Electrochemical corrosion sample used in severe environment

By designing an electrochemical corrosion sample with threaded connection and glass tube sealing, the problems of easy damage and inconvenient replacement of existing samples were solved, achieving reliability and convenient replacement in harsh environments, and improving experimental efficiency and safety.

CN224019604UActive Publication Date: 2026-03-20INST OF METAL RESEARCH - CHINESE ACAD OF SCI
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202520396344.2
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-03-07
Publication Date
2026-03-20
Estimated Expiration
2035-03-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods for preparing electrochemical corrosion samples are complex and susceptible to damage from nitric acid leaks, affecting experimental results. Furthermore, sample replacement is inconvenient, leading to low equipment safety and experimental efficiency.

Method used

Design an electrochemical corrosion sample shaped like a round-headed bullet, using threaded connections and glass tube seals, and employing bolts made of copper, silver, aluminum, or tungsten and PTFE gaskets to ensure sealing and conductivity. The sample is detachable for easy replacement and is suitable for harsh environments.

Benefits of technology

It achieves reliable and convenient sample replacement under harsh environments, reduces the consumption of preparation materials, shortens sample replacement time, and improves the reliability of experimental data and equipment safety.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of spent fuel post-treatment corrosion electrochemistry, in particular to an electrochemical corrosion sample used in a severe environment. The sample is a cylinder with one end being a hemisphere, a hole is formed in the center of the flat end face of the sample, an internal thread I is arranged in the hole, the side, where the internal thread I is located, of the sample is fastened to one end of the connecting screw through threads, and a gasket I for enhancing sealing performance is arranged at the joint of the sample and the connecting screw. The other end of the connecting screw rod is fastened with the bolt through threads, and a gasket II for enhancing the sealing performance is arranged at the joint of the connecting screw rod and the bolt; and a glass tube is sleeved outside the connecting screw rod, one end of the glass tube is tightly pressed on the gasket I, and the other end of the glass tube is tightly pressed on the gasket II. The device can be suitable for preparing an electrochemical sample which needs to work in a severe environment, the electrochemical corrosion behavior of a material in the severe environment is researched, and the situation that the sample prepared by the existing electrochemical sample preparation method is damaged by an electrolyte solution can be effectively avoided.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of spent fuel reprocessing corrosion electrochemistry, specifically an electrochemical corrosion sample for use in harsh environments. Background Technology

[0002] The typical environment for spent fuel reprocessing is characterized by high temperature, high acidity, and strong oxidizing properties. Key reprocessing equipment, such as dissolvers and various evaporators, operates under these extremely harsh conditions for extended periods, leading to severe corrosion of materials. The corrosion damage to alloys seriously threatens the safe operation of the equipment. Therefore, research on the corrosion behavior of equipment materials in high-temperature nitric acid media is crucial. However, existing electrochemical corrosion sample preparation methods have drawbacks, resulting in sample destruction and affecting experimental results. Our goal is to develop a durable, durable, and easily destroyed electrochemical corrosion sample suitable for various and variable working environments under harsh conditions. By applying this sample to electrochemical corrosion experiments on key equipment materials and combining the electrochemical test results with other experimental results and product analysis, we can systematically elucidate the corrosion behavior of various materials in different media, providing theoretical support for related research and theoretical guidance for equipment material selection and the development of new materials. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electrochemical corrosion sample for harsh environments, solving the problems of complex processes in existing electrochemical corrosion sample preparation methods and the frequent occurrence of nitric acid leakage that damages the sample. At the same time, the sample is easy to disassemble and replace. When replacing a sample after testing the same type of sample, only a specially made sample can be replaced, which can shorten the sample replacement time and save the amount of preparation materials and sample materials used.

[0004] The technical solution of this utility model is:

[0005] An electrochemically corroded sample for use in harsh environments, comprising a sample, gasket I, connecting screw, glass tube, gasket II, and bolts, with the following specific structure:

[0006] The sample is a cylinder with one hemispherical end. A hole is made in the center of the flat end face of the sample, and an internal thread I is provided in the hole. The side of the sample with internal thread I is fastened to one end of the connecting screw by the thread. A gasket I is provided at the connection between the sample and the connecting screw to enhance the sealing. The other end of the connecting screw is fastened to the bolt by the thread. A gasket II is provided at the connection between the connecting screw and the bolt to enhance the sealing. A glass tube is added to the outside of the connecting screw. One end of the glass tube is pressed tightly against the gasket I, and the other end of the glass tube is pressed tightly against the gasket II.

