Test equipment

Abstract

To provide a tester capable of preventing liquid content in a storage container from being mixed into a circulating heat medium for controlling temperature of the storage container.SOLUTION: A tester 100 comprises: a storage container 1 that stores an evaluation target fluid; and a heat medium tank 2 that stores the storage container 1 and a heat medium. The heat medium tank 2 includes: a first tank 21 that stores the storage container 1 and the heat medium; and a second tank 22 that stores the first tank 21 and the heat medium. The first tank 21 retains the heat medium in the tank without circulating it, and an inside of the tank is open to an outside of the heat medium tank 2. The second tank 22 circulates the heat medium, and controls temperature of the evaluation target fluid in the storage container 1 via the first tank 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a test apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In a liquid ammonia environment, stress corrosion cracking (hereinafter referred to as ammonia SCC) may occur in steel materials, particularly carbon steel. Therefore, for carbon steel structures such as pipes, storage tanks, tank trucks, and line pipes that come into contact with liquid ammonia, steel materials with low ammonia SCC sensitivity among carbon steels are selected and used, or operational measures to suppress ammonia SCC are taken.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for accelerating the test of liquid ammonia cracking in steel materials. This test method relates to a method for accelerating the test for correctly evaluating the sensitivity of steel materials such as steel plates used in tanks and the like used for storing or transporting liquid ammonia to cracking by liquid ammonia. In this test method, in a test solution containing carbon dioxide at a saturated concentration or a concentration close thereto in liquid ammonia and oxygen at a partial pressure of 0.3 to 2.0 atm, an external stress is applied, or a steel material test piece having a residual stress or residual strain is anodically polarized.

[0004] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a method for accelerating the stress corrosion cracking test in liquid ammonia. In this test method, a cylindrical container is attached to the outside of a test tank that houses liquid ammonia and a test piece, and constant temperature water is circulated in the cylindrical container to keep the test tank at a constant temperature. In Non-Patent Document 1, a state in which the body portion of the test tank is housed inside the cylinder of the cylindrical container is illustrated.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] Development of an accelerated stress corrosion cracking test method in liquid ammonia, Iron and Steel, 1981, Vol. 67, No. 14, pp. 2226-2233, Yoichi Nakai et al. [Retrieved March 3, 2023], Internet<https: / / www.jstage.jst.go.jp / article / tetsutohagane1955 / 67 / 14 / 67_14_2226 / _pdf> [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Ammonia-induced steel corrosion cracking (SCC) is a phenomenon in which steel fracture occurs due to the superposition of ammonia-induced corrosion and stress applied to the steel. The occurrence of ammonia-induced SCC is related not only to material factors inherent in the steel itself, but also to environmental factors such as temperature and ammonia concentration, which are caused by the environment in which the steel is used, as well as stress factors caused by the steel and the environment, as exemplified in Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1. Therefore, in order to suppress ammonia-induced SCC, it is beneficial to understand the influence of these factors on its occurrence. Thus, it is important to understand the influence of these factors using laboratory methods, as exemplified in Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1.

[0008] Now, ammonia is toxic to living organisms and is also flammable. Therefore, regarding test specimens such as steel, the corrosiveness of ammonia and ammonia-induced SCC (scaling corrosion cracking) can be determined using laboratory methods. For proper evaluation, the safe handling of ammonia is crucial. For example, in the test apparatus described in Non-Patent Literature 1, there was a problem in that the test chamber, which is the container for holding liquid ammonia and test specimens, could be damaged, and in particular, if the internal pressure of such a test chamber was higher than the external pressure, there was a risk that the liquid ammonia would leak out and mix with a heat transfer medium such as constant-temperature water. If liquid ammonia mixes with the heat transfer medium, there is a risk that the ammonia may leak out of the system, for example, through the temperature control device that circulates the heat transfer medium. Therefore, there is a need for a test apparatus that prevents fluid contents such as liquid ammonia from mixing with the heat transfer medium that circulates to regulate the temperature inside the container, even if they leak out of the container.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a test apparatus that prevents the fluid contents inside a containment container from mixing with the heat transfer medium circulating to control the temperature of the containment container and leaking out of the system.

