A system for the production of radioactive material

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of preparation systems of radioactive material, including container equipment room, feed pump room and preparation equipment room, container equipment room is surrounded by anti-radiation wall, feed pump room and preparation equipment room are two independent rooms, and all are located in the side of container equipment room;Container equipment room includes raw material feeder and product receiver, feed pump room includes raw material feed pump, preparation equipment room includes preparation equipment, raw material feeder, raw material feed pump, preparation equipment and product receiver are sequentially communicated by through-wall pipeline, raw material feed pump transports raw material in raw material feeder to preparation equipment, and the product of preparation equipment is transported to product receiver.The application improves the safety and convenience of maintenance from the arrangement mode of workshop and equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of nuclear industry production, and more specifically, to a system for preparing radioactive materials. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most chemical operations in nuclear fuel reprocessing plants are conducted under highly radioactive conditions. Therefore, in the design of nuclear fuel reprocessing engineering, effectively shielding radioactive materials to meet operational requirements, while also considering the safety, simplicity, and feasibility of maintenance processes, has always been a key focus.

[0003] For example, in nuclear fuel reprocessing, tetravalent uranium is needed to reduce pentavalent plutonium to tetravalent, thus separating uranium and plutonium. Electrolysis is currently a relatively simple and easy method for preparing tetravalent uranium. In existing facilities, electrolytic cells, storage tanks, centrifugal pumps, and other equipment required for the preparation process are often arranged together in an equipment room. However, during production, the electrical components inside the electrolytic cells and the centrifugal pumps have a high failure rate and cannot be directly repaired. Maintenance requires emptying and cleaning the entire equipment room and its equipment until a certain level of decontamination is achieved before maintenance personnel can access the room. However, due to the difficulty in cleaning and decontaminating some components, the radiation dose often exceeds safe limits, posing an unnecessary health threat to maintenance personnel. This equipment arrangement has serious shortcomings in terms of operability and safety.

[0004] The prior art CN113460650A discloses an automated feeding method for uranium conversion materials, which is applied to an automated feeding system for uranium conversion materials. The method is as follows: assembling a sealed canister kit; conveying the sealed canister kit to an elevator; lifting the sealed canister kit to the upper floor of the plant; moving the sealed canister kit to the feeding position; performing the feeding operation; transferring the empty sealed canister kit to a translational conveyor; feeding multiple sets of sealed canister kits sequentially; transferring the sealed canister kit to an elevator; lowering the sealed canister kit to the lower floor of the plant; conveying the sealed canister kit to the translational conveyor; and recovering all sets of sealed canister kits.

[0005] Existing technology CN111599501A discloses a method for arranging a nuclear waste liquid system in a nuclear auxiliary building of a nuclear power plant. The method includes a nuclear auxiliary building in the nuclear island of the nuclear power plant, equipped with a nuclear waste liquid system. The nuclear auxiliary building comprises two underground floors and six above-ground floors. The nuclear auxiliary building can be divided into eight layout floors according to its elevation. The nuclear waste liquid within the nuclear auxiliary building requires treatment before discharge due to varying radioactivity doses. Radiation zoning needs to be accurately defined, with protective layers and protected areas set up around the work areas in high-radiation zones, employing layered protection to minimize environmental impact.

[0006] None of the above technical solutions address the layout of the plant and equipment pipelines for the radioactive material preparation system, in order to improve the safety and convenience of maintenance.

[0007] In view of the above technical problems, this invention is hereby introduced. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The main objective of this invention is to provide a system for preparing radioactive materials to address the problems of poor safety and convenience in equipment maintenance.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a radioactive material preparation system, comprising a container equipment room, a feed pump room, and a preparation equipment room. The container equipment room is surrounded by a radiation-proof wall, and the feed pump room and the preparation equipment room are two independent rooms, both located on the side of the container equipment room.

[0010] The container equipment room includes a raw material feeder and a product receiver, the feed pump room includes a raw material feed pump, and the preparation equipment room includes a preparation device. The raw material feeder, the raw material feed pump, the preparation device, and the product receiver are connected in sequence through a through-wall pipe. The raw material feed pump transports the raw materials in the raw material feeder to the preparation device for preparation, and the product from the preparation device is transported to the product receiver.

[0011] Furthermore, the raw material feeder is positioned lower than the raw material feed pump in the height direction, and the raw material feed pump is positioned lower than the preparation equipment in the height direction.

[0012] Furthermore, both the raw material feeder and the product receiver are fixed to the radiation shielding wall of the container equipment room, with the product receiver positioned higher than the raw material feed pump in the vertical direction.

