Radioactive urine source treatment system and method

Abstract

The invention discloses a radioactive urine source treatment system and method, and belongs to the technical field of medical waste treatment and nuclear radiation protection. The system comprises a vacuum separation type closestool, a urine temporary storage and conveying unit, a multi-path parallel filtering unit with at least two parallel branches, a multi-point state monitoring unit and a control system. The working method comprises the following steps: urine is separated by a closestool, enters the temporary storage unit under the action of negative pressure, is guided into the selected filter branch, and is sequentially treated by the multi-stage filter columns filled with the composite functional material to efficiently adsorb radionuclides. The monitoring unit collects the radiation dose of the filter element and the radioactive level of the discharged water in real time, and when the filter element is close to saturation or the discharged water exceeds the standard, the control system is automatically switched to the standby branch and gives an alarm to prompt replacement of the saturated filter element. According to the system, real-time purification from the source, full-process automatic control and uninterrupted operation are realized, the problems of large occupied area, high cost and potential safety hazards of a traditional decay tank are avoided, and the treatment efficiency and the operation safety are remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical waste treatment and nuclear radiation protection technology, specifically, it relates to a source treatment system and method for radioactive urine. Background Technology

[0002] In modern nuclear medicine, various radiopharmaceuticals, represented by radioactive iodine (I-131), are widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers, including thyroid diseases. Patients receiving this type of "radionium therapy" excrete waste, especially urine, which carries high concentrations of radioactive isotopes, becoming a special type of medical radioactive wastewater. According to relevant environmental protection and nuclear safety regulations, this type of wastewater is strictly prohibited from being directly discharged into urban public sewage systems and must undergo proper treatment until its radioactivity decays to below national standards before being discharged.

[0003] Currently, the mainstream international technology for treating such radioactive urine is the "delayed decay method." The core of this method is the construction of dedicated "decay pools" or "decay tanks" within hospitals. The specific process involves collecting urine containing radioactive nuclides and transferring it to a large, sealed storage tank with radiation shielding capabilities. Subsequently, the decay pool is completely sealed, allowing the radioactive nuclides to decay naturally using their inherent physical properties. Taking I-131 as an example, its physical half-life is approximately 8 days. According to the "Standard for Discharge of Water Pollutants from Medical Institutions" (GB 18466-2005), it typically needs to be stored for more than 180 days until its radioactivity concentration drops to a total alpha activity concentration <1 Bq / L or a total beta activity concentration <10 Bq / L before it can be discharged.

[0004] Although the "delayed decay method" is simple and reliable in principle, it has many inherent and difficult-to-overcome drawbacks in practical applications: Occupying enormous space and incurring high construction costs: decay pools require a huge volume to hold several months' worth of wastewater and a thick radiation shielding layer (such as concrete), which translates to significant space costs and high infrastructure investment. When the number of radionuclide therapy patients treated at a hospital fluctuates, the capacity of the decay pool can easily become a bottleneck restricting the department's development.

[0005] There are long-term safety hazards: The long-term use of large liquid storage tanks is always accompanied by the potential risk of leakage due to corrosion and aging. Once a leak occurs, it will cause serious local environmental radioactive pollution incidents, and the cost of handling and remediation will be extremely high.

[0006] Unable to achieve "source control" and real-time processing: "Delayed decay" is an end-point, centralized processing method that cannot be processed in real time and quickly at the source (i.e., within the ward), leading to potential diffusion of radioactive materials and risks of personnel contact during collection and transportation.

[0007] In view of this, developing a new technical solution that can completely replace the traditional decay pool and achieve real-time, efficient and safe purification of radioactive urine from its source has become an urgent and valuable technological development direction in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention aims to address the technical pain points of existing radioactive urine treatment technologies, which rely on delayed decay, resulting in large space occupation, high construction costs, leakage risks, and the inability to perform real-time source treatment. It provides a novel, integrated source treatment system and method.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a system and method for treating radioactive urine at its source, which is achieved through the following technical solution: A radioactive urine source treatment system, comprising: The urine collection unit mainly includes a vacuum separation toilet, which is used to separate urine from feces at the source, collecting only urine and a small amount of flushing water, while feces are discharged through a separate pipe in the toilet. The urine storage and delivery unit is connected to the vacuum separation toilet and is used to temporarily store urine and deliver it through vacuum negative pressure. The unit includes a urine tank and a vacuum subsystem with a vacuum pump for establishing and maintaining a stable negative pressure environment in the urine tank. A multi-channel parallel filtration unit is used to filter radioactive substances in urine. The unit includes at least two parallel filtration branches controlled by an inlet selection valve and an outlet selection valve. Each branch is equipped with one or more special filter columns connected in series. The inlet selection valve is a vacuum solenoid three-way valve, and the outlet selection valve is a solenoid three-way valve. The filter columns are filled with composite functional materials for efficiently adsorbing target radionuclides.

