Pressure tube sampling.

摘要

A sample of the pressure tube (12) of a CANDU type of nuclear reactor is obtained for deuterium analyses without removing the pressure tube from the reactor. The preferred sampling tool comprises two cutters (4,5) and means (6,7) for capturing the removal material, wherein one cutter (4) removes the surface oxide layer, and the second cutter (5) removes a sample for analysis. The cutters and cutting operation are designed to avoid damaging the integrity of the pressure tube to allow it to remain in service. In the preferred embodiment, the sampling tool performs the surface and sample removal operation with the fueling equipment (3) with simple linear movement.