[0010] The test apparatus relating to this disclosure for achieving the above objectives is as follows:

[0011] [1] A container for holding the fluid to be evaluated, The system comprises the aforementioned containment container and a heat transfer tank for containing the heat transfer medium, The heat transfer tank is A first tank containing the aforementioned container and a heat transfer medium, The system comprises the first tank and a second tank containing a heat transfer medium. The first tank is, The heat transfer fluid is not circulated but remains stagnant in the tank. The inside of the tank is open to the outside of the heat transfer fluid tank. The second tank is, The heat transfer fluid is circulating. A test apparatus for controlling the temperature of the evaluation fluid in the containment container via the first tank.

[0012] [2] Further comprising a retainer fixed within the container for holding the test specimen, The test apparatus described in [1] above, wherein the containment container and the retainer are insulated from each other.

[0013] [3] The test device according to [2] above, wherein the test piece and the holding portion of the test piece in the holder are insulated from each other.

[0014] [4] A pair of electrodes disposed in the storage container, and an electrochemical measurement device electrically connected to the pair of electrodes, the test device according to any one of [1] to [3] above.

[0015] [5] The first tank, The test device according to any one of [1] to [4] above, further comprising a processing device that processes the evaluation fluid and prevents the evaluation fluid from being released outside the system.

[0016] [6] The test device according to any one of [1] to [5] above, further comprising a stress applying device that applies stress to the test piece in the storage container.

[0017] [7] The test device according to any one of [1] to [6] above, further comprising a stirring device that stirs the inside of the storage container. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a test device in which a fluid content in a storage container is prevented from mixing into a heat medium that circulates to control the temperature of the storage container and leaking outside the system. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the test device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining the configuration of device a. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining the configuration of device b. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining the configuration of device c. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the configuration of device d. [Figure 6]This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of device e. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] Based on the drawings, a test apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0021] Figure 1 shows the test apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. First, an overview of the test apparatus 100 will be described.

[0022] The test apparatus 100 comprises a container 1 for containing the evaluation fluid and a heat medium tank 2 for containing the container 1 and the heat medium. The heat medium tank 2 has a first tank 21 for containing the container 1 and the heat medium, and a second tank 22 for containing the first tank 21 and the heat medium. The first tank 21 keeps the heat medium stagnant without circulation, and the inside of the tank is open to the outside of the heat medium tank 2, with an evaluation fluid processing device 5 located outside. The second tank 22 circulates the heat medium and controls the temperature of the evaluation fluid in the container 1 via the first tank 21. In this invention, "outside" means outside the container 1 and the heat medium tank 2, and inside the test apparatus 100.

[0023] The test apparatus 100 can house a test piece (not shown), such as steel, and a fluid that causes corrosion or other deterioration of the test piece, i.e., an evaluation fluid (not shown), in a containment container 1, thereby enabling the evaluation of properties such as the corrosiveness of the test piece (hereinafter simply referred to as "tests, etc.").

[0024] In the test apparatus 100, the fluid contents of the containment container 1 are prevented from mixing with the heat transfer medium circulating to regulate the temperature of the containment container 1 and leaking outside the system. In this invention, "outside the system" means outside the test apparatus 100, and refers to an environment where people can enter and exit.

[0025] The following describes the test apparatus 100 in detail. As shown in Figure 1, the test apparatus 100 may include a containment container 1, a heat transfer medium tank 2 having a first tank 21 and a second tank 22, and a circulator 3 for circulating the heat transfer medium in the second tank 22. Furthermore, the first tank 21 may be equipped with an external fluid processing device 5 for evaluation.

[0026] The containment container 1 is a container for containing a test specimen and an evaluation fluid, which is a fluid that causes deterioration such as corrosion to the test specimen. The containment container 1 may be a sealed container. The containment container 1 may also be a pressure vessel capable of maintaining a higher pressure inside the container than outside the container. The containment container 1 may be, for example, a cylindrical container having a bottom lid and a top lid, with an internal space that can be sealed. The containment container 1 may be a cylindrical container as an example.

[0027] The containment container 1 may be equipped with fluid piping 41 for supplying or discharging fluids, such as evaluation fluids, into the container. The containment container 1 may also be equipped with a temperature detection unit 42, such as a temperature sensor, for measuring the temperature inside the container. Furthermore, the containment container 1 may be equipped with a pressure detection unit 43, such as a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside the container, or pressure detection piping for transmitting pressure to the pressure sensor.

[0028] The container 1 may be made of stainless steel, steel, glass, or the like.