[0013] Furthermore, the preparation equipment chamber is located above the feed pump chamber.

[0014] Furthermore, the through-wall pipe includes a delivery pipe and a sealing sleeve. The sealing sleeve is fitted onto the delivery pipe, and the delivery pipe passes through the radiation shielding wall through the sealing sleeve.

[0015] Furthermore, the sealing sleeve includes an arc-shaped sleeve, through which the conveying pipe at the inlet of the raw material feed pump enters the container equipment chamber, and through which the conveying pipe at the outlet of the raw material feed pump enters the container equipment chamber.

[0016] Furthermore, valves are installed on the conveying pipes at both the outlet and inlet of the raw material feeding pump.

[0017] Furthermore, the sealing sleeve also includes a straight sleeve, through which the conveying pipe at the inlet of the preparation equipment enters the container equipment chamber, and through which the conveying pipe at the outlet of the preparation equipment enters the container equipment chamber.

[0018] Furthermore, the container equipment also includes a product feeder, which is fixed to the radiation shielding wall by a bracket and is connected to the product receiver.

[0019] Furthermore, the feed pump chamber also includes a product feed pump, and the product feeder is connected to the product feed pump through a through-wall pipe.

[0020] Furthermore, the container equipment also includes a raw material receiver, which is fixed to the radiation-proof wall by a bracket and is connected to the raw material feeder.

[0021] Furthermore, protective doors are installed on the walls of the feed pump room and the preparation equipment room on the side away from the container equipment room.

[0022] Furthermore, the preparation system also includes a hoisting room and a maintenance room. The hoisting room is located outside the protective door, and the maintenance room is located above the preparation equipment room.

[0023] Furthermore, the container equipment also includes a material pouring device.

[0024] Furthermore, the radiation shielding wall comprises a concrete wall and a steel plate, with the concrete wall surrounding the container equipment room and the steel plate located on the inner surface of the concrete wall.

[0025] By applying the technical solution of this invention, at least the following beneficial effects are achieved:

[0026] 1. The preparation system of this application arranges the radioactive liquid containers, feed pumps and preparation equipment in separate rooms according to the differences in radioactivity level, equipment maintenance method and material transportation method. The containers holding raw materials and products are all concentrated in the container equipment room to prevent the high radioactivity liquid containers from adversely affecting the maintenance of pump valves and preparation equipment, thereby improving the convenience and safety of maintenance.

[0027] 2. The preparation system of this application ensures effective isolation between the container equipment room with a relatively high level of radioactivity and other plant buildings by designing radiation-proof walls around the container equipment room and using sealed through-wall sleeves to connect the container equipment room with the feed pump room and the preparation equipment room.

[0028] 3. The preparation system of this application is designed with a high and low arrangement of raw material feeders, raw material pumps and preparation equipment, and with a structure of pipelines and arc-shaped sleeves. After the material is stopped being transported, the radioactive material in the pipelines and pumps can flow back to the material container by gravity, thereby reducing the retention of radioactive material in the pipelines and equipment and reducing the impact of radioactive material on maintenance personnel.

[0029] 4. The preparation system of this application uses a bracket to fix various liquid containers to the wall of the container equipment room, which facilitates the high and low configuration of different containers and the layout of through-wall pipes. The container equipment room adopts a maintenance-free material pouring method, which reduces maintenance costs and reduces the time personnel are exposed to radiation.

[0030] 5. The preparation system of this application further improves the safety and efficiency of maintenance by setting protective doors on the walls of the feed pump room and the preparation equipment room, as well as setting up a hoisting room and a maintenance room. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 A vertical cross-sectional view of the preparation system of one embodiment is shown;

[0033] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Sectional view along direction AA in the middle;

[0034] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 BB direction sectional view.

[0035] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0036] 1. Container equipment room; 2. Feed pump room; 3. Preparation equipment room; 4. Raw material feed pump; 5. Preparation equipment; 6. Raw material feeder; 7. Product receiver; 8. Conveying pipeline; 9. Curved sleeve; 10. Straight sleeve; 11. Valve; 12. Product feeder; 13. Product feed pump; 14. Raw material receiver; 15. Support frame; 16. Protective door; 17. Hoisting room; 18. Maintenance room; 19. Concrete wall; 20. Steel plate. Detailed Implementation

[0037] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0038] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. These embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection claimed by the present invention. The term "comprising" indicates the presence of a feature, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features. The terms "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the purpose of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0039] In this description, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0040] Example:

[0041] This invention proposes a system for preparing radioactive materials, primarily improving the safety and convenience of maintenance through the layout of the plant and equipment. In this embodiment, a system for preparing tetravalent uranium is used as an example to illustrate the technical solution of this system. In other embodiments, this system can also be used to prepare other radioactive materials. Any adaptive adjustments made by those skilled in the art to the system based on the characteristics of the preparation processes for various radioactive materials are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the preparation system is housed within the plant structure, comprising a container equipment room 1, a feed pump room 2, and a preparation equipment room 3. The container equipment room 1 is surrounded by radiation-shielding walls. The feed pump room 2 and the preparation equipment room 3 are two independent rooms, both located to the side of the container equipment room 1. Preferably, both the feed pump room 2 and the preparation equipment room 3 are also surrounded by radiation-shielding walls.

