Method for filling a reactor vessel with liquid metal

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses a method for filling liquid metal into a reactor irradiation tank. The method comprises the following steps: S10, determining a preheating temperature and a preheating time of the irradiation tank according to size parameters of the irradiation tank; S20, preheating the irradiation tank according to the determined preheating temperature and the preheating time; S30, filling the liquid metal into the irradiation tank after the preheating is completed; and S40, cooling the irradiation tank and sealing the irradiation tank after the irradiation tank is cooled. The filling method in the embodiment of the present application can successfully fill the liquid metal into the metal container such as the irradiation tank, and can avoid the stagnation phenomenon of the liquid metal in the filling process when the container is small or the filling port is small, so that the difficulty of filling the liquid metal is greatly reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of nuclear reactor irradiation, and particularly to a method for filling liquid metal into a reactor irradiation can. BACKGROUND

[0002] Liquid metal (such as sodium, potassium, lithium, lead, sodium-potassium alloy, lead-bismuth eutectic alloy, tin, gallium, etc.) has excellent heat transfer performance and is widely used in chemical industry, thermal energy and power engineering, energy storage, nuclear technology, etc. Due to the requirements of scientific research or engineering practice, it is often necessary to fill liquid metal into a closed container. For example, filling liquid metal sodium into a reactor irradiation can.

[0003] The reactor irradiation can is generally used for irradiation test of reactor materials. Material samples are assembled and fixed in the irradiation can according to certain rules. A hole is reserved at the upper part of the irradiation can for filling liquid metal sodium. The liquid metal sodium can be used as a heat transfer medium to ensure the uniform temperature of the samples in the irradiation can. SUMMARY

[0004] According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a method for filling liquid metal into a reactor irradiation can is provided. The method comprises: step S10, determining a preheating temperature and a preheating time of the irradiation can according to the size parameters of the irradiation can; step S20, preheating the irradiation can according to the determined preheating temperature and preheating time; step S30, after the preheating is completed, filling the liquid metal into the irradiation can; and step S40, cooling the irradiation can and sealing the irradiation can after the irradiation can is cooled.

[0005] The filling method in the embodiment of the present application can successfully fill liquid metal into a metal container such as an irradiation can. When the container is small or the filling port is small, the filling process of the liquid metal can avoid stagnation, greatly reducing the difficulty of filling the liquid metal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Other objects and advantages of the present application will be more fully apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present application, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0007] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an irradiation can according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0008] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a vacuum system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0009] It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but are merely shown in a schematic manner so as not to hinder understanding. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] In order to make the purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are one embodiment of the present application, rather than all embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without any creative effort belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0011] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the present application should be understood as the usual meanings understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application belongs. If the description of "first", "second", etc. is involved throughout the text, the "first", "second", etc. is only used to distinguish similar objects, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance, the order of precedence or implying the number of the indicated technical features, and it should be understood that the data of "first", "second", etc. can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances. If "and / or" appears throughout the text, it means that three parallel schemes are included, for example, "A and / or B" includes A scheme, or B scheme, or A and B schemes are satisfied at the same time. In addition, in order to facilitate the description, spatial relative terms such as "above", "below", "top", "bottom" and the like can be used here, which are only used to describe the spatial positional relationship of one device or feature with other devices or features as shown in the figure, and it should be understood to include different orientations in use or operation other than the orientation shown in the figure.

[0012] In some experiments or engineering, it is often necessary to fill liquid metal into a closed metal container. When the metal container has a large volume and has an exhaust outlet, the filling process of the liquid metal is relatively smooth.

[0013] However, the inventors of the present application found that when the container is small and only has a small orifice, the filling of the liquid metal and the exhaust of the gas in the container are both through the orifice; and most of the metal containers are made of stainless steel material, while the liquid sodium, sodium-potassium alloy and the like do not wet most of the stainless steel materials, and the contact angle is greater than 120°, so that the liquid metal cannot pass through the small pores, and often appears to be stranded in the filling process, causing "air block", which can cause the liquid metal to overflow or solidify at the orifice, bringing difficulties to the filling process. In addition, when encountering a region with lower temperature in the container, solidification may also occur, and the filling process often cannot proceed smoothly.

