Device for taking samples of molten metals flowing in pipes

Abstract

A device is described for taking samples from a liquid-metal-carrying pipe loop, in which the flowing liquid metal is a hot molten metal and may also be radioactive, e.g., metal in a main coolant loop of a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor. The device is suited for in-line as well as out-line operation and uses the conventional crucibles. The crucibles are arranged in a vertical housing in a circle around a vertical feed line for the liquid metal and extending upwardly into the housing. The liquid metal flowing into the device from the feed line's upper end, is deflected downwardly into the crucibles by a downwardly facing concave baffle surface which is concentric with the feed line. The crucibles can be taken out of the device, hanging on an insert forming a closure for the housing's top and that can be unscrewed and lifted, to obtain the crucibles. Improved arrangements of the thermocouples used for measuring the temperature of the liquid metal, and of the electric system required for heat the device are disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.