[0029] An example of a test specimen in this embodiment is a metallic material such as steel, particularly carbon steel.

[0030] An example of a heat transfer medium in this embodiment is water. A known heat transfer medium may be selected depending on the temperature at which the heat transfer medium is being adjusted.

[0031] The evaluation fluid in this embodiment may be a gas, a liquid, or both a gas and a liquid. One example of an evaluation fluid is liquid ammonia. Liquid ammonia includes ammonia-containing fluids such as liquefied ammonia, aqueous solutions of ammonia, and aqueous solutions of ammonium salts. Another example of an evaluation fluid is gaseous ammonia. The evaluation fluid may also be other acidic or alkaline liquids or corrosive gases. Below, the examples mainly describe the cases where the evaluation fluid is liquid ammonia and gaseous ammonia.

[0032] The heat transfer tank 2 is a tank that houses the containment container 1 and a heat transfer medium for adjusting the temperature of the containment container 1. The heat transfer tank 2 has a first tank 21 and a second tank 22 as described above.

[0033] The first tank 21 is a tank that houses the containment container 1 and a heat transfer medium for temperature control of the containment container 1. The heat transfer medium is stored and remains within the tank of the first tank 21. That is, the heat transfer medium stored in the first tank 21 does not circulate between the tank and the outside of the system. The containment container 1 is housed in the first tank 21 with at least a portion of it immersed in the heat transfer medium stored in the first tank 21. Furthermore, the first tank 21 may be equipped with an external fluid processing device 5 for evaluation. Furthermore, the pressure in the first tank 21 is lower than the pressure in the containment container 1. In other words, the pressure inside the container (containment container 1) is higher than the pressure inside the first tank 21 and is maintained at that level. With the above configuration, the evaluation fluid that flows out from the containment container 1 flows outside the containment container 1 or into the first tank 21, but is not released outside the system from the first tank 21, etc., but is properly treated by the treatment device 5. Furthermore, the treatment apparatus 5 in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that can neutralize the toxicity of the evaluation fluid, such as ammonia, without releasing it outside the system. For example, a scrubber or watering equipment may be installed outside the containment container 1 and the heat transfer fluid tank 2, but inside the test apparatus 100. Specifically, the device comprises a detection device for detecting the evaluation fluid and a spraying device for spraying a detoxifying agent when the fluid is detected, or a device comprising an exhaust device for sucking up the evaluation fluid, a container for containing the sucked-up evaluation fluid, and a spraying device for spraying a detoxifying agent within the container.

[0034] The first tank 21 may, for example, be a bottomed cylindrical tank capable of storing a heat transfer medium inside the cylinder. The inside of the first tank 21 (the inside of the cylinder) is open to the outside. Figure 1 illustrates a case where the top of the first tank 21 is open to the external space. In this invention, "open" means, as described above, that it is capable of storing a heat transfer medium and has an opening that prevents the pressure inside the first tank 21 from rising even if the evaluation fluid flows out into the first tank 21.

[0035] The first tank 21 may be made of stainless steel, steel, glass, or the like.

[0036] The first tank 21 may be equipped with a pressure sensing unit 44, which may include a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside the tank and pressure sensing piping for transmitting pressure to the pressure sensor.

[0037] The second tank 22 is a tank that houses the first tank 21 and a heat transfer medium for temperature control of the first tank 21. In the second tank 22, the stored heat transfer medium circulates between the tank and the circulator 3. The second tank 22 and the circulator 3 may be connected by pipes 32 and 33 for circulating the heat transfer medium. The first tank 21 is housed in the second tank 22 with at least a portion (at least having an area sufficient to adjust the temperature of the containment container 1 by the second tank 22 via the first tank 21) immersed in the heat transfer medium stored in the second tank 22.

[0038] The second tank 22 may, for example, be a bottomed cylindrical tank capable of storing a heat transfer medium inside. The inside of the second tank 22 may or may not be open to the outside other than the circulator 3.

[0039] The second tank 22 and the first tank 21 may share a bottom plate. Figure 1 illustrates a case where the heat transfer medium tank 2 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape and has a bottom plate portion 20, an outer cylindrical portion 22a extending upward from the outer circumference of the bottom plate portion 20 to form the second tank 22, and an inner cylindrical portion 21a positioned inside the outer cylindrical portion 22a and extending upward from the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 20 to form the first tank 21. The bottom plate portion 20 serves as both the bottom plate of the first tank 21 and the bottom plate of the second tank 22. Figure 1 also illustrates a case where there is an upper lid portion 22b that seals the tank space of the second tank 22, which is the space inside the cylinder of the outer cylindrical portion 22a and outside the inner cylindrical portion 21a.

