SYSTEM FOR AEROSOL SAMPLING DURING MECHANICAL LOAD

20240118177

17/469419

September 08, 2021

A system for sampling aerosols, for purpose of predictive analyses, from fractured test specimens is provided. The system includes a test enclosure, a load apparatus, and an aerosol sampling pack in fluid communication with the test enclosure. The test enclosure is sized to partially or completely receive the test specimen therein, and the load apparatus is configured to impart a mechanical load (e.g., tension, bending, torsion, shear forces, or compression) on the test specimen. The aerosol sampling pack receives solid aerosols that are generated upon fracture of the test specimen.

1. A system for sampling solid aerosols, the system comprising: a test enclosure to at least partially receive a test specimen that is to release solid aerosols when fractured; a mechanical-test apparatus configured to apply a mechanical load to the test specimen while the test specimen is at least partially received within the test enclosure; and one or more sampling packs configured to detect the solid aerosols to be released by the test specimen; and a pump for drawing the aerosols to the one or more sampling packs.

2. The system of claim 1, further including a source of inert gas to provide an inert gas inside the test enclosure.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more sampling packs include a cyclone sampler pack or a cascade sampler pack.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump is a vacuum pump, the system further including a power supply that is configured to provide local power to the vacuum pump.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an aerodynamic particle sizer configured to determine sizes of the solid aerosols released by the test specimen.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means for rinsing inside walls of the test enclosure upon completion of a mechanical test and for removing solid aerosols deposited on the inside walls during the mechanical test.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the solid aerosols are released by the specimen when the mechanical load causes fracture of the specimen.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the mechanical load that causes the fracture of the test specimen is one or more of tension, bending, torsion, shear, or compression.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the test specimen comprises spent nuclear fuel.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the spent nuclear fuel comprises high burnup spent nuclear fuel.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the spent nuclear fuel comprises uranium dioxide.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the spent nuclear fuel is shaped as a rod.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the specimen comprises asbestos or concrete.

14. A system comprising: a test enclosure configured to supportably receive a test specimen therein, the test enclosure including a lid portion and a base portion, the base portion including first and second side openings to receive the test specimen therethrough; a load apparatus configured to apply a mechanical load to the test specimen when the test specimen is supportably received within the test enclosure; and an aerosol sampling pack in fluid communication with the test enclosure, wherein the aerosol sampling pack is adapted to detect solid aerosols released by the test specimen if fractured when subjected to the mechanical load.

15. The system of claim 14 further including: a conduit coupling the test enclosure to the aerosol sampling pack; and a vacuum pump to draw the solid aerosols into the conduit.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the aerosol sampling pack includes a cyclone sampler pack or a cascade sampler pack.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising an aerodynamic particle sizer configured to determine sizes of the solid aerosols released by the test specimen.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the load apparatus is adapted to impart tension, bending, torsion, shear forces, or compression on the test specimen.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the sampling pack comprises a battery configured to provide local power.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the load apparatus is adapted to impart a four-point bending load on the test specimen.

01; 21

edspap.20240118177