Radioactive waste incinerator temperature adjusting system and method capable of achieving gradient heat pipe array by adjusting insertion position

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of radioactive waste treatment, in particular to a radioactive waste incinerator temperature adjusting system and method capable of achieving a gradient heat pipe array by adjusting the insertion position. The gradient heat pipe array comprises a plurality of heat pipes with different heat transfer performances, and the heat pipes are arranged according to a preset gradient and used for removing redundant heat in the furnace; the position adjusting mechanism is connected with the gradient heat pipe array and used for driving the heat pipes to adjust the insertion positions in the incinerator body; the temperature monitoring unit is used for monitoring the temperature in the furnace in real time; the control unit is electrically connected with the temperature monitoring unit and the position adjusting mechanism and receives the temperature signals transmitted by the temperature monitoring unit. The gradient heat pipe array is arranged, the heat pipes with different heat transfer performance are used for cooperative work, and different heat dissipation requirements in the furnace can be met. And meanwhile, the insertion position of the heat pipe can be flexibly adjusted by means of the position adjusting mechanism, accurate heat dissipation is carried out on an over-temperature area, and the problem that the temperature in the furnace is too high after the treatment capacity is improved is effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of radioactive waste treatment technology, and in particular to a temperature control system and method for a radioactive waste incinerator that enables gradient heat pipe arrays with adjustable insertion positions. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of radioactive waste treatment, incinerators are crucial processing equipment. However, when attempting to increase throughput, the fixed volume of the incinerator limits the heat load it can withstand per unit volume. Excessive waste incineration can cause the furnace temperature to exceed the set value, affecting incineration efficiency and equipment safety. Therefore, a new technology is needed to efficiently remove heat exceeding the design calorific value from the furnace when increasing throughput, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the incineration system. A heat pipe is a highly efficient heat transfer element, consisting of a sealed shell, a wick, and a working fluid. It utilizes the phase change process of the working fluid—absorbing heat and vaporizing in the evaporation section and releasing heat and liquefying in the condensation section—to achieve working fluid circulation through capillary force or gravity. This allows for the rapid transfer of large amounts of heat with minimal temperature difference, achieving a heat transfer efficiency far exceeding that of metallic conductors. Heat pipe technology is widely used in heat dissipation and waste heat recovery, featuring compact structure, no moving parts, and high reliability. Applying heat pipe technology to heat removal in radioactive waste incinerators can effectively solve the aforementioned problems. However, traditional heat pipes are mostly fixed installations and cannot be flexibly adjusted according to changes in furnace temperature, making it difficult to achieve precise and efficient over-temperature control. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the insertion position to achieve a gradient heat pipe array arrangement, improve heat dissipation, and enhance the incinerator's processing capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve the problem that the furnace temperature in existing radioactive waste incinerators easily exceeds the set value when the processing capacity is increased, and that the traditional heat pipe heat dissipation method cannot flexibly and accurately control the temperature. The present invention provides a radioactive waste incinerator temperature control system and method with adjustable insertion position to realize gradient heat pipe array.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention, in its first aspect, provides a temperature control system for a radioactive waste incinerator with an adjustable insertion position to realize a gradient heat pipe array, comprising: Incinerator, used to incinerate radioactive waste or waste pyrolysis gases; A gradient heat pipe array, consisting of multiple heat pipes with different heat transfer properties, arranged in a preset gradient, is used to remove excess heat from the furnace. A position adjustment mechanism, connected to the gradient heat pipe array, is used to drive the heat pipes to adjust their insertion position within the incinerator body. The temperature monitoring unit includes multiple temperature sensors distributed in different areas of the incinerator body to monitor the furnace temperature in real time and send the temperature data to the control unit. The control unit is electrically connected to the temperature monitoring unit and the position adjustment mechanism respectively. It receives the temperature signal from the temperature monitoring unit and controls the position adjustment mechanism to adjust the insertion position of the heat pipe when the temperature exceeds the set value.

[0005] Preferably, it also includes a heat exchange chamber disposed on the outer wall of the incinerator; The heat exchange chamber is installed on the side wall of the incinerator and has a reserved interface for connection with the incinerator; the heat pipes of the gradient heat pipe array pass through the interface and are inserted into the incinerator.

