Novel scintillator filling system and method

Abstract

The invention discloses a novel scintillator filling system and method, and belongs to the technical field of scintillators, the novel scintillator filling system comprises a packaging container for packaging a scintillator, two ends of the packaging container are provided with photomultiplier tube connecting modules, and the photomultiplier tube connecting modules are used for connecting a PMT, a fiber optic spectrometer and an irradiation light source; the device further comprises a scintillator filling device used for filling the scintillator into the packaging container. According to the novel scintillator filling system and method, the scintillator can be replaced conveniently, and repeated use of the container is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of scintillator technology, and in particular to a novel scintillator filling system and method. Background Art

[0002] Scintillator is a material that can convert high-energy rays (such as X-rays, gamma rays and particle streams) into visible light or other easily detectable optical signals. The converted optical signals can be detected by various optical detection devices (such as PMT, SiPM, etc.). Scintillator detectors are widely used in many fields such as medical imaging, nuclear radiation monitoring, high-energy physics experiments, industrial detection, etc. Their excellent energy conversion characteristics make them an important tool for modern scientific research and technological development. Liquid scintillator is a type of scintillator made by dissolving luminescent solutes in organic solvents. The organic solvents used are usually easy to flow, easy to volatilize, have a low flash point, are highly corrosive and toxic. They are dangerous during use and need to be properly packaged.

[0003] In the face of the development needs of high-performance liquid scintillators and diverse and complex physical experimental conditions, the packaging container of the liquid scintillator must not only meet the requirements of good sealing and strong safety, but also be able to replace the canned scintillator, and provide interfaces and plug-ins for various types of light detection equipment, not only to meet the needs of scintillator performance testing, but also to complete various physical experimental tasks. At present, the integrated packaging method adopted by domestic and foreign liquid scintillator manufacturers does not reserve a window for internal scintillator replacement, and its fixedly connected light detection equipment is also difficult to change, which cannot meet the diverse experimental needs. Therefore, it is urgent to develop a scintillator container with the function of replacing scintillators and connecting to various light detection equipment, as well as a simple and safe scintillator filling device that matches it. Based on this, the present invention proposes a new scintillator filling system and method. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a novel scintillator filling system to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] The present invention discloses a novel scintillator filling system, comprising a packaging container for packaging the scintillator, wherein both ends of the packaging container are provided with photomultiplier tube connection modules, and the photomultiplier tube connection modules are used to connect PMT, optical fiber spectrometer and irradiation light source; and also comprises a scintillator filling device for filling the scintillator into the packaging container.

[0007] Furthermore, the packaging container includes a container shell, which includes an outer shell and glass windows symmetrically arranged on both sides of the outer shell; PMT interfaces arranged together with the glass windows are arranged on both sides of the outer shell, and a plurality of universal sealing windows are arranged around the outer shell; filter sleeves are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the outer shell, and a light guide component or a sealing gasket group is arranged on the universal sealing window.

[0008] Furthermore, the shell has a square outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall.

[0009] Furthermore, the filter sleeve comprises a circular filter sleeve, a square filter sleeve and a threaded filter sleeve which are arranged in sequence, and the circular filter sleeve is located on one side close to the housing.

[0010] Furthermore, the optical waveguide assembly includes a fluororubber ring 1, a light guide and a light guide fixing sleeve which are arranged in sequence, and the fluororubber ring 1 is located on a side close to the outer shell; the sealing gasket group includes a fluororubber ring 2, a sealing gasket and a sealing gasket pressure which are arranged in sequence, and the fluororubber ring 2 is located on a side close to the outer shell.

[0011] Furthermore, the light guide fixing sleeve and the sealing gasket are both mounted on the housing by means of hexagon socket screws.

[0012] Furthermore, the scintillator filling device includes an iron frame, a jacketed three-necked flask is arranged on the top of the iron frame, one of the bottle mouths of the jacketed three-necked flask is provided with an air inlet pipe, and the other bottle mouth is provided with a Teflon tube; one end of the air inlet pipe is connected to the high-pressure gas tank, and the other end is located inside the jacketed three-necked flask; one end of the Teflon tube is located below the scintillator liquid level in the jacketed three-necked flask, and the other end is located inside the packaging container.

[0013] Furthermore, the bracket on the iron frame is located below the air intake pipe and is used to support the air intake pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, the interlayer of the jacketed three-necked flask is filled with constant temperature water; a water inlet is arranged on the bottom side wall of the jacketed three-necked flask, and a water outlet is arranged on the top side wall.

