Device for taking noxious liquidsampler, in particular loaded with solid particulates

p0001A sampling device of radioactive or hazardous liquid samples for another reason, especially with solids particles, which can take all the nuances turbidity or consistency from the least viscous liquids up sludge.

p0002The liquid specimen collection obeys particular constraints in the nuclear industries because of their hazardous nature. The products to be analyzed are generally able, before sampling, in which tanks lead sampling ducts passing through a wall of protection and lead to an area used for the analysis. bubble lift available ( "<i>air lifts ")</i> in the tanks to raise the liquid in the sampling lines. The samples were then placed in sealed vessels, jugs called by the plaintiff. These pots are transferred by a pneumatic transfer system to analytical facilities. The classic filling mode involves piercing the cap of the bottles, which is made of rubber, with a needle at the end of the tapping line, which dispenses to remove this cap: the sample is drawn into the bottle previously evacuated through the needle. But it is clear that this process is no longer suitable for viscous samples, heterogeneous or loaded large particles because of the fineness of the needle.

p0003The FR-A-2 633 395, however, describes a sampling device that has some similarities with the invention: the bottle to fill rid of his cap and applied under a deck on which open the ducts of the sampling circuit that can empty the content of its gaseous and liquid fill. But these passages are only a derivation of the sampling circuit, which is continuous even when the bottle is removed, so it is difficult to predict the amount and composition of the fluid that takes the bypass and remains in the bottle, whose filling can be problematic. Samples collected will anyway affected by a bubble elevator which remains present at the input of the sampling circuit, although a pneumatic ejector is arranged on the circuit downstream of the bottle, but this does not ejector circulates the liquid but a small elevation celu latter into the circuit to initiate the lift.

p0004The main object of the invention is thus meeting the need to collect good representative samples of the mixture or the liquid-solid suspension which they are extracted, avoiding altering its composition and particle size distribution and avoiding also to separate the components, with a sampling device based on a completely different principle. This involves replacing the needle and lift bubbles in ways that do not compromise safety and containment of the device, despite the opening of the bottles that becomes necessary.

p0005This object is achieved if the device for taking samples of noxious liquids comprises a sampling circuit comprising a suction branch leading to the tank and a return arm, a fluid circulating member through the sampling circuit and a platinum in which open ends of the branches suction and removal, an edge of the flasks being applied under the support plate around said ends, characterized in that the legs suction and removal are without communication other than via the flasks applied under the plate, the liquid circulation unit is situated on the discharge branch and the aspiration arm is connected to a vent. The process is then to suck the collected product and pass it along the sampling circuit, whose bottle is part temporarily when it is pressed against the lower surface of the plate, connecting the branches of the sampling circuit, which are cut off from each other when the bottle is removed. Aspiration is conducted for a sufficient time for the product contained in the bottle is representative of the contents of the original vessel. The bottle is then removed and resealed. The aspiration disorder or substantially disrupts the product and ducts have a sufficient section for the larger particles are not arrested. The section is optimized to achieve sufficient flow rate to prevent segregation in the circuits. The venting of the sampling circuit, while the suction is continued, allows emptying the sampling circuit and avoid the following hazards and contamination of samples that produce the stay of aspirated fluid. The bottle is partially filled when the rest of the sampling system is drained.

p0006Another object of the invention is to allow safe levies on facility staff. It is therefore advisable to add to the device enclosure with an input and output ports of the bottles, the sampling branches and aspiration and the plate being located in the chamber, the sampling branches and aspiration being connected to suction and discharge external to the enclosure, and arranged in the chamber, means for gripping bottles, kidnapping and delivery of bottle caps, bottles and applying the edge under the plate, the vent including a pipe emerging within the enclosure and having an outer portion to the chamber and provided with a valve éventement.