[0007] One end of the bolt is a stud with external threads, which is fastened to the connecting screw by the threads. The other end of the bolt is a cylindrical terminal, through which the wire is connected to the sample.

[0008] The glass tube is wrapped around the connecting screw. One end of the connecting screw is fastened to the stud of the bolt by the helical movement of the bolt, and the other end of the connecting screw is fastened to one side of the sample by the helical movement of the sample. Under the action of the threaded fastening at both ends, the glass tube is pressed against the gaskets at both ends, achieving a secondary seal for the sample.

[0009] The electrochemical corrosion sample for harsh environments has an appearance similar to the bullet head of a round-nosed bullet. The sample body is cylindrical with one end being hemispherical. The other end of the sample body has a circular hole along the axial direction and an internal thread I is provided in the circular hole. The side where the internal thread I is located is fastened to the connecting screw through the thread. The glass tube and gasket I are compressed by the fastening of the sample and the connecting screw.

[0010] The electrochemical corrosion sample for harsh environments has a connecting screw with a cylindrical body. One end of the connecting screw body has a circular hole along the axial direction and an internal thread II is provided in the circular hole. The internal thread II is fastened to the bolt by the thread. The glass tube and gasket II are compressed by the fastening of the connecting screw and the bolt. The other end of the connecting screw body has an external thread with a diameter equal to the diameter of the internal thread I of the sample.

[0011] The aforementioned electrochemical corrosion sample for harsh environments consists of a bolt composed of a stud, a bolt head, and a round bar with a protruding end, which are coaxially connected as a terminal block. The thread diameter of the stud is equal to the diameter of the internal thread II on the connecting rod. During the electrochemical testing experiment, the electrode connection wire of the electrochemical workstation is fixed to the terminal block with an alligator clip. The stud of the bolt is fastened to one end of the connecting rod by the thread, while simultaneously pressing the glass tube and the gasket II at this location.

[0012] The electrochemical corrosion sample for harsh environments has a bolt head that is cylindrical or hexagonal prism shaped, wherein: when the bolt head is cylindrical, the bolt head diameter is equal to the outer diameter of the glass tube; when the bolt head is hexagonal prism, the length of the opposite sides of the hexagonal bolt head is equal to the outer diameter of the glass tube.

[0013] The electrochemical corrosion sample used in harsh environments has a column length of 5-10 mm, a bolt head thickness of 1-5 mm, and a terminal block that is a cylinder with a length of 5-20 mm and a diameter of 1-3 mm.

[0014] The electrochemical corrosion sample used in harsh environments has an inner diameter of gasket I equal to the diameter of the internal thread I of the sample, an inner diameter of gasket II equal to the diameter of the internal thread II of the connecting screw, and an outer diameter of gasket I and gasket II greater than or equal to the diameter of the glass tube. Gasket I and gasket II are used at the connection between the bolt and the glass tube and the connecting screw, and at the connection between the sample and the glass tube and the connecting screw, respectively.

[0015] The electrochemical corrosion sample used in harsh environments is made of the same material as the connecting screw. The bolt is made of copper, silver, aluminum or tungsten with good conductivity, and gaskets I and II are made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0016] The design concept of this utility model is:

[0017] This invention addresses a real-world engineering problem: during spent fuel reprocessing, some critical equipment operates under extreme and variable conditions for extended periods, leading to severe material corrosion that threatens the safe operation of the equipment. To systematically elucidate the corrosion behavior of various materials in different media, electrochemical corrosion testing is indispensable. However, existing electrochemical corrosion sample preparation methods have some drawbacks. Therefore, this invention aims to develop a new method to effectively overcome these shortcomings, protect the sample from damage, and effectively shorten sample changeover time, while also saving on preparation materials and sample usage.

[0018] In this invention, the sample is made into a bullet-shaped form similar to a round-nosed bullet. The sample is connected to a bolt with a terminal on the head via a connecting screw. The sample is electrochemically corroded and sealed with a glass tube. During electrochemical testing, the electrochemical workstation transmits electrochemical signals by connecting to the terminal on the sample.

[0019] Limited materials can be used long-term in boiling nitric acid. From the perspectives of long-term use and safety, glass tubes were chosen as the sealing device for the samples, with the tubes being as thick as possible to prevent accidental breakage. To facilitate connection of the samples to the electrochemical workstation, specially designed bolts were fitted with terminals. Copper was chosen as the material for these bolts because of its excellent conductivity and good machinability. To protect the samples, gaskets were placed at the joints of various sample components to enhance sealing. However, ethylene oxide as a gasket would be toxic, so polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a harmless material to humans, was selected. During use, the connecting threads must be tightened to create a sealed space to protect the samples.