[0015] The filling method of the new scintillator filling system is:

[0016] Step 1: Install a glass window and a filter sleeve on the PMT interface, install a light guide assembly or a sealing gasket set on the universal sealing window, and retain a universal sealing window;

[0017] Step 2: introducing the scintillator solution into the jacketed three-necked flask, and the constant temperature water enters the interlayer of the jacketed three-necked flask from the water inlet, and comes out from the water outlet to be connected with the external constant temperature water system to form a water cycle;

[0018] Step 3, one end of the Teflon tube extends below the liquid surface of the scintillator solution in the jacketed three-necked flask, and the other end extends from the reserved universal sealing window to the interior of the packaging container;

[0019] Step 4: Use a high-pressure gas tank to slowly introduce gas into the jacketed three-necked flask through the air inlet pipe. When the gas pressure in the flask reaches a certain value, the scintillator solution is filled into the packaging container along the Teflon tube;

[0020] Step 5. After filling to a certain capacity, pull out the Teflon tube and seal the retained universal sealing window with a light guide assembly or a sealing gasket set.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial technical effects of the present invention are:

[0022] The packaging container in the new scintillator filling system and method of the invention supports the replacement of canned scintillators, and the packaging container can be reused, thereby reducing costs. The packaging container can be connected to a variety of light detection equipment such as PMT, fiber optic spectrometer, irradiation light source, etc., to adapt to various experimental scenarios; the scintillator filling device has a controllable flow rate during filling, is easy to operate, pollution-free, no toxic gas volatilization, and high safety. In short, the new scintillator filling system and method of the invention facilitates the replacement of scintillators and realizes the reuse of containers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the packaging container of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the novel scintillator filling system of the present invention;

[0026] Explanation of the reference numerals: 1. container shell; 2. filter sleeve; 3. optical waveguide assembly; 4. sealing gasket set; 5. outer shell; 51. universal sealing window; 52. PMT interface; 6. glass window; 7. threaded filter sleeve; 8. square filter sleeve; 9. round filter sleeve; 10. hexagon socket screw; 11. optical waveguide fixing sleeve; 12. optical waveguide; 13. fluororubber ring one; 14. sealing gasket; 15. sealing gasket press; 16. iron stand; 17. air inlet pipe; 18. Teflon tube; 19. jacketed three-necked flask; 20. fluororubber ring two. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] like Figure 1-2As shown, a novel scintillator filling system includes a packaging container for encapsulating the scintillator, photomultiplier tube connection modules are arranged at both ends of the packaging container, and the photomultiplier tube connection modules are used to connect PMT, fiber optic spectrometer and irradiation light source; and also includes a scintillator filling device for filling the scintillator into the packaging container.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the packaging container includes a container shell 1, and the container shell 1 includes an outer shell 5 and glass windows 6 symmetrically installed on both sides of the outer shell 5; the outer shell 5 is made of metal, and has a square outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall. PMT interfaces 52 installed together with the glass windows 6 are installed on both sides of the outer shell 5, and a plurality of universal sealing windows 51 are installed around the outer shell 5. Filter sleeves 2 are symmetrically installed on the left and right sides of the outer shell 5, and a light guide assembly 3 or a sealing gasket group 4 is installed on the universal sealing window 51. Among them, the outer wall height at the PMT connection port 52 is higher than the central part by a distance, so as to facilitate the installation of the filter sleeve 2 and reduce the leakage of light.

[0029] The filter sleeve 2 includes a circular filter sleeve 9, a square filter sleeve 8 and a threaded filter sleeve 7 which are installed in sequence, and the circular filter sleeve 9 is located on one side close to the housing 5. The inner diameter of the thread of the threaded filter sleeve 7 is suitable for the circular filter sleeve 9 and the square filter sleeve 8 of the same size, and the thickness of the threaded filter sleeve 7 is greater than the thickness of the circular filter sleeve 9 and the square filter sleeve 8 superimposed together. The inner diameters of the circular filter sleeve 9 and the square filter sleeve 8 should be able to accommodate filters of appropriate sizes, and the sleeve thickness is equal to the filter thickness.

