Field of the invention

The present invention relates to improvements in the field of off gas cleaning in the context of mixed oxide (MOX) sintering. In particular, the present invention relates to off gas cleaning for MOX sintering plants with integrated cyclone separator.

One aspect relates to a cyclone separator for separating solid parts from an off gas, the cyclone separator being in particular configured for installation in an off gas glove box. Another aspect relates to a corresponding cyclone separator arrangement. Another aspect relates to a corre sponding off gas glove box for a MOX pellet sintering furnace. Another aspect relates to a method for separating solid parts, such as MOX particles, from an off gas. Another aspect re lates to the cooling of an off gas. This aspect relates to the condensations of organic sub stances in the off gas stream. This aspect is related to the removal of condensable organic sub stance from the off gas stream. Further aspects relate to an off gas glove box for a MOX pellet sintering furnace, the off gas box having an improved overall configuration and/or arrangement with regard to maintenance and/or cleanability of the off gas glove box. Another aspect relates to an off gas glove box for a MOX pellet sintering furnace, the off gas box having an improved arrangement of cooling lines.

Background of the invention

In the process of obtaining nuclear fuel elements the downstream treatment of off-gases plays an important role. A common process of obtaining nuclear fuel elements is the process of sinter ing MOX pellets, out of UO ₂ and PUO ₂ . During pellet production process gas in a sintering fur nace will be contaminated with radioactive particles, for example MOX particles, and/or other harmful substances, for example zinc stearate. Therefore, contaminated process gas is directed as off gas to a purification system coupled to the sintering furnace (i.e. to a pre-sintering zone of the MOX plant). The purification system is typically configured to filter and cool the off gas, be fore the filtered and cooled off gas is exhausted into the end user’s ventilation system.

Purification systems known from practice are often designed as off gas glove boxes and typi cally comprise various heat exchangers, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters and fluid cooled filters.

There is a need for further improving such purification systems in order to achieve an enhanced purification and cooling of off gas. This need is solved by the subject matter according to the independent claims.

Summary of the invention

An aspect relates to a cyclone separator for separating solid parts from an off gas (an exhaust gas), in particular for installation in an off gas glove box, preferably for a MOX pellet sintering furnace. The term solid parts as used herein can include solid substance, solid particles, solid particulates and/or liquid components. Solid parts, solid particles or liquid components (organic components condensed by temperature drop) as described herein can be radioactive sub stances, such MOX particles, and/or other harmful substances, such as zinc stearate.

The cyclone separator can comprise an elongated hollow body having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end and a circumferential wall extending from the first end to the second end. The elongated hollow body can have the form of a cylinder, at least partially, and/or can have the form of a frustum, at least partially. The cyclone separator can be provided with a first opening on the first end and a second opening on the second end. The first opening and the second opening can be opposite to one another. The first opening and the second opening can be coaxially and/or concentric.

When in use, i.e. installed in a purification system such as an off gas glove box, the elongated hollow body of the cyclone separator can be vertically orientated. In this case, the first end can be an upper end and the second end can be a lower end.

The cyclone separator can comprise a first lateral gas inlet for supplying the off gas to an inside of the elongated hollow body, wherein the first lateral gas inlet is provided in the circumferential wall of the elongated hollow body. The lateral gas inlet allows a tangential insertion of the off gas into the inside of the elongated hollow body. By inserting the off gas into the inside of the elongated hollow body via the first lateral gas inlet, the off gas hits and is directed along the in ner surface of the circumferential wall whereby solid parts (particles, particulates) are separated from the off gas by rotational effects and gravity (vortex separation). Such separation effects and functions are known from cyclonic separation systems and methods.

The cyclone separator can comprise a second lateral gas inlet for supplying an additive gas (di lution gas or purge gas) to the inside of the elongated hollow body, wherein the second lateral gas inlet is provided in the circumferential wall of the elongated hollow body and wherein the second lateral gas inlet is spaced from and provided in the vicinity of the first lateral gas inlet, preferably by at least 1 mm, more preferably at least 5 mm, still more preferably at least 10 mm. The second lateral gas inlet allows a tangential insertion of the additive/purge/dilution gas into the inside of the elongated hollow body. The additive/purge/dilution gas can for example be ni trogen.

By inserting additive gas into the inside of the elongated hollow body via the second lateral gas inlet, which is spaced from and provided in the vicinity of the first lateral gas inlet, the off gas is further accelerated and the overall gas flow is increased, which enhances the vortex separation effects and thus improves the separation of solid parts and liquid or solid organic components condensed out of the off gas stream from the off gas. Thus, at least 75 % of all solid parts of the off gas can be separated by the cyclone separator, preferably at least 85 %, more preferably at least 95 %. Further separation can be achieved by one or more downstream filter/s, such as HEPA filters.