[0020] For energy conservation and environmental protection purposes, the overall sample size is small. The sample preparation process does not require energy-intensive welding, sintering and high-temperature heating steps. When conducting parallel tests or tests under multiple conditions, only the specially made sample needs to be replaced.

[0021] To prevent nitric acid leakage from damaging the sample, the connecting screw is made of the same material as the sample being tested. Even if a small amount of nitric acid enters the glass tube, it will not affect the test results, and the sample can be reused after cleaning or replacing the parts.

[0022] This utility model has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0023] 1. The polytetrafluoroethylene, copper, and glass materials used in this invention all have good biocompatibility, are harmless to the human body, and have high safety.

[0024] 2. Each part of the electrochemical sample designed in this utility model can be easily disassembled and installed, making sample replacement more convenient.

[0025] 3. The electrochemical sample designed in this invention is fastened with threads between its various parts. When conducting parallel tests of a single sample or tests under multiple conditions, only the specially made sample needs to be replaced.

[0026] 4. The polytetrafluoroethylene gasket and glass tube in this invention are resistant to acids and alkalis and high temperatures, and can be used in various corrosive working conditions. The slight expansion generated under high temperature conditions will strengthen the fastening between the parts.

[0027] 5. The electrochemical sample designed in this invention has a small size, and the sample preparation process does not require energy-intensive welding, sintering and high-temperature heating steps. In addition, multiple special samples can be replaced, and the cost is controlled without affecting the use of the sample, which has high economic benefits.

[0028] 6. The size of the electrochemical sample designed in this invention is relatively flexible and can be adjusted according to different experimental needs.

[0029] 7. This utility model can be applied to the preparation of electrochemical samples that need to work in harsh environments and to the study of the electrochemical corrosion behavior of materials under harsh environments. It can effectively avoid the situation where the electrolyte solution damages the sample as faced by the existing electrochemical sample preparation methods. It can work for a long time in strong acid, strong alkaline and high temperature and high pressure environments, increasing the reliability of experimental data obtained from electrochemical tests. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the electrochemical corrosion sample of this utility model.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a specially made sample of this utility model.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting screw of this utility model.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the specially designed bolt for this utility model.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the decomposed structure of the electrochemically corroded sample of this invention.

[0035] In the figure: 1. Sample; 2. Gasket I; 3. Connecting screw; 4. Glass tube; 5. Gasket II; 6. Bolt; 7. Hemisphere; 8. Sample body; 9. Internal thread I; 10. External thread; 11. Connecting screw body; 12. Internal thread II; 13. Stud; 14. Bolt head; 15. Terminal. Detailed Implementation

[0036] like Figures 1-5 As shown, this utility model designs an electrochemical corrosion sample for use in harsh environments. The electrochemical corrosion sample includes a sample 1, a gasket I2, a connecting screw 3, a glass tube 4, a gasket II5, and a bolt 6, with the specific structure as follows:

[0037] Sample 1 is shaped like a bullet, similar to a round-nosed bullet. This shape is beneficial for more uniform electrochemical signal transmission. Other shapes that facilitate electrochemical signal transmission can be made if needed for the experiment. A hole is made in the center of the flat end face of Sample 1, with an internal thread I9 inside. The side of Sample 1 with the internal thread I9 is ​​threadedly fastened to one end of the connecting screw 3. A gasket I2 is provided at the connection between Sample 1 and the connecting screw 3 to enhance sealing. The other end of the connecting screw 3 is threadedly fastened to the bolt 6. A gasket II5 is provided at the connection between the connecting screw 3 and the bolt 6 to enhance sealing. A glass tube 4 is fitted over the connecting screw 3, with one end of the glass tube 4 pressed tightly against the gasket I2 and the other end pressed tightly against the gasket II5.

[0038] One end of the bolt 6 is a stud 13 with external threads, which is fastened to the connecting screw 3 by the threads. The other end of the bolt 6 is a cylindrical terminal 15, through which the wire is connected to the sample 1.

