Method of treating radioactive waste glass fiber
Heat treatment of glass fibers in canisters with volume reduction detection and monitoring addresses the disposal challenge of glass fiber insulation, enhancing disposal ease and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025122983
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-01-04
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-15
AI Technical Summary
The disposal of glass fiber insulation from nuclear power plants is challenging due to its large volume compared to its mass and slight contamination, requiring additional processing and increasing disposal costs.
A method involving heat treatment of glass fibers in canisters, allowing repeated loading and unloading, with volume reduction detection and temperature monitoring, followed by storage and transport in a reduced state.
Facilitates easier disposal of glass fiber insulation as low-level waste, reducing volume and associated costs, thereby simplifying radioactive waste management.
Smart Images
Figure 2025157487000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for treating radioactive waste glass fibers. [Background technology]
[0002] Nuclear power plants use glass fiber-based insulation to insulate main piping, high-temperature equipment, and protect workers. In particular, a large amount of glass fiber insulation is used to insulate and isolate the piping and equipment around steam generators. Currently, such glass fiber is prepared for disposal by being loaded into drums (e.g., 200L) and manually compressed. During this process, the glass fiber breaks down into small particles that meet dispersibility requirements and become unsuitable for disposal, necessitating additional processing. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0003] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to make it easier to dispose of glass fiber insulation, taking into account that it has a large volume compared to its mass and is only slightly contaminated, so it can be classified as extremely low-level waste or self-disposal waste.
[0004] In particular, the heat treatment process and subsequent treatment process for the glass fiber insulation material will contribute greatly to the disposal of radioactive waste or deregulation.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of reducing the volume of such glass fiber insulation material, which ultimately makes it possible to reduce the cost of radioactive waste disposal.
[0006] The objects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] To achieve the above object, a method for treating radioactive waste glass fibers according to one aspect of the present invention includes the steps of preparing radioactive waste glass fibers; loading the radioactive waste glass fibers into a canister; heat-treating the canister under set conditions through a heat treatment unit; and transporting the radioactive waste glass fibers in a reduced state, the volume of which has been reduced by the heat treatment.
[0008] The canister includes a first lower canister at the bottom and a first upper canister that can be attached to and detached from the first lower canister, and the radioactive waste glass fiber can be repeatedly fed based on the attachment and detachment, allowing the heat treatment to be repeatedly performed.
[0009] In addition, the glass fibers with reduced volume are stored on the first lower canister and then stored in a transfer unit for external transfer, and the first lower canister is disposed adjacent to a second lower canister separate from the first lower canister and a third lower canister separate from the first lower canister inside the transfer unit.
[0010] The first lower canister, the second lower canister, and the third lower canister are stacked horizontally or vertically, and the first lower canister, the second lower canister, and the third lower canister are attached and fixed to each other by forming protruding structures on the upper or lower parts thereof and fitting parts corresponding to the protruding structures on the upper or lower parts thereof.
[0011] In addition, the degree of volume reduction of the radioactive waste glass fiber due to the heat treatment is detected on the canister through a laser water level measurement module, and if the degree of volume reduction meets a preset standard, the first lower canister is separated from the first upper canister.
[0012] In addition, the radioactive waste glass fiber detects the temperature state of the canister through a thermocouple, and when the temperature state along with the degree of volume reduction meets a preset standard, the first lower canister is separated from the first upper canister.
[0013] In addition, the first lower canister and the first upper canister are provided so as to be attachable and detachable, and the radioactive waste glass fiber can be input and output.
[0014] In addition, the canister and the thermal treatment unit are located in a space where an air conditioner is installed, the thermal treatment of the radioactive waste is carried out in the space, and the products of the thermal treatment are discharged through the air conditioner. [Effects of the Invention]
[0015] The method for treating radioactive waste glass fibers of the present invention as described above has one or more of the following effects.
[0016] The present invention can increase the ease of disposal of glass fiber insulation, taking into account that the volume of glass fiber insulation is large compared to its mass and the degree of contamination is slight, so it can be classified as almost very low-level waste or self-disposal waste.
[0017] In particular, the heat treatment process and subsequent treatment process for the glass fiber insulation material can greatly contribute to the disposal of radioactive waste or deregulation.
[0018] Furthermore, the cost of reducing the volume of such glass fiber insulation can be reduced, ultimately reducing the cost of radioactive waste disposal.
[0019] The objects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method for treating radioactive waste glass fibers according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration according to FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration according to FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration according to FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the glass fiber according to FIG. 1 after processing. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the glass fiber according to FIG. 1 after processing. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the glass fiber according to FIG. 1 after processing. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the glass fiber according to FIG. 1 after processing. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the glass fiber according to FIG. 1 after processing. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the glass fiber according to FIG. 1 after processing. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the glass fiber according to FIG. 1 after processing. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the glass fiber according to FIG. 1 after processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention, as well as methods for achieving them, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be realized in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims. The same reference symbols refer to the same elements throughout the specification.
[0022] 1, in a method for treating radioactive waste glass fibers O according to an embodiment of the present invention, first, radioactive waste glass fibers O are prepared. Then, the radioactive waste glass fibers O are loaded into a canister 110.
[0023] Here, the canister 110 is subjected to heat treatment under set conditions through a heat treatment unit, and the radioactive waste glass fiber O is transported in a reduced volume state through the heat treatment.
[0024] 2 to 4, the canister 110 includes a first lower canister 112 and a first upper canister 111. The first upper canister 111 of the canister 110 can be attached to and detached from the first lower canister 112.