[0010] The composite functional material comprises at least one or more of the following: composite activated carbon specifically designed for adsorbing radioactive iodine, zeolite molecular sieves, or chelating resins modified with specific functional groups. Through the combination of different materials, targeted adsorption of various radionuclides can be achieved.

[0011] A multi-point status monitoring unit is used to monitor the system's operating status and filtration effect in real time. This unit includes an outlet flash counter installed in the outlet pipe and a filter column flash counter used to monitor the status of the filter column. The control system is electrically connected to the inlet and outlet selection valves of the urine storage and delivery unit, the multi-parallel filtration unit, and the multi-point status monitoring unit. Based on the preset logic program and the feedback signals from the monitoring unit, it automatically controls the start and stop of the system, urine delivery, filtration path switching, and alarm prompts.

[0012] The present invention also provides a corresponding working method, characterized by comprising the following steps: Collection steps: After the control system detects that the toilet has been used, it uses the negative pressure in the urine tank to draw urine from the toilet through the urine pipe into the urine tank. Filtration steps: After the urine is drawn out, the air pressure inside and outside the urine pool is balanced. The system then uses gravity to guide the urine in the urine pool into the currently selected filtration branch for filtration. Monitoring steps: During the filtration process, the control system continuously receives and analyzes data from the filter cartridge radiation counter and the effluent flash counter; Intelligent switching and alarm: When any of the following conditions are detected: a) the current filter cartridge usage time or processing volume reaches the preset upper limit; b) the radiation dose of the current filter cartridge reaches the saturation threshold; c) the scintillation level of the treated effluent exceeds the safety standard value, the control system immediately performs two actions: automatically controls the electromagnetic three-way valve to switch the urine flow to another backup filtration branch, and at the same time issues a prompt to replace the saturated filter cartridge on the human-machine interface such as the display screen or indicator light.

[0013] The present invention provides a source treatment system and method for radioactive urine, which has the following beneficial effects: 1. Source treatment is achieved: the radioactive urine is purified directly in the toilet, avoiding subsequent pipeline contamination and complicated storage and transportation processes, which greatly improves safety.

[0014] 2. High degree of automation, reduced human intervention: The entire process is completed automatically by the control system without manual operation, which minimizes the radiation exposure risk to operators.

[0015] 3. Dual-path parallel design ensures continuous operation: When one filter element is saturated, the system can seamlessly switch to the backup path to ensure uninterrupted operation of the equipment without affecting normal use, and filter element replacement can also be carried out with ease.

[0016] 4. Multiple intelligent monitoring systems ensure treatment effectiveness: By monitoring filter cartridge lifespan, filter cartridge radiation, and effluent water quality, the reliability of the filtration effect is ensured. In case of any abnormality, an alarm will be triggered and the system will switch to a different mode immediately, eliminating the possibility of unqualified liquid being discharged.

[0017] 5. Compact structure and easy integration: The system has a compact design and can be easily installed in a standard bathroom, making it highly applicable and worth promoting. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system principle structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the core working logic of the system in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 1Explanation of the main component labels: 1-Vacuum separation toilet, 2-Urine pipeline, 3-Urine tank, 4-Vent valve, 5-Vacuum safety valve, 6-Vacuum pipeline, 7-Sewage pipeline, 8-Vacuum filter, 9-Barometer, 10-Vacuum pump, 11-Vacuum solenoid three-way valve, 12-Filter pipeline, 13-First-stage filter column, 14-Second-stage filter column, 15-Filter column flash counter, 16-Solenoid three-way valve, 17-Water outlet pipeline, 18-Water outlet flash counter. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To enable those skilled in the art to understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Example 1 (refer to) Figure 1 This embodiment details the composition of a radioactive urine source treatment system, as follows: The present invention provides a radioactive urine source treatment system, which mainly consists of a urine collection unit, a urine temporary storage and transportation unit, a multi-parallel filtration unit, a multi-point status monitoring unit, and a control system. Its specific structure and connection relationship are as follows: 1. Urine collection unit: It consists of a 1-vacuum separation toilet. The 1-vacuum separation toilet is used to automatically separate urine and feces. Feces are discharged through a separate pipeline and do not enter this treatment system. This system only treats radioactive urine.

