Modularized hot chamber

Abstract

The invention discloses a modular hot cell, and relates to the technical field of radiation experiments. The hot cell comprises: a base; a shielding body, wherein the shielding body is arranged on the base; the shielding body is arranged on the base, the shell is arranged on the base, and the shell is located in the shielding body; part of the passing assembly is arranged on the shielding body, and part of the passing assembly is arranged on the shell; a part of the observation assembly is arranged on the shielding body, and a part of the observation assembly is arranged on the shell. According to the modularized hot chamber, through the modularized splicing structure of the base, the shielding body and the shell, the construction efficiency of the hot chamber is remarkably improved, the nested design of the shielding body and the shell forms a multiple radiation protection barrier, and the radiation leakage amount is controlled to be at an extremely low level while the operation visibility of personnel is guaranteed. According to the invention, a user can inspect the damaged fuel element at the first time, and the efficiency and reliability of fuel element damage inspection and analysis are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of radiation experiment technology, and in particular to a modular hot chamber. Background Art

[0002] Fuel elements are the first line of defense for nuclear power plants, and their structural integrity is a key factor in ensuring the safe operation of nuclear reactors. However, nuclear power plant operating experience shows that fuel element damage is unavoidable. Once a fuel element is damaged, radioactive nuclides can enter the reactor's primary circuit system, compromising operational and radiation safety. This can necessitate a reactor shutdown, severely impacting the plant's operational plans and resulting in significant economic losses.

[0003] After a fuel element failure occurs in a nuclear power plant, a cause analysis and hot cell inspection of the damaged fuel element must be conducted. Regulatory requirements prohibit continued operation of the nuclear power plant until the cause of the fuel element failure is fully investigated. Conventional nuclear fuel inspection hot cells are constructed alongside the building. The hot cell shell, viewing windows, shield doors, transfer docking tunnels, lighting fixtures, ventilation ducts, and other necessary components are pre-welded and assembled, and then poured simultaneously with the concrete of the building, forming a complete hot cell and supporting systems. Conventional hot cells require a long construction period and high investment costs, and once constructed, they are fixed facilities and cannot be moved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present application provides a modular hot chamber, the main purpose of which is to solve the technical problems of conventional hot chambers, such as long construction period, high investment cost, and being fixed facilities and non-movable after construction.

[0005] The present application provides a modular hot chamber comprising: base; a shielding body, the shielding body being arranged on the base; a shell, the shell being provided on the base and located inside the shielding body; a passage assembly, wherein the passage assembly is partially disposed on the shielding body and partially disposed on the housing; An observation component is partially arranged on the shielding body and partially arranged on the shell.

[0006] In a feasible embodiment, the hot chamber further comprises: A gripping device is provided on the shielding body, and a portion of the gripping device penetrates the shell and is provided inside the shell.

[0007] In a feasible embodiment, the passage component includes: A shielding door is arranged on the shielding body.

[0008] A sealing door is provided on the shell, and is located at the projection of the shielding door toward the shell.

[0009] In one possible embodiment, the observation assembly includes: A first observation window is provided on the shielding body.

[0010] A second observation window is provided on the housing and is located at a projection of the first observation window toward the housing.

[0011] In a feasible embodiment, the hot chamber further comprises: An auxiliary component is partially provided on the shielding body and partially provided on the shell, and the auxiliary component is used to realize delicate operation on the items in the shell.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, the auxiliary components include: An auxiliary door is provided on the shielding body.

[0013] In a feasible embodiment, the auxiliary component further includes: A third observation window is provided on the housing.

[0014] In a feasible embodiment, the auxiliary component further includes: Auxiliary holes are provided on the shell.

[0015] An operating device is arranged in the auxiliary hole.

[0016] In a feasible embodiment, the hot chamber further comprises: A docking assembly is provided on the shielding body, the docking assembly penetrates the shell and communicates with the interior of the shell, and the docking assembly is used to receive the material to be detected.