[0025] The first lower canister 112 and the first upper canister 111 are repeatedly loaded with the radioactive waste glass fiber O based on the attachment and detachment, and the heat treatment is repeatedly performed.
[0026] The glass fibers O, whose volume has been reduced in this manner, are accommodated on the first lower canister 112 and then accommodated in the transfer unit 60 for external transport. The first lower canister 112 and a second lower canister 212, which is separate from the first lower canister 112, are disposed adjacent to each other inside the transfer unit 60.
[0027] Furthermore, the first lower canister 112 can be arranged adjacent to a second lower canister 212 separate from the first lower canister 112 and a third lower canister 312 separate from the first lower canister 112 inside the transfer unit 60.
[0028] That is, although it has been disclosed that the first lower canister 112 to the third lower canister 312 are arranged together, this is merely an example, and a greater number of canisters may be provided within the limits of what can be provided.
[0029] The first lower canister 112, the second lower canister 212, and the third lower canister 312 are stacked horizontally or vertically. The first lower canister 112 to the third lower canister 312 have protruding structures 1121, 2121, and 3121 formed on the top and bottom thereof.
[0030] Here, the first lower canister 112 to the third lower canister 312 have fitting portions 1122, 2122, 3122 formed on the upper or lower parts thereof corresponding to the protruding structures 1121, 2121, 3121, so that they can be attached and fixed to each other.
[0031] The degree of volume reduction of the radioactive waste glass fiber O due to the heat treatment is detected on the canister 110 through a laser level measurement module (not shown). If the degree of volume reduction meets a preset standard, the first lower canister 112 is separated from the first upper canister 111.
[0032] Furthermore, the radioactive waste glass fiber O detects the temperature state of the canister 110 through a thermocouple (not shown). When the temperature state along with the degree of volume reduction of the radioactive waste glass fiber O meets a preset standard, the first lower canister 112 is separated from the first upper canister 111.
[0033] Basically, the first lower canister 112 and the first upper canister 111 are provided so as to be attachable and detachable, allowing the input and output of the radioactive waste glass fiber O.
[0034] The canister 110 and the thermal treatment unit are located in a space where an air conditioner is installed. The thermal treatment of the radioactive waste in the canister 110 and the thermal treatment unit is carried out in the space. Furthermore, the products produced by the thermal treatment are discharged through the air conditioner.
[0035] The glass fiber O was heat treated under the conditions shown in Table 1 below.
[0036] [Table 1]
[0037] According to embodiment 1, it can be seen that the glass fiber O before processing and the glass fiber O after processing have changed from the state shown in FIG. 5 before processing to the state shown in FIG. 6 after processing. According to embodiment 2, it can be seen that the glass fiber O before processing and the glass fiber O after processing have changed from the state shown in FIG. 7 before processing to the state shown in FIG. 8 after processing. According to embodiment 3, it can be seen that the glass fiber O before processing and the glass fiber O after processing have changed from the state shown in FIG. 9 before processing to the state shown in FIG. 10 after processing. According to embodiment 4, it can be seen that the glass fiber O before processing and the glass fiber O after processing have changed from the state shown in FIG. 11 before processing to the state shown in FIG. 12 after processing.
[0038] Although the glass fiber O has a large volume relative to its mass, the volume can be reduced by the above-mentioned processing, which makes it easier to dispose of and waives regulations related to radioactive waste treatment.Furthermore, the cost of volume reduction can be increased, which can reduce the cost of radioactive waste disposal.
[0039] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and is not limiting.
Claims
1. A method for treating radioactive waste glass fibers, comprising: providing radioactive waste glass fiber; loading the radioactive waste glass fiber into a canister; heat-treating the canister through a heat-treating unit at preset conditions; and The radioactive waste glass fiber is transported in a state where its volume is reduced by the heat treatment, The canister is a first lower canister at a lower position; and a first upper canister that can be attached to and detached from the first lower canister, The radioactive waste glass fiber can be repeatedly fed based on the attachment and separation, and the heat treatment can be repeatedly performed; The glass fibers having a reduced volume are accommodated on the first lower canister and then accommodated in a transfer unit for external transport, The first lower canister comprises: a second lower canister different from the first lower canister and a third lower canister different from the first lower canister are disposed adjacent to each other inside the transfer unit, the first lower canister, the second lower canister, and the third lower canister are stacked horizontally or vertically; The first to third lower canisters are A protruding structure is formed on the upper or lower part, and a fitting part corresponding to the protruding structure is formed on the upper or lower part, and they are attached and fixed to each other; The radioactive waste glass fiber is The degree of volume reduction due to the heat treatment is grasped on the canister via a laser water level measurement module; A method for treating radioactive waste glass fibers, wherein the first lower canister is separated from the first upper canister when the degree of volume reduction satisfies a preset standard.
2. The radioactive waste glass fiber is The temperature state of the canister is detected via a thermocouple, 2. The method for treating radioactive waste glass fibers according to claim 1, wherein the first lower canister is separated from the first upper canister when the degree of volume reduction and the temperature condition meet a preset standard.
3. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first lower canister and the first upper canister are provided so as to be attachable and detachable, and the radioactive waste glass fibers can be input and discharged.
4. The canister and the heat treatment unit are located in a space where an air conditioner is installed, 2. The method for treating radioactive waste glass fibers according to claim 1, wherein the heat treatment of the radioactive waste is carried out in the space, and the product of the heat treatment is discharged through the air conditioner.