[0014] For example, filling liquid metal into a reactor irradiation tank is a more difficult operation among various metal container filling operations. Among them, the space in the irradiation tank is small, and air cavities are easy to occur when filling liquid metal, and "air block" is easy to occur during the filling process, causing the liquid metal to overflow or solidify at the orifice, and further causing the liquid metal of the specified mass to be unable to be filled.

[0015] Based on this, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for filling a reactor irradiation vessel with liquid metal. The method in this embodiment specifically includes the following steps S10 to S40.

[0016] Step S10: Determine the preheating temperature and preheating time of the irradiation tank based on its size parameters.

[0017] Step S20: Preheat the irradiation tank according to the determined preheating temperature and preheating time.

[0018] Step S30: After preheating, the liquid metal is filled into the irradiation vessel.

[0019] Step S40: Cool the irradiation vessel. After the irradiation vessel has cooled, seal the irradiation vessel.

[0020] Using the filling method in this embodiment, the preheating time and temperature of the irradiation tank can be determined specifically according to the size parameters of the irradiation tank, and the irradiation tank can be preheated. This allows liquid metal to be smoothly filled into irradiation tanks of various sizes and parameters. Preheating can also prevent the liquid metal from solidifying during the filling process.

[0021] In some embodiments, the filling of liquid metal is carried out under the protection of an inert gas to prevent oxidation or other reactions caused by contact between the liquid metal and air or water. Specifically, when the liquid metal is a metal such as sodium, potassium, lithium, sodium-potassium alloy, or lead, the filling of the irradiation vessel must be carried out under the protection of an inert gas to prevent the liquid metal from reacting. For example, this can be done in an inert gas glove box, where the inert gas can be argon or helium. Furthermore, the water content and oxygen content in the inert glove box must not exceed 1 μL / L to prevent reactions with liquid metals such as sodium and potassium.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the irradiation vessel 100 includes a vessel body 10 and a sample cover 20. The sample cover 20 is disposed inside the vessel body 10, which is used to contain the irradiated sample, and the sample cover 20 is used to cover the irradiated sample. A filling port 30 is provided at the top of the vessel body 10 for filling with liquid metal. The sample cover 20 is provided with multiple through holes 21, which provide flow channels for the liquid metal, allowing the liquid metal to flow to various positions within the vessel body 10, thereby ensuring uniform temperature of the irradiated sample within the vessel body 10.

[0023] For example Figure 1 The irradiation vessel shown can be preheated at a temperature and for a duration determined based on its dimensional parameters. These dimensional parameters include at least one of the following: the diameter of the filling port 30, the height difference between the sample cover 20 and the bottom of the filling port 30, the length-to-diameter ratio of the irradiation vessel, the inner diameter of the irradiation vessel, and the internal height of the irradiation vessel.

[0024] Specifically, the step S10 can include steps S11 to S13.

[0025] In step S11, the type of the irradiation can is determined according to the diameter of the filling port 30 and the height difference between the sample cover 20 and the bottom of the filling port 30.

[0026] In step S12, the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation can is calculated according to the type of the irradiation can and the size parameters of the irradiation can.

[0027] In step S13, the actual preheating temperature and the preheating time of the irradiation can are determined according to the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation can.

[0028] In step S11, the type of the irradiation can can be divided according to the size parameters of the filling port 30 and the sample cover 20 of the irradiation can. Different types of irradiation cans have different filling difficulties for liquid metal, so the preheating temperature of different types of irradiation cans can be determined according to the specific type and size parameters of the irradiation can.

[0029] In some embodiments, in step S11, when the diameter d of the filling port 30 is greater than or equal to a predetermined diameter, and the height difference h between the sample cover 20 and the bottom of the filling port 30 is greater than or equal to a predetermined height, the irradiation can is a first irradiation can; when the diameter d of the filling port 30 is less than the predetermined diameter, and the height difference h between the sample cover 20 and the bottom of the filling port 30 is greater than or equal to the predetermined height, the irradiation can is a second irradiation can; when the diameter d of the filling port 30 is less than the predetermined diameter, and the height difference h between the sample cover 20 and the bottom of the filling port 30 is less than the predetermined height, the irradiation can is a third irradiation can.

[0030] In this embodiment, the filling difficulty of the irradiation can generally depends on the diameter of the filling port 30 and the space between the filling port 30 and the sample cover 20. According to the two, the irradiation can is divided into multiple types, the type of the irradiation can can be determined according to the specific size parameters of the irradiation can, and then the preheating of different degrees is carried out according to the filling difficulty of different types of irradiation cans.

