GB950198A - A method of testing and apparatus applicable to the control of the manufacture of uranium - Google Patents

Abstract

950,198. Determining relative quantities of fluid mixture constituents. UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY. June 20, 1961 [July 8, 1960], No. 24007/60. Heading G1N. [Also in Division G3] In an arrangement for controlling the admission of acid and uranium to maintain optimum conditions for solvent extraction from an acid solution of a uranium salt the electrical conductivity and the specific gravity are measured in a manner to produce electrical signals, both signals are applied to each of two resolver circuits including components of experimentally determined values to produce signals indicative of the acidity of the solution and of the uranium concentration, and the respective signals are applied each through a recorder controller to control valves in nitric acid and uranyl nitrate supply lines feeding the vessel containing the solution. Conductivity is measured by two side by side wound toroids T 1 , T 2 , Figs. 1 and 2, which are mounted in an insulated block 10 and coupled by a loop 2 of solution. Winding 3 of transformer T 1 is energized by an oscillator 4 having a frequency of 10 000 cycles and additional windings on the transformer are connected with a resistor R in a circuit 9 to produce a null output from transformer 2 for a predetermined conductivity of solution. The arrangement is self-balancing resistor R being adjusted by a motor 8 in response to an error signal detected in a phase sensitive detector 6. An output signal may be developed by a mechanically coupled wiper on a potentiometer connected across a voltage source. A temperature sensitive resistor immersed in the vessel may be connected in a network 9 to provide temperature compensation and the oscillator supply may be modulated at 50 cycles. A stainless steel float 21, Fig. 5, responsive to changes in S. G. tilts a weighbeam 22 about its pivot to change the capacity of a plate condenser 25 and insert a moving coil in a magnet 24. The change in capacity changes the output of an oscillator 27 to provide a signal to coil 23 whereby the beam is restored to its original position and the current in the coil provides an indication of specific gravity. A zero setting potential can be introduced.