Uranium hexafluoride container with built-in critical control assembly
By building criticality control components, including limit rings, spacers and criticality control rods, into uranium hexafluoride containers, the problem of insufficient loading capacity at high U-235 enrichment was solved, achieving large-capacity safe transportation and cost reduction.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510862062.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing uranium hexafluoride containers have a small loading capacity at high U-235 enrichment, resulting in small containers, large quantities, complex process systems, increased construction costs and reduced safety.
A uranium hexafluoride container with a built-in criticality control assembly is designed, which includes a cylinder, a head, a limit clamp, a cross frame, a longitudinal rib and a critical control rod. The limit clamp and the anti-rotation rod form a frame to fix the critical control rod. Boron-containing materials are used to absorb neutrons to achieve safe loading and transportation.
It effectively increases the loading capacity of a single container, reduces economic costs, simplifies the process system, and improves transportation safety and efficiency.
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Figure CN120636882A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of nuclear fuel production, and in particular to a uranium hexafluoride container with a built-in criticality control component. Background Art
[0002] Nuclear fuel is a material that can generate practical nuclear energy through nuclear fission or nuclear fusion in a nuclear reactor. The fission of heavy nuclei and the fusion of light nuclei are the two main ways to obtain practical uranium rod nuclear energy. Uranium 233, uranium 235, uranium 238 and plutonium 239 are nuclear fuels that can undergo nuclear fission, also known as fission nuclear fuels; deuterium and tritium are nuclear fuels that can undergo nuclear fusion, also known as fusion nuclear fuels.
[0003] At present, domestic uranium hexafluoride transport containers are all geometric safety containers. The larger the container loading capacity, the lower the U-235 enrichment of uranium hexafluoride loaded in the container; the higher the U-235 enrichment of uranium hexafluoride loaded in the container, the less the container loading capacity. This type of container is small in size and requires a large number. The process system is limited by the container specifications and has a complex configuration, which leads to increased construction costs, frequent container disassembly and assembly, and cumbersome operations, which reduces the safety of production operations and is not conducive to the improvement and optimization of the process system and the healthy development of the industry. Chinese patent publication number CN209880174U discloses a nuclear criticality safety container containing neutron poison, including A tank body for storing liquid containing neutrons, a neutron absorber located in the tank body, the neutron absorber is used to absorb neutrons in the liquid, and the tank body is surrounded by a tank body top wall, a tank body side wall, and a tank body bottom wall. The nuclear critical safety container containing neutron poisons in the utility model not only absorbs neutrons in the liquid through the neutron absorber inside the tank body, but also the neutron poisons in the side wall of the tank body absorb neutrons in the liquid to the maximum extent in the horizontal direction of the tank body, thereby achieving better neutron absorption. Although the above patent plays a role in stability and safety, it does not improve the internal space of the critical safety container, so that the single transportation volume is not increased, and it is still necessary to expand the transportation efficiency by increasing the number of containers. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In order to overcome the problem in the prior art that the higher the U-235 abundance of uranium hexafluoride in a container, the smaller the loading amount of the container, such containers are small in size, a large number are required, and the process system is limited by the container specifications, the present invention provides a uranium hexafluoride container with a built-in criticality control assembly, comprising a cylinder, the cylinder having heads provided on both the left and right sides of the cylinder, a limit clamp fixedly installed on the inner wall of the cylinder, and the criticality control assembly provided inside the cylinder.
[0005] Preferably, the number of the limiting snap rings is four, and the four limiting snap rings are evenly distributed and installed on the top and bottom ends of the inner wall of the cylinder.
[0006] Preferably, the critical control assembly includes three cross-partitions, and the three cross-partitions are evenly distributed and fixedly installed inside the cylinder, and the left and right cross-partitions are located on the opposite side of the four limit clamps.
[0007] Preferably, the critical control assembly further includes a longitudinal rib plate, which is fixedly mounted on the top and bottom of the three longitudinal rib plates.
[0008] Preferably, the critical control assembly further includes a critical control rod, which is inserted into the interior of the three transverse spacers, and the outer wall of the critical control rod is in contact with the longitudinal rib.
[0009] Preferably, the critical control rod is a boron carbide filled critical control rod.
[0010] Preferably, the interiors of the four limiting clamps are all threadedly mounted with anti-rotation rods, and the four anti-rotation rods all pass through the corresponding limiting clamps and the left and right transverse partitions and are threadedly connected to the interiors of the longitudinal ribs.
[0011] Preferably, a valve is fixedly installed on the side wall of the left end cap, and a drain valve is fixedly installed on the side wall of the right end cap.
[0012] Preferably, the two heads, the cylinder, the three transverse partitions and the longitudinal ribs are all made of steel containing boron.
[0013] Beneficial effects:
[0014] The beneficial effects produced by the technical solution of the present invention are as follows:
[0015] (1) The container has a criticality control component inside, which can effectively and safely load a large volume of uranium hexafluoride products with a U-235 enrichment range of 5%-20%. The size and orientation of the process interface do not change, effectively increasing the loading capacity of a single container of a single uranium hexafluoride with a U-235 enrichment range of 5%-20%, which can effectively reduce economic costs.
[0016] (2) During loading, the transverse frame is first positioned by the limit clamp, and the longitudinal ribs are connected to the transverse frame by the anti-rotation rod to form a frame. Finally, the critical control rod is inserted into the frame and the heads on both sides of the cylinder are sealed. The addition and discharge of materials are achieved through valves and drain valves, which is convenient for assembly and transportation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.
[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention;
[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the critical control assembly structure of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 3 It is a side structural sectional view of the critical control assembly of the present invention.