[0031] In some embodiments, the predetermined height can be 6mm, and the predetermined diameter can be 16mm. That is, when h≥6mm and d≥16mm, the irradiation can is a first irradiation can; when h<6mm and d≥16mm, the irradiation can is a second irradiation can; when h<6mm and d<16mm, the irradiation can is a third irradiation can.

[0032] In step S12, when the irradiation can is a first irradiation can, the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation can is calculated according to the length-diameter ratio λ of the irradiation can, the inner diameter D of the irradiation can, the diameter d of the sample cover 20, and the height difference h between the sample cover 20 and the bottom of the filling port 30. i, the diameter d of the filling port 30 and the height difference h, to calculate the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation can. Taking liquid metal sodium as an example, when the irradiation can is the first irradiation can, the following formula (1) can be used to calculate the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation can.

[0033]

[0034] wherein T 1′ is the theoretical preheating temperature of the first irradiation can; λ is the aspect ratio, S H is the side area of the irradiation can that is heated, S0 is the end area of the irradiation can; D is the inner diameter of the irradiation can, in millimeters; d i is the diameter of the sample cover 20, in millimeters; d is the diameter of the filling port 30, in millimeters; h is the height difference between the sample cover 20 and the bottom of the filling port 30, in millimeters.

[0035] In step S12, when the irradiation can is the second irradiation can, the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation can can be calculated according to the aspect ratio λ of the irradiation can, the inner diameter D of the irradiation can, the diameter d i of the sample cover 20, the diameter d of the filling port 30, the internal height H of the irradiation can and the height difference h. Taking liquid metal sodium as an example, when the irradiation can is the second irradiation can, the following formula (2) can be used to calculate the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation can.

[0036]

[0037] wherein T 2′ is the theoretical preheating temperature of the second irradiation can; λ is the aspect ratio, S H is the side area of the irradiation can that is heated, S0 is the end area of the irradiation can; D is the inner diameter of the irradiation can, in millimeters; d i is the diameter of the sample cover 20, in millimeters; d is the diameter of the filling port 30, in millimeters; H is the internal height of the irradiation can, in millimeters; h is the height difference between the sample cover 20 and the bottom of the filling port 30, in millimeters.

[0038] In step S12, when the irradiation can is the third irradiation can, the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation can can be calculated according to the aspect ratio λ of the irradiation can, the inner diameter D of the irradiation can, the diameter d i of the sample cover 20, the diameter d i of the filling port 30 and the height difference h. Taking liquid metal sodium as an example, when the irradiation can is the third irradiation can, the following formula (3) can be used to calculate the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation can.

[0039]

[0040] wherein T 3′ is the theoretical preheating temperature of the third irradiation can; λ is the length-diameter ratio, S H is the side area of the irradiation can heated, S0 is the end area of the irradiation can; D is the inner diameter of the irradiation can, in millimeters; d i is the diameter of the sample cover 20, in millimeters; d is the diameter of the filling port 30, in millimeters; h is the height difference between the sample cover 20 and the bottom of the filling port 30, in millimeters.

[0041] In some embodiments, in step S13, the theoretical preheating temperature can be rounded up to an integer multiple of 10 to obtain the actual preheating temperature of the irradiation can, so as to facilitate preheating of the irradiation can and avoid being unable to accurately control the actual preheating temperature to the calculated theoretical preheating temperature. For example, when the calculated theoretical temperature is 143.6℃, it can be rounded up to 150℃, and the preheating temperature of the irradiation can is obtained as 150℃.

[0042] In some embodiments, when the irradiation can is the first irradiation can, the actual preheating temperature of the irradiation can is greater than or equal to the first temperature threshold, and the preheating temperature is less than or equal to the second temperature threshold. When the irradiation can is the second irradiation can or the third irradiation can, the actual preheating temperature of the irradiation can is greater than or equal to the first temperature threshold, and the preheating temperature is less than or equal to the third temperature threshold. Among them, the third temperature threshold is greater than the second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is greater than the first temperature threshold.

