Cooling system for high-purity germanium spectrometer

Abstract

The utility model discloses a cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer. The cooling system comprises a cooler which is arranged in a shell of the high-purity germanium spectrometer and is used for cooling the high-purity germanium spectrometer. The cooler is formed through 3D printing and comprises a curved-surface-structure flow channel and a direct-flow-structure flow channel, liquid nitrogen flows in the curved-surface-structure flow channel, air flows in the direct-flow-structure flow channel, and the curved-surface-structure flow channel and the direct-flow-structure flow channel are perpendicularly arranged in the plane and do not communicate with each other. Through 3d printing, it is guaranteed that the two cooling flow channels are not communicated, heat exchange is achieved, liquid nitrogen flows in one channel, air flows in the other channel, heat is taken away, the high-purity germanium spectrometer can be efficiently cooled, the temperature of the high-purity germanium spectrometer in the using process is reduced, the liquid nitrogen is saved, and the service life of the high-purity germanium spectrometer is prolonged. The two cooling runners are vertically arranged in the plane, so that the structural size of the cooler can be reduced, and the occupied space can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of nuclear engineering equipment technology, and in particular to a cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer. Background Technology

[0002] China has successfully operated several nuclear power units. These units inevitably generate solid radioactive waste during operation. Before this waste is transported out of the nuclear power plant, dose measurements are required to ensure safety during transportation.

[0003] The measurement process requires a high-purity germanium spectrometer, which includes a low-background lead chamber, a cooling system, and a multi-channel analysis system. Its function is to identify nuclides and calculate their activity. Currently, there is a lack of a device for cooling the high-purity germanium spectrometer. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer, so as to solve the problem of the lack of a device for cooling a high-purity germanium spectrometer.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is: to construct a cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer, which includes a cooler disposed inside the housing of the high-purity germanium spectrometer and used to cool the high-purity germanium spectrometer.

[0006] The cooler is formed by 3D printing. The cooler includes a curved surface flow channel and a direct flow channel. Liquid nitrogen flows in the curved surface flow channel and air flows in the direct flow channel. The curved surface flow channel and the direct flow channel are arranged perpendicularly in a plane and are not interconnected.

[0007] In some embodiments, the cooling system further includes a first control valve, a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, and a second control valve arranged sequentially along the refrigerant flow direction;

[0008] The input end of the first control valve is connected to the outlet end of the cooler, and the output end of the second control valve is connected to the inlet end of the cooler.

[0009] In some embodiments, both the first control valve and the second control valve are solenoid valves.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cooling system further includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to the cooler, the first control valve, the compressor, the condenser, the capillary tube, and the second control valve.

[0011] In some embodiments, the control module includes a temperature control unit.

[0012] In some embodiments, the diameter of both the curved surface flow channel and the direct current flow channel is 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0013] In some embodiments, the printing material for the cooler is aluminum alloy.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cooler is printed using stainless steel.

[0015] In some embodiments, the printing material for the cooler is a copper alloy.

[0016] In some embodiments, the inner wall of the curved flow channel is laser polished.

[0017] The present invention offers the following advantages: The cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer utilizes a 3D-printed cooler. One set of pipes features a curved surface to increase the heat exchange area of ​​the heat exchange tubes, while the other set uses a straight pipe with lower resistance. Liquid nitrogen flows slowly through the curved channel, allowing for greater resistance. Air flows rapidly through the straight channel, resulting in lower resistance. This allows for different pipe configurations to meet varying fluid states, temperatures, and heat exchange requirements. Furthermore, the 3D printing process ensures the two cooling channels are not interconnected, facilitating heat exchange. One channel carries liquid nitrogen while the other carries air, effectively removing heat and providing efficient cooling for the high-purity germanium spectrometer. This reduces the spectrometer's operating temperature, saves liquid nitrogen, and extends its lifespan. The vertical arrangement of the two cooling channels in a plane reduces the cooler's structural dimensions and space requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this utility model, the present utility model will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this utility model and should not be considered as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer in some embodiments of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the curved surface flow channel in some embodiments of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the DC structure flow channel in some embodiments of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this utility model, the specific embodiments of this utility model are now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, it should be understood that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "longitudinal," "horizontal," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "head," and "tail" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are constructed and operated in a specific orientation. They are only for the convenience of describing this technical solution and do not indicate that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0023] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," "fixing," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. When an component is referred to as being "on" or "below" another component, the component can be located "directly" or "indirectly" on the other component, or there may be one or more intermediary components. The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are only for the convenience of describing this technical solution and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defined with "first," "second," "third," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0024] Reference Figure 1 This invention relates to a cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer, as described in some embodiments. The system includes a cooler 1 disposed within the spectrometer housing for cooling the spectrometer. The cooler 1 is formed by 3D printing and includes a curved flow channel 11 and a direct flow channel 12. Liquid nitrogen flows within the curved flow channel 11, and air flows within the direct flow channel 12. The curved flow channel 11 and the direct flow channel 12 are arranged perpendicularly in a plane and are not interconnected.