[0006] Preferably, the evaporation section of the gradient heat pipe array is located inside the incinerator, and the condensation section is located inside the heat exchange chamber.

[0007] Preferably, the heat transfer performance gradient of the heat pipes in the gradient heat pipe array is set according to the temperature distribution characteristics inside the furnace during radioactive waste incineration.

[0008] Preferably, a dynamic sealing component is provided at the interface to maintain the airtightness of the incinerator during the movement of the heat pipe.

[0009] Preferably, the dynamic sealing assembly includes a stuffing box mounted on the sidewall interface, which is filled with a high-temperature resistant sealing material, and a gland applies radial pressure to the sealing material to make it fit tightly against the outer wall of the heat pipe.

[0010] Preferably, the difference in heat transfer performance of different heat pipes in the gradient heat pipe array is achieved by changing at least one of the following methods: the type of working fluid inside the heat pipe, the core structure, or the pipe diameter.

[0011] Preferably, the position adjustment mechanism includes multiple independent drive units, each drive unit driving a heat pipe; Each drive unit includes at least one drive component and a guide component; The driving component is one of a servo motor, a stepper motor, or a hydraulic cylinder; The guiding components are linear guides or guide sleeves, used to ensure the straightness and stability of the heat pipe movement.

[0012] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for temperature control of a radioactive waste incinerator with an adjustable insertion position to achieve a gradient heat pipe array, based on the above-described system operation, including the following specific steps: S1. The temperature monitoring unit monitors the temperature of each area inside the incinerator body in real time and transmits the data to the control unit. S2. The control unit analyzes the temperature data to determine if any area temperature exceeds the set value; S3. If there is an overheating area, the control unit controls the position adjustment mechanism to drive the heat pipe at the corresponding position to adjust the insertion depth or lateral position. S4. Continuously monitor the temperature until the temperature in the overheated area drops to within the set value range, then control the position adjustment mechanism to stop adjusting.

[0013] Preferably, when an over-temperature region is detected, the control unit prioritizes driving the heat pipe with the strongest heat transfer performance in the gradient heat pipe array to move to that region.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects: This invention utilizes a gradient heat pipe array, employing heat pipes with varying heat transfer properties to work collaboratively, adapting to different heat dissipation requirements within the furnace. Simultaneously, a position adjustment mechanism allows for flexible adjustment of the heat pipe insertion positions, enabling precise heat dissipation in overheated areas and effectively solving the problem of excessively high furnace temperatures after increasing processing capacity. Compared to traditional fixed-installation heat pipes, this system dynamically adjusts its heat dissipation strategy based on furnace temperature changes, improving heat dissipation efficiency and control precision. Without altering the incinerator size or its heat handling limits, it significantly enhances the processing capacity of radioactive waste, demonstrating strong practicality and innovation. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system structure of the incinerator temperature control system in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the incinerator temperature control method in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Reference numerals: 1. Incinerator; 2. Heat exchange chamber; 3. Gradient heat pipe array. Detailed Implementation