[0040] In the example shown in Figure 1, the inner cylindrical portion 21a is a partition wall that separates the inside of the first tank 21 from the inside of the second tank 22. The second tank 22 stores the solvent between the outer cylindrical portion 22a and the inner cylindrical portion 21a. The first tank 21 stores the solvent between the inner cylindrical portion 21a and the side wall of the containment container 1.

[0041] The second tank 22 may be made of stainless steel, steel, glass, resin, or the like.

[0042] The circulator 3 is a circulation device that circulates the heat transfer medium stored in the second tank 22 between the tank of the second tank 22 and the temperature control tank 31, etc.

[0043] The circulator 3 may be a circulation device having a heat transfer medium temperature control function, comprising a pump (not shown) for circulating the heat transfer medium stored in the second tank 22 between the tank of the second tank 22 and the circulator 3, a temperature control tank 31 for storing the heat transfer medium to be circulated in the second tank 22 and for adjusting the temperature of the heat transfer medium, and a temperature control device (not shown) such as a heater or cooler for adjusting or controlling the temperature of the heat transfer medium to a target value. The temperature control tank 31 may be equipped with a water level detection unit 45, such as a level sensor for measuring the water level of the heat transfer medium in the tank.

[0044] The circulator 3 may be connected to the second tank 22 via piping 32 and 33 for circulating the heat transfer medium. If the circulator 3 has a temperature control tank 31, the temperature control tank 31 may be connected to the second tank 22 via piping 32 and 33. Furthermore, the circulator 3 may be installed in a location (outside the system) separated by a partition wall from the respective installation locations of the containment container 1 and the heat transfer tank 2.

[0045] In the test apparatus 100, the temperature of the heat transfer medium in the first tank 21 may be controlled to a target value in the second tank 22 by circulating the heat transfer medium, whose temperature has been controlled by the circulator 3. Then, the temperature of the evaluation fluid in the containment container 1 may be controlled to a target value in the first tank 21. As a result, the test apparatus 100 can evaluate the properties of a test specimen, such as its corrosiveness, while the evaluation fluid is controlled to a predetermined test temperature and the specimen is exposed to the evaluation fluid.

[0046] In the test apparatus 100, by using an ammonia-containing fluid such as liquid ammonia as the evaluation fluid, ammonia-induced corrosion cracking tests (evaluation of ammonia SCC properties) can be performed.

[0047] In the test apparatus 100, for example, if the wall of the containment container 1 is penetrated and the evaluation fluid flows out of the containment container 1, the containment container 1 is contained within the test apparatus 100 and the first tank 21, so the evaluation fluid is retained within the test apparatus 100 and the first tank 21. Here, the heat transfer fluid in the first tank 21 is not circulating and remains within the tank, and since the first tank 21 is open to the outside, even if the evaluation fluid leaks, its internal pressure does not easily rise, preventing further pitting corrosion from occurring on the contact surface of the first tank 21 with the second tank 22. In addition, if necessary, the evaluation fluid that leaks into the first tank 21 is appropriately treated by the processing device. As a result, in the present invention, the evaluation fluid in the containment container 1 is prevented from mixing with the heat transfer fluid in the second tank 22, which circulates to control the temperature of the containment container 1. In other words, the evaluation fluid that flows out of the containment container 1 into the first tank 21 is prevented from flowing out of the heat transfer fluid tank 2 (outside the system), such as into the circulator 3.

[0048] The test apparatus 100 may further include a holder (not shown) having a holding portion for holding the test specimen contained in the containment container 1. The holder may be housed inside the containment container 1. The holder may be placed or fixed inside the containment container 1. The holder may be fixed or supported outside the containment container 1, with the holding portion positioned inside the containment container 1.

[0049] The type of holder is not limited to those that can fix the position and orientation of the test specimen within the containment container 1 according to the purpose of the test, etc. Fixing the position and orientation of the test specimen within the containment container 1 with the holder prevents the position and orientation of the test specimen from affecting the results of the test, etc.

