Abstract: A device for taking samples of radioactive and/or toxic suspensions containing solids includes a single needle head for taking samples from a liquid circulating in a pipe loop. The liquid is drawn off into a sample vessel with the liquid being pumped by a vacuum-assisted air lift. In order to minimize the risk of clogging in such a sampling device and to be able to obtain reliably representative samples, the one-needle head has a mixing chamber which widens conically toward the interior of the housing of the sampling device. The feed line extends into this conical mixing chamber to a location just ahead of the needle opening in the base. The opening at the end of the feed line has a larger diameter than the inside diameter of the sampling needle disposed in the needle head. With this configuration, a higher flow velocity is achieved together with a high degree of turbulence of the liquid in the sampling device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of removing solids from a container. he method is for discharging sedimentated solids from a container which is inclined in the direction toward its outlet. The method is technically simple and prevents or minimizes the amount of secondary waste or the use of flushing liquid. This result is achieved by subjecting the residual liquid in the container to the action of pulsed compressed air which passes through a perforated pipe extending parallelly to the bottom of the container. A container apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for taking samples of a toxic fluid from within a shded chamber has a rotatable shaft which extends downwardly through the shielding wall and is provided at its front end within the chamber with a cavity adapted to receive sampling bottles supplied thereto and removed therefrom through supply and return pipes. A hollow needle is mounted on a needle head disposed in front of the shaft such that the needle can be inserted into a sampling bottle disposed in the shaft cavity and sample fluid can be injected into the bottle from the needle head to which the fluid is conducted by a supply line and from which it may be removed through a discharge line.

Abstract: A gravity actuated gripper includes two concentrically interleaved shells ich are displaceable with respect to one another in two positions for gripping molds containing radioactive material, with the fill opening or upper edge of the molds being provided with a circumferential carrying ring behind which engage balls to perform the gripping. The gripper is intended to be particularly robust and assure high operational reliability under all conditions. For this purpose, a special control is provided for the two positions, the control including a switching ring which corresponds with rings of crown teeth attached to both shells. Due to the special configuration of the teeth and an up-and-down movement of the switching ring, the two shells can take on a gripping position and a release position.

Abstract: Arrangement for facilitating the start-up of not self-priming centrifugal mps for the pumping of radioactive liquids in a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant wherein radioactive liquid is pumped from a first to a second container through the container's top by means of transfer piping which includes a centrifugal pump having its suction side in communication with one container and its discharge side connected to a supply pipe leading to the other container. The supply pipe includes a pressurized air operated jet pump adapted to lift, during start-up, liquid from the container into the centrifugal pump which is then operated to pump the liquid from the one container to the other through the jet pump.

Abstract: Apparatus for taking samples of toxic and/or radioactive liquid substances y introducing such substances into sample vessels, the apparatus including a holder for holding such a vessel, at least one needle head filling system composed of upwardly pointing hollow needles for introducing a sample of one such substance into such a vessel at a filling position, and inlet and outlet conduits for pneumatically conveying vessels to or from the holder at a transfer position, with the holder being composed of a turntable having a sleeve for accommodating such vessel and mounted to undergo rotary movement to convey a sample vessel held in the sleeve between the filling and transfer positions, and with the apparatus further including a stand supporting the filling system below the holder, and a lifting device connected for imparting a translational movement to the holder to bring a vessel in the holder to operative association with the filling system, the lifting device being arranged such that the translational movemen

Abstract: A device for taking liquid samples from a liquid circuit has a needle head ousing formed of an outer component and an inner component readily detachable from the outer component for easy replacement. The outer component includes inlet and outlet ports to be inserted in the liquid circuit. The inner component includes a flow passage aligned with the inlet and outlet ports of the outer component, a pressure reducing arrangement for generating a pressure drop of the liquid flowing through the passage and two hollow needles supported in the inner component and projecting outwardly therefrom. The needles have first ends that communicate with the passage in the inner component at locations where different liquid pressures prevail and second ends which are insertable into a sampling vessel.