[0022] 2. Urine temporary storage and delivery unit: Connected to a 1-vacuum separation toilet, it includes a 3-urine tank and a vacuum subsystem containing a vacuum pump. This vacuum subsystem includes: 10-vacuum pump: the core component of the subsystem, providing a negative pressure power source for evacuating the urine tank; 6-vacuum tubing: connecting the vacuum pump and the urine tank, forming a negative pressure transmission channel; 5-vacuum safety valve: located on the urine tank, used to prevent excessively high vacuum or abnormal fluctuations, ensuring system safety; 4-vent valve: used to add air to the urine tank when needed, restoring its pressure to atmospheric pressure and achieving pressure balance; 8-vacuum filter: preventing urine droplets, solid particles, or impurities from being drawn into the pump body, protecting the vacuum pump; 9-barometer: used to monitor the pressure value in the vacuum tubing or urine tank in real time, serving as the basis for the control system to determine the vacuum status. The urine tank is used to temporarily store radioactive urine from the toilet; the vent valve and vacuum safety valve are used to maintain the stability of the system pressure and prevent abnormal overpressure or underpressure; after the urine has been temporarily stored, the control system opens the vent valve to balance the urine tank with atmospheric pressure and allow it to flow into the multi-parallel filtration unit under the action of gravity.

[0023] 3. Multi-channel parallel filter unit: Located at the outlet of the urine tank, it consists of a 12-filter pipeline, filter columns on two parallel branches, and a valve device. The two parallel branches are named Branch 1 and Branch 2. The valve device comprises an 11-vacuum solenoid three-way valve located at the inlet of the parallel branch and a 16-solenoid three-way valve located at the outlet of the parallel branch. These two valves work together to switch the urine flow path between Branch 1 and Branch 2 under the command of the control system.

[0024] In branch 1, 13-first filter column and 14-second filter column are connected in series in sequence. The above 13 and 14 constitute a multi-level series structure in the same branch.

[0025] In branch 2, 13-first filter column and 14-second filter column are also connected in series as backup processing units to ensure continuous operation of the system.

[0026] The filter column housing is made of lead-shielded stainless steel, with quick-release sealing connectors at both ends for safe and quick replacement. The first-stage filter column is filled with large-pore zeolite molecular sieves to preferentially capture most impurities and some radionuclides in urine, serving as a pretreatment and protection measure. The second-stage filter column is filled with high-efficiency activated carbon prepared through a composite process, specifically for deep adsorption of radioactive iodine, ensuring that the radioactivity level of the effluent meets the standards.

[0027] An 11-vacuum solenoid three-way valve is installed at the inlet of each branch of the multi-path parallel filtration unit, and a 16-solenoid three-way valve is installed at the outlet of each branch. The two valves are connected to the filtration pipeline and the water outlet pipeline respectively. Urine can be introduced into any branch for treatment by electronic control switching.

[0028] 3. Multi-point status monitoring unit: This includes a 15-filter column scintillation counter arranged on the outer wall of the 13-first-stage filter column and an 18-outlet scintillation counter installed on the 17-outlet water pipe.

[0029] The filter column scintillation counter is attached to the outer wall of the primary filter column and is used to monitor the change in gamma ray dose rate caused by the accumulation of nuclides during the adsorption process in real time, reflecting the working status of the filter column.

[0030] The effluent scintillation counter is used to monitor the radioactivity level of the purified effluent and determine whether it meets the discharge standards.

[0031] 4. Control system: The control system is not shown in the attached drawings, but it is electrically connected to the vacuum pump, each solenoid three-way valve, the filter column flash counter, and the outlet flash counter.

[0032] The control system functions as follows: based on the signals fed back by the multi-point status monitoring unit, it determines in real time whether the current working filtration branch has met the preset switching conditions, such as the filter column dose rate exceeding the threshold or the effluent radioactivity exceeding the standard; when the switching conditions are met, it automatically issues a control command to close the valve of the current branch and open the valve of another backup branch, thereby realizing the automatic switching of the urine flow path and ensuring the continuous and stable operation of the system.

[0033] Example 2 (refer to) Figure 2 This embodiment provides a working process of a radioactive urine source treatment system, as detailed below; When the system in this embodiment is put into operation, its working process can be divided into the following steps: Step 1: Initialization and Standby After system startup, the control system first performs a self-test to confirm that all sensors 9, 15, and 18 and actuators 4, 10, 11, and 16 are communicating normally. Then, the controller starts vacuum pump 10, which evacuates the urine tank 3 through vacuum line 6 until the barometer reading reaches the preset standby vacuum level of -60 kPa. Once reached, vacuum pump 10 stops, vent valve 4 remains closed, and the system enters standby mode, ready to receive urine and flushing water.

