The resin tube 24 is open at one end and has an end piece 25 bonded to the other end to prevent the radioactive rod-shaped material 22 from falling out of the resin tube 24. Sample 20 may also include at least one resin support frame. For example, sample 20 may include an upper resin support frame 21 and a lower resin support frame 23. Stoppers may be formed on the radially inner surface of the resin tube 24 near its upper and lower ends, and the upper resin support frame 21 and the lower resin support frame 23 are bonded to the resin tube 24 at the stoppers. The resin support frame has a central through-hole for the passage of the radioactive rod-shaped material. This helps position the radioactive rod-shaped material 22 within the resin tube 24 during epoxy resin pouring, thereby improving the pouring quality of sample 20. The periphery of the through-hole is hollowed out to allow resin to pass through, facilitating more complete epoxy resin pouring. Furthermore, the resin support frame cures along with the epoxy resin, making the overall pouring simple, effective, and reliable. The upper resin support frame 21 may be provided with a waist-shaped hollow hole 211. The lower resin support frame 23 may be provided with a waist-shaped hollow hole 231. The spent fuel rods are sequentially inserted into the through holes of the two resin support frames and into the resin tube 24 to form the sample 20.

[0026] In the related art, spent fuel rod samples requiring resin casting have two basic specifications: a 30mm diameter, 100mm length sample (i.e., second sample 202) and an 18mm diameter, 100mm length sample (i.e., third sample 203). After casting, the 30mm diameter sample is radially cut into small segments with a 30mm diameter and 25mm length for testing. After casting, the 18mm diameter sample is radially cut into small segments with a 18mm diameter and 15mm length. Each segment is then longitudinally split and placed into a 30mm diameter, 25mm length resin tube 24 to form the first sample 201, which is then cast again.

[0027] In the related art, the vacuum casting process usually involves introducing epoxy resin into the vacuum container 46 in the form of a pipe under a vacuum state. This can easily cause the remaining epoxy resin to solidify in the pipe and block the pipe. In this case, the pipe needs to be replaced in time. However, it is difficult for a robot to perform such an operation in a hot chamber, and it requires a high level of remote control from the operator.

[0028] In order to solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a sample holder 30 suitable for resin pouring by a manually operated manipulator.

[0029] See also Figures 3 to 5 The sample holder 30 of the embodiment of the present application includes a first support plate 31, a second support plate 32 and a connecting piece. The surface of the first support plate 31 is recessed downward to form a plurality of support plate grooves distributed circumferentially. The second support plate 32 is arranged above the first support plate 31, and a plurality of second support plate through holes are provided on the second support plate 32, each of which is coaxial with a support plate groove and has the same size. The connecting piece connects the first support plate 31 and the second support plate 32 to form an integral sample holder. The bottom end of the sample 20 passes through the second support plate through hole and is inserted into the support plate groove, and the second support plate 32 and the first support plate 31 position and support the sample 20.

[0030] The present application forms a plurality of pallet grooves on the first pallet 31, and arranges a plurality of second pallet through holes on the second pallet 32 ​​that are coaxial with the pallet grooves and of the same size. The coaxially arranged second pallet through holes and pallet grooves are used to carry the radioactive sample 20 (such as a spent fuel rod sample). Before pouring the resin, it is convenient for the operator to operate the manipulator outside the hot room to place the radioactive sample 20 into the second pallet through holes. When pouring the resin, it is convenient for the operator to observe the degree of resin pouring in the radioactive sample 20 through the gap between the two pallets while operating the manipulator to pour the pouring resin into the radioactive sample 20.

[0031] In some embodiments, the plurality of support plate grooves include at least one first groove 311 and at least one second groove 312, wherein the diameter of the first groove 311 is larger than the diameter of the second groove 312. Accordingly, the plurality of second support plate through-holes include at least one first through-hole 321 and at least one second through-hole 322, wherein the diameter of the first through-hole 321 is larger than the diameter of the second through-hole 322. In such an embodiment, the cooperation between the first support plate 31 and the second support plate 32 enables the sample holder 30 to support samples 20 of two different diameters.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first grooves 311 and the second grooves 312 are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the first through holes 321 and the second through holes 322 are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction.