[0043] The container equipment chamber 1 includes a raw material feeder 6 and a product receiver 7. The feed pump chamber 2 includes a raw material feed pump 4. The preparation equipment chamber 3 includes a preparation equipment 5. The raw material feeder 6, the raw material feed pump 4, the preparation equipment 5 and the product receiver 7 are connected in sequence through a through-wall pipe. The raw material feed pump 4 transports the raw materials in the raw material feeder 6 to the preparation equipment 5 for preparation. The product of the preparation equipment 5 is transported to the product receiver 7.

[0044] Preferably, the container equipment room 1 also includes a raw material receiver 14. The raw material feeder 6, the product receiver 7, and the raw material receiver 14 are all fixed to the radiation shielding wall by a bracket 15, and the raw material receiver 14 is connected to the raw material feeder 6.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, preferably, the container equipment room 1 also includes a product feeder 12, which is fixed to the radiation shielding wall by a bracket 15 and is connected to the product receiver 7.

[0046] In addition, the feed pump chamber 2 also includes a product feed pump 13, and the product feeder 12 is connected to the product feed pump 13 through a through-wall pipe.

[0047] In this embodiment, the container equipment chamber 1 mainly houses various liquid containers for the preparation system, including containers for raw materials and containers for products. Preferably, in this embodiment, all containers are storage tanks, also known as "storage tanks" or "reservoirs," which refer to equipment used for storing various liquid raw materials, semi-finished products, or finished products. Due to the wide variety of storage media and storage conditions, different types of storage tanks will be used. In this embodiment, the raw material feeder 6, product receiver 7, product feeder 12, and raw material receiver 14 are all storage tanks. The container equipment chamber 1 can also be referred to as a "storage tank equipment chamber."

[0048] The pumps and valves in the feed pump room 2 are active components with a high failure rate, requiring direct maintenance by personnel. They are arranged in a separate equipment room with only pipes and no storage tanks. The power consumption is low, and there is no need to empty or clean them, making maintenance convenient.

[0049] The preparation system of this application arranges the radioactive liquid containers, feed pumps and preparation equipment in separate rooms according to the differences in radioactivity level, equipment maintenance method and material transportation method. The containers holding raw materials and products are all concentrated in the container equipment room to prevent the high radioactivity liquid containers from adversely affecting the maintenance of pump valves and preparation equipment, thereby improving the convenience and safety of maintenance.

[0050] In the tetravalent uranium preparation system of this embodiment, tetravalent uranium is produced by electrolyzing an electrolyte. The raw material is the electrolyte, and the preparation equipment 5 is an electrolytic cell. The tetravalent uranium produced by electrolyzing the raw electrolyte in the electrolytic cell flows out from the overflow port at the top of the electrolytic cell, enters the product receiver 7 of the container equipment chamber 1 through the wall pipe, and is then transported to the product feeder 12. After being adjusted, it is used as a reducing agent, and then transported to the corresponding room by the product feed pump 13 in the feed pump chamber 2.

[0051] In this application, the raw material feeder 6 is positioned lower than the raw material feed pump 4 in the height direction, the raw material feed pump 4 is positioned lower than the preparation equipment 5 in the height direction, and the product receiver 7 is positioned higher than the raw material feed pump 4 in the height direction. The preparation system of this application uses brackets to fix various liquid containers to the wall of the container equipment room, which facilitates the high and low configuration of different containers and also facilitates the arrangement of through-wall pipes.

[0052] Preferably, such as Figure 1 As shown, the preparation equipment chamber 3 is positioned above the feed pump chamber 2. After the feed liquid stops being transported, the radioactive feed liquid in the pipes and pumps can flow back into the feed liquid container by gravity, thereby reducing the retention of radioactive feed liquid in the pipes and equipment and reducing the impact of radioactive feed liquid on maintenance personnel.