[0030] The optical guide assembly 3 includes a fluororubber ring 13, a light guide 12 and a light guide fixing sleeve 11 which are installed in sequence, and the fluororubber ring 13 is located on a side close to the housing 5. The sealing gasket group 4 includes a fluororubber ring 20, a sealing gasket 14 and a sealing gasket pressure 15 which are installed in sequence, and the fluororubber ring 20 is located on a side close to the housing 5. The sealing gasket group has a thin wall thickness, which is conducive to the penetration of radiation source particles. The optical guide fixing sleeve 11 and the sealing gasket pressure 15 are both installed on the housing 5 by means of a hexagon socket screw 10, and a threaded hole matching the hexagon socket screw 10 is provided on the housing 5.

[0031] The installation method of the filter sleeve 2 is as follows: the circular filter sleeve 9 and the square filter sleeve 8 are tightly attached to the PMT connection port 52 , and then the thread of the threaded filter sleeve 7 is connected with the thread at the PMT connection port 52 .

[0032] The installation method of the light guide component 3 is as follows: place the fluororubber ring 13 in the matching fluororubber ring groove on the housing 5, place the lower bottom surface of the light guide 12 tightly against the fluororubber ring 13, then put the light guide fixing sleeve 11 on the outside of the light guide 12, and finally fix it to the housing 5 with the hexagon socket screw 10.

[0033] The installation method of the sealing gasket group 4 is as follows: place the fluororubber ring 20 in the fluororubber ring groove on the outer shell 5, place the sealing gasket 14 tightly against the fluororubber ring 20, and then use the sealing gasket press 15 to press the sealing gasket 14 tightly against the fluororubber ring 20, and finally use the hexagon socket screw 10 to fix the sealing gasket press 15 on the outer shell 5.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the scintillator filling device includes an iron frame 16, and a jacketed three-necked flask 19 is arranged above the iron frame 16. An air inlet pipe 17 is installed at one of the bottle mouths of the jacketed three-necked flask 19, and a Teflon tube 18 is installed at the other bottle mouth. A rubber plug for sealing is arranged at the bottle mouth, and the air inlet pipe 17 and the Teflon tube 18 are inserted into the rubber plug. Various online detection probes can be selected for the other bottle mouth of the three-necked flask 19 to monitor the changes of various indicators of the scintillator. One end of the air inlet pipe 17 is connected to a high-pressure gas tank, and the other end is located inside the jacketed three-necked flask 19. By controlling the airflow size of the air inlet pipe 17, the flow rate of the scintillator can be controlled. One end of the Teflon tube 18 is located below the scintillator liquid level in the jacketed three-necked flask 19, and the other end is located inside the packaging container.

[0035] The bracket on the iron frame 16 is located below the air intake pipe 17 and is used to support the air intake pipe 17 .

[0036] The interlayer of the jacketed three-necked flask 19 is filled with constant temperature water, and a water inlet is installed on the bottom side wall of the jacketed three-necked flask 19, and a water outlet is installed on the top side wall. The constant temperature water is used to control the temperature to prevent the scintillator from being overcooled and crystallized or overheated and volatilized.

[0037] According to the novel scintillator filling system described above, the filling method is as follows:

[0038] Step 1: Install the glass window 6 and the filter sleeve 2 on the PMT interface 52, install the light guide assembly 3 or the sealing gasket set 4 on the universal sealing window 51, and retain a universal sealing window 51;

[0039] Step 2: introduce the scintillator solution into the jacketed three-necked flask 19, and the constant temperature water enters the interlayer of the jacketed three-necked flask 19 from the water inlet, and comes out from the water outlet to communicate with the external constant temperature water system to form a water cycle;

[0040] Step 3: one end of the Teflon tube 18 extends below the liquid surface of the scintillator solution in the jacketed three-necked flask 19, and the other end extends from the reserved universal sealing window 51 to the interior of the packaging container;

[0041] Step 4: Use a high-pressure gas tank to slowly introduce gas into the jacketed three-necked flask 19 through the air inlet pipe 17. When the gas pressure in the flask reaches a certain value, the scintillator solution is filled into the packaging container along the Teflon tube 18;

[0042] Step 5: After filling to a certain capacity, the Teflon tube 18 is pulled out, and the retained universal sealing window 51 is sealed with the light guide component 3 or the sealing gasket set 4.

[0043] When replacing the scintillator, a universal sealing window 51 of the packaging container can be turned upwards, the sealing accessories can be removed, the internal scintillator can be slowly poured into the waste liquid tank, and the inside of the container can be cleaned with anhydrous ethanol. After cleaning and drying, the packaging container can be filled and packaged with scintillator again according to the above method.

