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An apparatus and method for selectively draining melt material, such as molten salt, utilizes an unobstructed drain conduit detachably connected, as by screw threads, to a vessel containing the material. Two heaters are utilized for the conduit, a drain heater at the vessel and a plugging heater spa

An apparatus and method for selectively draining melt material, such as molten salt, utilizes an unobstructed drain conduit detachably connected, as by screw threads, to a vessel containing the material. Two heaters are utilized for the conduit, a drain heater at the vessel and a plugging heater spaced from the vessel. The conduit is placed at the plugging heater and partially filled with a predetermined quantity of plugging material in flowable form. The plugging material is, typically, the same salt in particulate form and is retained in the conduit by any suitable closure. The plugging heater is energized to melt the plugging material and is then de-energized so that a solid plug of this material forms in the conduit. The conduit, including the plug, is removed from the closure and the plugging heater and is connected to the vessel when the drain heater is de-energized and when the vessel does not contain molten melt material, as when the vessel is empty or this material is solidified. The molten material is then established in the vessel with limited heat transfer to the conduit so that the plug does not melt. When the melt material is to be drained, the drain heater is energized to heat the conduit and melt the plug so that the melt material drains through the conduit. When the conduit is suitably configured, such a quantity of the melt material may remain in the conduit to form another plug when the drain heater is de-energized.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Drain apparatus for a flowable material disposed in a vessel, the drain apparatus comprising:a drain aperture in the vessel;an unobstructed drain conduit detachably fitted to said aperture;a quantity of plugging material having a predetermined melting point and disposed in said conduit at a tempe

1. Drain apparatus for a flowable material disposed in a vessel, the drain apparatus comprising:a drain aperture in the vessel;an unobstructed drain conduit detachably fitted to said aperture;a quantity of plugging material having a predetermined melting point and disposed in said conduit at a temperature below said melting point so as to form a plug blocking flow of said flowable material through said conduit from the vessel;means for heating said conduit, said means being energizable to raise said plug above said melting point so that said plug dissipates and said molten melt material drains from the vessel through said conduit; andwherein a predetermined quantity of said plugging material forms said plug and is disposed in said conduit by a method comprising:detaching said conduit from said vessel;placing said predetermined quantity of said plugging material into said conduit;heating said conduit when said conduit is detached from said vessel so as to melt said predetermined quantity of said plugging material so that said predetermined quantity of said plugging material extends across said conduit;cooling said conduit below said melting point so that said predetermined quantity of said plugging material solidifies to form said plug in said conduit; andreattaching said conduit with said plug to said vessel. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flowable material and said plugging material are the same material having said predetermined melting point; wherein the flowable material is above said melting point in said vessel; and wherein said conduit is disposed so that heat transfer from said flowable material does not raise the temperature of said plug above said melting temperature when said means for heating said conduit is de-energized. 3. Apparatus for draining a liquid from a vessel, the apparatus comprising:a drain conduit defining an unobstructed passage through said conduit;means for detachably connecting said conduit to the vessel for admission of the liquid to said passage;a quantity of a plugging substance melting at a predetermined temperature, said substance being available in a form placeable in said passage when below said melting temperature, and said quantity being sufficient to close said passage when melted in said passage;first heater means for energization to heat said conduit above said melting temperature and for de-energization so that said conduit cools below said melting temperature, said first heater means being disposed at said vessel for heating said conduit when said conduit is connected to the vessel; andsecond heater means for energization to heat said conduit above said melting temperature and for de-energization so that said conduit cools below said melting temperature, said second heater means being spaced from said vessel for heating said conduit when said conduit is disconnected from the vessel and disposed at said second heater means,whereby:when said conduit has said quantity of said plugging substance placed in said passage and is disposed at said second heater means; said second heater means is energized to melt said quantity; and said second heater means is then de-energized, said quantity solidifies into a plug in said passage to retain said liquid in said vessel when said first heater means is de-energized and said conduit is connected to the vessel; andwhen said first heater means is then energized, said plug dissipates by melting and the liquid drains from the vessel through said passage. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said plugging substance, when below said melting temperature, is available in flowable, granulated form for pouring said quantity into said passage when said conduit is disposed at said second heater means. 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the liquid is a melt substance maintained in molten form by heating said vessel, and said conduit is disposed so that, when said conduit is connected to the vessel and said first heater means is de-energized, said condu it is at a temperature below said melting temperature. 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said melt substance and said plugging substance are substantially the same substance. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said same substance consists substantially of at least one salt effective in molten form for waste disposal. 8. An apparatus for plugging and removal of salt material from a vessel having a drain, comprising:a drain conduit defining an unobstructed passage through said conduit, connected to said drain;said salt material having a melting point, above which said salt material comprisesa flowing molten state and below which said salt material comprises a solid state;a drain heater, when energized, capable of heating said drain conduit above said melting point, wherein said salt material within said drain conduit flows through said drain conduit; and,said drain conduit, when said drain heater is de-energized, comprises a temperature below said melting point wherein said salt material wicks at an end of said drain conduit, forming a solid plug;a second heater capable of heating said vessel above said melting point;wherein said salt material further comprises a residue salt material, maintained within said vessel when said drain heater and said second heater are energized, that forms said solid plug when said drain heater is de-energized. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said solid plug, when said drain heater and said second heater are de-energized, prohibits said salt material from exiting said end of said drain conduit. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said salt material exits said drain conduit when said drain heater and said second heater are energized.