A solid-state breeder irradiation tritium production and tritium release sample container system and experimental method

Abstract

The application discloses a solid-state breeder irradiation tritium production and tritium release sample container system and an experimental method, and the container system comprises a sample container, a quartz tube and a porous quartz container arranged in the quartz tube, and is used for containing solid-state breeder particles; and a carrier gas mechanism arranged in two groups and detachably connected to two ends of the quartz tube and used for passing carrier gas through the sample container. The application simultaneously satisfies the requirements of pressure resistance, high-temperature resistance and radiation resistance, can guarantee that the breeder particles are uniformly distributed and fixed in the cross section of the container, and the sample container port is convenient to detach and install.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of tritium production and release of solid state breeder in fusion reactor, in particular to a kind of solid state breeder irradiation tritium production and release sample container system and experimental method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Solid state breeder is an important tritium production material of fusion reactor breeding blanket, with the advantages of good chemical stability, easy tritium extraction, radiation resistance and no magneto-hydrodynamic effect, and its tritium production and release performance and mechanism are important research directions. Offline tritium release experiment is to seal the breeder particles in a specially designed container, and after neutron irradiation, the tritium release experiment is carried out on the laboratory platform. The experimental process is as follows: 1) In the inert gas atmosphere of the glove box, the spherical particles of the breeder are placed in the sample container; 2) The sample container is placed in the tritium release system for heating, and the impurities on the surface of the sample are removed by helium gas purging, and then sealed; 3) The sealed sample container is placed near the irradiation source for irradiation tritium production; 4) The irradiated sample container is placed in the tritium release system, and the tritium produced in the breeder sample is carried out by purging with hydrogen-containing helium gas (0.1-1% H2), and subsequent tritium measurement and other operations are carried out.

[0003] The current offline tritium production and release experiment sample container is mainly made of quartz, ceramic and stainless steel, which can meet the requirements of pressure resistance, high temperature resistance and radiation resistance. However, the metal materials such as stainless steel are activated by neutron irradiation, which may have a certain radioactivity, causing harm to the human body and the environment. Quartz and ceramic containers have stable chemical and radiation properties, but ceramic containers are not transparent, making it difficult to observe the sample placement and state changes. The sample can be placed vertically or horizontally. When the container is placed vertically, it is difficult to fix the breeder device, and a metal mesh, a crucible or a container with one end closed is usually used to hold the breeder. The connection between the metal mesh and the tube wall requires a relatively complex manufacturing process, and the crucible and the container with one end closed cannot make the carrier gas flow uniformly through all the breeder particles. When the sample is irradiated in a sealed quartz tube, the tritium release process requires breaking the sample container, which is complex and has a failure rate and safety hazards. SUMMARY

[0004] The main purpose of the present application is to provide a kind of solid state breeder irradiation tritium production and release sample container system and experimental method, to solve the technical problems of inconvenient observation, complex operation and uneven carrier gas flow in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the present application provides a kind of solid state breeder irradiation tritium production and release sample container system, comprising:

[0006] The sample container comprises a quartz tube and a gas hole-containing quartz container arranged in the quartz tube, and is used for holding solid state breeder particles;

[0007] The carrier gas mechanism is arranged in two groups and detachably connected to two ends of the quartz tube for passing carrier gas through the sample container.

[0008] Further, the quartz container is composed of two cylinder bodies which are oppositely combined, and a plurality of gas holes are formed in the bottom walls of the two cylinder bodies.

[0009] Further, the outer diameter of the quartz container is consistent with the inner diameter of the quartz tube, and the diameter of the gas hole is smaller than the diameter of the solid breeding agent particle.

[0010] Further, the length of the quartz tube is greater than the length of the quartz container.

[0011] Further, the carrier gas mechanism comprises a K-type armored thermocouple, a tee joint and a flange, the first end of the tee joint is detachably connected to the quartz tube through the flange, the K-type armored thermocouple is connected to the second end of the tee joint, and the third end of the tee joint of the two groups of carrier gas mechanisms is respectively connected with an inlet valve and an outlet valve.

[0012] Further, two rubber plugs for sealing the two ends of the quartz tube after the carrier gas mechanism is detached are further included.

[0013] The application further provides a method for irradiating solid breeding agent to produce tritium and releasing tritium, which uses the sample container system and comprises the following steps:

[0014] (1) placing the solid breeding agent particles and the quartz container in the quartz tube, horizontally placing the quartz tube, and installing the carrier gas mechanism;

[0015] (2) connecting the carrier gas mechanism to the tritium release system, opening the inlet valve and the outlet valve, passing helium gas through the inlet valve for purging, and heating the quartz tube section with the quartz container by using a heating furnace to remove impurities on the surface of the solid breeding agent particles;

[0016] (3) closing the inlet valve and the outlet valve, detaching the carrier gas mechanism in the inert gas environment, plugging the two ends of the quartz tube into the rubber plugs respectively, and placing the quartz tube in front of the neutron source for irradiation;

[0017] (4) again pulling out the rubber plugs in the inert gas environment, re-installing the carrier gas mechanism, and connecting the carrier gas mechanism to the tritium release system;

[0018] (5) opening the inlet valve and the outlet valve, passing inert carrier gas through the inlet valve for purging, and heating the quartz tube section with the quartz container by using a heating furnace to remove tritium generated on the surface of the solid breeding agent particles, and the inert carrier gas containing tritium flows out of the outlet valve and enters the tritium release system for tritium concentration measurement.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the application are as follows:

[0020] (1) The quartz material is used in the present application to avoid the problem of radioactive activation of the irradiation container by neutrons, and the sample holding position is transparent and easy to observe, and the quartz container has good pressure resistance, high temperature resistance and radiation resistance.