[0044] The embodiments described above are only descriptions of the preferred modes of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the design spirit of the present invention, various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the present invention by ordinary technicians in this field should all fall within the protection scope determined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A new scintillator filling system, characterized by: The invention comprises a packaging container for packaging a scintillator, wherein two ends of the packaging container are provided with photomultiplier tube connection modules, and the photomultiplier tube connection modules are used to connect a PMT, an optical fiber spectrometer and an irradiation light source; and a scintillator filling device for filling the scintillator into the packaging container.

2. The novel scintillator filling system according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The packaging container comprises a container shell (1), wherein the container shell (1) comprises an outer shell (5) and glass windows (6) symmetrically arranged on both sides of the outer shell (5); PMT interfaces (52) arranged together with the glass windows (6) are arranged on both sides of the outer shell (5), and a plurality of universal sealing windows (51) are arranged around the outer shell (5); filter sleeves (2) are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the outer shell (5), and a light guide component (3) or a sealing gasket group (4) is arranged on the universal sealing window (51).

3. The novel scintillator filling system according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The outer shell (5) is a structure with a square outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall.

4. The novel scintillator filling system according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The filter sleeve (2) comprises a circular filter sleeve (9), a square filter sleeve (8) and a threaded filter sleeve (7) which are arranged in sequence, and the circular filter sleeve (9) is located on a side close to the housing (5).

5. The novel scintillator filling system according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The optical waveguide assembly (3) comprises a fluororubber ring (13), an optical waveguide (12) and an optical waveguide fixing sleeve (11) which are arranged in sequence, and the fluororubber ring (13) is located on a side close to the outer shell (5); the sealing gasket group (4) comprises a fluororubber ring (20), a sealing gasket (14) and a sealing gasket pressure (15) which are arranged in sequence, and the fluororubber ring (20) is located on a side close to the outer shell (5).

6. The novel scintillator filling system according to claim 5 is characterized in that: The light guide fixing sleeve (11) and the sealing gasket press (15) are both arranged on the housing (5) by means of hexagon socket screws (10).

7. The novel scintillator filling system according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The scintillator filling device comprises an iron frame (16), a jacketed three-necked flask (19) is arranged above the iron frame (16), one of the bottle mouths of the jacketed three-necked flask (19) is provided with an air inlet pipe (17), and the other bottle mouth is provided with a Teflon tube (18); one end of the air inlet pipe (17) is connected to a high-pressure gas tank, and the other end is located inside the jacketed three-necked flask (19); one end of the Teflon tube (18) is located below the scintillator liquid level in the jacketed three-necked flask (19), and the other end is located inside the packaging container.

8. The novel scintillator filling system according to claim 7 is characterized in that: The bracket on the iron frame (16) is located below the air intake pipe (17) and is used to support the air intake pipe (17).

9. The novel scintillator filling system according to claim 7 is characterized in that: The interlayer of the jacketed three-necked flask (19) is filled with constant temperature water; a water inlet is arranged on the bottom side wall of the jacketed three-necked flask (19), and a water outlet is arranged on the top side wall.

10. The novel scintillator filling system according to claims 1-9, wherein the filling method is: Step 1: Install a glass window (6) and a filter sleeve (2) on the PMT interface (52), install a light guide assembly (3) or a sealing gasket assembly (4) on the universal sealing window (51), and retain a universal sealing window (51); Step 2, introducing the scintillator solution into the jacketed three-necked flask (19), and the constant temperature water enters the interlayer of the jacketed three-necked flask (19) from the water inlet, and comes out from the water outlet to communicate with the external constant temperature water system to form a water cycle; Step 3, one end of the Teflon tube (18) extends below the liquid surface of the scintillator solution in the jacketed three-necked flask (19), and the other end extends from the reserved universal sealing window (51) to the interior of the packaging container; Step 4: Use a high-pressure gas tank to slowly introduce gas into the jacketed three-necked flask (19) through the gas inlet pipe (17); when the gas pressure in the flask reaches a certain value, the scintillator solution is filled into the packaging container along the Teflon tube (18); Step 5: After filling to a certain capacity, the Teflon tube (18) is pulled out, and the retained universal sealing window (51) is sealed with the light guide component (3) or the sealing gasket set (4).

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