[0033] In some embodiments, the sample holder 30 further includes a third support plate 33 connected to the connector, and the third support plate 33 is located above the second support plate 32. The third support plate 33, the second support plate 32, and the first support plate 31 are connected to form an integral sample holder via the connector.

[0034] The third support plate 33 is provided with a plurality of third support plate through holes 331. Each third support plate through hole 331 is coaxial with a second support plate through hole. The diameter of the third support plate through hole 331 is substantially the same as the diameter of the first groove 311. After the bottom end of the sample 20 passes through the third support plate through hole 331, it is supported by the second support plate 32 or the first support plate 31.

[0035] In such an embodiment, through the cooperation of three supporting plates, the sample holder 30 can support samples 20 of two lengths and two diameters.

[0036] Specifically, the inner diameter of the third support plate through-hole 331 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first sample 201 (e.g., greater than 1.5-2 mm). This facilitates the smooth insertion of the first sample 201 into the third support plate through-hole 331 while also maintaining the first sample 201 substantially vertically extended, facilitating the pouring of resin therein. The inner diameter of the second through-hole 322 is slightly larger than the outer diameters of the second and third samples 202, 203 (e.g., greater than 1.5-2 mm), and smaller than the outer diameter of the first sample 201. Thus, the first sample 201 can be supported by the second and third support plates 32, 33, while the second and third samples 202, 203 are each supported by all three support plates.

[0037] It is easy to understand that a support plate groove of the first support plate 31 and the corresponding support plate through holes of one or more support plates above it together form a sample slot for loading the sample 20.

[0038] In other embodiments, third grooves with different diameters or additional supporting plates may be provided to support samples 20 with more diameters and lengths, so as to be suitable for resin casting of radioactive samples 20 of various specifications.

[0039] See also Figure 6 In some embodiments, the sample holder 30 further includes a base 34 and a column 36 extending upward from the base 34. The first support plate 31 is rotatably mounted on the base 34 (i.e., the sample holder is rotatably mounted on the base 34). The connector includes a hollow tubular structure 313 extending upward through the first support plate 31. The column 36 extends upward within the hollow tubular structure 313. In such an embodiment, since the first support plate 31 is rotatably mounted on the base 34, an operator can operate a manipulator through the lead glass viewing window to rotate the support plate, turn the through-hole of the support plate to a direction in which the operator can clearly see, and then use the manipulator to insert the radioactive sample 20 into the through-hole.

[0040] In some embodiments, the sample holder 30 further includes: a funnel holder 37, which is connected to the column 36 above the hollow tubular structure 313 to place a funnel 38 for receiving the casting resin. When the first support plate 31 rotates relative to the base 34, the funnel 38 placed on the funnel holder 37 can be aligned with one of the support plate grooves in turn.

[0041] In such an embodiment, a manipulator can first insert the radioactive sample 20 into the corresponding through-hole, insert the funnel 38 into the funnel holder 37, and then rotate the support plate to align one through-hole with the funnel 38 placed in the funnel holder 37. The manipulator can then inject resin into the funnel 38 (for example, the manipulator can be used to tilt a beaker containing resin). The resin in the funnel 38 flows under the action of gravity into the sample 20 below it, thereby performing resin casting on the sample 20. Since the sample holder 30 is provided with the funnel 38, it is easier for the operator to align the manipulator with the sample 20 when using the manipulator to cast the resin. It is easy to understand that in order to prevent resin from overflowing, the inner diameter of the outlet of funnel 38 needs to be smaller than the inner diameter of sample 20 (i.e., the inner diameter of the outlet of funnel 38 is smaller than the inner diameter of resin tube 24). As mentioned above, the outer diameter of sample 20 can be 18 mm. Accordingly, the inner diameter of the outlet of funnel 38 is smaller. After the resin pouring is completed, resin will remain in the outlet of funnel 38, causing the outlet of funnel 38 to become clogged. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, funnel 38 is movably connected to funnel holder 37, making funnel 38 replaceable; funnel 38 can be vertically inserted into funnel holder 37 to facilitate the operation of a manipulator to replace funnel 38.