[0039] The glass tube 4 surrounds the connecting screw 3. One end of the connecting screw 3 is fastened to the stud 13 of the bolt 6 by the helical movement of the bolt 6, and the other end of the connecting screw 3 is fastened to one side of the sample 1 by the helical movement of the sample 1. Under the action of the threaded fastening at both ends, the glass tube 4 is pressed against the gaskets at both ends, thus completing the secondary sealing of the sample.

[0040] like Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, Sample 1 and the connecting screw 3 are made of the same material, using a cylinder with one end being a hemisphere, resembling the shape of a round pistol bullet. The length and diameter of Sample 1 can be flexibly adjusted within the allowable range. Sample 1 uses a cylinder as the main body 8, with one end of the main body 8 being a hemisphere 7. The other end of the main body 8 has a circular hole along the axial direction, and an internal thread I9 is ​​provided in the circular hole. The side with the internal thread I9 is ​​fastened to the connecting screw 3 by the thread. The fastening of Sample 1 and the connecting screw 3 compresses the glass tube 4 and the gasket I2, achieving a secondary seal.

[0041] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 As shown, the connecting screw 3 is made of the same material as sample 1. This design allows the sample to continue operating normally without affecting the test results even when facing electrolyte leakage. The connecting screw 3 has a cylindrical body 11. One end of the connecting screw body 11 has a circular hole along the axial direction and an internal thread II12 is provided in the circular hole. Here, the internal thread II12 is fastened to the bolt 6 by the thread. The length and inner diameter of the internal thread II12 can be freely adjusted within the allowable range. The fastening of the connecting screw 3 and the bolt 6 presses the glass tube 4 and the gasket II5 together. The other end of the connecting screw body 11 has an external thread 10, the diameter of which is equal to the diameter of the internal thread I9 of sample 1.

[0042] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, bolt 6 is coaxially and integrally connected by stud 13, bolt head 14, and a protruding round rod as a terminal post 15. It is made of a highly conductive material such as copper, silver, aluminum, or tungsten. The stud 13 is 5–10 mm long, the bolt head 14 is 1–5 mm thick, and the terminal post 15 is a cylinder with a length of 5–20 mm and a diameter of 1–3 mm. The specific dimensions can be flexibly adjusted according to experimental needs. The thread diameter of stud 13 is equal to the diameter of the internal thread II12 on the connecting screw 3. Bolt head 14 can be cylindrical, hexagonal prism, etc. Specifically: if bolt head 14 is cylindrical, its diameter is equal to the outer diameter of glass tube 4; if bolt head 14 is hexagonal prism, the length of its opposite sides is equal to the outer diameter of glass tube 4. During the electrochemical testing experiment, the electrode connection wires of the electrochemical workstation are fixed to the terminal block 15 with alligator clips, and the stud 13 of the bolt 6 is fastened to one end of the connecting screw 3 by threads, while the glass tube 4 and the gasket II5 here are pressed together.

[0043] like Figure 1 , Figure 5As shown, the glass tube 4 surrounds the connecting screw 3 to seal the connecting screw 3. Since the connecting screw 3 is fastened to the bolt 6 and the sample 1 by threads, the glass tube 4 is tightly connected to the gasket I2 and gasket II5 to complete the secondary sealing of the sample. The length and outer diameter of the glass tube 4 are reasonably adjusted according to the length of the connecting screw 3, and the thickness should not be too small.

[0044] like Figure 1 , Figure 5 As shown, gaskets I2 and II5 are made of polytetrafluoroethylene. The inner diameter of gasket I2 must be equal to the diameter of the internal thread I9 of sample 1, and the inner diameter of gasket II5 must be equal to the diameter of the internal thread II12 of connecting screw 3. The outer diameter of gaskets I2 and II5 must be greater than or equal to the diameter of glass tube 4. Gaskets I2 and II5 are used at the connection between bolt 6 and glass tube 4 and connecting screw 3, and at the connection between sample 1 and glass tube 4 and connecting screw 3, respectively.

[0045] When preparing the sample, first fix sample 1, gasket I2 and connecting screw 3 together, and tighten the internal thread I9 of sample 1 with the external thread 10 of connecting screw 3; then pass connecting screw 3 through glass tube 4, and tighten the stud 13 of bolt 6 with the internal thread II12 of connecting screw 3; when used for electrochemical experiments, put the prepared sample on the electrode sealing ring, insert it into the electrode hole and tighten the sealing bolt of the electrolytic cell, and fix the electrode connection wire alligator clip of the electrochemical workstation on the terminal 15; when conducting parallel tests of one sample or tests under multiple conditions, the electrochemically corroded sample can be taken out and unscrewed to replace it with a new sample.

