Abstract: A method for collection of dry samples taken directly from a nuclear reactor core interior. Incremental samples of irradiated metal alloy components of the reactor core may be taken and collected in-situ using a specialized metal-cutting drill bit having a hollow tungsten carbide sampling cutting head, in conjunction with an angled sampling gantry. The drill bit body has an interior airflow passage in hermetic communication with a filter located in a glove box. Air holes are formed through a face of the cutting head. A vacuumed airflow through the airflow passage and at the cutting head causes a sample of any of metal chips, filings, and dust to be obtained directly from the reactor core by being pulled through the air holes and into the airflow passage and ultimately into the filter. A collected sample may be analyzed for radionuclides and radioactivity level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process method and system for upfront sampling and characterization to selectively and representatively sample for activation levels of nuclear reactor core irradiated metal alloy internal components using a specialized robust hard metal reactor bit hollow tungsten carbide sampling head in conjunction with bespoke angled sampling gantry. The invention relates to the field of a nuclear reactor metal alloy vacuum hollow sampling head, sampling gantry, and retrieval system. The nuclear-activated metal alloys are drilled and sampled using a TruProBit® metal cutting drill bit. The long hollow drill bit with a hollow metal sampling head traverses the nuclear reactor metal layers and void spaces to cut and retrieve only metal alloy samples. The dry vacuumed airflow picks up the discrete incremental sample of metal filings, chips, and dust produced by the hollow metal cutting edges of the sampling head into a filter and then analyzed for radionuclides of concern.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system to characterize the contamination levels of bulk materials, the method comprises drilling into the material, sampling material from the drill point at predetermined intervals, and analyzing the sampled material. Such an embodiment may be accomplished by using a drill with a specialized cutting and sampling head, drill bits, a sample collection units and a vacuum pump. The embodiment in conjunction with portable radiometric instruments produces a profile of radiological or chemical contamination through the material being studied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system to characterize the contamination levels of bulk materials, the method comprises drilling into the material, sampling material from the drill point at predetermined intervals, and analyzing the sampled material. Such an embodiment may be accomplished by using a drill with a specialized cutting and sampling head, drill bits, a sample collection units and a vacuum pump. The embodiment in conjunction with portable radiometric instruments produces a profile of radiological or chemical contamination through the material being studied.