[0021] (2) The quartz tube is placed horizontally in the present application, and the two cylinder openings are oppositely combined to hold the fertile particles. The two cylinder bodies of the quartz container are adjusted to the appropriate position according to the amount of fertile particles, so that the fertile particles are uniformly distributed longitudinally, effectively avoiding the rolling of the fertile particles, and ensuring that the carrier gas uniformly flows through the cross section of the sample container.

[0022] (3) The present application meets the requirements of pressure resistance, high temperature resistance and radiation resistance, and can ensure that the fertile particles are uniformly distributed in the cross section of the container and remain fixed, and the sample container port is easy to disassemble and install, and the operation is convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Fig. 1 The figure is a structural schematic diagram of a sample container system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Fig. 2 The figure is a position state schematic diagram of the quartz container holding different amounts of fertile particles according to the present application;

[0025] Fig. 3 The figure is a use state diagram of the sample container system according to an embodiment of the present application during irradiation.

[0026] The marks of the components in the drawings are as follows: 1. K type armored thermocouple; 2. Three-way valve; 3. Flange; 4. Quartz tube; 5. Quartz container; 6. Inlet valve; 7. Outlet valve; 8. Fertile particles; 9. Air hole; 10. Rubber plug; 11. Cylinder body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. The embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0028] Reference is made to Figs. 1-3 .

[0029] The solid fertile irradiation tritium production and tritium release sample container system of the present application comprises:

[0030] The sample container comprises a quartz tube 4 and a quartz container 5 with an air hole 9 arranged in the quartz tube 4, for holding solid fertile particles 8;

[0031] The carrier gas mechanism is arranged in two groups and detachably connected to two ends of the quartz tube 4 respectively, for passing the carrier gas through the sample container.

[0032] In use, the quartz tube 4 is horizontally placed, the quartz container 5 contains solid breeder particles 8, and the carrier gas mechanism is connected to the existing tritium release system. The carrier gas enters the quartz tube 4 and then passes through the gas holes 9 of the quartz container 5 to sweep the breeder particles 8 contained therein.

[0033] In an embodiment, the quartz container 5 is composed of two cylinder bodies 11 that are oppositely opened and combined. A plurality of gas holes 9 are formed in the bottom walls of the two cylinder bodies 11 respectively. In this way, the quartz tube 4 converges the airflow, which is convenient for the gas to pass through the entire quartz container 5, thereby uniformly sweeping the breeder particles 8 contained therein. In addition, the two cylinder bodies 11 of the quartz container 5 can be adjusted to a suitable position according to the amount of breeder particles 8, such as shown in the figure, so that the breeder particles 8 are longitudinally and uniformly distributed. Fig. 2

[0034] In an embodiment, the outer diameter of the quartz container 5 is consistent with the inner diameter of the quartz tube 4. In this way, the stability of the quartz container 5 placed in the quartz tube 4 is better, and the quartz container 5 and the breeder particles 8 are prevented from falling off. The diameter of the quartz container 5 has no uniform standard and is selected according to the amount of breeder particles 8. The diameter of the gas hole 9 is smaller than the diameter of the solid breeder particles 8, which prevents the breeder particles 8 from leaking out. The number of gas holes 9 is as large as possible under the premise of ensuring the stability of the quartz material.

[0035] In an embodiment, the length of the quartz tube 4 is greater than the length of the quartz container 5. In this way, the design can prevent the heating furnace from being too close to the devices on both sides.

[0036] In an embodiment, the carrier gas mechanism includes a k-type armored thermocouple 1, a tee joint 2, and a flange 3. The first end of the tee joint 2 is detachably connected to the quartz tube 4 through the flange 3, the k-type armored thermocouple 1 is connected to the second end of the tee joint 2, and the third end of the tee joint 2 is respectively connected with an air inlet valve 6 and an air outlet valve 7. In specific operation, the third end of the tee joint 2 is connected with the tritium release system through a clamp pipe joint, which is convenient for sealing and dismounting. The on-off of the carrier gas is controlled by controlling the air inlet valve 6 and the air outlet valve 7. The k-type armored thermocouple 1 is used for measuring the service temperature of the breeder, which is connected with the tee joint 2 through a clamp pipe joint with a rubber ring. After the clamp pipe joint is tightened, the rubber ring can ensure the sealing property. In use, the exposed part can be pulled out to adjust the position. Other sealing connections can also be implemented by installing a sealing ring, such as between the flange 3 and the quartz tube 4 and the tee joint 2, which are detachably connected through the flange 3, thereby facilitating the loading and unloading of the sample.