Further, by inserting additive gas into the inside of the elongated hollow body in addition to the off gas, i.e. by mixing the off gas and the additive gas, the hot off gas can be abruptly cooled by at least DT = 100° C, preferably by at least DT = 150 °C, more preferably by at least DT = 200 °C. For example, the off gas can thus be cooled from an input temperature of approx. 400° C to an output temperature of approx. 200° C. Hence, a faster and enhanced cooling of the off gas can be achieved. The temperature difference DT by which the off gas is abruptly cooled can be adapted, e.g., by means of the mixing ratio (volume flow) of the off gas and the additive gas.

Further, by inserting additive gas into the inside of the elongated hollow in addition to the off gas, i.e. by mixing the off gas and the additive gas, the hydrogen concentration of the off gas can be reduced. For example, in an off gas being an argon-hydrogen mixture (e.g. 6 %), the hy drogen concentration can be significantly reduced (e.g. less than 4 %)by inserting the additive gas as described. As mentioned before the additive gas can be nitrogen gas.

The cyclone separator can comprise a gas outlet for outputting the off gas and the additive gas. In particular, the gas outlet can be provided for outputting a mixture of the off gas and the addi tive gas, from which a substantial percentage of solid parts has already been separated as de scribed above.

The cyclone separator can comprise or be connectable with a container for collecting the solid parts separated from the off gas. More precisely, the elongated hollow body can be connectable or connected with a container for collecting the solid or liquid parts, such as MOX particles and/or zinc stearate, that have been separated from the off gas.

The first lateral gas inlet can be arranged on a portion of the circumferential wall in the vicinity of the first end. The second lateral gas inlet can be arranged on a portion of the circumferential wall in the vicinity of the first end. The first lateral gas inlet can comprise at least one portion, such as a first tubular connector, that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body. In an embodi ment in which the elongated hollow body is oriented vertically, the at least one portion of the first lateral gas inlet can be oriented horizontally. The second lateral gas inlet can comprise at least one portion, such as a second tubular connector, that extends transversely, preferably perpen dicularly, to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body. In an embodiment in which the elongated hollow body is oriented vertically, the at least one portion of the second lateral gas inlet can be oriented horizontally.

The gas outlet of the cyclone separator can be arranged at the first end of the elongated hollow body, i.e. at the upper end in a vertically oriented elongated hollow body. Preferably, the gas outlet can be the first opening of the elongated hollow body or can be a part of the first opening, preferably arranged in the center of the first opening. In the latter case, the first opening can be partly closed by a cover comprising the gas outlet. In particular, the gas outlet can be concentric to the first opening.

The container for collecting the separated solid parts can be connectable to or connected with the second end of the elongated hollow body. The container, the first opening, the second open ing and optionally the gas outlet can be coaxially aligned. The container can preferably be con nectable to or connected with the second end of the elongated hollow body by a container con nection flange.

The container for collecting the separated solid parts and/or liquid components can be a collec tion pot.

The container for collecting the separated solid parts can be removably connectable to or con nected with the elongated hollow body. Thus, the container can be manually or automatically be removed for emptying, cleaning and/or replacing the container.

The cyclone separator can comprise a cooling arrangement for cooling the off gas inside the elongated hollow body. More precisely, the cooling arrangement can be configured to cool the elongated hollow body of the cyclone separator, which consequently cools the off gas inside the elongated hollow body. The cooling arrangement can be configured to distribute a cooling me dium, such as cooling water, and can be connectable with a cooling circuit. The cooling ar rangement can be in the form of at least one tube or a plurality of interconnected tubes extend ing helically along an outer surface of the circumferential wall of the elongated hollow body. The at least one tube or the plurality of tubes can be fastened, e.g. welded, to the circumferential wall. By means of the cooling arrangement, the off gas can be further cooled before leaving the elongated hollow body through the gas outlet.

A minimum cross-sectional area of the first lateral gas inlet for supplying the off gas to an inside of the elongated hollow body can be larger than a minimum cross-sectional area of the second lateral gas inlet for supplying an additive gas to the inside of the elongated hollow body. The ra tio of the minimum cross-sectional area of the first lateral gas inlet to the minimum cross-sec tional area of the second lateral gas inlet can be at least 10:1, preferably at least 20:1, more preferably at least 30: 1 , still more preferably at least 40: 1 , in particular 44: 1. By this ratio a pref erably mixture of off gas and additive gas for optimally separating and cooling the off gas can be achieved. The ratio of the diameter of the first lateral gas inlet to the diameter of the second lat eral gas inlet can be at least 3:1, preferably at least 4:1, more preferably at least 5:1, still more preferably at least 6:1. For example, the diameter of the first lateral gas inlet can be 100 mm.

For example, the diameter of the second lateral gas inlet can be 15 mm.