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the temperature control system for a radioactive waste incinerator with an adjustable insertion position to realize a gradient heat pipe array proposed in this embodiment specifically includes: Incinerator 1, used for incinerating radioactive waste or waste pyrolysis gases; The gradient heat pipe array 3 includes multiple heat pipes with different heat transfer performances, arranged according to a preset gradient, to remove excess heat from the furnace. The position adjustment mechanism is connected to the gradient heat pipe array 3 and is used to drive the heat pipes to adjust their insertion position within the incinerator 1 body. The temperature monitoring unit includes multiple temperature sensors distributed in different areas of the incinerator body to monitor the furnace temperature in real time and send the temperature data to the control unit. The control unit is electrically connected to both the temperature monitoring unit and the position adjustment mechanism. It receives temperature signals from the temperature monitoring unit and controls the position adjustment mechanism to adjust the insertion position of the heat pipe when the temperature exceeds the set value. The control unit can be centrally or distributed. When centrally distributed, one control unit controls the position of multiple heat pipes simultaneously. When distributed, the control unit can be integrated into the position adjustment mechanism, which places lower performance requirements on the control unit and is suitable for installations with multiple heat exchange chambers.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment, the temperature control system also includes a heat exchange chamber 2 disposed on the outer wall of the incinerator 1; such as Figure 1 As shown, the heat exchange chamber is installed on the side wall of the incinerator 1, with a pre-reserved interface for connection to the incinerator 1; the heat pipes of the gradient heat pipe array 3 are inserted into the incinerator 1 through the interface. To minimize the impact on the existing incinerator 1, the heat pipes are inserted horizontally or at a slight angle from the side wall, which will not interfere with the main flow path of the airflow inside the furnace, minimizing disturbance to the flow field and temperature field inside the furnace; in addition, if the incinerator 1 is large, multiple heat exchange chambers 2 can be set on the side of the incinerator 1 to meet the control of different temperature zones. Each heat exchange chamber 2 is equipped with a corresponding gradient heat pipe array 3 and a position adjustment mechanism to achieve precise heat dissipation for overheated areas. For the existing incinerator 1 mechanism, its own reserved openings, such as secondary air inlets or spare interfaces, can be used for modification; the heat exchange chamber 2 is installed here, further reducing the impact on the function of the incinerator 1 itself. To meet the sealing requirements of the heat pipe, a dynamic sealing assembly can be installed at the interface to maintain the airtightness of the incinerator 1 during heat pipe movement. The dynamic sealing assembly includes a stuffing box installed on the side wall interface, filled with high-temperature resistant sealing material. Radial pressure is applied to the sealing material through a gland, ensuring it adheres tightly to the outer wall of the heat pipe. Preferably, a graphite-based dynamic stuffing box seal can be used as the main seal. By tightening the stuffing box cover, the packing is axially compressed, causing it to expand radially and tightly wrap around the outer wall of the heat pipe, forming an adjustable seal. High-purity graphite can operate continuously at 450-600℃ (even higher in a non-oxidizing atmosphere), fully meeting the side wall temperature requirements of the incinerator 1. Furthermore, graphite has a low coefficient of friction, allowing the heat pipe to move slowly axially within the seal (position adjustment) without jamming or excessive wear. Adjusting the tightness of the gland bolts can compensate for seal wear, ensuring long-term sealing and meeting practical requirements.

[0019] In this embodiment, the evaporation section of the installed gradient heat pipe array 3 is located inside the incinerator 1, and the condensation section is located inside the heat exchange chamber 2. Specifically, the heat transfer performance gradient of the heat pipes in the gradient heat pipe array 3 is set according to the temperature distribution characteristics inside the furnace during radioactive waste incineration. The difference in heat transfer performance of different heat pipes in the gradient heat pipe array 3 is achieved by changing at least one of the following methods: the type of working fluid inside the heat pipe, the core structure, or the pipe diameter. A cold air inlet and a hot air outlet are reserved in the heat exchange chamber 2. The flow path from cold air to hot air is opposite to the flow direction of pyrolysis gas and flue gas in the incinerator 1.

[0020] In this embodiment, the position adjustment mechanism includes multiple independent drive units, each driving a heat pipe. Each drive unit includes at least one drive component and a guide component. The drive component is one of a servo motor, a stepper motor, or a hydraulic cylinder. The guide component is a linear guide or a guide sleeve, used to ensure the straightness and stability of the heat pipe's movement. The position adjustment mechanism only needs to drive the heat pipe to move in a straight line, and its specific mechanical structure can be adjusted according to actual needs; for example, a motor can be used in conjunction with a linear guide for driving.