[0042] In some embodiments, the sample holder 30 further includes: a first horizontal rotating rod 392, a first operating portion 393, and a first transmission member 391. The first horizontal rotating rod 392 is used to drive the first support plate 31 to rotate. The first operating portion 393 is connected to the first horizontal rotating rod 392 and is used for operation by a manipulator to drive the first horizontal rotating rod 392 to rotate around a horizontal axis. The first transmission member 391 is connected between the first horizontal rotating rod 392 and the first support plate 31 and is used to convert the horizontal rotation of the first horizontal rotating rod 392 into the vertical rotation of the first support plate 31. The first transmission member 391 can use end face teeth to convert the horizontal rotation of the first horizontal rotating rod 392 into the vertical rotation of the first support plate 31. The first operating portion 393 can be a handle.

[0043] In some embodiments, the sample holder 30 further includes a turntable 35 rotatably disposed on the base 34 . The first support plate 31 is disposed on the turntable 35 . The first transmission member 391 is connected between the first horizontal rotating rod 392 and the turntable 35 .

[0044] The centers of the plurality of support plate grooves can be on the same circumference, and the hollow tubular structure 313 can be located at the center of the circumference. Thus, when the first support plate 31 is rotated, it is ensured that each support plate groove can be located directly below the funnel 38.

[0045] The distance between the third support plate 33 and the second support plate 32 can be smaller than the distance between the second support plate 32 and the first support plate 31, so that a shorter sample 20 can be supported by the third support plate 33 and the second support plate 32, and a longer sample 20 can be supported by all three support plates.

[0046] In some embodiments, a first stepped surface 3131 is formed on the hollow tubular structure 313, and a second central through hole 323 is provided at the center of the second support plate 32. The second central through hole 323 of the second support plate 32 is downwardly sleeved onto the hollow tubular structure 313 and is restrained by the first stepped surface 3131. In some embodiments, a second stepped surface is formed on the hollow tubular structure 313, and the second stepped surface is located above the first stepped surface 3131. A third central through hole 332 is provided at the center of the third support plate 33. The third central through hole 332 of the third support plate 33 is downwardly sleeved onto the hollow tubular structure 313 and is restrained by the second stepped surface.

[0047] In some embodiments, the connector includes at least one connecting rod 314 extending upward from the first support plate 31. Each connecting rod 314 passes through the second support plate 32, and the second support plate 32 and each connecting rod 314 are positioned using a positioning member 315. In embodiments having a third support plate 33, the connecting rod 314 passes through the second support plate 32 and then upward through the third support plate 33, and the third support plate 33 and the connecting rod 314 are positioned using a positioning member 315. The connecting rod 314 can be a screw, and the positioning member 315 can be a nut.

[0048] In some embodiments, the sample support can be assembled as follows. The second and third support plates 32 and 33 are sequentially inserted into the hollow tubular structure 313 of the first support plate 31, aligning the corresponding through-holes with the grooves. Four screws are inserted into the corresponding four holes of the third, second, and first support plates 33, 32, and 31, and tightened. Rotating the first support plate 31 causes the second and third support plates 32 and 33 to rotate synchronously. After the sample support is assembled, the resin support frame can be sequentially inserted into the resin tube 24, and the spent fuel rods to be cast can be inserted into the central circular hole of the resin support frame. In this manner, the first, second, and third samples 201, 202, and 203 are prepared. The three samples 20 are sequentially inserted into the corresponding through-holes of the third support plate 33. The entire sample support can be moved to a vacuum casting vessel 46 for epoxy resin casting, or manually cast by a robot and then placed in a vacuum chamber 11 for vacuum curing.

