Vacuum Solid Sampling for Volatile Radionuclide Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sampling solid objects containing volatile radionuclides or hazardous substances face challenges such as volatility during thermal decomposition, loss of volatile DTMs, heterogeneity issues, and potential health and environmental risks due to vaporization and contamination, with complex sample preparation lengthening analysis time and increasing cross-contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A method involving mechanical treatment of solid objects in a vacuum chamber to remove pulverized material and gaseous substances, using a solids separation system to separate solid fractions and a gas separation system to adsorb gaseous fractions, maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure and low temperature to prevent volatilization, and utilizing absorption solutions for gaseous compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If thermal decomposition is used to break chemical bonds in solid objects, then complete destruction of the material is achieved, but volatile radionuclides are lost due to vaporization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vacuum environment (inert atmosphere) during mechanical treatment and sampling processes to prevent oxidation and thermal decomposition that would cause volatile radionuclide loss. By maintaining vacuum conditions, the material is destroyed mechanically without thermal breakdown, thus preserving volatile components while achieving complete destruction of the solid matrix.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical treatment is performed at ambient conditions, then sampling process is simple, but volatile harmful substances are released and spread
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs mechanical treatment and sampling under vacuum conditions to contain and prevent the release of volatile harmful substances. The vacuum environment captures vaporized materials and prevents their spread to the surrounding environment, while still allowing mechanical processing to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vacuum system as an intermediary between the mechanical treatment process and the environment. This vacuum intermediary captures and contains volatile harmful substances generated during mechanical treatment, preventing their direct release while maintaining the simplicity of the mechanical sampling process.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple sample preparation steps are performed, then sample quality is improved, but analysis time increases and cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sample preparation functions into a single integrated vacuum-based mechanical treatment system. By performing mechanical destruction, separation, and concentration steps simultaneously under vacuum conditions, the system achieves high sample quality without requiring sequential processing steps, thus reducing total analysis time and minimizing cross-contamination opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a multi-functional sampling system that can perform mechanical treatment, separation, and initial concentration of analytes within a single vacuum-based apparatus. This universal system eliminates the need for multiple separate preparation steps, reducing both time and contamination risk while maintaining sample quality.
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
Facilitates safer, more efficient sampling by reducing contamination spread, enabling direct analysis of solid and gaseous fractions without additional treatment, and allowing on-site collection of representative samples for radiochemical analysis.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 2
maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure and low temperature to prevent volatilization
Implementation Method 3
a gas separation system to adsorb gaseous fractions
Implementation Method 4
aspirating the removed material through a solids separation system
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for sampling a solid object, the method comprising: providing a solid object; treating the solid object mechanically to remove material, such as pulverized material, from the solid object; and aspirating the removed material through a solids separation system, thereby separating one or more solid fractions from said material.