Another aspect relates to a cyclone separator arrangement, in particular for an off gas glove box. The cyclone separator arrangement comprises a cyclone separator of the type described above, i.e. comprising one or more of the features described above, and a filter device con nected with a gas outlet of the cyclone separator. The filter device can comprise an elongated filter housing and a filter being arranged inside the filter housing. The cyclone separator ar rangement can further comprise one or more of the below features.

In an aspect, a cyclone separator arrangement comprises a cyclone separator for separating solid parts from an off gas, in particular for installation in an off gas glove box, wherein the cy clone separator comprises an elongated hollow body having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end and a circumferential wall. The cyclone separator further comprises a first lateral gas inlet for supplying the off gas to an inside of the elongated hollow body, the first lateral gas inlet being provided in the circumferential wall of the elongated hollow body, and a second lat eral gas inlet for supplying an additive gas to the inside of the elongated hollow body, the sec ond lateral gas inlet being provided in the circumferential wall of the elongated hollow body and being spaced from the first lateral gas inlet. The cyclone separator further comprises a gas out let for outputting the off gas and the additive gas. The elongated hollow body is connectable or connected with a container for collecting the solid parts separated from the off gas. In other words, the container can be attachable or attached to the elongated hollow body. The cyclone separator arrangement further comprises a filter device connected with, i.e. attached to, the gas outlet of the cyclone separator, wherein the filter device comprises an elongated filter housing and a filter being arranged inside the filter housing. The elongated filter housing, the filter and the elongated hollow body of the cyclone separator can be coaxially aligned. Preferably, the elongated filter housing, the filter, the elongated hollow body and the container can be coaxially aligned. By means of this alignment, solid parts and contaminations separated by both the filter device and the cyclone separator can be collected together in one collector portion, preferably in the container.

The elongated filter housing can have a first filter housing end and an opposite second filter housing end. The first filter housing end can be configured in the form of a four way connector, and the second filter housing end can be provided with an opening that is connected with the gas outlet of the cyclone separator.

In particular, the filter device can be attached to the cyclone separator, more precisely the elon gated filter housing can be attached to the elongated hollow body, preferably the second filter housing end can be attached to the first end of the elongated hollow body of the cyclone sepa rator, so that the opening of the second filter housing end is axially aligned and/or connected with the gas outlet. In particular, the filter device can be attached to the cyclone separator, more precisely the elongated filter housing can be attached to the elongated hollow body, preferably the second filter housing end can be attached to the first end of the elongated hollow body of the cyclone separator, so that the opening of the second filter housing end, an opening of the first filter housing end (e.g. an upper opening of the four way connector) and the gas outlet are axially aligned.

Preferably, the opening of the second filter housing end can be connected with the gas outlet by a filter connection flange. The filter device can be attached to the cyclone separator, more pre cisely the second filter housing end can be attached to the first end of the elongated hollow body of the cyclone separator, by a filter connection flange.

The gas outlet can be connected to the filter device by a connection portion. The connection portion can be formed as a compensator for compensating thermal expansions.

The four way connector can comprise at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening can be coaxially aligned with the filter and the filter housing and can be removably closed by a cover, such that the filter is removable from the filter housing via the at least one opening. More over, after removal of the filter, the filter device and the elongated hollow body can be cleanable via the at least one opening. The cover can be a blind flange. In a vertically oriented cyclone separator and filter device, the at least one opening can be an upper opening. The four way connector can comprise more than the at least one opening. In an aspect, a cyclone separator arrangement comprises a cyclone separator for separating solid parts from an off gas and a filter device for further (subsequent) filtering of the off gas. The cyclone separator and the filter device can be connected with one another and can be coaxially aligned. This can improve the cleanability of the cyclone separator arrangement as the coaxial alignment allows brushing both the elongated filter housing and the elongated hollow body of the cyclone separator together and preferably through one single opening and/or preferably in one single step. The cyclone separator and the filter device can both be arranged substantially vertically when installed in a purification system such as an off gas glove box.

The cyclone separator can comprise an elongated hollow body having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a circumferential wall. The first end can have a first opening and the second end can have a second opening. When in use, i.e. installed in a purification system such as an off gas glove box, the elongated hollow body of the cyclone sep arator can be vertically orientated. In this case, the first end can be an upper end and the sec ond end can be a lower end. The cyclone separator can further comprise a first lateral gas inlet for supplying the off gas to an inside of the elongated hollow body. The first lateral gas inlet can be provided in the circumferential wall of the elongated hollow body, preferably in the vicinity of the first end. The cyclone separator can further comprise a gas outlet for outputting the off gas and the additive gas. The elongated hollow body can be connectable or connected with a con tainer for collecting the solid parts separated from the off gas. The filter device can be con nected with the gas outlet of the cyclone separator. The filter device can comprise an elongated filter housing and a filter being arranged inside the filter housing. The elongated filter housing and the elongated hollow body of the cyclone separator can be coaxially aligned.