[0043] In this embodiment, the preheating temperature of the irradiation can is set to be not lower than the first temperature threshold, so as to avoid that the preheating temperature is too small, the viscosity of the liquid metal becomes large or even solidifies, and the liquid metal cannot be smoothly filled into the irradiation can. At the same time, the preheating temperature of the irradiation can is set to be not higher than the second temperature threshold or the third temperature threshold, so as to avoid that the preheating temperature is too high, and the efficiency is improved.

[0044] Among them, the first temperature threshold, the second temperature threshold and the third temperature threshold can be set according to the actual filled liquid metal. Taking the liquid metal as sodium as an example, the first temperature threshold can be 120℃, the second temperature threshold can be 210℃, and the third temperature threshold can be 250℃.

[0045] That is, when the irradiation can is the first irradiation can, the preheating temperature of the irradiation can should be not lower than 120℃ and not higher than 210℃. If the calculated theoretical preheating temperature is lower than 120℃, the actual preheating temperature T1 of the irradiation can should be 120℃; if the obtained theoretical preheating temperature is higher than 210℃, the actual preheating temperature T1 of the irradiation can should be 210℃.

[0046] When the irradiation can is the second irradiation can, the preheating temperature of the irradiation can should be no less than 120℃ and no more than 250℃. If the calculated theoretical preheating temperature is lower than 120℃, the actual preheating temperature T2 of the irradiation can should be 120℃; if the calculated theoretical preheating temperature is higher than 250℃, the actual preheating temperature T2 of the irradiation can should be 250℃.

[0047] When the irradiation can is the third irradiation can, the preheating temperature of the irradiation can should be no less than 120℃ and no more than 250℃. If the calculated theoretical preheating temperature is lower than 120℃, the actual preheating temperature T3 of the irradiation can should be 120℃; if the calculated theoretical preheating temperature is higher than 250℃, the actual preheating temperature T3 of the irradiation can should be 250℃.

[0048] After the preheating temperature of the irradiation can is determined, the preheating time of the irradiation can can be determined according to the preheating temperature of the irradiation can. In some embodiments, when the preheating temperature of the irradiation can is lower than the preset temperature, the preheating time of the irradiation can is greater than or equal to a predetermined time, and the preheating time decreases with the increase of the preheating temperature.

[0049] In some embodiments, the predetermined time can be selected according to actual conditions. For example, when the liquid metal is sodium, the preset temperature can be 150℃, and the predetermined time can be 30 minutes. That is, when the preheating temperature of the irradiation can is lower than 150℃, the preheating time of the irradiation can is at least 30 minutes, and the preheating time can be reduced by 5 minutes for each increase of 30℃ of the preheating temperature.

[0050] It should be noted that the preheating time in the embodiments of the present application is calculated from the time when the outer surface of the irradiation can reaches the preheating temperature.

[0051] In some embodiments, in the third irradiation can, the through hole 21 provided on the sample cover 20 of some irradiation cans is extremely small, and the liquid metal is difficult to flow into the space below through the through hole 21, and the filling difficulty of the liquid metal is extremely great. In order to realize the smooth filling of these irradiation cans, these irradiation cans are divided out in the present embodiment to determine the preheating temperature and the preheating time according to the specific size parameters of this type of irradiation can.

[0052] Specifically, in step S11, when the diameter d of the filling port 30 is less than a predetermined diameter, the height difference h between the sample cover 20 and the bottom of the filling port 30 is less than a predetermined height, the difference between the inner diameter D of the irradiation can and the diameter d of the sample cover 20 is less than a predetermined difference, and the diameter p of the through hole 21 on the sample cover 20 is less than a predetermined value, the irradiation can is the fourth irradiation can. i

[0053] ​In some embodiments, the predetermined height is 6 mm, the predetermined diameter is 16 mm, the predetermined difference is 2 mm, and the predetermined value of the diameter of the through hole 21 is 3 mm. That is, when h < 6 mm, d < 16 mm, D-d i < 2 mm, and p < 3 mm, the irradiation pot is the fourth irradiation pot.

[0054] In some embodiments, the same method as that for the third irradiation pot can be used to calculate the theoretical preheating temperature when determining the preheating temperature of the fourth irradiation pot. That is, in step S12, the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation pot is calculated according to the aspect ratio λ of the irradiation pot, the inner diameter D of the irradiation pot, the diameter d i of the sample cover 20, the diameter d i of the filling port 30, and the height difference h. For example, when the liquid metal is sodium, the following formula (4) can be used to calculate the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation pot when the irradiation pot is the fourth irradiation pot.

