SYSTEM FOR MONITORING ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS OF DEEP BEDROCK SAMPLES FOR ESTIMATING NUCLIDE MOVEMENT IN DISPOSAL SITE OF SPENT FUEL

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel and, more specifically, to a system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel which installs a tube wherein ring-shaped potential electrode is formed in multi layers inside a column; adheres the potential electrode to deep bedrock samples by pressing on the external side of the tube while filling the deep bedrock samples inside of the tube; and reproduces real condition of deep bedrock and monitors precisely by measuring electrical resistivity for each location of the deep bedrock samples while injecting nuclide and underground water to the inside the tube.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel, comprising: a column for being inserted into deep bedrock samples in disposal site of spent fuel; flowing in nuclides and underground water through an upper inlet; discharging nuclides and underground water through a lower outlet; and being equipped with current electrode on the top and the bottom; a tube for covering the deep bedrock samples and installing potential electrode in multi layers inside; a metering pump for supplying underground water including nuclide to the inside of the column with a fixed amount at a constant speed; an electrical resistivity measuring instrument for supplying current to the current electrode and measuring electrical resistivity for each location of the deep bedrock samples by the potential electrode; and a main controller for controlling injection speed of the metering pump, pressure of the compressor and supply current of the electrical resistivity measuring instrument.

2. The system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to claim 1, further comprising: a web server which receives and monitors measured values, measured in the electrical resistivity measuring instrument, through wire-wireless network; and transfers control data by the main controller through wire-wireless network.

3. The system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to claim 1, further comprising: a chamber for wrapping the column; a conditioning equipment for controlling the temperature of the chamber; and a storage container for storing underground water including nuclide which is discharged from the column.

4. The system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to claim 1, further comprising a storage container for storing underground water including nuclide which is discharged from the column.

5. The system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to claim 3, wherein the main controller controls the temperature of the inside of the chamber by controlling the temperature of the conditioning equipment.

6. The system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to claim 1, wherein the current electrode has vortex formation, but being in the shape of a cone for having elasticity.

7. The system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to claim 1, wherein the potential electrode is formed in a partially sectioned C-shaped ring to control a diameter in response to contraction of the tube.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an outline showing the constitution of a system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing the constitution of a column in a system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the constitution of current electrode in a system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The configuration of a system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel of the present invention will be described in detail with the accompanying drawings.

[0034] In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known incorporated functions and configurations will be omitted when to include them would make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. Also, the terms used in the following description are defined taking into consideration the functions provided in the present invention. The definitions of these terms should be determined based on the whole content of this specification, because they may be changed in accordance with the option of a user or operator or a usual practice.

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates an outline showing the constitution of a system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing the constitution of a column in a system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to the present invention; and FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the constitution of current electrode in a system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel according to the present invention.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel (100) according to the present invention consists of a column (110), a tube (120), a storage container (130), a chamber (140), a metering pump (150), a compressor (160), an electrical resistivity measuring instrument (170), a conditioning equipment (180) and a main controller (190).

[0037] First, the column (110), made of transparent materials such glass or synthetic resin, or metal, is formed in a cylindrical shape, thereby being inserted into deep bedrock samples (A) in disposal site of spent fuel; flowing in nuclides and underground water through an upper inlet (111); discharging nuclides and underground water through a lower outlet (113); and being equipped with current electrode (115) on the top and the bottom.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the current electrode (115) has vortex formation, but being in the shape of a cone for having elasticity, and it is desirable that it is made of silver or bronze which has high conductivity and economic efficiency.

[0039] Further, formed of elastic materials for shape variation, the tube (120) covers the deep bedrock samples (A) and installs potential electrode (121) in multi layers inside.

[0040] The potential electrode (121) is formed in a partially sectioned C-shaped ring to control a diameter in response to contraction of the tube (120), and it is desirable that it is made of silver or bronze which has high conductivity and economic efficiency.

[0041] Further, the storage container (130) stores underground water including nuclide which is discharged from the column (110). Hereinafter, it is desirable that the storage container (130) is made from radiation shielding materials to prevent radiation leak.

[0042] Further, the chamber (140) wraps and seals the column (110). Hereinafter, it is desirable that the chamber (140) is made from radiation shielding materials to prevent radiation leak, and it may be filled up with deep bedrock, soil, etc., in disposal site of spent fuel inside, depending on selection.

[0043] Also, the metering pump (150) supplies underground water including nuclide with a fixed amount at a constant speed inside the column (110). Hereinafter, the metering pump (150) injects underground water at a speed of 0.1˜20/min.

[0044] Also, the compressor (160) adheres the potential electrode (121) to the external side of the round stick type deep bedrock samples (A) by contracting the tube (120), simultaneously with reproduction of real condition of deep bedrock by pressing the inside of the column (110). Hereinafter, generated from the compressor (160) and applied to the column (110), the pressure is in the range of 30˜100 kgf/cm.sup.2.

[0045] Further, the electrical resistivity measuring instrument (170) supplies current to the current electrode (115) in a common way and measures electrical resistivity for each location of the deep bedrock samples (A) by the potential electrode (121).

[0046] Further, the conditioning equipment (180), as cooling and heating apparatus, controls the temperature of the chamber (140) at 10˜200° C.

[0047] Continuously, the main controller (190) controls injection speed of the metering pump (150), pressure of the compressor (160) and supply current of the electrical resistivity measuring instrument (170). Hereinafter, the main controller (190) controls the temperature of the conditioning equipment (180), thereby controlling the inner temperature of the chamber (140) to set temperature.

[0048] Meanwhile, the system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel (100) according to the present invention comprises a web server(S) which receives and monitors measured values, measured in the electrical resistivity measuring instrument (170), through wire-wireless network; and transfers control data by the main controller (190) through wire-wireless network.

[0049] Hereinafter, the operation of the system for monitoring electrical properties of materials of deep bedrock samples for estimating nuclide movement in disposal site of spent fuel (100) according to the present invention will be described in detail with the accompanying drawing.

[0050] First, after opening the column (110), the deep bedrock samples (A) are inserted to the inside of the tube (120) and then, the column (110) is closed.

[0051] Then, while connecting each pipe and wire, the main controller (190) adheres the potential electrode (121) to the external side of the round stick type deep bedrock samples (A) by contracting the tube (120), simultaneously with reproduction of real condition of deep bedrock by controlling the compressor (160) and pressing the inside of the column (110).

[0052] In such a condition, the main controller (190) controls the metering pump (150), thereby injecting the underground water including nuclide to the inside of the column (110) at a constant injection speed and making the underground water flow down along gaps of the deep bedrock samples (A) for keeping in the storage container (130).

[0053] At the same time, the electrical resistivity measuring instrument (170) measures and stores the electrical resistivity for each location of the deep bedrock samples (A) through the potential electrode (121).

[0054] Further, the measured values of the electrical resistivity measuring instrument (170) is transferred to the web server(S) through the wire-wireless network, thereby monitoring in real time at a remote location, and a supervisor transfers control data by the main controller (190) through wire-wireless network for changing test conditions, etc., resulting in remote control.

[0055] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

EXPLANATIONS OF NUMERAL REFERENCE

[0056] 110: column 115: current electrode [0057] 120: tube 121: potential electrode [0058] 130: storage container 140: chamber [0059] 150: measuring pump 160: compressor [0060] 170: electrical resistivity measuring instrument 180: conditioning equipment [0061] 190: main controller