Further, the container can be coaxially aligned with the elongated filter housing and the elon gated hollow body of the cyclone separator. This coaxial alignment can also improve the clean- ability of the cyclone separator arrangement as it allows collecting solid parts separated from the off gas both by the cyclone separator and by the filter device in a single, common container.

Preferably, the gas outlet can be coaxially aligned with the container, the elongated filter hous ing and the elongated hollow body of the cyclone separator. The gas outlet can be arranged at the first end (upper end) and the container can be arranged at the second end (lower end).

The cyclone separator arrangement, more precisely the cyclone separator, can comprise a sec ond lateral gas inlet for supplying an additive/diluting/purge gas to the inside of the elongated hollow body. The second lateral gas inlet can be provided in the circumferential wall of the elon gated hollow body and being in the vicinity of and spaced from the first lateral gas inlet. The cyclone separator arrangement can comprise further features or feature combinations de scribed above.

Another aspect relates to an off gas glove box, in particular for a MOX pellet sintering furnace. The off gas glove box comprises a cyclone separator of the type described above, i.e. compris ing one or more of the features described above, or an off gas glove box comprises a cyclone separator arrangement of the type described above, i.e. comprising one or more of the features described above.

The off gas glove box can be connectable or connected to a pre-sintering zone of a sintering furnace unit and to an end user off gas ventilation system, wherein the off gas glove box is ar ranged between the pre-sintering zone and the ventilation system so that off gas from the pre sintering zone can be directed through the off gas glove box, in which the off gas is separated, filtered and cooled, to the ventilation system.

Another aspect relates to a method for separating solid parts from an off gas, in particular using the cyclone separator of the type described above or a cyclone separator arrangement of the type described above. The method comprises the steps:

- supplying the off gas to a cyclone separator via a first lateral gas inlet of the cyclone sepa rator;

- diluting the off gas inside the cyclone separator by supplying an additive gas to the cy clone separator via a second lateral gas inlet of the cyclone separator, the additive gas being preferably nitrogen;

- cooling the off gas within the cyclone separator by at least 100° C (temperature difference DT) by means diluting the off gas with the additive gas. Thus, the off gas can preferably be cooled abruptly by at least 100° C, e.g. from T1 (initial temperature of the off gas when entering the cyclone separator) to T2 (temperature of the off gas cooled by the additive gas), wherein T2 = T1 - 100° C or less.

It is apparent that when the off gas is supplied into the cyclone separator, in particular into an elongated hollow body of the cyclone separator, the off gas hits and is directed along the inner surface of the circumferential wall whereby solid and/or liquid parts (particles, particulates) are separated from the gas by rotational effects and gravity (vortex separation). Such separation ef fects and functions are known in the field of cyclonic separation systems and methods. In the present method, the vortex separation and underlying effects are further enhanced by addition ally inserting the additive gas into the inside of the elongated hollow body, whereby the off gas is further accelerated and the overall gas flow is increased. Thus, at least 80 % of all solid parts of the off gas can be separated by the separating method, preferably at least 90 %, more prefer ably at least 95 %. Further separation can be achieved by additional subsequent filtering by one or more downstream filter/s, such as HEPA filters.

The method can comprise a step of collecting separated solid parts in a container.

The method can comprise a step of further cooling the off gas inside the cyclone separator by a cooling arrangement, the cooling arrangement being preferably in the form of at least one tube extending helically along an outer surface of the circumferential wall of the elongated hollow body.

Another aspect relates to a method for separating solid parts from an off gas using a cyclone separator of the type described above or a cyclone separator arrangement of the type described above.

Another aspect relates to an off gas glove box, in particular for a MOX pellet sintering furnace, which off gas glove box has an improved overall structure with regard to maintenance of the off gas glove box and its components.

The off gas glove box can comprise a base body having a shell type construction, preferably comprising stainless steel. The shell type construction can have a wall thickness of at least 6 mm. The base body, more precisely the shell type construction, can comprise a plurality of windows, which are preferably made of polycarbonate or any other suitable material. The base body can for example be provided with one or more windows on sides of the off gas glove box, each window having a substantially rectangular shape. For example, four windows can be pro vided in each of two opposing sides, which can be a side that faces the furnace unit when ar ranged in the plant and a side that faces away from the furnace unit. One or more further win dows can be provided in the other sides of the base body.

The off gas glove box can have a structure with at least two, preferably three different levels, wherein the levels are arranged in different heights from an underground of the off gas glove box relative to one another. Such a configuration of the off gas glove box enables an improved accessibility of the off gas glove box for improved cleanability and maintainability of the off gas glove box and its components.