[0053] The through-wall conduit includes a delivery pipe 8 and a sealing sleeve. The sealing sleeve is fitted onto the delivery pipe 8, and the delivery pipe 8 passes through the radiation shielding wall via the sealing sleeve. The preparation system of this application ensures effective isolation between the container equipment room, which has a relatively high level of radioactivity, and other plant buildings by designing radiation shielding walls around the container equipment room and using sealed through-wall sleeves to connect the container equipment room with the feed pump room and the preparation equipment room.

[0054] Specifically, the sealing sleeve includes an arc-shaped sleeve 9. The conveying pipe 8 at the inlet of the raw material feed pump 4 passes through the arc-shaped sleeve 9 into the container equipment chamber 1, and the conveying pipe 8 at the outlet of the raw material feed pump 4 passes through the arc-shaped sleeve 9 into the container equipment chamber 1.

[0055] The preparation system of this application is designed with a high-low arrangement of raw material feeders, raw material pumps and preparation equipment, and with a structure of pipes and arc-shaped sleeves. After the material is stopped being transported, the radioactive material in the pipes and pumps can flow back to the material container by gravity, thereby reducing the retention of radioactive material in the pipes and equipment and reducing the impact of radioactive material on maintenance personnel.

[0056] In addition, valves 11 and bypasses are installed on the conveying pipes 8 at the outlet and inlet of the raw material supply pump 4 to facilitate the operation and maintenance of the liquid in the raw material supply pump 4 and the conveying pipes 8.

[0057] The sealing sleeve also includes a straight sleeve 10. The conveying pipe 8 at the inlet of the preparation equipment 5 passes through the straight sleeve 10 into the container equipment chamber 1, and the conveying pipe 8 at the outlet of the preparation equipment 5 passes through the straight sleeve 10 into the container equipment chamber 1.

[0058] In some other embodiments, preferably, the sealing sleeves at the inlet and outlet of the preparation device 5 can also be arc-shaped sleeves 9, so that the radioactive liquid in the pipeline can automatically flow back into the liquid container, thereby reducing the retention of radioactive liquid in the pipeline and equipment.

[0059] Combination Figure 2-3 As shown, protective doors 16 are installed on the walls of both the feed pump chamber 2 and the preparation equipment chamber 3 on the side away from the container equipment chamber 1. Combined with... Figure 1-3 As shown, the preparation system also includes a hoisting room 17 and a maintenance room 18. The hoisting room 17 is located outside the protective door 16, and the maintenance room 18 is located above the preparation equipment room 3.

[0060] In this application, cleaning and decontamination equipment is installed in the container equipment room 1, the feed pump room 2 and the preparation equipment room 3. When personnel need to enter these workshops for maintenance, they need to use the cleaning and decontamination equipment to clean and decontaminate the interior of the workshops in advance.

[0061] Therefore, when the electrical components inside the electrolytic cell need maintenance, after cleaning and decontamination, personnel can enter the room directly through the protective door 16 of the preparation equipment room 3 for maintenance, or open the cover of the preparation equipment room 3 and have the electrolytic cell lifted out for maintenance by the crane in the maintenance room 18.

[0062] When the feed pump valve needs maintenance, personnel can enter the room directly through the protective door 16 of the feed pump room 2 for maintenance, or the feed pump can be lifted out for maintenance by a crane in the maintenance room 18 via the hoisting room 17. The preparation system of this application further improves the safety and efficiency of maintenance by setting protective doors on the walls of the feed pump room and the preparation equipment room, as well as by setting up hoisting rooms and maintenance rooms.

[0063] Preferably, the container equipment room 1 also includes a material pouring device. The various storage tanks inside the container equipment room adopt a maintenance-free material pouring method, which reduces maintenance costs and the time personnel are exposed to radiation.

[0064] Preferably, the radiation shielding wall comprises a concrete wall 19 and a steel plate 20. The concrete wall 19 surrounds the container equipment room 1, and the steel plate 20 is located on the inner surface of the concrete wall 19. The steel plate 20 serves both as a seal and as a means to prevent the concrete from being contaminated by radioactive liquids, facilitating the cleaning, decontamination, and maintenance of the equipment and pipes inside the container equipment room 1.

[0065] The preparation system of this application reduces the radiation dose received during the inspection process and optimizes the pipeline layout, facilitating pipeline removal during decommissioning.

[0066] In summary, it can be seen from the above description that the embodiments of the present invention achieve the following technical effects:

[0067] 1. The preparation system of this application arranges the radioactive liquid containers, feed pumps and preparation equipment in separate rooms according to the differences in radioactivity level, equipment maintenance method and material transportation method. The containers holding raw materials and products are all concentrated in the container equipment room to prevent the high radioactivity liquid containers from adversely affecting the maintenance of pump valves and preparation equipment, thereby improving the convenience and safety of maintenance.