[0055]

[0056] wherein T4' is the theoretical preheating temperature of the fourth irradiation pot; λ is the aspect ratio, S H is the side area of the irradiation pot heated, S0 is the end area of the irradiation pot; D is the inner diameter of the irradiation pot, in millimeters; d i is the diameter of the sample cover 20, in millimeters; d is the diameter of the filling port 30, in millimeters; and h is the height difference between the sample cover 20 and the bottom of the filling port 30, in millimeters.

[0057] Further, in step S13, the same method as that for the third irradiation pot can be used to determine the actual preheating temperature according to the theoretical preheating temperature, and a predetermined temperature value is added to the determined preheating temperature as the preheating temperature of the fourth irradiation pot. Specifically, the theoretical preheating temperature T 4′ is rounded up to an integer multiple of 10 and a predetermined temperature value is added to obtain the actual preheating temperature of the irradiation pot. The predetermined temperature value can be set according to actual conditions. In some embodiments, the predetermined temperature value is 30°C. For example, when the theoretical calculation temperature T 4′ is 156.3°C, the actual preheating temperature T4 of the fourth irradiation pot is 190°C.

[0058] In some embodiments, the preheating temperature of the fourth irradiation pot is not lower than the fourth temperature threshold and not higher than the fifth temperature threshold, so as to avoid that the preheating temperature is too low and the liquid metal cannot be smoothly filled, or the preheating temperature is too high. The fourth temperature threshold is the sum of the first temperature threshold and the predetermined temperature value, and the fifth temperature threshold is the sum of the third temperature threshold and the predetermined temperature value.

[0059] For example, when the first temperature threshold is 120℃, the third temperature threshold is 250℃, and the predetermined temperature value is 30℃, the preheating temperature of the fourth irradiation tank should be no less than 150℃ and no more than 280℃. When the calculated preheating temperature is lower than 150℃, the actual preheating temperature of the irradiation tank should be 150℃; when the calculated preheating temperature is higher than 280℃, the actual preheating temperature of the irradiation tank should be 280℃.

[0060] In some embodiments, when the preheating temperature of the irradiation tank is lower than the preset temperature, the preheating time of the irradiation tank is greater than or equal to the predetermined time, and the preheating time decreases as the preheating temperature increases. When the irradiation tank is the fourth irradiation tank, the preset temperature is 180℃, and the predetermined time can be 45 minutes; that is, when the preheating temperature is lower than 180℃, the preheating time of the fourth irradiation tank is no less than 45 minutes, and the preheating time can be reduced by 5 minutes for each 30℃ increase in the preheating temperature.

[0061] In some embodiments, before the irradiation tank is filled with liquid metal, the irradiation tank can be heated and dried to remove water vapor and oil vapor adsorbed on the surface of the irradiation tank, so as to avoid contamination or reaction with the liquid metal. Specifically, the irradiation tank can be placed in a forced air drying oven or a vacuum drying oven for heating and drying. After drying is completed, the irradiation tank can be preheated according to the determined preheating temperature and preheating time.

[0062] In some embodiments, the tools used when filling the liquid metal need to be preheated before use to avoid solidification of the liquid metal. For example, when a crucible is used to contain the liquid metal and transfer the liquid metal into the irradiation tank, the crucible needs to be preheated.

[0063] In addition, in some embodiments, the tools used when filling the liquid metal also need to be washed, degreased, and dried before use to avoid contamination or reaction with the liquid metal.

[0064] In step S20, the irradiation tank is preheated according to the preheating temperature and preheating time determined in step S10. Specifically, the irradiation tank can be preheated using a ring-shaped heating furnace. The irradiation tank can be placed in the ring-shaped heating furnace, which can heat the side surface and the end surface of the irradiation tank at the same time, ensuring uniformity of heating and avoiding uneven temperature on the outer surface of the irradiation tank. After preheating is completed, the irradiation tank can be filled with liquid metal.

[0065] Further, during the preheating process, the temperature of the outer surface of the irradiation tank and the temperature of the center inside the irradiation tank can be measured at the same time to determine whether the irradiation tank is heated to the determined preheating temperature.