The off gas glove box can comprise a cleaning level, on which the off gas glove box can be cleaned by a user. The off gas glove box, more precisely the base body, can comprise a plurality of interfaces be tween an outside and an inside of the off gas glove box, wherein the off gas glove box can be manually cleaned via these interfaces, e.g. by replacing containers in which separated particles of the off gas have been collected and/or by brushing pipes. Each of the plurality of interfaces can have a substantially circular shape. Each of the plurality of interfaces can be provided in one of the windows, wherein one window can comprise more than one interface. Each of the in terfaces can be an aperture forming a glove and/or bag port. Each side of the base body can for example comprise more than 10, preferably more than 14, more preferably more than 18, still more preferably at least 20 interfaces. Other numbers of interfaces are possible, depending on the respective application. Further interfaces can be provided on sides of the base body not be ing the side facing to or away from the furnace unit. Bag ports can have larger diameters that glove ports. For example, a bag port can have a diameter of 300 mm.

The off gas glove box, more precisely the base body, in particular the side of the base body fac ing the furnace unit can further comprise an off gas aperture for introducing the off gas from the pre-sintering zone to the off gas glove box.

The off gas glove box can comprise a maintenance level, on which the off gas glove box can be maintained by maintenance personnel. More precisely, the maintenance level can be a platform above or formed by a top surface of the base body. The maintenance level can comprise ex posed and thus accessible components which can be service, replaced, etc. Such components can be a nitrogen gas supply for a cyclone separator, nitrogen exhaust equipment, outside HEPA filters, struts and other equipment. The components can be arranged on a top of the off gas glove box. The maintenance level can be further spaced from the underground than the cleaning level. The maintenance level can comprise a maintenance platform that is spaced more than 2000 mm, preferably more than 2250 mm, more preferably more than 2500 mm, still more preferably approx. 2580 mm from the underground. The maximum height of the off gas glove box, i.e. its struts and equipment exposed on the maintenance level, can be approx. 4000 mm. The cleaning level can be is spaced from the underground. The cleaning level can com prise a cleaning platform that is spaced more than 1200 mm, preferably more than 1450 mm, more preferably more than 1600 mm, still more preferably approx. 1617 mm from the under ground.

A user/maintenance personnel can access the cleaning level from the underground via a first set of steps connecting the underground to the cleaning level. A user/maintenance personnel can access the maintenance level via a second set of steps connecting the cleaning level to the maintenance level. One or both of the set of steps can be retractable. The off gas glove box can comprise a ground level, preferably including a plurality of feet which support a base body of the off gas glove box on the underground. The off gas glove box can comprise six feet, which can each be adjustable.

The top surface of the base body can be provided with one or more windows, each window be ing equipped with a light source above the window in order to illuminate the inside of the off gas glove box.

The off gas glove box, in particular the top surface of the base body, can comprise a plurality of cooling line interfaces for connecting the cooling lines of the off gas glove box with correspond ing cooling circuits of cooling fluid distribution arrangements.

Another aspect relates to an off gas glove box, in particular for a MOX pellet sintering furnace, which off gas glove box has an improved overall structure with regard to cleanability of the off gas glove box and its components, in particular its pipes.

The off gas glove box can comprise a plurality of pipe connections that are formed as four way connectors. Each four way connector can comprise at least one opening that is not connected to upstream or downstream treatment line path units or arrangements. The at least one opening can be removably closed by a cover, for example by a blind flange. The four way connector can comprise more than one such opening. When in use, i.e. in an installed state of the off gas glove box, each of the four way connectors can be oriented such that two of the four openings of the four way connector lie in a horizontal plane, while the other two of the four openings of the four way connector lie in a vertical plane. All lines/pipes connected with the openings of each four way connector can preferably be aligned with the corresponding opening. This ena bles a simplified cleaning of the treatment line paths of the off gas glove box via the opening/s that are not connected to upstream or downstream treatment line path units or arrangements. At least one opening of some of the four way connectors can be coupled to a container for collect ing solid residues separated from the off gas.

Another aspect relates to an off gas glove box, in particular for a MOX pellet sintering furnace, which off gas glove box has an improved overall structure with a compact size.

The off gas glove box can comprise redundant treatment line paths, in particular two treatment line paths. Thus, one treatment line path can be maintained and/or cleaned, while the other treatment line path can be used for cooling, separating and filtering the off gas. Thus, continu ous operation of the sintering furnace can be guaranteed. The redundant treatment line paths can be configured symmetrically to one another. The off gas glove box can comprise at least one cooling unit with a plurality of cooling lines (cooling pipes) for cooling the off gas directed through the off gas glove box. Each treatment line path can comprise at least one cooling unit.

Each cooling unit can comprise six cooling lines. The cooling lines can be arranged hexago- nally, i.e. in a hexagonal frame, in a (horizontal) cross-sectional view of the cooling lines/the cooling line arrangement. This reduces a base area of the off gas glove box and is thus advan tageous with regard to the needed installation space in the MOX sintering plant.

