High-Temperature Liquid Sampling via Venturi Nebulization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking nuclear material in Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) and pyroprocessing are inadequate due to the difficulty in sampling molten salt at high temperatures and under remote, radiation-rich conditions, leading to offline analysis delays.
Innovation Solution
A sampling system incorporating a venturi pump nebulizer and optical cell for continuous online high-temperature liquid sampling and analysis, which aerosolizes the liquid and performs real-time chemical monitoring using spectroscopy techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional item counting methods are used to track nuclear material, then tracking is straightforward for discrete fuel assemblies, but the method becomes insufficient when nuclear material is present in molten material where continuous concentration monitoring is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from discrete item counting to continuous concentration monitoring by changing the measurement parameter from whole fuel assembly inventory to isotopic concentration in molten salt, enabling tracking adapted to liquid fuel configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sampling and offline analysis with optical spectroscopy-based concentration measurement, substituting physical material handling with non-contact optical detection to enable continuous monitoring without disrupting the molten salt system
2Measurement precision
If molten salt sampling is performed under high temperature and radiation conditions, then compositional data can be obtained, but the sampling process becomes complex and requires remote operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical measurement system that indirectly determines compositional data through spectroscopic analysis of emitted or absorbed light, avoiding direct physical contact with the hot, radioactive molten salt while still obtaining precise compositional information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sampling systems with remote handling with a non-contact optical spectroscopy system that measures composition through light interaction, eliminating the need for physical sample extraction from high-temperature radiation environments
3Measurement precision
If offline analysis is used for sampled molten salt, then compositional data can be obtained, but analysis time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous real-time concentration monitoring through ongoing optical spectroscopy measurements, eliminating the intermittent nature of offline analysis and providing continuous compositional data without time delays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs measurements in-situ within the molten salt system before any sample extraction or transport is needed, obtaining compositional data at the exact location and time it is required, eliminating subsequent analysis delays
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 real-time tracking and management of nuclear material concentrations and other chemistry concerns in MSR and pyroprocessing applications, enhancing operational safeguards and reducing analysis latency.
Implementation Method 1
The venturi pump nebulizer includes a nozzle positioned in the sampling loop downstream of the liquid inlet. The nozzle is configured to introduce a gas stream into the sampling loop to produce a vacuum within the sampling loop that draws the high-temperature liquid into the sampling loop and aerosolizes the high-temperature liquid in the gas stream.
Implementation Method 2
The optical cell is configured to receive the aerosolized high-temperature liquid for chemical monitoring thereof. The optical cell includes at least one optical window configured for data acquisition to perform the on-line chemical monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A sampling system for a high-temperature liquid includes a sampling loop, a venturi pump nebulizer, and an optical cell. The sampling loop includes a liquid inlet configured for the high-temperature liquid to flow into the sampling loop from a high-temperature liquid vessel and a liquid return configured for returning the high-temperature liquid to the high-temperature liquid vessel. The venturi pump nebulizer includes a nozzle positioned in the sampling loop downstream of the liquid inlet. The nozzle is configured to introduce a gas stream into the sampling loop to produce a vacuum within the sampling loop that draws the high-temperature liquid into the sampling loop and aerosolizes the high-temperature liquid in the gas stream. The optical cell is configured to receive the aerosolized high-temperature liquid for on-line chemical monitoring thereof. The optical cell includes at least one optical window configured for data acquisition to perform the on-line chemical monitoring.