[0017] In a feasible embodiment, the base, shielding body and housing are all modular structures; The base is formed by splicing a plurality of base modules; The shielding body is formed by splicing a plurality of shielding modules; The shell is formed by splicing together a number of shell modules.

[0018] The present application provides a modular hot chamber, comprising: a base; a shielding body, the shielding body being arranged on the base; a shell, the shell being arranged on the base and being located inside the shielding body; a passage assembly, the passage assembly being partially arranged on the shielding body and partially arranged on the shell; and an observation assembly, the observation assembly being partially arranged on the shielding body and partially arranged on the shell. The modular hot chamber provided by the present application significantly improves the construction efficiency of the hot chamber through the modular splicing structure of the base, the shielding body and the shell. The nested design of the shielding body and the shell forms multiple radiation protection barriers, which control the radiation leakage to an extremely low level while ensuring the visibility of personnel operations. Compared with traditional concrete cast hot chambers, the present application significantly shortens the construction period, realizes the rapid on-site assembly of the hot chamber, and greatly reduces the construction cost. It also supports overall disassembly and relocation, allowing users to inspect damaged fuel elements in the first place, avoiding long-distance transportation of fuel elements, and improving the efficiency and reliability of fuel element damage inspection and analysis.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the present application will be described in the following description, and in part will become apparent from the description, or will be understood by practicing the present application. The purposes and other advantages of the present application can be realized and obtained by the structures particularly pointed out in the written description, claims, and drawings.

[0020] The technical solution of the present application is further described in detail below through the accompanying drawings and examples. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings: Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a modular heat chamber provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown; Figure 2 A rear structural schematic diagram of a modular heat chamber provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the top perspective structure of a modular heat chamber provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0022] In the picture: 1. Base; 2. Shielding body; 3. Shell; 4. Grabbing device; 5. First observation window; 6. Shielding door; 7. Auxiliary door; 8. Docking assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like to indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0024] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. Throughout the description of this application, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0025] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integral connection; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on specific circumstances.

[0026] Hot cells are specialized, enclosed spaces used in the nuclear energy sector for handling and testing radioactive materials. Their core function is to block gamma-ray and neutron radiation through shielding materials such as lead, steel, and concrete, ensuring the safety of both operators and the environment. Traditional hot cells are typically integrated with the main nuclear facility building, using concrete to form the shielding walls. Within these walls, a sealed steel shell is embedded, integrating manipulator access ports, lead-glass observation windows, shielded doors, and ventilation and purification systems. These hot cells require pre-embedded structural components during the construction phase, resulting in a construction period that can take months or even years and high construction costs. Due to their fixed structure, the functional layout of the hot cell is difficult to adjust once determined, making it unable to accommodate different fuel element sizes or diverse testing requirements. Furthermore, fuel element damage accidents in nuclear power plants require rapid activation of the hot cell for damage analysis. However, traditional hot cells cannot be quickly deployed or relocated, resulting in extended plant downtime and increased economic losses. The immobility, low construction efficiency, and limited operational and maintenance flexibility of hot cells in existing technologies have become key bottlenecks hindering emergency response and scientific research efficiency.

[0027] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3, shows a schematic structural diagram of a modular hot chamber provided in an embodiment of the present application, including: Base 1; Shielding body 2, shielding body 2 is arranged on base 1; The housing 3 is provided on the base 1 and is located inside the shielding body 2; A passage assembly, which is partially arranged on the shielding body 2 and partially arranged on the housing 3; Observation component, the observation component is partially arranged on the shielding body 2 and partially arranged on the shell 3.