[0034] Step 2: Urine Collection and Temporary Storage When a patient uses the 1-vacuum separation toilet and triggers the flush, the control system receives the flush signal. Under the strong negative pressure of the 3-urine tank, urine is instantly drawn into the 3-urine tank. After the preset suction time, the toilet valve closes, and the collection process is complete.

[0035] Step 3: Pressure Equalization and Gravity Filtration After collection, the control system opens 4-vent valve, allowing air to enter 3-urine tank until the internal pressure equalizes with atmospheric pressure. Once pressure equalization is achieved, 4-vent valve closes. Subsequently, the urine flows under gravity through 12-filter tubing into the multi-parallel filtration unit. Assuming branch 1 is currently in operation, the controller instructs 11-vacuum solenoid three-way valve and 16-solenoid three-way valve to direct the flow to branch 1. After a set time, e.g., one minute later, 11-vacuum solenoid three-way valve closes, and a vacuum subsystem including a vacuum pump restarts, beginning to evacuate to the preset value. The urine then flows sequentially through 13-primary filter column and 14-secondary filter column, where radioactive nuclides are efficiently adsorbed. The purified water flows out from 17-outlet pipe.

[0036] Step 4: Filter Cartridge Saturation and Intelligent Switching During filtration mode operation, the multi-point status monitoring unit, 15-filter column flash counter and 18-outlet flash counter, collaboratively monitor the status of branch line 1: Time dimension: An internal timer accumulates the online filtration time of filter cartridge #1. If the accumulated time exceeds the preset lifespan, such as 500 hours, the switching condition is triggered.

[0037] Process dimension: Real-time reading of the gamma-ray dose rate of the 15-filter scintillation counter on branch 1. If the dose rate > saturation threshold, for example, 50 times the background value, it indicates that the filter adsorption capacity is close to saturation, triggering the switching condition.

[0038] Results dimension: Real-time reading of the 18-outflow flash counter. If the reading is greater than the emission standard / safety threshold, for example, twice the background value, it indicates a penetration leak and triggers the switching condition.

[0039] If any one of the above three conditions is met, the control system will immediately execute the following automation sequence: Command 11 - Vacuum Solenoid Three-Way Valve and 16 - Solenoid Three-Way Valve to activate, and then switch the filter pipeline from branch 1 to branch 2.

[0040] Status Update: Mark branch 2 as "Working" in the system and begin monitoring it using the same multi-parameter settings. Branch 1 is marked as "Pending Replacement." After the filter cartridge is replaced by the operator, update the filter cartridge status in the system, and set branch 1 to switchable.

[0041] Other component descriptions: 5-Vacuum safety valve and 8-Vacuum filter are protective components of the vacuum system, used to prevent excessive vacuum and damage to the vacuum pump by drawing in impurities, respectively.

[0042] Through the above methods, the present invention constructs a closed-loop, intelligent, and safe radioactive urine treatment system, which perfectly solves the various problems existing in the background technology.

[0043] Embodiments 1 and 2 of this invention describe the system from different perspectives. The former focuses on the integrity of the system structure and the composition of functional units, while the latter focuses on the dynamic control and switching logic during operation. The two complement each other and echo each other, jointly ensuring that the radioactive urine source treatment system is structurally clear and complete, and safe and stable in operation.

[0044] As can be seen from the above two embodiments, the radioactive urine source treatment system and method of the present invention has the following advantages: Source isolation: Urine and feces are separated at the vacuum separation toilet to avoid cross-contamination.

[0045] Highly automated, reducing human intervention: The entire process is completed automatically by the control system without manual operation, minimizing the radiation exposure risk to operators.

[0046] Controllable pressure: The vacuum subsystem with a vacuum pump enables rapid collection and pressure regulation of urine, ensuring both suction efficiency and preventing system overpressure.

[0047] Deep purification: The multi-parallel filtration unit adopts a multi-stage series structure within the branch, combined with zeolite molecular sieves and composite activated carbon, to achieve efficient removal of radioactive nuclides.

[0048] Intelligent switching: Based on feedback from the multi-point status monitoring unit, the control system can automatically switch to the backup branch when the filter element is close to saturation or the effluent exceeds the standard, ensuring continuous operation.

[0049] Operational safety: Through the coordinated monitoring of multiple parameters such as cumulative operating time, filter element radiation dose rate, and effluent radioactivity level, the risk of filter element failure is significantly reduced, ensuring that the discharged water meets the standards.