p0007It is advantageous that the device is constructed as a moving vehicle on the ground through wheels on which the speaker is mounted, and can approach to the choice of sampling lines whose ends protrude from the wall of protection, as testing or analysis we want to undertake. The circulation unit can be a pump, however the use of a product suction pump can be problematic in the special conditions of the invention, because the usual pumps, mechanical moving parts, are often dirty or damaged by impurities and it is not desired to conduct pump changes that involve a further opening of the enclosure and the appearance of a clean room to the outside. This is why it is recommended to use a hydro-ejector as a pump; the sampling circuit then comprises a driving arm supplied with liquid under pressure and leading to the discharge branch of the sampling circuit.

p0008The risk of malfunction or damage are then very small. However, there are provisions to prevent clogging of pipes by suction and discharge sludge or particles. Is then recommended that the hydro-ejector and adjacent portions of its rejection of branches and levy form a removable unit circulator element, and that the device further comprises a set of unclogging which replaces the element organ movement and connects the motor branch to complementary portions of the branches of suction and discharge to project at will of the pressurized liquid to the suction or discharge branches to unclog.

p0009The process can be accomplished more easily with other improvements, which can be adopted separately or in combination: a possibly automatic screwing-unscrewing device capable of gripping bottle caps, to turn and to lift them when they are posted; a bottle holder including a lifting plate through which the bottles can be pressed under the plate; and a mobile support such as a rotating arm to bring the bottle to turn the screwdriver-unscrewing and platinum.

p0010The invention will now be described in more detail with the aid of the following illustrative figures which describe an embodiment:<ul><li>Figure 1 is an overall view of the device,</li><li>Figure 2 is a view of the support of the bottles,</li><li>FIG 3 is a view of the plate and the circulation unit,</li><li>FIG 4 is a view of the connecting assembly for unclogging pipes,</li><li>and Figure 5 is a view of the screwing-unscrewing device.</li></ul>

p0011As seen in Figure 1, the device of the invention is a vehicle mounted on a chassis 1 provided with wheels 2 which allow it to walk in front of the suction ducts and delivery of product 23 and 27 (arranged in practice row; only one of each is shown), and legs 3 comprising a base 4 at the end of a threaded rod 5, which can rotate in a nut 6 attached to the chassis 1 to put the pad 4 on the ground and stop and the vehicle by raising the wheels 2 at the desired location for removal.

p0012The frame 1 carries a protective enclosure 7 which is occupied in particular by an 8 vials support, a plate 9, a circulation unit 10, a screwing-unscrewing device 11, which will be the subject of the following figures. There are also elements which pass through the enclosure 7, and particularly a conduit 13 vials input, an opening 14 of outlet vials, viewing windows 15, pliers passage openings 16 through which the work in the enclosure 7 can, a suction branch pipe section 17 connecting the suction duct 23 to the plate 9, a discharge branch pipe section 18 which connects the plate 9, the discharge duct 27 , a motor branch pipe section 19, and a pull tab 20 on the circulation unit 10, for lifting of the plate 9 if desired; and also transmission lines or control fluid which are not shown. The enclosure 7 is composed of an outer wall 21 of radiological protection which absorbs radiation and a casing 22 forming an inner liner and which seals.

p0013The inlet conduit 13 includes two valves 125 and 126 connected in series, forming an airlock and allow the phased introduction at will and safe bottles 67. It ended with a niche where 127 bottles can be entered.

p0014The outlet opening 14 is designed for that there can append a castle 31, that is to say, a mobile X-ray protective enclosure for transporting radioactive samples to the analysis facility. The wall 21 is provided with a door speaker including 32 comprising a protective plate 34 slide that blocks the opening 14. A castle gate 33 of the same species closes the opening of the castle 31. If one couples the plate 34 protection at the door of the castle 33 and if you lift this assembly by pulling a 39 lifting ring arranged on top of the protective plate 34, inside the castle 31 is in communication with the opening 14.

p0015Then simply open a door 47 of the box 22 so that we can transfer the vials filled with samples in the castle 31. The box door 47 opens to the inside of the box 22, by pulling on a handle 48 by one of the clips engaged in the box 22.

p0016The suction ducts and outlet 23 and 27 of product 25 result in tanks filled with product to be taken and analyzed; these tanks 25 are located beneath a biological protection slab 24. As to the driving arm 19, it leads to a pressurized water system 28 via a supply duct 29 can be opened or closed by a valve 30 secured to the enclosure 7.