[0066] In some embodiments, the liquid metal is in solid state at room temperature, such as sodium, potassium, lithium, lead, etc. Before the liquid metal is filled, the liquid metal needs to be heated to be melted, so as to facilitate the smooth filling. For example, when the liquid metal is sodium, the sodium needs to be heated to be melted, and the temperature of the liquid metal sodium during the filling is not less than 200 DEG C, which is beneficial to the filling of the liquid metal sodium.

[0067] Further, after the liquid metal is heated to be melted, the liquid metal with a predetermined mass can be weighed for filling. The predetermined mass is selected according to actual needs. The analytical balance can be used to weigh the liquid metal, so as to ensure the accuracy of the weighing.

[0068] In some embodiments, in step S30, the liquid metal is filled into the irradiation tank in batches, so as to avoid the stagnation phenomenon when the liquid metal is poured into the irradiation tank at one time, and to avoid the overflow of the liquid metal. Moreover, the slow filling of the liquid metal into the irradiation tank in batches can make the liquid metal fully wet the surface of the irradiation tank, so as to ensure the smooth filling.

[0069] In some embodiments, the liquid metal can be filled into the irradiation tank in batches by using a crucible. The crucible can be preheated to avoid the solidification of the liquid metal on the surface of the crucible. Specifically, the crucible can be used to weigh the liquid metal multiple times and pour the liquid metal into the irradiation tank.

[0070] In some embodiments, the mass of the liquid metal filled into the irradiation tank each time is within a predetermined range, so as to avoid the overflow of the liquid metal due to too much liquid metal, and to ensure the efficiency of the filling. The predetermined range can be set according to actual conditions. For example, the mass of the liquid metal filled into the irradiation tank each time can be about 6g. For example, when the crucible is used to weigh the liquid metal sodium, the single sodium amount taken by the crucible is preferably 12g-18g, and the liquid metal sodium in the crucible can be poured into the irradiation tank in 2-3 times.

[0071] In some embodiments, in step S30, the irradiation tank is vacuumed after the liquid metal is filled into the irradiation tank each time. In this embodiment, the vacuuming of the irradiation tank can prevent the air blockage during the filling process, and can make the liquid metal flow smoothly into the irradiation tank when the air blockage occurs. The time of each vacuuming is not more than 10 seconds, so as to avoid the liquid metal being pumped away.

[0072] For example, when the irradiation tank is the fourth irradiation tank, the filling difficulty is greater, and the irradiation tank can be vacuumed during the filling process, for example, the irradiation tank can be vacuumed once after the liquid metal is filled each time, so as to make the liquid metal flow smoothly into the irradiation tank.

[0073] In some embodiments, the filling process is completed under the protection of inert gas, and the vacuum system can be connected with the inert gas glove box, so as to vacuum the irradiation tank in the inert gas glove box.

[0074] As shown in Figure 2 The vacuum system includes a vacuum pump 310, a vacuum pipe 320, and a sealing part. The vacuum pump 310 is arranged outside the inert gas glove box 200, one end of the vacuum pipe 320 is connected with the vacuum pump 310, the other end of the vacuum pipe 320 is arranged inside the inert gas glove box 200 and connected with the sealing part, and the sealing part is used to be connected with the filling port 30 to seal the vacuum pipe 320 and the filling port 30, so as to facilitate the vacuumization of the irradiation tank 100. In some embodiments, the sealing part is a protruding sealing ring arranged at the end of the vacuum pipe 320, which can tightly fit the vacuum pipe 320 and the filling port 30 of the irradiation tank 100 to ensure the sealing during the vacuumization.

[0075] In some embodiments, a vacuum valve 330 is further arranged on the vacuum pipe 320, which is used to control the vacuum degree. Optionally, the vacuum valve 330 can be a high-vacuum bellows valve.

[0076] In some embodiments, in step S40, after the irradiation tank is cooled, the liquid metal adhered at the filling port 30 of the irradiation tank is cleaned. During the filling process, the liquid metal should be prevented from adhering around the filling port 30, such as the screws, sealing surfaces and other parts at the filling port 30. After the filling is completed and the irradiation tank is naturally cooled, the filling port 30 needs to be checked, and the adhered liquid metal can be cleaned and removed to avoid affecting the sealing of the filling port 30. In addition, the cleaned and removed liquid metal should be put into the irradiation tank to ensure that the liquid metal in the irradiation tank is of a predetermined quality. Optionally, after the liquid metal sodium is filled and the irradiation tank is cooled, the adhered metal sodium solidifies, and a wire or tool with a tooth shape corresponding to the screw can be used to remove the metal sodium.