[0028] In the above embodiment, the present application provides a modular mobile hot chamber process technology, which is composed of a modular base 1, a modular shielding body 2, a modular shell 3, a passage component, an observation component, and other parts. It can also be equipped with a lighting system, a ventilation system, a radiation monitoring system, a video surveillance system, an electrical instrumentation system, and various inspection process equipment configured in the hot chamber. The base 1, the shielding body 2, and the shell 3 are large components that constitute the main structure of the present application. The base 1 is the installation platform of the present application, which is directly installed on the ground and is located at the bottom of the present application. A grid-like load-bearing platform is formed by bolting multiple rectangular base modules. The surface of the platform can be provided with an anti-slip structure to enhance stability. The modular shielding body 2 is installed on the basis of the modular base 1. The modular shielding body 2 is vertically assembled into a cubic shell by shielding module modules along the outer edge of the base, and a mechanical device installation interface is reserved to provide sufficient radiation shielding function. The modular shell 3 is installed inside the modular shielding body 2 to provide a sealed containment boundary for the hot chamber. Shell 3 can be constructed from stainless steel plates, embedded within the shield and connected to base 1 via brackets. A steel frame can be installed on its exterior for structural reinforcement. It can also be divided horizontally into multiple compartment modules, each connected horizontally with flanges and gaskets to maintain airtightness. Using different numbers of compartments, hot cell shells of varying lengths can be constructed. The access assembly comprises a composite shielding door 6 on shield 2 and an airtight sealing door on shell 3. The observation assembly consists of a first observation window 5 on shield 2 and a second observation window on shell 3.

[0029] The overall appearance of this application is a square box structure, with the four facades in the front, back, left and right serving as operating surfaces. Functional components are provided on each operating surface to realize process operations such as observation, operation, entry and exit of objects and personnel, fine operation and protection of gloves, and docking and transportation of containers. The modular splicing and grid structure of the base 1 significantly improve the overall bearing capacity, while supporting rapid assembly and disassembly; the nested design of the shielding body 2 and the shell 3 forms a double radiation protection barrier to achieve efficient gamma ray shielding; the double-door layout of the passage component greatly reduces the risk of radiation exposure when personnel enter and exit; the component status can be directly observed through the observation component to meet the real-time monitoring needs of micro-cracks on the surface of the fuel element. This main structure shortens the construction period of the hot cell from the traditional construction mode to several weeks, and supports overall relocation and reuse.

[0030] Furthermore, the hot chamber also includes: The grabbing device 4 is provided on the shielding body 2 , and a portion of the grabbing device 4 penetrates the shell 3 and is provided inside the shell 3 .

[0031] In the above embodiment, the gripping device 4 can be a robotic arm, which is installed on the front of the present application and is used for remote operation of the robotic arm in the hot chamber. Specifically, the gripping device 4 is mounted on the front of the shield body 2 via a fixed bracket. The robotic arm portion of the gripping device 4 extends into the interior of the shell 3 through the through-hole reserved between the shield body 2 and the shell 3, and a replaceable robotic arm is configured at the end. The gripping device 4 as a whole constitutes an independent module, which is installed at the corresponding interface of the modular shield body 2 after assembly. It is supported by the shield body 2 and is directly connected to the shell 3, forming a complete sealed containment boundary with the modular shell 3.

[0032] The cross-layer penetration design of the grabbing device 4 enables remote control of radioactive materials in the hot chamber. The replaceable manipulator design supports various fuel element grabbing requirements, significantly improving operational accuracy while avoiding the risk of direct contact between personnel and the radioactive environment.

[0033] Furthermore, the passage components include: The shielding door 6 is provided on the shielding body 2; The sealing door is arranged on the shell 3 and is located at the projection of the shielding door 6 toward the shell 3 .