p0017The support 8 of the bottles is illustrated in Figure 2. It essentially comprises a rotary arm 65 and a ram plate 66 on which a bottle 67, now called jug according to the usual term to the Applicant, is made. The ram plate 66 is attached to the top of two columns 68 which slide in guide rings 69 established through the rotary arm 65. The feet of the columns 68 are joined together via a base 70 to which they are fixed and which overhangs a rounded top 71 of a threaded rod 72 whose lower end is integral with a crank 73. the threaded rod 72 is engaged in a threaded sleeve 74 fixed to a bracket 75 itself attached to box 22 . by turning the handle 73, is raised the threaded rod 72 and therefore the base 70, the columns 68 and the ram plate 66 as soon as the rounded tip 71 engages the base 70. Two limit sensors 76 are attached to the console 75 cooperating with a disk 77 integral with the threaded rod 72 in order to verify that the extreme states of the vertical movement are achieved. Mechanical stops are formed slightly beyond the disc 77 and the lever 78 of the crank 73 against the ends of the threaded bush 74 housed in the console 75.

p0018The vertical displacement of the pots 67 is provided by a manual action on the handle 79 of the crank 73 by means of clamps 16.

p0019The rotary arm 65 is rotated by means of a rotary actuator 80 which transmits its movement by means of a vertical pin 81 retained in a bearing 82 of a support structure 83 secured to the strut 22.

p0020The jug 67 may be raised by the threaded rod 72 to be supported by the lower surface of the plate 9 after being brought under it, which is shown in Figure 3.

p0021The suction branch 17 comprises a pipe 87 welded to the upper surface of the plate 9 and which is extended through it to form an orifice 88 which opens to the lower surface of a distribution flange 89 of the plate 9 around which the edge 90 of the jug 67 has to adjust. The discharge branch 18 itself comprises another pipe 91 welded to the lower surface of the plate 9 away from the distribution flange 89. Two openings 92 and 93 through the plate 9. The orifice 92 downstream of the circulation unit 10 extends the pipe 91 while the orifice 93 upstream of the circulation unit 10 opens to the lower surface of the distribution flange 89 to a lower level than the orifice 88 and in the edge 90 of the bottle 67, which thus closes the liquid sampling circuit, whose inlet and outlet branches are otherwise separated. The two orifices 92 and 93 are joined by an arch pipe 94 of the circulation unit 10 among whom was welded a plate 95 serving as a handle to the zipper 20. As for the motor branch 19, it ends with a flexible part 96 and is connected to a fork 97 belonging to the circulation unit 10 and which meets the arch pipe 94 by extending it. The confluence is occupied by a venturi 98 which constitutes the essential part of the circulation unit 10. It can be seen, returning to Figure 1, that the opening of the valve 30 circulates the pressurized water originating from the source 28 and having passed through the supply conduit 29 through the driving arm 19 and the venturi 98 to make then flow downstream of the circulation unit 10 including through the pipe 91 and the conduit of discharge 27 to the original tank 25. This movement is accompanied by a depression in the venturi 98 as a result of which the liquid to be sampled is sucked from the tank 25 by a regular motion which avoids the brew or disrupt in any way: it rises in the suction branch 17 passes through the pipe 87 into the bottle 67 and finally reaches the venturi 98, after which it mixes with liquid motor and its surplus back into the tank 25. The circulation unit 10 is a hydro-ejector without rotating or moving mechanical parts in another way. When the valve 30 is closed, the original of the vessel 25 product remains in the jug 67 which can then be removed from the plate 9 and punched by the screwing-unscrewing device 11.