[0021] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of this application, two specific examples are used below for detailed explanation: Example 1 Motor-driven gradient heat pipe temperature control system for pyrolysis incineration facilities This embodiment applies to a radioactive waste pyrolysis incineration system. Radioactive waste is pyrolyzed in the pyrolysis furnace to generate pyrolysis gas, which is then burned in incinerator 1. Incinerator 1 has a processing capacity of 25 kg / h and a furnace volume of 1.5 m³. A motor-driven position adjustment mechanism is used to achieve precise temperature control. For example, the pyrolysis gas enters incinerator 1 from the top, and after combustion, the flue gas is discharged from the bottom of incinerator 1. Correspondingly, the cold air inlet in heat exchange chamber 2 can be set at the bottom, and the hot air outlet can be set at the top, so that the flow direction of the heat exchange gas is completely opposite to that of the pyrolysis gas, thereby enhancing convection and improving the heat exchange effect. The gradient heat pipe array 3 consists of 6 heat pipes, distributed in two layers (3 heat pipes per layer). The upper layer uses copper-water heat pipes, and the lower layer uses stainless steel-naphthalene heat pipes, with a spacing of 100cm between adjacent heat pipes. The temperature monitoring unit contains 9 K-type thermocouple temperature sensors, arranged at the top (3), middle (3), and bottom (3) of the furnace body, respectively. The sensor temperature measurement range is 0-1500℃, with an accuracy of ±1℃. The position adjustment mechanism is driven by a servo motor (1.5kW power, 500r / min), connected to the heat pipe via a ball screw; the guide component is a linear slide rail (50kg load capacity, positioning accuracy ±0.1mm) to ensure smooth movement of the heat pipe. The control unit uses a PLC controller with a preset furnace temperature threshold of 1000℃. The over-temperature control process is as follows: When the temperature sensor in the middle of the furnace detects that the temperature exceeds the set value, the temperature monitoring unit transmits the signal to the PLC controller. After analyzing the data, the control unit determines that the area is an over-temperature zone and then sends a command to the servo motor of the upper copper-water heat pipe at the corresponding position. The motor drives the ball screw to rotate, moving the heat pipe along the linear slide rail to insert it 15cm deeper into the furnace, close to the center of the heat source, and then stops moving, as the heat pipe begins to remove heat. Continuous monitoring shows that after 10 minutes, the temperature in this area drops to the set range, and the control unit issues a command to reverse the motor, moving the heat pipe out of its current position.

[0022] Example 2 Hydraulically driven gradient heat pipe temperature control system for plasma incineration facilities Plasma incinerator 1 is used to treat low-level radioactive waste, with a processing capacity of 20 kg / h and a furnace volume of 1 m³. For example, pyrolysis gas enters incinerator 1 from the top, and after combustion, the flue gas is discharged from the bottom of incinerator 1. Correspondingly, the cold air inlet in heat exchange chamber 2 can be set at the bottom and the hot air outlet at the top, so that the flow direction of the heat exchange gas is completely opposite to the flow direction of the pyrolysis gas, thereby enhancing convection and improving the heat exchange effect. The gradient heat pipe array 3 contains 6 heat pipes: 2 tungsten-cesium heat pipes in the upper layer, 2 nickel-sodium heat pipes in the middle layer, and 2 stainless steel-potassium heat pipes in the lower layer, with an initial insertion depth of 25cm. Position adjustment mechanism: The upper heat pipe can be adjusted to a depth of 0-60cm, and the middle and lower heat pipes can be adjusted to a depth of 0-30cm, all of which are driven by hydraulic devices. Temperature monitoring: 8 thermocouples are distributed in a 2×4 pattern, with a sampling frequency of 1 time / second. Control unit: PLC system. Example of control: When the temperature in the middle layer on the left side of the furnace exceeds the limit, an over-temperature signal is transmitted to the control unit. The system drives one nickel-sodium heat pipe in the middle layer of the corresponding area to move laterally 10cm to the right and increase its insertion depth by 10cm, while the depth of one tungsten-cesium heat pipe in the upper layer increases to 40cm. After 2 minutes, the temperature drops to the set range, and the system stops adjusting.

[0023] Example 3 like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a method for temperature control of a radioactive waste incinerator 1 with an adjustable insertion position to achieve a gradient heat pipe array. Based on the system operation in Embodiment 1, it includes the following specific steps: S1. The temperature monitoring unit monitors the temperature of each area inside the incinerator 1 in real time and transmits the data to the control unit. S2. The control unit analyzes the temperature data to determine if any area temperature exceeds the set value; S3. If there is an overheating area, the control unit controls the position adjustment mechanism to drive the heat pipe at the corresponding position to adjust the insertion depth or lateral position. S4. Continuously monitor the temperature until the temperature in the overheated area drops to within the set value range, then control the position adjustment mechanism to stop adjusting.

[0024] Preferably, when an overheated region is detected, the control unit prioritizes driving the heat pipe with the strongest heat transfer performance in the gradient heat pipe array 3 to move to that region.

[0025] This invention utilizes a gradient heat pipe array 3, where heat pipes with different heat transfer properties work together to adapt to varying heat dissipation requirements within the furnace. Simultaneously, a position adjustment mechanism allows for flexible adjustment of the heat pipe insertion positions, enabling precise heat dissipation in overheated areas and effectively solving the problem of excessively high furnace temperatures after increasing throughput.