[0034] In the above embodiment, the shielding body 2 of the present application is provided with a shielding door 6 on the right side, which is used for transferring items in and out of the hot chamber and for personnel to enter and exit. A sealing door is provided on the housing 3 at the installation location directly opposite the shielding door 6. The sealing door is designed to be openable and uses a sealing gasket and door panel compression mechanism to achieve sealing. When items or personnel need to enter or exit, the shielding door 6 is opened first, followed by the sealing door. After the entry and exit operation is completed, the sealing door is closed first, followed by the shielding door 6. The shielding door 6 can be constructed of a lead-steel composite structure, with the inner side flush with the inner side of the shielding body 2, a stepped staggered structure around the perimeter, and a connecting flange on the outer side, which is bolted for installation and fixation. The sealing door can be an airtight sliding door, installed on the right side wall of the housing 3 corresponding to the projection of the shielding door 6, forming a transition space between the two doors. The transition space can be equipped with a radiation monitoring sensor and an interlocking control device to ensure that the sealing door can only be opened when the shielding door 6 is closed.

[0035] The double-door layout and transition space form a radiation isolation buffer zone, and the interlock control system keeps radiation leakage at an extremely low level. The sliding shielding door 6 and the airtight sealing door work together to significantly reduce the radiation exposure time of personnel when entering and exiting. At the same time, the transition space supports the initial removal of material surface contamination.

[0036] Furthermore, the observation components include: A first observation window 5, which is provided on the shielding body 2; The second observation window is opened on the housing 3 and is located at the projection of the first observation window 5 toward the housing 3 .

[0037] In the above embodiment, a first observation window 5 is provided on the front of the present application. The first observation window 5 is a peep window and can be composed of lead glass and a steel frame. The inner side is flush with the inner side of the shielding body 2, and a step-staggered structure is provided on all sides. A connecting flange is provided on the outer side, and the installation and fixation are achieved by bolt connection; a second observation window is provided in the installation position directly in front of the shell 3 and directly opposite to the first observation window 5. The second observation window is a sealed window. A transparent observation window can be formed by tempered glass. The tempered glass is pressed tightly by bolts, pressure plates and sealing gaskets to achieve sealing, and there is no need to open it during use.

[0038] The double-layer observation window design effectively blocks the penetration of radiation and protects the safety of on-site personnel.

[0039] See also Figure 2 , shows a rear view structural diagram of a modular heat chamber provided in an embodiment of the present application. Further, the heat chamber also includes: Auxiliary components: Part of the auxiliary components are opened on the shielding body 2 and part of them are opened on the shell 3. The auxiliary components are used to realize fine operation of the items in the shell 3.

[0040] In the above embodiment, an auxiliary component is provided on the rear side of the present application, which is directly installed at the corresponding interface after the modular shielding body 2 is assembled. Through modular integrated design, the auxiliary component is functionally adapted and quickly docked with the shielding body 2 and the shell 3.

[0041] The auxiliary components are used to accommodate operators to perform fine operations on radioactive materials in the hot chamber, enhancing human-machine collaboration capabilities. They integrate high-precision operation assistance systems and real-time feedback mechanisms, allowing operators to perform various fine manual operations on radioactive materials in a controlled environment.

[0042] Furthermore, the auxiliary components include: Auxiliary door 7 , the auxiliary door 7 is opened on the shielding body 2 .

[0043] In the above embodiment, an auxiliary door 7 is provided on the rear side of the present application to provide radiation shielding for the auxiliary components. The inner side of the auxiliary door 7 is flush with the inner side of the shield body 2, with a stepped staggered structure around the perimeter and a connecting flange on the outer side, which is bolted for secure installation. When gloved hands are required, the auxiliary door 7 is opened, and the operator completes the manual operation within the auxiliary component. The auxiliary door 7 is then closed upon completion. The auxiliary door 7 is hinged to a pre-set opening in the side wall of the shield body 2. The door body can be constructed of a lead-stainless steel sandwich structure, with airtight sealing strips arranged around the door frame.

[0044] The sandwich structure of the auxiliary door 7 enables the door body to have the composite shielding capability of gamma rays and neutrons, and the airtight sealing strip ensures that the door body reaches a high-level sealing standard when closed to prevent the leakage of radioactive aerosols.

[0045] Furthermore, the auxiliary components also include: The third observation window is opened on the housing 3.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the third observation window is provided on the housing 3 for observing the conditions in the heat chamber.

