Agitating – Cover or shield for mixing chamber
Patent
1994-11-22
1997-02-18
Cooley, Charles E.
Agitating
Cover or shield for mixing chamber
B01F 1500, G21F 5005, G21F 512, G21F 916
Patent
active
056035691
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a method and a device for more efficiently utilizing the volume of a container, for example an ultimate waste disposal container, for a mixture. The mixture is stirred in the container for the purpose of mixing a first compound, for example radioactive waste, with a second compound, for example cement powder including additives, by means of a rotating stirrer which is connected to a drive means through an opening at the upper end of the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Methods and devices for handling radioactive waste in different types of nuclear installations are well-known. One way of taking care of a first compound, for example radioactive waste, is to mix it by stirring it with a second compound, for example cement powder, so as to form a mixture and to allow the mixture to solidify in a container, for example an ultimate waste disposal container. The container has an edge forming an opening at one end. A stirrer is arranged in the container for stirring the mixture in the container. A drive means is connected to the stirrer through the opening of the container while the mixture is being stirred. After the mixture has been stirred, the container is sealed by a lid and the stirrer remains in the container.
The problem is that, upon rotation of the stirrer in the container, a wave is generated which results in the mixture overflowing the edge of the container. To avoid overflow, the container is only filled to a certain level below the edge. This method results in a void being created in the upper part of the container, whereby the volume of the container upon ultimate waste disposal is not utilized in full.
One method for preventing the mixture in the container from overflowing during stirring is to arrange a lid over the opening of the container. The disadvantage of this method is that the wave which is generated during rotation of the stirrer contacts, through hydrodynamic forces, to the underside of the lid and thus disturbs process of the stirring.
A further disadvantage is that the lid after having been in contact with the mixture in the container is polluted and must be cleaned or taken care of. Cleaning entails costs or may be complicated, as in the case of, for example, radioactive pollution.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device in which the volume of the container is utilized more efficiently as compared with the prior art.
A further object is to prevent the mixture contained in the container from overflowing the open edge of the container.
An additional object is to dispose of the device which is polluted by the mixture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method for more efficiently utilizing the volume of a container, and to an adapter for carrying out the method. The method comprises fitting an adapter to the edge of a container which form an opening in the container. A mixture of a first compound, for example radioactive waste, mixed with a second compound, for example cement powder including additives, are stirred in the container with the aid of a stirrer. The wave which is generated during the stirring of the mixture is prevented by the adapter from overflowing the open edge of the container. The adapter may be detachable after completed stirring.
The adapter comprises a tubular part having an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the opening in the container so as to be telescoped thereon. The adapter is, for example, in the shape of a cylinder, but other shapes such as square, oval, or triangular shape are also feasible depending on the corresponding shape of the container. The tubular part has a first and a second opening wherein the first opening makes contact with the opening of the container and the second opening allows the passage of the second compound and a drive means to the stirrer in the container. Alternatively, the second opening of the tubular part is provided with a lid with a third opening for the passage of the drive means. To the second or the
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Salomon Heinz
Torstenfelt Borje
ABB Atom AB
Cooley Charles E.
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