[0049] See also Figures 7 to 11 In some embodiments, the sample holder 30 further includes a slide 121 and a cover 12 connected to the slide 121. The vacuum chamber 11 has a lateral opening; the slide 121 is configured to slide toward or away from the vacuum chamber 11 to enter or exit the vacuum chamber 11; when the slide 121 slides toward or away from the vacuum chamber 11, the cover 12 closes or opens the lateral opening.

[0050] The sliding direction of the slide 121 can be made parallel to the lead glass viewing window in the hot chamber, so that the cover 12 does not block the operator outside the hot chamber from observing the sample 20. The operating parts or handles on the cover 12 are located at different vertical heights to facilitate the operator to operate the manipulator to select and rotate different operating parts or handles.

[0051] In such an embodiment, after the sample 20 is cast outside the vacuum chamber 11, the slide 121 and the cover 12 can be used to move the cast sample 20 into the vacuum chamber 11 for vacuum pressure maintenance. After the vacuum pressure maintenance, the sample 20 can be easily removed from the vacuum chamber 11 and placed at normal pressure.

[0052] The first horizontal rotation rod 392 can be set through the cover plate 12 to facilitate the operator to operate the robot to rotate.

[0053] In some embodiments, a bottom plate 13 is provided on one side of the lateral opening of the vacuum chamber 11 , and the slide 121 and the cover plate 12 can slide on the bottom plate 13 .

[0054] In some embodiments, the sample holder 30 further includes a feeding portion 40. The feeding portion 40 includes a container supporting portion 41, a container clamping portion 42, and a container turning portion.

[0055] The container support portion 41 is disposed on the slide 121 and is used to provide support for a container 46 containing a casting resin. The container clamping portion 42 is disposed above the container support portion 41 and is used to clamp the container 46. The container flipping portion is connected to the container clamping portion 42 and is used to drive the container 46 to flip toward the funnel stand 37 so that the casting resin in the container 46 can be poured into the funnel 38 in the funnel stand 37. The container 46 can be, for example, a beaker. The container support portion 41 can be further away from the lead glass peephole of the hot chamber relative to the base 34 to facilitate the operator to observe the relative position between the container 46 and the funnel 38 and the casting of the resin. The funnel stand 37 can be located on the side close to the cover plate 12 to facilitate the operator to observe the casting of the sample 20.

[0056] The container turning portion includes a second horizontal rotating rod 44, a second operating portion 45, a first connecting rod 47, and a second connecting rod 48. The second horizontal rotating rod 44 is disposed through the cover plate 12. The axis of the second horizontal rotating rod 44 is located between the container clamping portion 42 and the funnel frame 37, and the projection of the container clamping portion 42 in the horizontal plane is separated from the projection of the axis of the second horizontal rotating rod 44 in the horizontal plane. The second operating portion 45 is connected to the second horizontal rotating rod 44 and is used for operation by the robot to drive the second horizontal rotating rod 44 to rotate about the horizontal axis. The first connecting rod 47 is connected to the container clamping portion 42. The first connecting rod 47 is coaxial with the second horizontal rotating rod 44 and is farther away from the funnel frame 37 than the second horizontal rotating rod 44. The second connecting rod 48 connects the second horizontal rotating rod 44 and the first connecting rod 47. Since the axis of the second horizontal rotating rod 44 is located between the container clamping portion 42 and the funnel rack 37, and the projection of the container clamping portion 42 in the horizontal plane is separated from the projection of the axis of the second horizontal rotating rod 44 in the horizontal plane, the rotation axis of the container 46 (i.e., the second horizontal rotating rod 44) ​​is located outside the container 46. Therefore, when the container 46 is flipped toward the funnel rack 37, the container 46 as a whole moves upward relative to the container support portion 41 and does not press against the container support portion 41, thereby avoiding damage to the container 46 or difficulty in flipping the container 46 into place. The second operating portion 45 can be a handle. The embodiment of the present application improves the flipping operation of the container 46 to a handle control method, making the operation of the manipulator simpler and more efficient.