[0047] The third observation window provided on the housing 3 enables the operator to observe the specific inspection status of the material in the hot chamber without leaving the auxiliary assembly, and facilitates the operator to adjust the manual operation steps in real time.

[0048] Furthermore, the auxiliary components also include: Auxiliary holes, the auxiliary holes are opened on the shell 3; The operating device is arranged in the auxiliary hole.

[0049] In the above embodiment, an auxiliary hole and an operating device are provided at the shell 3 opposite to the auxiliary door 7. The auxiliary hole can be a glove hole, which passes through the shell 3. A sealing component is installed in the hole. The operating device can be a glove, so that the present application has a glove operation function, which can realize manual fine operation of radioactive items in the mobile hot room.

[0050] The sealing component maintains the airtightness of the channel when the operator operates with gloves, so that the radiation leakage is always at a low level; while retaining the advantages of the automated operation of the grasping device 4, the addition of glove holes allows the operator to directly feel the material through the flexible protective gloves. Combined with the flexible freedom of the finger joints, non-standard movements that are difficult for robotic arms to achieve can be completed; especially in emergency conditions such as sudden material jams and equipment abnormalities, personnel can quickly intervene and make adjustments, thereby improving the efficiency of emergency response while ensuring radiation protection.

[0051] Furthermore, the hot chamber also includes: The docking assembly 8 is provided on the shielding body 2 , and the docking assembly 8 penetrates the shell 3 and communicates with the interior of the shell 3 . The docking assembly 8 is used to receive the material to be detected.

[0052] In the above embodiment, a transfer docking assembly 8 is provided on the left side of the present application for docking a transfer container to carry radioactive materials in and out of the mobile hot chamber. The docking assembly 8 constitutes an independent module as a whole and is installed at the corresponding interface after the modular shielding body 2 is assembled. It is supported by the shielding body 2 and is directly connected to the shell 3, forming a complete sealed containment boundary together with the modular shell 3. The docking assembly includes a shielded transfer channel and a self-sealing interface. The channel runs through the shielding body 2 and the shell 3. A high-density shielding lining can be laid on the inner wall, and an airlock isolation valve can be provided at the end of the channel.

[0053] The high-density shielding lining significantly improves the shielding performance of gamma rays in the channel, and the airlock valve ensures that the air pressure inside the shell 3 is stable during material transmission; the docking assembly 8 greatly shortens the transportation time of radioactive materials and improves operational safety.

[0054] Furthermore, the base 1, the shield 2 and the housing 3 are all modular structures; The base 1 is composed of several base modules; The shielding body 2 is composed of several shielding modules; The housing 3 is assembled from several housing modules.

[0055] In the above embodiment, a modular technology solution is adopted, further designing large components such as the base 1, shield 2, and housing 3 as being composed of multiple submodules, which can be quickly assembled to form the modular base 1, modular shield 2, and modular housing 3. For the modular base 1, modular shield 2, and modular housing 3, the necessary submodule assembly interfaces are designed to be interchangeable. By combining submodules in different locations and quantities, bases 1, shield 2, and housing 3 of different lengths and sizes can be assembled. Furthermore, by configuring other modules and systems, mobile hot cells of different lengths and sizes can be assembled to meet the requirements of inspection objects of different sizes.

[0056] The modular base 1, modular shield 2, and modular housing 3 are composed of multiple submodules. Other components, such as the first observation window 5, shield door 6, and auxiliary door 7, are all independent modules installed directly at the corresponding interfaces of the assembled modular shield 2, without direct contact with the hot chamber housing 3. The gripping device 4 and docking assembly 8 are also independent modules installed at the corresponding interfaces of the assembled modular shield 2. They are supported by the shield 2 and directly connected to the housing 3, forming a complete sealed containment boundary with the modular housing 3.