[0050] This holder may be capable of holding the test specimen contained in the containment container 1 without it coming into contact with the inner wall of the containment container 1. If the inner wall of the containment container 1 is made of a conductive material, this avoids electrical conductivity due to contact between the test specimen and the containment container 1, and allows testing to be performed while eliminating the influence of electrical conductivity with the containment container 1 in the event that the test specimen undergoes electrical corrosion in the evaluation fluid.

[0051] It is preferable that the holder and the containment container 1 are insulated from each other. This prevents electrical conductivity between the test specimen and the containment container via the holder, and allows testing to be performed while eliminating the influence of electrical conductivity with the containment container 1 in the event that the test specimen undergoes electrical corrosion in the evaluation fluid.

[0052] It is preferable that the test specimen and the holder are insulated from each other. In this case, it is sufficient that the test specimen and the part of the holder that holds the test specimen are insulated from each other. This prevents electrical conductivity between the test specimen and the holder, and allows testing to be performed without the influence of electrical conductivity with the holder in the event that the test specimen undergoes electrical corrosion in the evaluation fluid.

[0053] For example, the holding portion of the holder may be made of an insulating material. This allows for insulation between the test specimen and the holder. It also allows for insulation between the test specimen and the containment container 1.

[0054] The test apparatus 100 may further include an electrochemical measuring device (not shown) and a pair of electrodes (not shown) electrically connected to the electrochemical measuring device. In this case, the pair of electrodes are placed inside the containment container 1. One of the pair of electrodes is connected to the test specimen, and the other is connected to a counter electrode immersed in an evaluation fluid. This allows the electrochemical measuring device to evaluate the electrical corrosion of the test specimen based on the current and potential difference generated between the pair of electrodes.

[0055] The electrochemical measuring device may be, for example, a potentiostat or a galvanostat.

[0056] When evaluating the electrical corrosion of a test specimen based on current and potential difference using an electrochemical measuring device (hereinafter sometimes referred to as electrochemical testing), it is advisable to insulate the test specimen from the holder and from the test specimen from the containment container 1, as described above. If the test specimen is not insulated from the containment container 1 or the holder, a galvanic current may be generated between the test specimen and the containment container 1 or the holder, which may cause galvanic corrosion in the test specimen. In this case, if the electrochemical test cannot be performed correctly, There is.

[0057] In the test apparatus 100, a test specimen with residual stress or residual strain may be placed in the containment container 1 and tested. Alternatively, the test may be performed while stress is applied to the test specimen while it is placed in the containment container 1.

[0058] For example, ammonia-induced corrosion chain corrosion (SCC) is a phenomenon that occurs in metallic materials such as steel when the stress applied to the metallic material is superimposed on the corrosion reaction caused by ammonia. Therefore, when evaluating ammonia-induced SCC in metallic test specimens such as steel, it is preferable to apply stress to the metallic test specimen in liquid ammonia, which is used as the evaluation fluid, and then evaluate it.

[0059] When performing tests while applying stress to a test specimen, the test apparatus 100 may further include a stress application device (not shown) that applies stress to the test specimen within the containment container 1. In this case, the holder described above may also serve as the stress application device, or the holder may be connected to the stress application device so that the force transmitted from the stress application device to the holder is applied to the test specimen by the holder. The holder may have two or more holding parts, with one holding part fixing and holding the test specimen while the other holding part applies stress to the test specimen. The test apparatus 100 may also include two or more holders. For example, it may include a holder that statically holds the test specimen and a holder connected to the stress application device.

[0060] When conducting tests while applying stress to a test specimen, stress can be applied to the specimen by methods such as four-point bending or U-bending. Stress can be applied statically or dynamically.

[0061] Examples of stress application devices include constant load testing equipment and low strain rate tensile testing (SSRT) equipment.

[0062] In the test apparatus 100, electrochemical tests may be performed while applying stress to the test specimen.

[0063] The test apparatus 100 may further include a stirring device (not shown) for stirring the evaluation fluid in the containment container 1. By stirring the evaluation fluid, it is possible to reduce temperature variations in the evaluation fluid within the containment container 1, and to reduce variations in the state of the evaluation fluid near the test specimen (e.g., concentration, components, liquid or gaseous state) when a chemical or electrochemical reaction occurs between the test specimen and the evaluation fluid. This may improve the accuracy of the test.

[0064] The stirring device may be, for example, a propeller stirrer or a magnetic stirrer.