The cooling lines can be connected in series. The cooling lines can be interconnected in a me andering pattern, so that the off gas is directed along a meandering path through the cooling lines. One of the cooling lines can comprise a cooling unit off gas inlet for entry of the off gas into the cooling unit. Another one of the cooling lines can comprise a cooling unit off gas outlet for output of the off gas from the cooling unit. Some of the cooling lines, preferably four cooling lines, in particular the cooling lines that do not comprise the cooling unit off gas inlet or the cool ing unit off gas outlet, can respectively be connected on a first end (e.g. a top end) by a first bow pipe to an adjacent cooling line and on a second end (e.g. a bottom end) by a second bow pipe to another adjacent cooling line. The bow pipes can be 180° bows.

With other words, each cooling line (cooling pipe) can comprise one cleaning opening at an up per side of the line (pipe) and a container (collection pot) at a lower side of the line (pipe), wherein at least some of the containers are assigned to two adjacent pipes that share this con tainer. In contrast to prior art off gas glove boxes, in which complete pipe bottom portions are to be replaced for cleaning the purposes, in the present disclosure only the containers can be re placed for cleaning the cooling arrangement, i.e. for removing separated particles.

Each bow pipe on top ends of adjacent lines can be provided with a maintenance opening for maintenance purposes. The maintenance opening can be arranged in the center, i.e. on the top most portion, of the bow pipe. The maintenance opening can be removably closed by a blind flange or another removable cover.

Each bow pipe on bottom ends of adjacent lines can be provided with a collection device, e.g. a collection pot, for collecting solid residues. The collection device can be removable. The collec tion device can be provided in the center of the bow and can thus collect residues of both lines. The collection device can be replaced during maintenance.

Each cooling line can be provided with a cooling arrangement in the form of at least one tube or a plurality of interconnected tubes extending helically along an outer surface of the cooling line so as to cool the off gas inside the cooling line. The cooling arrangement can be connected to an external cooling circuit.

The off gas glove box can comprise an off gas supply arrangement for supplying the off gas from the pre-sintering zone/the furnace unit to the off gas glove box, off gas treatment line path selection valves for selecting a treatment line path through which the off gas is directed, a plu rality of water cooled filters, heat exchangers and/or HEPA filter systems.

For separating and cooling the off gas, each of the treatment line paths can comprise a cyclone separator, at least one filter device, at least one cooling unit with a plurality of cooling lines for cooling the off gas directed through the off gas glove box, HEPA filters inside the base body and/or HEPA filters outside of the base body.

A connection between the off gas glove box and the pre-sintering zone of the furnace unit, i.e. the off gas supply arrangement, can comprise a compensator for allowing compensation of ther mal expansion. The connection between the off gas glove box and the pre-sintering zone of the furnace unit, i.e. the off gas supply arrangement, can be encased by a protection cover, prefera bly made of perforated stainless steel, for preventing on operator from touching a hot off gas supply pipe.

Even though some features, functions, embodiments, technical effects and/or advantages have been described with regard to a cyclone separator, a cyclone separator arrangement, an off gas glove box, and/or a method for separating solid parts from an off gas, it will be understood that these features, functions, embodiments, technical effects and advantages can also apply, indi vidually or in combination, accordingly to a cyclone separator, a cyclone separator arrangement, an off gas glove box, and/or a method for separating solid parts from an off gas. Further, even though some features, functions, embodiments, technical effects and/or advantages have been described with regard to particular aspects of a cyclone separator, a cyclone separator arrange ment, an off gas glove box, and/or a method for separating solid parts from an off gas, it will be understood that these features, functions, embodiments, technical effects and advantages can also apply, individually or in combination, accordingly to other aspects of a cyclone separator, a cyclone separator arrangement, an off gas glove box, and/or a method for separating solid parts from an off gas described above. Brief description of the drawings

For a better understanding of embodiments of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a cyclone separator.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a cyclone separator arrangement including the cyclone sepa rator of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of an off gas glove box.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of treatment line paths inside the off gas glove box of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged schematic view of cooling lines of one treatment line path of Fig. 4.

Detailed description of the drawings

Various examples of embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail by virtue of the following embodiments illustrated in the figures and/or described below.

Fig. 1 shows a cyclone separator 10 for separating solid parts, particulates, or substances of an off gas. The cyclone separator 10 can in particular be installed in an off gas glove box or an other purification system (not shown in Fig. 1).

The cyclone separator 10 comprises an elongated hollow body 12, which elongated hollow body 12 has a longitudinal axis, a first end 14 (upper end), a second end 16 (lower end) and a cir cumferential wall 18 extending between the first end 14 and the second end 16. The elongated hollow body 12 is cone shaped tapering from the first end 14 to the second end 16. Fig. 1 shows the cyclone separator 10 in an orientation as when in use, i.e. in an installed state of the cyclone separator 10. In this state the cyclone separator 10, more precisely the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body 12 is oriented in a vertical direction.