[0057] In some embodiments, the container clamping portion 42 includes a clamping ring with an opening and an adjustment member for adjusting the size of the opening. Specifically, when no container 46 is placed, the clamping ring's opening is widened to facilitate the robot arm's downward movement of the container 46 through the clamping ring and placement on the container support 41. The clamping ring's opening is then narrowed to securely clamp the container 46, thereby facilitating the flipping operation of the container 46.

[0058] The adjustment member may include a third horizontal rotating rod 431 and a third operating portion 43. The third operating portion 43 is connected to the third horizontal rotating rod 431 and is operated by the manipulator to drive the third horizontal rotating rod 431 to rotate about a horizontal axis, thereby adjusting the size of the clamp ring opening. The third horizontal rotating rod 431 may be a screw.

[0059] In some embodiments, multiple locking members 111 are disposed around the lateral opening of the vacuum chamber 11. The cover 12 is provided with multiple locking members 122 that engage with the locking members 111. When the cover 12 closes the lateral opening, the locking members 111 engage with the locking members 111 in a threaded manner, facilitating robot operation.

[0060] In some embodiments, pneumatic, electric or other control methods may be used to control the rotation of the first tray and / or the flipping of the container 46 .

[0061] The vacuum chamber 11 may include a vacuum pump, vacuum measurement equipment, and vacuum pressure relief devices. Portions of the chamber walls may be made of transparent material, allowing operators to observe the epoxy resin degassing of the sample 20 within the chamber 11 from multiple angles. The primary material of the vacuum chamber 11 is aluminum alloy, reducing its overall mass. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion of the vacuum chamber 11 may be a cylindrical surface made of a transparent material.

[0062] Taking spent fuel rods as an example, the method of resin pouring and vacuum curing using the sample holder 30 of the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below.

[0063] (1) The spent fuel rods to be cast are fixed sequentially in a resin tube 24 with a supporting frame inside to form a spent fuel rod casting sample 20.

[0064] (2) The robot pulls open the cover plate 12 and pulls the cover plate 12 and the slide 121 out along the bottom guide rail.

[0065] (3) The robot places the cast sample 20 into the sample holder.

[0066] (4) The manipulator inserts the funnel 38 into the corresponding circular hole on the funnel rack 37.

[0067] (5) The manipulator rotates the handle 393 at the bottom of the cover plate 12, rotates the sample holder, and rotates the spent fuel rod sample 20 to the bottom of the funnel 38 so that the upper and lower centers of the two are aligned.

[0068] (6) The robot places the beaker filled with epoxy resin into the clamping ring (beaker clamp) of the container clamping portion 42 and rotates the locking screw to fix the beaker firmly.

[0069] (7) The manipulator slowly rotates the second operating part 45 to allow the epoxy resin in the beaker to slowly flow into the resin tube 24 through the funnel 38 until the sample 20 is filled, completing the pouring of the spent fuel rod sample 20 under atmospheric conditions.

[0070] (8) The manipulator rotates the second operating portion 45 in the opposite direction to restore the beaker to its vertical position.

[0071] (9) Repeat steps (5) to (8) to complete the pouring of the remaining spent fuel rod samples 20.

[0072] (10) The robot takes out the beaker and places it in a designated location for the next pouring.

[0073] (11) The manipulator pushes the cover plate 12 to close the vacuum chamber 11 and locks the cover plate 12 to complete the sealing of the vacuum chamber 11 (the sealing of the vacuum chamber 11 can be achieved by locking the door bolt and pressing the fluororubber ring).

[0074] (12) The manipulator opens the baffle valve of the vacuum pump, closes the air release valve of the vacuum pressure relief device, and then starts the dry vacuum pump.

[0075] (13) Observe the value of the vacuum gauge. When the internal pressure of the vacuum chamber 11 drops to 0.1 bar, the manipulator sequentially closes the baffle valve and dry vacuum pump of the vacuum pumping device.