[0065] To explain using a specific example, if the test specimen is made of metal such as steel and exhibits corrosiveness to the evaluation fluid, this corrosion reaction is affected by the solution composition and gas composition near the surface of the metal test specimen. Specifically, for example, if the evaluation fluid contains liquid ammonia and gaseous ammonia, stirring the evaluation fluid (liquid ammonia and gaseous ammonia) inside the container 1 improves the uniformity of the liquid composition near the surface of the metal test specimen, allowing for more accurate evaluation (measurement) of corrosiveness and ammonia SCC properties.

[0066] Furthermore, the corrosion behavior of metal test specimens in ammonia is significantly affected by nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, etc. Therefore, stirring by gas bubbling should be avoided.

[0067] As described above, the test apparatus according to this embodiment can prevent the evaluation fluid in the containment container from mixing with the heat transfer medium that circulates to control the temperature of the containment container. Therefore, in the test apparatus according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the evaluation fluid from leaking out of the test apparatus 100 system via the heat transfer medium, the heat transfer medium circulator, and the heat transfer medium temperature control device. [Examples]

[0068] The test apparatus according to this embodiment will be further described below based on examples and comparative examples.

[0069] (Leakage confirmation test) The test apparatus for the example and the test apparatus for the comparative example were prepared as described below, and a leakage confirmation test of the evaluation fluid was performed in the test apparatus, and the results were compared.

[0070] The test apparatus used for the leak confirmation test according to this embodiment will now be described. Apparatus a shown in Figure 2 is a test apparatus according to this embodiment. Apparatus a has a structure according to the test apparatus 100 described above, as will be explained below.

[0071] Apparatus a comprises a SUS316L container 1 for containing the evaluation fluid, and a heat transfer medium tank 2 for containing the container 1 and the heat transfer medium. The container 1 is equipped with fluid piping 41 for supplying or discharging fluids such as the evaluation fluid into the container. The container 1 is also equipped with a temperature detection unit 42 for measuring the temperature inside the container. The container 1 is also equipped with a pressure detection unit 43 for measuring the pressure inside the container.

[0072] The heat transfer tank 2 has a first tank 21 that contains the containment container 1 and water as the heat transfer medium, and a second tank 22 that contains the first tank 21 and water as the heat transfer medium. The first tank 21 contains the heat transfer medium without circulation, and the inside of the tank is open to the outside of the heat transfer tank. The first tank 21 is equipped with a pressure sensing unit 44 that measures the pressure inside the tank. The second tank 22 circulates the heat transfer medium with a circulator 3 that has a temperature control function, and controls the temperature of the containment container 1 via the first tank 21. The inside of the second tank 22 is sealed with a top cover 22b, and the inside of the tank is isolated from the outside of the heat transfer tank 2, except that the inside of the tank is connected to the circulator 3 by heat transfer medium piping.

[0073] The circulator 3 has a temperature control tank 31 that stores water as a heat transfer medium to be circulated to the second tank 22 and is equipped with a temperature control device for adjusting the temperature of the heat transfer medium. The temperature control tank 31 is equipped with a water level detection unit 45 that measures the water level of the heat transfer medium in the tank. The temperature control tank 31 is connected to the second tank 22 via pipes 32 and 33.

[0074] Furthermore, for the purpose of conducting a leak confirmation test, a through-hole 51 (artificial penetration defect) was formed in the side wall of the containment container 1 of apparatus a, creating a condition in which the test fluid would leak out from inside the containment container.

[0075] The test apparatus used for the leak confirmation test in the comparative example will be described below. Figures 3 to 6 show apparatus b to e in that order, as the test apparatus for the comparative example.

[0076] Apparatus b, shown in Figure 3, differs from apparatus a (see Figure 2) in that the first tank 21 is not open to the outside, and the inside of the first tank 21 is sealed by the lid 21b; otherwise, it has the same configuration as apparatus a.

[0077] Apparatus c, shown in Figure 4, differs from apparatus b (see Figure 3) in that it has a through-hole 52 (artificial through-defect) formed in the inner cylindrical section 21a, which is a partition separating the inside of the first tank 21 from the inside of the second tank 22, for the purpose of conducting a leak confirmation test. Otherwise, it has the same configuration as apparatus b.

[0078] Apparatus d, shown in Figure 5, differs from apparatus a in that the first tank 21 is removed (see Figure 2 for details) and the containment container 1 is housed in the second tank 22; otherwise, it has the same configuration as apparatus a.