[0046] The results show that this invention has developed a durable electrochemical corrosion sample suitable for various and variable working environments in harsh conditions. By applying this sample to electrochemical corrosion experiments on materials used in key equipment, and combining the electrochemical test results with other experimental results and product analysis, the corrosion behavior of various materials in different media can be systematically elucidated. This provides theoretical support for related research and theoretical guidance for equipment material selection and the development of new materials.

[0047] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and does not constitute any limitation on the present utility model. Any simple modifications, alterations, and equivalent changes made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the utility model shall still fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An electrochemically corroded sample for use in harsh environments, characterized in that, The electrochemical corrosion sample includes the sample, gasket I, connecting screw, glass tube, gasket II, and bolts, with the following specific structure: The sample is a cylinder with one hemispherical end. A hole is made in the center of the flat end face of the sample, and an internal thread I is provided in the hole. The side of the sample with internal thread I is fastened to one end of the connecting screw by the thread. A gasket I is provided at the connection between the sample and the connecting screw to enhance the sealing. The other end of the connecting screw is fastened to the bolt by the thread. A gasket II is provided at the connection between the connecting screw and the bolt to enhance the sealing. A glass tube is added to the outside of the connecting screw. One end of the glass tube is pressed tightly against the gasket I, and the other end of the glass tube is pressed tightly against the gasket II. One end of the bolt is a stud with external threads, which is fastened to the connecting screw by the threads. The other end of the bolt is a cylindrical terminal, through which the wire is connected to the sample. The glass tube is wrapped around the connecting screw. One end of the connecting screw is fastened to the stud of the bolt by the helical movement of the bolt, and the other end of the connecting screw is fastened to one side of the sample by the helical movement of the sample. Under the action of the threaded fastening at both ends, the glass tube is pressed against the gaskets at both ends, achieving a secondary seal for the sample.

2. The electrochemical corrosion sample for harsh environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sample is a cylindrical body with one end being a hemisphere. The other end of the sample body has a circular hole along the axial direction and an internal thread I is provided in the circular hole. The side where the internal thread I is located is fastened to the connecting screw by the thread. The glass tube and gasket I are compressed by the fastening of the sample and the connecting screw.

3. The electrochemical corrosion sample for harsh environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting screw has a cylindrical body. One end of the connecting screw body has a circular hole along the axial direction and an internal thread II is provided in the circular hole. The internal thread II is fastened to the bolt by the thread. The glass tube and gasket II are pressed together by the fastening of the connecting screw and the bolt. The other end of the connecting screw body has an external thread, and the diameter of the external thread is equal to the diameter of the internal thread I of the sample.

4. The electrochemical corrosion sample for harsh environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bolt consists of a stud, a bolt head, and a round bar with one protruding end, which are coaxially connected as a terminal block. The thread diameter of the stud is equal to the diameter of the internal thread II on the connecting rod. During the electrochemical test experiment, the electrode connection wire of the electrochemical workstation is fixed to the terminal block by an alligator clip. The stud of the bolt is fastened to one end of the connecting rod by the thread, while pressing the glass tube and the gasket II at this point.

5. The electrochemically corroded sample for harsh environments according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bolt head is either cylindrical or hexagonal prism-shaped, wherein: when the bolt head is cylindrical, the bolt head diameter is equal to the outer diameter of the glass tube; when the bolt head is hexagonal prism-shaped, the length of the opposite sides of the hexagons of the bolt head is equal to the outer diameter of the glass tube.

6. The electrochemically corroded sample for harsh environments according to claim 4, characterized in that, The stud length is 5~10mm, the bolt head thickness is 1~5mm, and the terminal is a cylinder with a length of 5~20mm and a diameter of 1~3mm.

7. The electrochemical corrosion sample for harsh environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner diameter of gasket I is equal to the diameter of the internal thread I of the sample, and the inner diameter of gasket II is equal to the diameter of the internal thread II of the connecting screw. The outer diameters of gasket I and gasket II are greater than or equal to the diameter of the glass tube. Gasket I and gasket II are used at the connection between the bolt and the glass tube and the connecting screw, and at the connection between the sample and the glass tube and the connecting screw, respectively.

8. The electrochemical corrosion sample for harsh environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sample and the connecting screw are made of the same material. The bolts are made of copper, silver, aluminum or tungsten, and gaskets I and II are made of polytetrafluoroethylene.