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Team Nuclear Cookies:Brendan Crosbie, Garrett Guinn, Gannon Johnson

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Design, build, and test devices to be used in a “hot cell” environment that removes molten salt from the Mark-V Electrorefiner and freezes it in appropriate sizes.

Specifications Process must remove at least 16,500 cm3 of salt in

one week Cubes can be no bigger than 2 inches by 2 inches by

2 inches to fit grinder

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Function Option 1 2 3 4

Removal Method

Dipping Tray

Pressure Differential

Bucket Archimedes Screw

Removal Tool Elevator Crane Pipe Suction Motorized

Freezing to Size Required

Venturi Atomizing Salt

Trays Breaking Icemaker

Transport to Container

Funnel Weir/Trough Flexible Metal Tubing

Manipulators

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Removal Method: Dipping Tray

Removal Tool: Motorized

Freezing: Tray

Transport to Container: Weir/Trough

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Removal Method: Pressure Differential

Removal Tool: Pipe Suction

Freezing: Venturi Atomizing Salt

Transport to Container: Flexible Metal Tubing

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Removal Method: Bucket

Removal Tool: Crane

Freezing: Tray

Transport to Container: Manipulators

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Tray

Valve

Acme Screw

Lid

Bucket

Displacement Body

Gear DriveCrane Rod

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Problem:Spilling during transportation

Solution

Lid

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Problem:

Remove smaller amount

Solution

Displacement Body

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Problem:

Bucket holds 15,000 cm3

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Problem:

Smaller footprint for tray

Solution

Folded Tray

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We couldn’t make an actual prototype, so instead we made test apparatuses

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Salt Release Plug

Test: See if salt releases from pocketResult: Salt released every time

Test: See if plug can be removed after salt gets in threads

Result: Plug was removed with greatdifficulty

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Bucket SpillingTest: See if lid prevents spillingResult: Lid prevented spilling

Bucket EmptyingFull opened valve: 3 minutesControlled flow rate: 6.5 minutes

Tray SplashingFull opened valve: too muchControlled flow rate: very little

Tray OverflowTest: See if pockets fill before

overflowResult: Tends to overflow before all pockets are filled

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Problem: Total volume of salt removed in bucket per cycle is only 15,000 cm3

Solution: Align valve handle so its vertical to increase room

Problem: Plug idea does not look promisingSolution: Test plug idea more or ditch idea altogether

Problem: Tray does overflow before all cubes are filledSolution: Put a ¼ inch or more lip around outside of tray

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Sponsors at INL Tom Johnson Tom Pfeiffer

Lead Instructor Dr. Steve Beyerlein

Graduate Mentors Bill Crane Idaho Engineering Works (IEW)

Machine Shop Supervisor Russ Porter

Salt Testing Expert Natalie Gese