[0079] Apparatus e, shown in Figure 6, differs from apparatus a in that the heat transfer tank 2 and circulator 3 are removed (see Figure 2 for details), and the containment container 1 is not temperature-controlled; otherwise, it has the same configuration as apparatus a.

[0080] Leakage confirmation tests were performed for each of the above-mentioned devices a through e by introducing water into the containment container 1 from the fluid piping 41 instead of the evaluation fluid, and measuring the water level of the heat transfer medium stored in the containment container 1 and in the temperature control tank 31 of the connected circulator 3. The results of these leakage confirmation tests are shown in Table 1.

[0081] [Table 1]

[0082] In the leak confirmation test, if the water level in the temperature control tank 31 (circulator water level shown in Table 1) changed (rose) after water was introduced into the containment container 1, it was determined that there was a risk of the evaluation fluid leaking out of the test apparatus system through the circulator 3 (indicated as "failure" in Table 1).

[0083] Furthermore, in the leak confirmation test, if the pressure in the first tank 21 (first tank pressure shown in Table 1) changed (increased), it was determined to be "defective" as there was a risk of the evaluation fluid leaking out of the test apparatus system through the circulator 3. In addition, since apparatus e was clearly in a state where the evaluation fluid was leaking out of the test apparatus system, no special evaluation was performed and it was determined to be "defective".

[0084] In this leak confirmation test, a result of "good" was determined if there was no defect. Specifically, in this leak confirmation test, a result of "good" was determined if, after introducing water into the containment container 1, the water level in the temperature control tank 31 (circulator water level shown in Table 1) remained unchanged, and the pressure in the first tank 21 (first tank pressure shown in Table 1) also remained unchanged.

[0085] As shown in Table 1, only device a was judged as "good," while the others were judged as "bad." From these evaluation results, it was found that the test apparatus according to this embodiment can prevent the evaluation fluid, which is the fluid content in the containment container, from mixing with the heat transfer medium that circulates to control the temperature of the containment container.

[0086] Therefore, in the test apparatus according to this embodiment, even when a fluid such as ammonia, which is toxic or flammable, is used as the evaluation fluid, tests can be performed safely while controlling the temperature of the evaluation fluid.

[0087] (Evaluation of temperature controllability) The temperature controllability of the evaluation fluid in the containment container 1 was evaluated for the above-described devices a through e. Note that through holes 51 and 52 were not formed in devices a through e. Liquid ammonia was used as the evaluation fluid for the temperature controllability evaluation.

[0088] Of the devices a through e, device a, which was determined to have no risk of the evaluation fluid leaking outside the test device system through the circulator 3, was evaluated for its temperature controllability with the circulator 3 connected. In device a, the target temperature for temperature control of the evaluation fluid was set to 25°C.

[0089] Of the devices a through e, devices b through d, which were determined to be at risk of the evaluation fluid leaking outside the test apparatus system through the circulator 3, had their piping 32 and 33 shut off, and the temperature control performance was evaluated with the temperature adjustment tank 31 of the circulator 3 not connected to the second tank 22. In other words, devices b through d were disconnected from the circulator 3, and neither the circulation of the heat transfer medium nor the temperature adjustment of the containment container 1 by the heat transfer medium was performed. Since device e does not have a circulator 3, the temperature adjustment of the containment container 1 was not performed in the same way as devices b through d.

[0090] In the evaluation of temperature controllability, the temperature of the evaluation fluid stored in container 1 of apparatus a through apparatus e was continuously measured for 30 days (720 hours) to assess temperature controllability. The results of this temperature controllability evaluation are shown in Table 2.

[0091] [Table 2]

[0092] In evaluating temperature controllability, the lowest and highest temperatures of the evaluation fluid, and the maximum difference between these lowest or highest temperatures and the target temperature in apparatus a (shown in Table 2) were determined over a 30-day period. The temperature controllability evaluation involved a total of seven 30-day tests, and the lowest and highest temperatures were the average values ​​of the measurements from these seven tests. The maximum difference was calculated based on these average values. Furthermore, the lowest ambient temperature in the atmosphere where apparatuses a through e were installed was 0.5°C, and the highest ambient temperature was 29.7°C.

[0093] In the evaluation of temperature control, devices were judged as "good" if the maximum difference was within ±2.0°C of the target temperature, and "poor" if it was outside this range. As a result, only device a was judged as "good".