[0025] Specifically, because the high-purity germanium spectrometer needs to operate in a low-temperature environment, liquid nitrogen is used as the primary refrigerant, such as... Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional shape of the curved flow channel 11. The curved flow channel 11 is designed to increase the contact area, i.e., the heat exchange area. This allows liquid nitrogen to remain in the curved flow channel 11 for a longer time, fully absorbing heat and improving heat exchange efficiency. After absorbing heat, the refrigerant sequentially enters the compressor 3 and condenser 4, thus achieving recycling. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the DC flow channel 12. The DC flow channel 12 is designed to reduce flow resistance and increase air velocity, thereby enhancing the convective heat transfer coefficient. Air, as a secondary cooling medium, assists in heat dissipation and helps remove excess heat. The diameters of both the curved flow channel 11 and the DC flow channel 12 are 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0026] Understandably, the cooling system for the high-purity germanium spectrometer utilizes a 3D-printed cooler 1. One set of pipes features a curved structure to increase the heat exchange area of ​​the heat exchange tubes, while the other set uses straight pipes due to their lower resistance. Liquid nitrogen flows slowly through the curved channel 11, allowing for greater resistance. Air flows rapidly through the straight channel 12, resulting in lower resistance. This allows for different pipe configurations to meet varying fluid states, temperatures, and heat exchange requirements. Furthermore, the 3D printing process ensures the two cooling channels are not interconnected, facilitating heat exchange. One channel carries liquid nitrogen while the other carries air, efficiently cooling the high-purity germanium spectrometer, reducing its operating temperature, conserving liquid nitrogen, and extending its lifespan. The vertical arrangement of the two cooling channels in a plane reduces the structural dimensions of the cooler 1, minimizing space requirements.

[0027] The cooling system also includes a first control valve 2, a compressor 3, a condenser 4, a capillary tube 5, and a second control valve 6 arranged sequentially along the refrigerant flow direction. The input end of the first control valve 2 is connected to the outlet end of the cooler 1, and the output end of the second control valve 6 is connected to the inlet end of the cooler 1. The specific working process of this cooling system can be understood as follows: Compression process: Refrigerant gas is generated using the low temperature and low pressure of the cooler 1 and is drawn into the compressor 3 and compressed into a high temperature and high pressure gas. Condensation process: The refrigerant is discharged into the condenser 4 and, through the action of a fan, exchanges heat with the air outside the high-purity germanium spectrometer to become a low-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid. After passing through the capillary tube 5 for throttling, pressure reduction, and temperature reduction, it enters the cooler 1. Evaporation process: The cooler 1 absorbs heat from the high-purity germanium spectrometer, thus lowering the temperature inside the spectrometer, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas, which is then compressed by the compressor 3. The refrigerant flow direction is: compressor 3 → condenser 4 → capillary tube 5 → second control valve 6 → cooler 1 → first control valve 2 → compressor 3.

[0028] Both the first control valve 2 and the second control valve 6 are solenoid valves. The cooling system also includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to the cooler 1, the first control valve 2, the compressor 3, the condenser 4, the capillary tube 5, and the second control valve 6. The control module includes a temperature control unit that can detect the real-time temperature of the cooling system during operation.

[0029] The printing material for cooler 1 can be aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or copper alloy. Specifically, the 3D printing material can be selected according to the application scenario: in situations where the ambient dose is relatively high, relatively inexpensive and less prone to activation aluminum alloy or stainless steel materials, such as 5A30 rust-proof aluminum or 316L stainless steel, can be used; in situations where the ambient dose is very low or the lead shielding layer is very thick, copper alloy materials can be selected because copper has good thermal conductivity, such as HNi65-5 nickel brass.

[0030] The inner wall of the curved flow channel 11 is laser polished to reduce thermal resistance.

[0031] This cooling system can be used not only in high-purity germanium spectrometer systems for measuring solid radioactivity, but also in other applications requiring high space and high heat exchange efficiency, such as cooling rooms for high-performance computing equipment. This new cooling system can improve cooling efficiency and save space.

[0032] It is understood that the above embodiments only illustrate preferred embodiments of the present utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present utility model patent. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, the above technical features can be freely combined, and several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present utility model, all of which fall within the protection scope of the present utility model. Therefore, all equivalent transformations and modifications made within the scope of the claims of the present utility model should fall within the coverage of the claims of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer, characterized in that, Includes a cooler (1) disposed inside the housing of the high-purity germanium spectrometer and used to cool the high-purity germanium spectrometer; The cooler (1) is formed by 3D printing. The cooler (1) includes a curved structure flow channel (11) and a direct flow channel (12). Liquid nitrogen flows in the curved structure flow channel (11) and air flows in the direct flow channel (12). The curved structure flow channel (11) and the direct flow channel (12) are arranged perpendicularly in the plane and do not communicate with each other.

2. The cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling system also includes a first control valve (2), a compressor (3), a condenser (4), a capillary tube (5), and a second control valve (6) arranged sequentially along the refrigerant flow direction; The input end of the first control valve (2) is connected to the outlet end of the cooler (1), and the output end of the second control valve (6) is connected to the inlet end of the cooler (1).

3. The cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the first control valve (2) and the second control valve (6) are solenoid valves.

4. The cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cooling system also includes a control module, which is communicatively connected to the cooler (1), the first control valve (2), the compressor (3), the condenser (4), the capillary tube (5), and the second control valve (6).

5. The cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control module includes a temperature control unit.

6. The cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameters of both the curved surface flow channel (11) and the straight flow channel (12) are 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

7. The cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing material of the cooler (1) is aluminum alloy.

8. The cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing material of the cooler (1) is stainless steel.

9. The cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing material of the cooler (1) is copper alloy.

10. The cooling system for a high-purity germanium spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the curved flow channel (11) is laser polished.

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