[0076] (14) The sample 20 is kept under pressure in the vacuum chamber 11 for 30 minutes.

[0077] (15) The manipulator opens the air release valve of the vacuum pressure relief device to restore the internal pressure of the vacuum chamber 11 to normal pressure;

[0078] (16) After the epoxy resin inside all the spent fuel rod samples 20 on the sample holder is cured for 12 hours, the robot takes out all the spent fuel rod casting samples 20.

[0079] When the samples 20 are in the vacuum chamber 11 , the robot can rotate the handle 393 to rotate the sample holder so that the operator can observe the curing status of each sample 20 through the transparent wall of the vacuum chamber 11 .

[0080] The cast sample 20 of the embodiment of the present application can effectively expel bubbles in the epoxy resin after being evacuated to a specified pressure value. During the evacuation process, as the bubbles inside the epoxy resin are expelled, the epoxy resin can gradually penetrate into the pores in the middle of the spent fuel rods, and can fully and effectively wrap the spent fuel rods.

[0081] Regarding the embodiments of the present invention, it should also be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features therein may be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0082] The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. The protection scope of the present invention shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sample holder for resin casting of radioactive samples, comprising: a first supporting plate, wherein the surface of the first supporting plate is concave downward to form a plurality of supporting plate grooves distributed along the circumferential direction; A second support plate is provided above the first support plate, wherein a plurality of second support plate through holes are provided on the second support plate, each of the second support plate through holes is coaxial with one of the support plate grooves and has the same size as the second support plate groove, and A connecting member connects the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate, The bottom end of the sample passes through the through hole of the second support plate and is inserted into the groove of the support plate, and the second support plate and the first support plate position and support the sample; The plurality of support plate grooves include at least one first groove and at least one second groove, wherein the diameter of the first groove is larger than the diameter of the second groove; The sample holder further includes: a third support plate connected to the connecting member, the third support plate being located above the second support plate, the third support plate being provided with a plurality of third support plate through holes, each of the third support plate through holes being coaxial with one of the second support plate through holes, and the diameter of the third support plate through hole being substantially the same as the diameter of the first groove, Wherein, after the bottom end of the sample passes through the through hole of the third supporting plate, it is supported by the second supporting plate or the first supporting plate.

2. The sample holder according to claim 1, further comprising: a base and a column extending upward from the base, The first supporting plate is rotatably disposed on the base, the connecting member comprises a hollow tubular structure extending upward through the first supporting plate, and the column extends upward in the hollow tubular structure.

3. The sample holder according to claim 2, further comprising: A funnel rack is connected to the column above the hollow tubular structure to place a funnel for receiving casting resin. When the first support plate rotates relative to the base, the funnel placed on the funnel rack can be aligned with one of the support plate grooves in turn.

4. The sample holder according to claim 3, further comprising: A horizontal rotating rod, used for driving the first supporting plate to rotate; An operating portion connected to the horizontal rotating rod and configured to be operated by the manipulator to drive the horizontal rotating rod to rotate around a horizontal axis; as well as A transmission member is connected between the horizontal rotating rod and the first supporting plate, and is used to convert the horizontal rotation of the horizontal rotating rod into the vertical rotation of the first supporting plate. The sample holder according to claim 1 , wherein: The distance between the third support plate and the second support plate is smaller than the distance between the second support plate and the first support plate. The sample holder according to claim 1 , wherein: The centers of the multiple support plate grooves are on the same circumference.

7. The sample holder according to claim 2, wherein: A step surface is formed on the hollow tubular structure. A second central through hole is provided at the center of the second supporting plate. The second central through hole of the second supporting plate is sleeved downwardly on the hollow tubular structure and is limited by the step surface.

8. The sample holder according to claim 1, wherein The connecting member includes: at least one connecting rod extending upward from the first supporting plate, each connecting rod passes through the second supporting plate, and the second supporting plate and each connecting rod are positioned by a positioning member.

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