[0050] It should be particularly noted that the various embodiments listed in this specification and accompanying drawings are intended to illustrate the technical solutions and advantages of the present invention, and not to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Without departing from the core ideas and technical effects of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make any form of improvement, substitution, combination, or modification to the structural arrangement, process parameters, material selection, control logic, etc., of the described embodiments; any obvious changes based on the same concept should be considered equivalent solutions of the present invention and should be included within the scope of protection defined by the claims of the present invention. For example, the filter branches can be expanded to three or more; the pressurization method can also use an independent pressurization pump, etc. The actual scope of protection of the present invention is subject to the appended claims and should be correctly understood in conjunction with the specification and accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. A radioactive urine source head treatment system, characterized by, The processing system comprises: a urine collection unit for collecting urine containing radionuclides at the source; a urine temporary storage and delivery unit connected with the urine collection unit for temporarily storing and delivering urine; a multi-parallel filtration unit connected with the outlet of the urine temporary storage and delivery unit, the unit comprising at least two parallel filtration branches, each of which is provided with one or more filtration columns connected in series for adsorbing radionuclides; a multi-point state monitoring unit for monitoring the running state of the system in real time, the monitoring unit comprising a filter column scintillation counter for monitoring the state of the filter column and a water outlet scintillation counter for monitoring the radioactivity level of the filtered water outlet; a control system electrically connected with the urine temporary storage and delivery unit, the inlet and outlet selection valves of the multi-parallel filtration unit and the multi-point state monitoring unit, respectively; the control system is configured to guide the urine into one of the working filtration branches for filtration, and according to the feedback signal of the multi-point state monitoring unit, when the preset switching condition is detected to be met, automatically switch the urine flow path from the current filtration branch to another standby filtration branch.

2. A radioactive urine source processing system according to claim 1, wherein, The urine temporary storage and delivery unit comprises a urine pool and a vacuum subsystem for establishing a negative pressure environment in the urine pool, and the urine is sucked into the urine pool from the urine collection unit through the negative pressure environment.

3. A radioactive urine source processing system according to claim 1, wherein, The filtration column in the multi-parallel filtration unit is filled with a composite functional material selected from at least one of composite process activated carbon, zeolite molecular sieve, chelating resin or a combination thereof.

4. A radioactive urine source processing system according to claim 1, wherein, The preset switching condition comprises at least one of the following: the total running time or the amount of processed urine of the current working filtration branch reaches a preset threshold; the radiation dose rate monitored by the filter core radiation sensor exceeds a preset saturation threshold; the radioactivity level monitored by the water outlet scintillation counter exceeds a preset safe discharge standard value.

5. A radioactive urine source processing system according to claim 1, wherein, The multi-parallel filtration unit further comprises an inlet selection valve and an outlet selection valve controlled by the control system, and the switching of the urine flow path between different filtration branches is realized by the coordinated control of the two valves, wherein the inlet selection valve is a vacuum electromagnetic three-way valve and the outlet selection valve is an electromagnetic three-way valve.

6. A radioactive urine source processing system according to claim 1, wherein, The urine collection unit is a vacuum separation toilet.

7. A method of operating a radioactive urine source head treatment system, characterized by, The method comprises the following steps: S1. Collection step: collecting urine through the urine collection unit and delivering it to the urine temporary storage and delivery unit; S2. Filtration step: guiding the temporarily stored urine into a currently selected working filtration branch of the multi-parallel filtration unit for purification treatment; S3. Monitoring step: during the filtration process, the multi-point state monitoring unit is used to obtain the relevant parameters of the current working in real time, including the cumulative running time, the filter core radiation dose rate and the water outlet radioactivity level; S4. Intelligent switching step: judging whether the cumulative running time, the filter core radiation dose rate or the water outlet radioactivity level meets the preset switching condition, if at least one of them meets the condition, the control system automatically switches the urine flow path to a standby filtration branch, and generates a signal for prompting to replace the saturated filtration branch.

8. A method of operating a radioactive urine source processing system according to claim 7, characterized in that The monitoring step specifically comprises: monitoring the cumulative running time, the filter core radiation dose rate and the outlet water radioactivity level of the working filter branch in real time.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises: The collecting step specifically comprises: using the negative pressure in the urine temporary storage and conveying unit to suck the urine from the urine collecting unit into the urine pool.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the system is a radioactivity urine source processing system. The filtering step specifically comprises: after the urine is collected into the urine pool, balancing the air pressure inside and outside the urine pool, and using gravity to make the urine flow through the working filter branch.

Images