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various changes can be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A temperature control system for a radioactive waste incinerator with an adjustable insertion position for implementing a gradient heat pipe array, characterized in that, include: Incinerator, used to incinerate radioactive waste or waste pyrolysis gases; A gradient heat pipe array, consisting of multiple heat pipes with different heat transfer properties, arranged in a preset gradient, is used to remove excess heat from the furnace. A position adjustment mechanism, connected to the gradient heat pipe array, is used to drive the heat pipes to adjust their insertion position within the incinerator body. The temperature monitoring unit includes multiple temperature sensors distributed in different areas of the incinerator body to monitor the furnace temperature in real time and send the temperature data to the control unit. The control unit is electrically connected to the temperature monitoring unit and the position adjustment mechanism respectively. It receives the temperature signal from the temperature monitoring unit and controls the position adjustment mechanism to adjust the insertion position of the heat pipe when the temperature exceeds the set value.

2. The temperature control system for a radioactive waste incinerator with an adjustable insertion position for realizing a gradient heat pipe array, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... It also includes a heat exchange chamber located on the outer wall of the incinerator; The heat exchange chamber is installed on the side wall of the incinerator and has a reserved interface for connection with the incinerator; the heat pipes of the gradient heat pipe array pass through the interface and are inserted into the incinerator.

3. The temperature control system for a radioactive waste incinerator with an adjustable insertion position to realize a gradient heat pipe array according to claim 2, characterized in that, The evaporation section of the gradient heat pipe array is located inside the incinerator, while the condensation section is located inside the heat exchange chamber.

4. The temperature control system for a radioactive waste incinerator with an adjustable insertion position to realize a gradient heat pipe array according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heat transfer performance gradient of the heat pipes in the gradient heat pipe array is set according to the temperature distribution characteristics inside the furnace during radioactive waste incineration.

5. The temperature control system for a radioactive waste incinerator with an adjustable insertion position to realize a gradient heat pipe array according to claim 2, characterized in that, A dynamic sealing component is installed at the interface to maintain the incinerator's airtightness during the movement of the heat pipe.

6. The temperature control system for a radioactive waste incinerator with an adjustable insertion position for realizing a gradient heat pipe array, as described in claim 5, is characterized in that... The dynamic sealing assembly includes a stuffing gland mounted on the sidewall interface, which is filled with high-temperature resistant sealing material, and radial pressure is applied to the sealing material by a gland to make it fit tightly against the outer wall of the heat pipe.

7. The temperature control system for a radioactive waste incinerator with an adjustable insertion position for realizing a gradient heat pipe array, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The differences in heat transfer performance among different heat pipes in a gradient heat pipe array can be achieved by changing at least one of the following methods: the type of working fluid inside the heat pipe, the core structure, or the pipe diameter.

8. The temperature control system for a radioactive waste incinerator with an adjustable insertion position for realizing a gradient heat pipe array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The position adjustment mechanism includes multiple independent drive units, each of which drives a heat pipe; Each drive unit includes at least one drive component and a guide component; The driving component is one of a servo motor, a stepper motor, or a hydraulic cylinder; The guiding components are linear guides or guide sleeves, used to ensure the straightness and stability of the heat pipe movement.

9. A method for temperature control of a radioactive waste incinerator with adjustable insertion position to achieve gradient heat pipe array, based on the system operation according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The specific steps include the following: S1. The temperature monitoring unit monitors the temperature of each area inside the incinerator body in real time and transmits the data to the control unit. S2. The control unit analyzes the temperature data to determine if any area temperature exceeds the set value; S3. If there is an overheating area, the control unit controls the position adjustment mechanism to drive the heat pipe at the corresponding position to adjust the insertion depth or lateral position. S4. Continuously monitor the temperature until the temperature in the overheated area drops to within the set value range, then control the position adjustment mechanism to stop adjusting.

10. The method for temperature control of a radioactive waste incinerator with adjustable insertion position to realize gradient heat pipe array according to claim 9, characterized in that, When an over-temperature region is detected, the control unit prioritizes driving the heat pipe with the strongest heat transfer performance in the gradient heat pipe array to move to that region.

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