[0094] As shown in Table 2, only device a was judged as "good," while all others were judged as "bad." This evaluation result demonstrates that, with the evaluation device according to this embodiment, even when toxic and flammable liquid ammonia is actually used as the evaluation fluid, tests can be conducted safely while controlling its temperature.

[0095] [Another embodiment] (1) In the above embodiment, the heat medium tank 2 is formed in the shape of a bottomed cylindrical tank, and the second tank 22 and the first tank 21 share a bottom plate, and the heat medium tank 2 is exemplified as having a bottom plate portion 20, an outer cylindrical portion 22a extending upward from the outer circumference of the bottom plate portion 20 to form the second tank 22, and an inner cylindrical portion 21a arranged inside the cylinder of the outer cylindrical portion 22a and extending upward from the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 20 to form the first tank 21. However, the heat medium tank 2 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the heat medium tank 2 may be configured as two separate bottomed cylindrical tanks, with the first tank 21 housed inside the cylinder of the second tank 22 and the first tank 21 placed on the bottom plate of the second tank 22.

[0096] (2) In the above embodiment, the case in which the heat transfer medium is stored in the first tank 21 and remains in the tank was described. In the case in the second tank 22, the case in which the stored heat transfer medium is circulated between the tank of the second tank 22 and the circulator 3 was described. It was also described that an example of the heat transfer medium in this embodiment is water. However, the heat transfer medium stored in the first tank 21 and the heat transfer medium stored in the second tank 22 do not need to be the same heat transfer medium (water in the above embodiment). For example, one heat transfer medium may be water and the other heat transfer medium may be a mixture of water and ethylene glycol.

[0097] (3) In the above embodiment, the case in which the bottom plate portion 20 serves as both the bottom plate of the first tank 21 and the bottom plate of the second tank 22 was described. However, the bottom plate portion 20 may also serve as the bottom plate of the storage container 1.

[0098] Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no inconsistencies arise. Moreover, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the object of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0099] This invention can be applied to testing equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1: Containment container 100: Test equipment 2: Heat medium tank 20: Bottom plate part 21:First tank 21a: Inner cylinder part 21b: Lid part 22:Second tank 22a:Outer cylinder part 22b: Upper lid part 3:Circulatory system 31:Temperature adjustment tank 32: Piping 33: Piping 41: Fluid Piping 42: Temperature detection unit 43: Pressure sensing unit 44: Pressure sensing unit 45: Water level detection unit 5: Apparatus for evaluation fluid 51: Through hole 52: Through hole

Claims

1. A container for housing the evaluation fluid and the test specimen, The system comprises the aforementioned containment container and a heat transfer tank for containing the heat transfer medium, The heat transfer tank is A first tank containing the aforementioned container and a heat transfer medium, The system comprises the first tank and a second tank containing a heat transfer medium. The first tank is, The heat transfer fluid is not circulated but remains stagnant in the tank. The inside of the tank is open to the outside of the heat transfer fluid tank. The second tank is, The heat transfer fluid is circulating. A test apparatus for controlling the temperature of the evaluation fluid in the containment container via the first tank.

2. The container further comprises a holder fixed inside the container for holding the test specimen, The test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the containment container and the holder are insulated from each other.

3. The test apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the test piece and the test piece holding portion of the holder are insulated from each other.

4. A pair of electrodes arranged inside the aforementioned containment container, The test apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electrochemical measuring device electrically connected to the pair of electrodes.

5. A pair of electrodes arranged inside the aforementioned containment container, The test apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an electrochemical measuring device electrically connected to the pair of electrodes.

6. A pair of electrodes arranged inside the aforementioned containment container, The test apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an electrochemical measuring device electrically connected to the pair of electrodes.

7. The first tank is, The test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a processing device for processing an evaluation fluid and preventing the evaluation fluid from being released outside the system.

8. The test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a stress-applying device for applying stress to a test specimen within the aforementioned containment container.

9. The test apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a stress-applying device for applying stress to a test specimen within the aforementioned containment container.

10. The test apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a stirring device for stirring the contents of the containment container.

11. The test apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a stirring device for stirring the contents of the containment container.

12. The test apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a stirring device for stirring the contents of the containment container.

13. The test apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a stirring device for stirring the contents of the containment container.

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