[0021] In the figure: 1. Valve; 2. Rotational resistance rod; 3. Longitudinal rib plate; 4. Critical control rod; 5. Transverse spacer; 6. Limit clamp; 7. Drain valve; 8. Cylinder; 9. Head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The specific embodiments are as follows:
[0024] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, a uranium hexafluoride container with a built-in criticality control assembly includes a cylinder 8, a head 9 is provided on both sides of the left and right sides of the cylinder 8, a limit clamp 6 is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the cylinder 8, and a criticality control assembly is provided inside the cylinder 8. The number of the limit clamps 6 is four, and the four limit clamps 6 are evenly distributed and installed at the top and bottom ends of the inner wall of the cylinder 8. The criticality control assembly includes a cross frame 5, the number of the cross frame 5 is three, and the three cross frames 5 are evenly distributed and fixedly installed inside the cylinder 8. The left and right cross frames 5 are located on the side opposite to the four limit clamps 6. The criticality control assembly also It includes longitudinal ribs 3, which are fixedly mounted on the top and bottom of the three longitudinal ribs 3. The critical control assembly also includes a critical control rod 4, which is inserted into the interior of the three transverse spacers 5, and the outer wall of the critical control rod 4 is in contact with the longitudinal ribs 3. The critical control rod 4 is a boron carbide-filled critical control rod 4. Four limiting clamps 6 are used to longitudinally limit the frame composed of the longitudinal ribs 3 and the transverse spacers 5 for fixing the critical control rod 4 to prevent displacement. In addition, the longitudinal ribs 3 limit the critical control rod 4 in the vertical direction, so that the critical control rod 4 is firmly fixed and does not affect;
[0025] It should be noted that the two heads 9, the cylinder 8, the three transverse frames 5 and the longitudinal ribs 3 are all made of steel containing boron. The extension direction of the critical control rod 4 does not intersect with the valve 1 and the discharge valve 7 to ensure the smooth flow of materials. The neutron poison is boron carbide, which 10 The B ratio ranges from natural to 100%, and is vibrated or piled into seamless steel parts in the form of multi-graded powder. Neutron poisons can be other elements with the ability to capture neutrons. The number of critical control rods 4 arranged, the 10B content in boron carbide filled in the tube or the proportion of other elements with the ability to capture neutrons depend on the amplitude of criticality safety to be guaranteed for the uranium hexafluoride container package involving the increase of the criticality control system.
[0026] The four limiting clamps 6 are all threadedly installed with anti-rotation rods 2, and the four anti-rotation rods 2 pass through the corresponding limiting clamps 6 and the left and right side cross-frames 5 and are threadedly connected to the inside of the longitudinal ribs 3. The limiting clamps 6 can be fixed by welding, bolt welding or other methods, and ensure that the critical control assembly is close to the end caps 9 of the container without penetrating.
[0027] In addition, a valve 1 is fixedly installed on the side wall of the left head 9, and a drain valve 7 is fixedly installed on the side wall of the right head 9. The valve 1 is used for receiving and feeding materials, and the drain valve 7 is used for draining sewage. Critical control components are arranged in the sealed cavity.
[0028] Working principle: A criticality control assembly filled with neutron poison is placed in the container cavity to ensure criticality safety with a U-235 enrichment limit of 20%. A uranium hexafluoride container with a U-235 enrichment limit of less than 20% is constructed. The uranium hexafluoride container is cylindrical in shape, with two heads 9 and a cylinder forming a sealed cavity. The uranium hexafluoride is collected and supplied through the valve 1 and the discharge valve 7, achieving a safe transportation effect and expanding the single transportation capacity.
[0029] The above is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A uranium hexafluoride container with a built-in criticality control assembly, characterized in that: It comprises a cylinder (8), with heads (9) provided on both the left and right sides of the cylinder (8), a limit clamping ring (6) fixedly installed on the inner wall of the cylinder (8), and a critical control component provided inside the cylinder (8).
2. The uranium hexafluoride container with a built-in criticality control assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the limiting clamping rings (6) is four, and the four limiting clamping rings (6) are evenly distributed and installed at the top and bottom ends of the inner wall of the cylinder (8).
3. The uranium hexafluoride container with a built-in criticality control assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The critical control assembly includes a transverse frame (5), the number of the transverse frames (5) is three, and the three transverse frames (5) are evenly distributed and fixedly installed inside the cylinder (8), and the transverse frames (5) on the left and right sides are located on the side opposite to the four limit clamps (6).
4. The uranium hexafluoride container with a built-in criticality control assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The critical control assembly further comprises longitudinal ribs (3), and the longitudinal ribs (3) are fixedly mounted on the tops and bottoms of the three longitudinal ribs (3).
5. The uranium hexafluoride container with built-in criticality control assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The critical control assembly further includes a critical control rod (4), which is inserted into the interior of the three transverse spacers (5), and the outer wall of the critical control rod (4) is in contact with the longitudinal rib (3).
6. The uranium hexafluoride container with built-in criticality control assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The critical control rod (4) is a critical control rod (4) filled with boron carbide.
7. The uranium hexafluoride container with built-in criticality control assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: The interiors of the four limiting clamps (6) are all threadedly mounted with anti-rotation rods (2), and the four anti-rotation rods (2) all penetrate the corresponding limiting clamps (6) and the transverse partitions (5) on the left and right sides and are threadedly connected to the interiors of the longitudinal ribs (3).
8. The uranium hexafluoride container with built-in criticality control assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: A valve (1) is fixedly mounted on the side wall of the left end cap (9), and a drain valve (7) is fixedly mounted on the side wall of the right end cap (9).
9. The uranium hexafluoride container with built-in criticality control assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The two heads (9), the cylinder (8), the three transverse partitions (5) and the longitudinal ribs (3) are all made of steel materials containing boron elements.
Citation Information
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