[0037] ​In one embodiment, two rubber plugs 10 are also included for sealing the two ends of the quartz tube 4 after the carrier gas mechanism is disassembled. The quartz tube sealed by the rubber plugs 10 can prevent the influence of external factors such as air on the breeding agent after heating, and reduce the problem of metal irradiation activation.

[0038] The method for performing solid breeding agent irradiation and tritium release experiments using the sample container system of the present application includes the following steps:

[0039] (1) Place the solid breeding agent particles 8 and the quartz container 5 in the quartz tube 4, place the quartz tube 4 horizontally, and install the carrier gas mechanism;

[0040] In specific operation, first place one barrel 11 of the quartz container 5 into the quartz tube 4, then pour the solid breeding agent particles 8 into the quartz tube 4, then place the other barrel 11 of the quartz container 5 into the quartz tube 4, and finally press the two barrels 11 towards each other to stably fill the solid breeding agent particles 8 between the two barrels 11;

[0041] (2) Connect the carrier gas mechanism to the tritium release system, open the inlet valve 6 and the outlet valve 7, pass helium gas through the inlet valve 6 for purging, and use the heating furnace to heat the section of the quartz tube 4 containing the quartz container 5 to remove impurities on the surface of the solid breeding agent particles 8;

[0042] (3) Close the inlet valve 6 and the outlet valve 7, disassemble the carrier gas mechanism in an inert gas environment, insert the two ends of the quartz tube 4 into the rubber plugs 10, and place it in front of the neutron source for irradiation;

[0043] (4) Again, pull out the rubber plugs 10 in an inert gas environment, re-install the carrier gas mechanism, and connect the carrier gas mechanism to the tritium release system;

[0044] (5) Open the inlet valve 6 and the outlet valve 7, pass inert carrier gas through the inlet valve 6 for purging, and use the heating furnace to heat the section of the quartz tube 4 containing the quartz container 5 to remove tritium generated on the surface of the solid breeding agent particles 8, and the inert carrier gas containing tritium flows out of the outlet valve 7 and enters the tritium release system for tritium concentration measurement.

[0045] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A solid breeder irradiation tritium production and tritium release sample container system, characterized in that: include: A sample container comprises a quartz tube (4) and a quartz container (5) with air holes (9) arranged in the quartz tube (4) and used for containing solid proliferation agent particles (8); A gas carrier mechanism is provided in two groups, which are detachably connected to both ends of the quartz tube (4) and are used to pass the carrier gas through the sample container; The quartz container (5) is composed of two cylinders (11) with openings facing each other, and a plurality of air holes (9) are respectively opened on the bottom walls of the two cylinders (11); The gas carrier mechanism comprises a K-type armored thermocouple (1), a tee (2) and a flange (3); a first end of the tee (2) is detachably connected to the quartz tube (4) via the flange (3); the K-type armored thermocouple (1) is connected to the second end of the tee (2); and the third ends of the tees (2) of the two groups of the gas carrier mechanisms are respectively connected to an air inlet valve (6) and an air outlet valve (7); The system performs a solid breeder irradiation tritium production and tritium release experimental method, comprising the following steps: (1) placing solid proliferation agent particles (8) and a quartz container (5) in a quartz tube (4), placing the quartz tube (4) horizontally, and installing a gas carrier mechanism; (2) connecting the carrier gas mechanism to the tritium release system, opening the inlet valve (6) and the outlet valve (7), introducing helium gas through the inlet valve (6) for purging, and heating the section of the quartz tube (4) containing the quartz container (5) with a heating furnace to remove impurities on the surface of the solid proliferation agent particles (8); (3) Close the air inlet valve (6) and the air outlet valve (7), dismantle the air-down mechanism in an inert gas environment, insert rubber stoppers (10) into both ends of the quartz tube (4), and place it in front of the neutron source for irradiation; (4) Remove the rubber stopper (10) again in an inert gas environment, reinstall the gas carrier mechanism, and connect the gas carrier mechanism to the tritium release system; (5) Open the air inlet valve (6) and the air outlet valve (7), introduce an inert carrier gas through the air inlet valve (6) for purging, and use a heating furnace to heat the quartz container (5) section of the quartz tube (4) to remove the tritium generated on the surface of the solid proliferation agent particles (8). The tritium-containing carrier gas flows out from the air outlet valve (7) and enters the tritium release system for tritium concentration measurement.

2. The solid breeder irradiation tritium production and tritium release sample container system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the quartz container (5) is consistent with the inner diameter of the quartz tube (4), and the aperture of the pores (9) is smaller than the diameter of the solid proliferation agent particles (8).

3. The solid breeder irradiation tritium production and tritium release sample container system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The length of the quartz tube (4) is greater than the length of the quartz container (5).

4. The solid breeder irradiation tritium production and tritium release sample container system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: It also includes two rubber stoppers (10) for sealing both ends of the quartz tube (4) after the gas carrier mechanism is disassembled.

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