[0077] In step S40, after the irradiation tank is naturally cooled to room temperature and there is no liquid metal adhered at the filling port 30, the filling port 30 of the irradiation tank can be sealed. In some embodiments, a sealing plug or a sealing cover and other sealing members can be used to seal the filling port 30.

[0078] Further, before use, the sealing member is heated and dried to remove water and oil, so as to avoid pollution. In addition, after being cooled to room temperature, the sealing member can be sealingly connected to the filling port 30 of the irradiation tank to realize the sealing of the irradiation tank.

[0079] In some embodiments, after the sealing is completed, the adhesion of the liquid metal on the outer surface of the irradiation tank is checked. When the liquid metal is adhered to the outer surface of the irradiation tank, it can be cleaned and removed; when it is confirmed that there is no liquid metal adhered to the outer surface of the irradiation tank, the irradiation tank can be taken out of the inert gas glove box 200 to avoid the reaction of the liquid metal such as sodium or potassium adhered to the outer surface of the irradiation tank in the air.

[0080] The filling method in the embodiment of the present application can avoid the stagnation of liquid metal during the filling process, prevent air blockage during the filling process, and enable the liquid metal to be smoothly filled into the irradiation tank, thereby reducing the difficulty of filling the liquid metal into the irradiation tank. In addition, the filling method in the embodiment can also be used to fill liquid metal into other closed containers.

[0081] The filling method of the liquid metal in the present application will be further described below with specific embodiments.

[0082] Embodiment 1

[0083] In this embodiment, liquid metal sodium needs to be filled into an irradiation tank, and the predetermined mass of the filled liquid metal is designed to be 650g. The size parameters of the irradiation tank are as follows: D = 98mm, d i = 96mm, H = 210mm, d = 16mm, h = 5mm.

[0084] The specific filling method is as follows:

[0085] (1) Determine the preheating temperature and preheating time of the irradiation tank.

[0086] Firstly, according to the size parameters of the irradiation tank, the type of the irradiation tank is determined, and the irradiation tank belongs to the second irradiation tank.

[0087] Secondly, the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation tank is calculated. Wherein, the side area of the irradiation tank heated is S H = πDH = 64621.2mm 2 , the end area is S0 = πD 2 / 4 = 7539.14mm 2 , then λ = S H / 4S0 = 2.143. The theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation tank is calculated by using the above formula (2), that is:

[0088]

[0089] Then, according to the theoretical preheating temperature, the actual preheating temperature T2 of the irradiation tank is determined to be 120℃, and the preheating time is 30 minutes.

[0090] (2) Fill liquid metal sodium into the irradiation tank and seal the irradiation tank.

[0091] 1. Put the irradiation tank into the electric vacuum drying oven and heat dry at 100℃ for 30min. After drying, transfer the irradiation tank to the inert gas glove box.

[0092] 2. Use the heating furnace to preheat the irradiation tank according to the determined preheating temperature and preheating time.

[0093] 3. The water and oil on the beaker, crucible and other tools are removed, and dried for standby.

[0094] 4. 650.0g of metal sodium is weighed in a beaker, and heated to melt by an electric heating table, for standby.

[0095] 5. After the preheating of the irradiation tank is completed, the liquid metal sodium in the beaker is taken out by a crucible and filled into the irradiation tank. The mass of the liquid metal sodium taken out each time is controlled to be about 15g, and at most 18g, and the liquid level of the liquid metal sodium does not exceed 2 / 3 of the volume of the crucible. The liquid metal sodium in the crucible is filled into the irradiation tank in two times.

[0096] 6. After the liquid metal sodium is completely filled into the irradiation tank, the heating furnace and the electric heating table are closed, and the irradiation tank is naturally cooled.

[0097] 7. When the outer surface temperature of the irradiation tank drops to 30℃, the filling port of the irradiation tank is checked, and the sodium liquid drops at the sealing part are cleaned. After the cleaning is completed, the filling port is sealed by a sealing member. After the sealing is completed, whether the outer surface of the irradiation tank is stuck with sodium is checked, and the small sodium drops stuck on the surface can be carefully removed by a tweezers.

[0098] It should be further noted that the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments without conflict.