p0022The pipe 87 is set to the vent by opening a valve 131 éventement arranged on a vent pipe 132 connected to the pipe 87 (Figure 1) before stopping the flow of moving water, which has the effect stop the intake of the contents of the tank 25. the éventement 131 valve is installed at the top of the vent pipe 132, out of the enclosure 7. However, the end of the vent pipe 132 returns to the enclosure 7 to avoid splashing contaminated outside. Aspiration then causes the pipe 87 to drain and transfer of product continues by siphoning until the liquid level of the bottle 67 is dropped to the edge of the hole 93 (lower than that of the port 88); the motive water is then cut, and the siphoning continues in the circulation unit 10 until it is emptied. The jug 67 remains nearly completed product taken no liquid residue from the circulation unit 10 disturbs flowing in there.

p0023The circulation unit 10 further includes a lower flange 99 and resting on the plate 9. The correct adjustment of the circulation unit 10 is ensured by two pins 100 which pass through holes 101 of the flange 99. The ends of the pipe hoop 94 then extend well openings 92 and 93, and further a threaded rod 102 suspended from the plate 9 is located in front of a thread 103 which passes through the sole 99. It then suffices to turn a crank 104 which drives the threaded rod 102 so that it engages the internal thread 103 and ensures the clamping of the sole 99, and therefore sealing the connection portions of the suction branch 17 and portions of the return arm 18 and retaining instead of the circulation unit 10.

p0024The circulation unit 10 can be replaced after having been lifted by the pull tab 20, by a model 105 shown in Figure 4 and which comprises, besides an exactly similar sole to the sole 99 of the circulation unit 10 and which therefore has the reference 99 ', with no further description is deemed necessary, the connecting sections 106 and 107 of declogging and which respectively come in extension orifices 92 and 93 when the mannequin 105 is mounted. By connecting the end of the flexible portion 96 of the driving arm 19 at the free ends of the connecting sections 106 and 107, we can get water pressure respectively in the downstream part of the discharge branch 18 and in against the current of the flow of liquid removed from the tank 25, the suction arm 17 through the pot 67. the pipe sections could be décolmatées though they were entered by a particle accumulation. Otherwise, the model 105 is not used but removed from the plate 9 and stored somewhere in the box 22.

p0025We now continue with screwing and unscrewing device, illustrated completely in Figure 5.

p0026The pitchers 67 carry a stopper 108 screwed on board 90. The driver of screwing-unscrewing device 11 is again a crank 109 which rotates a shaft 110 supported in a bearing 111 of a support structure fixed to 112 box 22. the shaft 110 carries at its lower end a hollow mandrel 113 that fits over a nipple 114 at the top of the cap 108. the mandrel 113 is provided with projections 115 on its internal face which can penetrate into grooves in the bayonet 116 sleeve 114. to enter the cap 108 of a jug 67 recently brought under the screwing-unscrewing device 11, it raises the crank handle 109 -which is possible because of the ability of the axis 110 to slide in the bearing 111- then allowed to fall while turning so that the internal projections 115 penetrate into the bayonet grooves 116. When they reach the end of these grooves, the further movement of the crank 109 causes the stopper 108 and unscrewed. To this end, the bottom of the jug 67 is notched with a groove 130 that straight occupies a tenon 117 diametrically established on the support surface of elevator platform 66 and which thus retains the body of the jug 67 in rotation. When unscrewing has been completed, the crank 109 is fully reassembled and placed on a bracket 118 of the support structure 112 until the pot 67, after being filled away under 10 then reduced circulation unit, must be closed, which is done by an inverse operation of the crank 109. Note also two sensors 119 and 120 fixed to the support structure 112 and the first detects the presence of the mandrel 113 when it is fully wound, while the second, located just above the first, detects the presence of a disk 121 supported by pillars 122 which slide through a lid 123 of the mandrel 113 and which are joined by a ring 124 which extends below this cover 123. When no stopper 108 is gripped by the chuck 113, the disc 121 rests on the lid 123 and the ring 124 is suspended him. When on the contrary a plug 108 is retained by the inner projections 115, the nipple 114 raises the ring 124 and the disc 121, which enables the latter to achieve height of the second sensor 120 and detection by him when the crank 109 is fully wound and the mandrel 113 reaches up to the first sensor 119. We obtain safer operation.

p0027When the desired samples were taken, the jugs full 67 can be taken over by a pliers 16 and 31 placed in the castle.