[0068] 2. The preparation system of this application ensures effective isolation between the container equipment room with a relatively high level of radioactivity and other plant buildings by designing radiation-proof walls around the container equipment room and using sealed through-wall sleeves to connect the container equipment room with the feed pump room and the preparation equipment room.

[0069] 3. The preparation system of this application is designed with a high and low arrangement of raw material feeders, raw material pumps and preparation equipment, and with a structure of pipelines and arc-shaped sleeves. After the material is stopped being transported, the radioactive material in the pipelines and pumps can flow back to the material container by gravity, thereby reducing the retention of radioactive material in the pipelines and equipment and reducing the impact of radioactive material on maintenance personnel.

[0070] 4. The preparation system of this application uses a bracket to fix various liquid containers to the wall of the container equipment room, which facilitates the high and low configuration of different containers and the layout of through-wall pipes. The container equipment room adopts a maintenance-free material pouring method, which reduces maintenance costs and reduces the time personnel are exposed to radiation.

[0071] 5. The preparation system of this application further improves the safety and efficiency of maintenance by setting protective doors on the walls of the feed pump room and the preparation equipment room, as well as setting up a hoisting room and a maintenance room.

[0072] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A system for preparing radioactive materials, characterized in that: It includes a container equipment room (1), a feed pump room (2) and a preparation equipment room (3). The container equipment room (1) is surrounded by a radiation shielding wall. The feed pump room (2) and the preparation equipment room (3) are two independent rooms, both located on the side of the container equipment room (1). The container equipment chamber (1) includes a raw material feeder (6) and a product receiver (7). The feed pump chamber (2) includes a raw material feed pump (4). The preparation equipment chamber (3) includes a preparation device (5). The raw material feeder (6), the raw material feed pump (4), the preparation device (5) and the product receiver (7) are connected in sequence through a through-wall pipe. The raw material feed pump (4) transports the raw material in the raw material feeder (6) to the preparation device (5) for preparation. The product of the preparation device (5) is transported to the product receiver (7). The raw material feeder (6) is positioned lower than the raw material feed pump (4) in the height direction, and the raw material feed pump (4) is positioned lower than the preparation equipment (5) in the height direction. The through-wall pipe includes a conveying pipe (8) and a sealing sleeve. The sealing sleeve is fitted onto the conveying pipe (8), and the conveying pipe (8) passes through the radiation shielding wall through the sealing sleeve. The sealing sleeve includes an arc-shaped sleeve (9), and the conveying pipe (8) at the inlet and outlet of the raw material supply pump (4) respectively passes through the arc-shaped sleeve (9) into the container equipment room (1). The raw material feeder (6) and the product receiver (7) are both fixed on the radiation shielding wall of the container equipment room (1). The product receiver (7) is positioned higher than the raw material feed pump (4) in the height direction. The preparation equipment room (3) is located above the feed pump room (2).

2. The preparation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Valves (11) are installed on the conveying pipe (8) at both the outlet and inlet of the raw material feeding pump (4).

3. The preparation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing sleeve also includes a straight sleeve (10). The conveying pipe (8) at the inlet of the preparation equipment (5) passes through the straight sleeve (10) into the container equipment chamber (1), and the conveying pipe (8) at the outlet of the preparation equipment (5) passes through the straight sleeve (10) into the container equipment chamber (1).

4. The preparation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The container equipment room (1) also includes a product feeder (12), which is fixed to the radiation shielding wall by a bracket (15) and is connected to the product receiver (7).

5. The preparation system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The feed pump chamber (2) also includes a product feed pump (13), and the product feeder (12) is connected to the product feed pump (13) through the through-wall pipe.

6. The preparation system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The container equipment room (1) also includes a raw material receiver (14), which is fixed to the radiation shielding wall by the bracket (15) and is connected to the raw material feeder (6).

7. The preparation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Protective doors (16) are provided on the walls of the feed pump chamber (2) and the preparation equipment chamber (3) on the side away from the container equipment chamber (1).

8. The preparation system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The preparation system also includes a hoisting room (17) and a maintenance room (18), the hoisting room (17) being located outside the protective door (16) and the maintenance room (18) being located above the preparation equipment room (3).

9. The preparation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The container equipment room (1) also includes a material pouring device.

10. The preparation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radiation shielding wall comprises a concrete wall (19) and a steel plate (20), the concrete wall (19) surrounding the container equipment room (1), and the steel plate (20) located on the inner surface of the concrete wall (19).

Images