A cooling arrangement 20 in the form of a plurality of interconnected tubes extends helically around the elongated hollow body 12 along the longitudinal axis of the cyclone separator. The cooling arrangement 20 is connectable to a cooling circuit (not shown) for distributing cooling water in order to cool off gas inside the elongated hollow body 12. The cooling arrangement 20 is tack welded to the elongated hollow body 12.

The cyclone separator 10 further comprises a first lateral gas inlet 22 for supplying the off gas, being an argon-hydrogen mixture in the embodiment, to an inside of the elongated hollow body 12. The first lateral gas inlet is configured in the circumferential wall 18 of the elongated hollow body 12 in a region close to the first end 14 of the elongated hollow body 12. The first lateral gas inlet 22 allows a tangential insertion of the off gas into the inside of the elongated hollow body 12 so that the off gas hits and is directed along an inner surface of the circumferential wall 18, whereby solid parts (particles, particulates, substances) are separated from the off gas by rotational effects and gravity (vortex separation).

For inserting the off gas into the elongated hollow body 12, the first lateral gas inlet 22 is opera tionally connectable via a flange 24 to a pre-sintering zone of a MOX sintering furnace unit, in particular to an off gas line of a pre-sintering zone of a MOX sintering furnace unit. The first lat eral gas inlet 22 further comprises a first tubular connector 26, that extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow body 12, i.e. is oriented horizontally in the shown embodiment. The first tubular connector 26 connects the flange 24 to the circumferential wall 18.

The cyclone separator 10 further comprises a second lateral gas inlet 28 for supplying an addi tive gas to the inside of the elongated hollow body 12. The additive (or dilution or purge) gas be ing nitrogen in the present embodiment. The second lateral gas inlet 28 is arranged in the cir cumferential wall 18 of the elongated hollow body 12 close to but spaced from the first lateral gas inlet 22. Thus, the second lateral gas inlet 28 is also configured in the circumferential wall 18 of the elongated hollow body 12 in a region close to the first end 14 of the elongated hollow body 12.

The second lateral gas inlet 28 enables a tangential insertion of the nitrogen into the inside of the elongated hollow body 12, which further accelerates the off gas and increased the overall gas flow. This enhances the vortex separation effects and thus improves the separation of solid parts from the off gas. Further, insertion of the additive gas into the inside of the elongated hol low body 12 in addition to the off gas mixes the off gas and the additive gas and thus cools the hot off gas abruptly cooled by at least DT = 100° C. Moreover, mixing the off gas and the addi tive gas, reduces the hydrogen concentration of the off gas up to halve of an initial hydrogen concentration of the off gas entering the cyclone separator 10. For inserting the additive gas into the elongated hollow body 12, the second lateral gas inlet 28 is operationally connectable via a connector 30 to an additive gas supply system, more pre cisely to a nitrogen supply line of a nitrogen supply system. The first second gas inlet 28 further comprises a second tubular connection portion 32, that extends perpendicularly to the longitudi nal axis of the elongated hollow body 12, i.e. is oriented horizontally in the shown embodiment. The second tubular connector 32 connects the connection portion 32 to the circumferential wall 18.

The cyclone separator 10 further comprises a gas outlet 34 for outputting the mixture of off gas and additive gas, which has previously been cleaned from solid and liquid parts in the cyclone separator 10, i.e. off gas without the separated amount of solid parts. As can be seen from Fig.

1 , the gas outlet 34 is arranged at the first end 14 of the elongated hollow body 12, wherein the first end 14 has an opening partly closed by a cover 36 having an aperture forming the gas out let 34. The gas outlet 34 is configured for being connected to a downstream filter device (see Fig. 2) by a connection portion 36. The connection portion 36 is formed as a compensator for compensating thermal expansions.

At the second end 16, the elongated hollow body 12 is connectable with a removable container (see Fig. 2) for collecting the solid parts separated from the off gas.

Fig. 2 shows a cyclone separator arrangement 40 for an off gas glove box or another purifica tion system (not shown in Fig. 2). The cyclone separator arrangement comprises the cyclone separator 10 of Fig. 1. Most reference signs of features of the cyclone separator 10 shown in Fig. 1 have been omitted in Fig. 2 for better overview.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the lower second end 16 of the elongated hollow body 12 of the cy clone separator 10 is connected with a removable container 38 for collecting the solid parts sep arated from the off gas. The container 38 is configured as a collection pot. The collection pot can be removed for emptying, cleaning and/or replacing the collection pot.

