Nuclear Sampling Container with Venturi Nozzle for Aerosol Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sampling methods in nuclear power plants face challenges in efficiently extracting and conveying representative samples from containment sumps and atmospheres over long distances without significant deposition, high energy consumption, and the need for complex heating systems, especially when dealing with boiling liquids and aerosols.
Innovation Solution
A sample container system with an outer and inner chamber connected by a Venturi nozzle, using a pneumatically or hydraulically actuatable closure device and connected to a sampling line and conveyor medium line, allowing for gas or liquid sampling with negative or overpressure, and passive thermal conduction for temperature regulation, enabling long-distance sample transport with reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional sampling methods are used to extract and convey samples over long distances, then sample representation is maintained, but significant deposition occurs on sampling line walls and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts aerosols from the gas phase at the sampling location using a scrubbing liquid before conveyance. The scrubbing liquid absorbs aerosols directly at the source, preventing their deposition on sampling line walls during transport over long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
A scrubbing liquid acts as an intermediary medium between the aerosol-containing gas and the sampling line. The aerosols are transferred to the liquid phase, which then conveys them through the sampling line without significant wall deposition, reducing both substance loss and energy consumption.
2Temperature
If active heating systems are used to prevent condensation during sample transport, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scrubbing liquid system self-regulates temperature through the exothermic absorption process. The heat generated during aerosol absorption in the scrubbing liquid prevents condensation during transport, eliminating the need for external active heating systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of heat generation during aerosol absorption into a beneficial effect. The exothermic absorption process naturally provides the temperature control needed to prevent condensation, turning a byproduct into a useful function.
3Measurement precision
If direct sensor installation in the containment sump is performed, then real-time pH measurement is achieved, but sensor reliability decreases due to severe radiation and environmental loading
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts a liquid sample from the containment sump environment and conveys it to an external measurement location. This removes the sensor from the harsh radiation and environmental conditions, allowing reliable pH measurement without direct sensor exposure to damaging conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A sampled liquid acts as an intermediary, carrying the pH information from the containment sump to a safe measurement location. The sensor measures the properties of this intermediary sample rather than being exposed to the harsh original environment, ensuring both measurement precision and sensor reliability.
4Speed
If pressure pulse technique is used for sample conveyance, then sampling speed is improved, but sampling line length is limited and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses hydraulic conveyance with a scrubbing liquid flowing continuously through the sampling line. This liquid-driven conveyance system can maintain effective transport over long distances, unlike pressure pulse techniques which are limited to short line lengths.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, loss-free sampling and transport of samples over 100 meters with reduced aerosol deposition, eliminating the need for active heating and return containers, and allowing for in-situ measurement and analysis outside the containment, enhancing reliability and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The passage opening from the outer chamber to the inner chamber being configured as a Venturi nozzle
Implementation Method 2
passive thermal conduction for temperature regulation
Data Source
AI summary
A sample container, sampling system and operating methods permit representative sampling from a liquid phase or boiling liquid, a gaseous phase, a containment sump, containment atmosphere, or condensation chamber of a nuclear power plant following a severe accident. A sample container obtaining an environmental sample includes an outer chamber surrounded by an outer container wall, being directly fluidically connected to the environment through a passage opening in the outer container wall and being fillable with a liquid at least in a base region. An inner chamber surrounded by an inner container wall is fluidically connected to the base region through a passage opening in the inner container wall, has connections for sampling and conveyor medium lines and is otherwise pressure and media tightly sealed from the environment. A pneumatically or hydraulically actuatable closure device for the passage opening between the outer and inner chambers has an actuation medium line connection.