[0057] The present application provides a schematic structural diagram of a modular hot cell, comprising: a base 1; a shielding body 2, which is disposed on the base 1; a shell 3, which is disposed on the base 1 and is located inside the shielding body 2; a passage assembly, which is partially disposed on the shielding body 2 and partially disposed on the shell 3; and an observation assembly, which is partially disposed on the shielding body 2 and partially disposed on the shell 3. The modular hot cell provided by the present application significantly improves the construction efficiency of the hot cell through the modular splicing structure of the base, shielding body, and shell. The nested design of the shielding body and shell forms a multiple radiation protection barrier, which ensures the visibility of personnel operations while controlling the radiation leakage to an extremely low level. Compared with traditional concrete cast hot cells, the present application significantly shortens the construction cycle, realizes rapid on-site assembly of the hot cell, and significantly reduces construction costs. It also supports overall disassembly and relocation, allowing users to inspect damaged fuel elements immediately, avoiding long-distance transportation of fuel elements and improving the efficiency and reliability of fuel element damage inspection and analysis.

[0058] Those skilled in the art will understand that the accompanying drawings are only schematic diagrams of a preferred implementation scenario, and the components or processes in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily required to implement the present application. Those skilled in the art will understand that the components in the devices in the implementation scenario can be distributed in the devices of the implementation scenario according to the implementation scenario description, or can be changed accordingly and located in one or more devices different from the implementation scenario. The components of the above-mentioned implementation scenario can be combined into one component, or can be further split into multiple sub-components.

[0059] The serial numbers of the above application are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the advantages or disadvantages of the implementation scenarios. The above disclosure only discloses several specific implementation scenarios of the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes that can be conceived by those skilled in the art should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A modular hot chamber, characterized in that: include: Base (1); A shielding body (2), the shielding body (2) being arranged on the base (1); A shell (3), the shell (3) being provided on the base (1), and the shell (3) being located inside the shielding body (2); A passage assembly, wherein the passage assembly is partially arranged on the shielding body (2) and partially arranged on the housing (3); An observation component is partially arranged on the shielding body (2) and partially arranged on the shell (3).

2. The hot chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that The hot chamber further comprises: A gripping device (4) is provided on the shielding body (2), and a portion of the gripping device (4) penetrates the shell (3) and is provided inside the shell (3).

3. The hot chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that The passage component includes: A shielding door (6), the shielding door (6) being arranged on the shielding body (2); A sealing door is provided on the shell (3), and the sealing door is located at the projection of the shielding door (6) toward the shell (3).

4. The hot chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that The observation component includes: a first observation window (5), the first observation window (5) being provided on the shielding body (2); A second observation window is provided on the housing (3), and the second observation window is located at the projection of the first observation window (5) toward the housing (3).

5. The hot chamber according to claim 1, characterized in that The hot chamber further comprises: An auxiliary component is partially provided on the shielding body (2) and partially provided on the shell (3), and the auxiliary component is used to achieve fine manipulation of items in the shell (3).

6. The hot chamber according to claim 5, characterized in that The auxiliary components include: An auxiliary door (7), the auxiliary door (7) being opened on the shielding body (2).

7. The hot chamber according to claim 5, characterized in that The auxiliary components also include: A third observation window is provided on the housing (3).

8. The hot chamber according to claim 5, characterized in that The auxiliary components also include: Auxiliary holes, the auxiliary holes are provided on the housing (3); An operating device is arranged in the auxiliary hole.

9. The hot chamber according to claim 1, wherein The hot chamber further comprises: A docking assembly (8), the docking assembly (8) is arranged on the shielding body (2), the docking assembly (8) penetrates the shell (3) and is communicated with the interior of the shell (3), and the docking assembly (8) is used to receive a material to be detected.

10. The hot cell according to claim 1, wherein The base (1), shielding body (2) and shell (3) are all modular structures; The base (1) is formed by splicing together a number of base modules; The shielding body (2) is formed by splicing together a plurality of shielding modules; The housing (3) is formed by splicing together a number of housing modules.

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