The cyclone separator arrangement 40 comprises a filter device 50, which is connected to the upper first end 14 of the elongated hollow body 12 of the cyclone separator 10. More precisely, a lower end 52 of the filter device 50 is connected to the gas outlet 34 of the cyclone separator 10. Thus, the filter device 50 is arranged downstream of the cyclone separator 10 in view of the flow path of the off gas from a pre-sintering zone to an end user ventilation system. The filter device 50 is provided for further filtering the off gas subsequent to the separation by the cyclone separator. The filter device 50 comprises an elongated filter housing 54 and a filter (not shown) being ar ranged inside the filter housing 54. The filter housing 54 and the filter contained therein are ver tically oriented. The elongated filter housing 54, the filter, the elongated hollow body 12 of the cyclone separator 10 and the container 38 are coaxially aligned. By means of this alignment, solid parts and contaminations separated by both the filter device 50 and the cyclone separator 10 can be collected together in the container 38.

The elongated filter housing 54 comprises a filter cooling arrangement 56 in the form of a plural ity of interconnected tubes. The filter cooling arrangement 56 extends helically around the elon gated filter housing 54 along a longitudinal axis of the filter device 50. The cooling arrangement 56 is connectable to a cooling circuit (not shown) for distributing cooling water in order to cool off gas inside the elongated filter housing 54. The cooling arrangement 56 is tack welded to the elongated filter housing 54.

The filter device 50 has an upper end 58 opposite to the lower end 52 of the filter device 50, which upper end 58 is formed as a four way connector 60. An upper portion 62 of the four way connector 60 comprises an opening closed by a removable blind flange 64. A lower portion 66 of the four way connector 60 merges into the elongated filter housing 54. A left portion 68 of the four way connector 60 comprises an opening closed by another removable blind flange 70. A right portion 70 of the four way connector 60 merges into a connection tube 72 for connecting the filter device 50 to further downstream systems. The opening of the upper portion 62 of the four way connector 60 is coaxially aligned with the filter and the filter housing 54, such that the filter is removable from the filter housing 54 via the corresponding opening when the blind flange 64 is removed. Moreover, after removal of the filter, the filter device 50 can be cleanable via the opening. The opening of the of the upper portion 62 of the four way connector 60 (and the filter housing 54) is also coaxially aligned with the elongated hollow body 12 of the cyclone separator, the gas outlet 34 and the container 38. Thus, these components can be cleaned in one step together via the opening of the upper portion 62, when the blind flange 64 is removed. Further, solid particles of the off gas separated in the cyclone separator 10 and filtered in the fil ter device 50 can be collected together in the container 38. Blind flange 70 can be removed for simplified cleaning (e.g. brushing) of the adjacent horizontal tubing 68, 70, 72.

As further shown in Fig. 2, a connection pipe 80 between a valve (not shown) for switching be tween treatment line paths and the cyclone separator 10 is equipped with a pressure indicator 82 protected by a filter. The connection tube 72 is equipped with a thermocouple 74 and an other pressure indicator 76 protected by a filter. Fig. 3 shows an off gas glove box 100 that can be installed in a MOX sintering plant between a pre-sintering zone of a sintering furnace unit and an end user ventilation system (both not shown). The off gas glove box 100 comprises two redundant treatment line paths inside the off gas glove box. Each treatment line path is provided with a cyclone separator arrangement 40 according to Fig. 2.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, the off gas glove box 100 is structured in three different levels, having different heights seen from an underground on which the off gas glove box stands. The lowest level is ground level 102. The topmost level is the maintenance level 106. The middle level be tween the ground level 102 and the maintenance level 106 is the cleaning level 104. The struc ture with different levels improves cleanability and maintainability of the off gas glove box 100.

Fig. 4 shows two redundant treatment line paths for directing the off gas inside the off gas glove box of Fig. 3. Each treatment line path comprises a cyclone separator arrangement 40 accord ing to Fig. 2 and at least one cooling unit 110 with a plurality of cooling lines (cooling pipes) 112 for cooling the off gas directed through the off gas glove box. In the shown embodiment, each cooling unit 110 comprises six cooling lines 112, which are arranged hexagonally. The hexago nal arrangement of the cooling lines 112 is shown in an enlarged detail view in Fig. 5. The hex agonal arrangement of the cooling lines 112 allows to reduce a base area of the off gas glove box 100 and is thus advantageous with regard to the needed installation space of the off gas glove box in the MOX sintering plant.

List of reference signs

10 cyclone separator 76 pressure indicator

12 elongated hollow body 80 connection pipe

14 first end 82 pressure indicator

16 second end 100 off gas glove box

18 circumferential wall 102 ground level

20 cooling arrangement 104 cleaning level

22 first lateral gas inlet 106 maintenance level

24 flange 110 cooling unit

26 first tubular connector 112 cooling lines

28 second lateral gas inlet

30 connector

32 second tubular connection portion

34 gas outlet

36 cover

38 container

40 cyclone separator arrangement

50 filter device

52 lower end

54 elongated filter housing

56 filter cooling arrangement

58 upper end

60 four way connector

62 upper portion

64 blind flange

66 lower portion

68 left portion

70 blind flange

72 connection tube

74 thermocouple