[0099] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of filling a reactor irradiation can with liquid metal, characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps: S10, determining a preheating temperature and a preheating time of the irradiation tank according to size parameters of the irradiation tank; S20, preheating the irradiation tank according to the determined preheating temperature and preheating time; S30, after the preheating is completed, filling the liquid metal into the irradiation tank; S40, cooling the irradiation tank, and sealing the irradiation tank after the irradiation tank is cooled.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The irradiation tank comprises a tank body and a sample cover, the sample cover is arranged in the tank body, the tank body is used for accommodating an irradiation sample, and the sample cover is used for covering the irradiation sample; a filling port is arranged at the top of the tank body, and the filling port is used for filling the liquid metal; The sample cover is provided with a through hole, and the through hole is used for providing a flow channel for the liquid metal; The step S10 comprises the following steps: S11, determining a type of the irradiation tank according to a diameter of the filling port and a height difference between the sample cover and a bottom of the filling port; S12, calculating a theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation tank according to the type of the irradiation tank and the size parameters of the irradiation tank; S13, determining an actual preheating temperature and a preheating time of the irradiation tank according to the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation tank.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, In the step S11, when the diameter of the filling port is greater than or equal to a predetermined diameter, and the height difference between the sample cover and the bottom of the filling port is greater than or equal to a predetermined height, the irradiation tank is a first irradiation tank; when the diameter of the filling port is less than the predetermined diameter, and the height difference between the sample cover and the bottom of the filling port is greater than or equal to the predetermined height, the irradiation tank is a second irradiation tank; when the diameter of the filling port is less than the predetermined diameter, and the height difference between the sample cover and the bottom of the filling port is less than the predetermined height, the irradiation tank is a third irradiation tank.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The liquid metal is sodium, and in the step S12, when the irradiation tank is the first irradiation tank, the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation tank is calculated according to a length-diameter ratio of the irradiation tank, an inner diameter of the irradiation tank, a diameter of the sample cover, the diameter of the filling port and the height difference.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein, The liquid metal is sodium, and in the step S12, when the irradiation tank is the second irradiation tank, the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation tank is calculated according to the length-diameter ratio of the irradiation tank, the inner diameter of the irradiation tank, the diameter of the sample cover, the diameter of the filling port, an internal height of the irradiation tank and the height difference.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein, The liquid metal is sodium, and in the step S12, when the irradiation tank is the third irradiation tank, the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation tank is calculated according to the length-diameter ratio of the irradiation tank, the inner diameter of the irradiation tank, the diameter of the sample cover, the diameter of the filling port and the height difference.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, In the step S13, the theoretical preheating temperature is rounded up to an integer multiple of 10 to obtain the actual preheating temperature of the irradiation tank.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the irradiation jar is the first irradiation jar, the actual preheating temperature of the irradiation jar is greater than or equal to a first temperature threshold, and the preheating temperature is less than or equal to a second temperature threshold; When the irradiation jar is the second irradiation jar or the third irradiation jar, the actual preheating temperature of the irradiation jar is greater than or equal to the first temperature threshold, and the preheating temperature is less than or equal to a third temperature threshold; The third temperature threshold is greater than the second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is greater than the first temperature threshold.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein, In the step S11, when the diameter of the filling port is less than the predetermined diameter, the height difference between the sample cover and the bottom of the filling port is less than the predetermined height, the difference between the inner diameter of the irradiation jar and the diameter of the sample cover is less than a predetermined difference, and the diameter of the through hole on the sample cover is less than a predetermined value, the irradiation jar is a fourth irradiation jar.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The liquid metal is sodium, and when the irradiation jar is the fourth irradiation jar, In the step S12, according to the aspect ratio of the irradiation jar, the inner diameter of the irradiation jar, the diameter of the sample cover, the diameter of the filling port, and the height difference, the theoretical preheating temperature of the irradiation jar is calculated. In the step S13, the theoretical preheating temperature is rounded up to an integer multiple of 10 and a predetermined temperature value is added to obtain the actual preheating temperature of the irradiation jar.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein, In the step S30, the liquid metal is filled into the irradiation jar in batches.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, In the step S30, after the liquid metal is filled into the irradiation jar each time, the irradiation jar is vacuumed.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein, In the step S40, after the irradiation jar is cooled, the liquid metal adhered to the filling port of the irradiation jar is cleaned.

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