Apparatus for loading heating element for vitrification melting furnace

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for loading a heating element for heating molten glass, in order to restart a vitrification melting furnace, for vitrifying radioactive waste, when the vitrification melting furnace has an emergency shutdown.SOLUTION: An apparatus for loading a heating element for a vitrification melting furnace, according to one embodiment of the present invention, is for loading a heating element into a glass melting furnace for vitrifying radioactive waste, and may comprise: a main frame; a universal joint positioned on one end of the main frame; at least one heating element coupling part rotatably connected to the universal joint; and a gripper positioned on an end of the heating element coupling part so as to grab a heating element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for charging a heating element for heating glass melt in order to restart a vitrification melting furnace for vitrifying radioactive waste in the event of an emergency shutdown of the furnace. [Background technology]

[0002] Radioactive waste generated by nuclear power plants and facilities that use radioisotopes must be disposed of safely. Radioactive waste is classified into low and intermediate-level waste and high-level waste depending on its radioactivity. Most low and medium-level radioactive waste is waste generated during the operation of nuclear power plants, such as filter media, ion exchange resins, concentrated residue from waste evaporators, and miscellaneous solids such as work clothes, tools, and paper waste used by radiation workers.

[0003] Such medium- and low-level radioactive waste is mixed with solidifying materials such as cement or paraffin and sealed in waste drums, and then solidified or compressed and sealed in waste drums before being stored in safe places such as waste management facilities. However, not only does the construction and maintenance of waste management facilities require considerable manpower and cost, but social aversion to such facilities poses many difficulties, making it a serious social problem.

[0004] In addition, as a treatment technology for medium- and low-level radioactive waste, the waste is incinerated and pyrolyzed, and then processed into a vitrified body using vitrification technology, which melts the waste with glass at high temperatures. This vitrification technology for medium- and low-level radioactive waste not only dramatically reduces the amount of waste, but also permanently blocks the leakage of radioactivity. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the early stages of vitrification of radioactive waste in vitrification melting furnaces, workers would manually load the heating element without any additional equipment, but in an emergency environment with radioactive waste, it was difficult for workers to work in close proximity.

[0006] When an emergency shutdown of a vitrification melting furnace occurs, the glass inside the glass melt must be completely removed before the vitrification process can be restarted. This poses a risk of radiation exposure and accidents to workers during glass removal.

[0007] During the vitrification process, a heating element (Ti-ring) is inserted inside to form the initial glass melt, which is then oxidized after generating heat. If an emergency shutdown occurs during the radioactive waste treatment process, the molten metal inside will cool down, and additional heating elements must be inserted to restart the melting furnace.

[0008] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a device for charging a heating element to heat molten glass, which can be used to perform restart work in a state where the glass inside is solidified without performing glass removal work during an unsteady shutdown by utilizing the device for charging a heating element.

[0009] 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]

[0010] To achieve the above object, a heating element charging device for a vitrification melting furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention charges a heating element into a glass melting furnace for vitrifying radioactive waste, and may include a main frame, a universal joint located at one end of the main frame, at least one heating element attachment part connected to the universal joint and rotating, and a gripper located at an end of the heating element attachment part and gripping the heating element.

[0011] The gripper may include a support portion and a gripping portion connected to the support portion.

[0012] The gripping portion may include a first finger portion, a second finger portion coupled to the first finger portion, a first joint coupling the first finger portion and the second finger portion, and a second joint coupling each of the first finger portion and the second finger portion to the support portion.

[0013] The heating element may further include an adjustment wire connected to the first joint and adjusting movement of the first finger portion and the second finger portion so that the first finger portion and the second finger portion grip the heating element or release their grip on the heating element.

[0014] The device may further include an adjustment portion located at the other end of the main frame for adjusting the loosening and fastening of the adjustment wire.

[0015] The heating element may further include a reference portion slidably positioned on the main frame and configured to adjust the behavior of the heating element connection portion.

[0016] When the reference portion is slid toward the one end of the main frame, the heating element attachment portion may be rotated away from the main frame.

[0017] When the reference portion is slid in a direction opposite to the one end of the main frame, the heating element connection portion may be rotated to approach the main frame.

[0018] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, there is provided a device for charging a heating element for heating molten glass, which can be used to perform restart work in a state where the internal glass has solidified without performing glass removal work during an unsteady shutdown, by utilizing the device for charging a heating element. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a vitrification melting furnace heating element charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a gripper of a vitrification melting furnace heating element charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the driving of the reference part of the vitrification melting furnace heating element charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing the charging of a heating element into a vitrification melting furnace using a heating element charging device for a vitrification melting furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention provides an apparatus for loading a heating element into a glass melting furnace for vitrifying radioactive waste, comprising: a main frame; a universal joint located at one end of the main frame; at least one heating element attachment part that is connected to the universal joint and rotates; and a gripper located at the end of the heating element attachment part and that grips the heating element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] 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.

[0023] Hereinafter, a glass melting furnace heating element charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a device for charging a heating element into a vitrification melting furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a gripper of a device for charging a heating element into a vitrification melting furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the reference part of a device for charging a heating element into a vitrification melting furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the charging of a heating element into a vitrification melting furnace using a device for charging a heating element into a vitrification melting furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] The vitrification system for radioactive waste is a facility that processes radioactive waste more safely. It can not only dramatically reduce the volume of medium- and low-level radioactive waste, but also minimize the leakage of radioactive materials into the surrounding area under any circumstances, thereby significantly improving the safety of radioactive waste processing.

[0026] The radioactive waste vitrification treatment system combines radioactive waste with a glass structure, fundamentally preventing radioactive materials from leaking into the environment and also dramatically reducing the volume of radioactive waste. Vitrification technology can reduce the initial volume of all combustible and non-combustible medium- and low-level radioactive waste generated at nuclear power plants to less than 1 / 20. This not only ensures the safety of radioactive waste disposal, but also greatly contributes to the stable promotion of disposal projects for the construction of management facilities.

[0027] The radioactive waste vitrification treatment system can vitrify radioactive waste through the following process.

[0028] Glass raw materials are placed in an induction-heated vitrification melting furnace, where the glass is melted using heat induced by an electromagnetic field. Once a glass melt of approximately 1100°C is produced, crushed waste stored in the radioactive waste storage area is fed to the glass melt via a radioactive waste feeder, where it decomposes on the glass melt, with the radioactive materials firmly bonding with the glass components. Combustible waste that can be treated in an induction-heated vitrification melting furnace includes workers' clothing, gloves, shoes, and paper waste, as well as low-radioactivity waste resin used for water purification at nuclear power plants.

[0029] Once in the glass structure, radionuclides cannot escape under any environmental conditions. The strength of the bond between the glass structure and radionuclides has been confirmed by internationally recognized leaching tests.

[0030] The glass melt in a vitrification melting furnace is produced as follows. That is, the initial ignition method for glass used for vitrification in low-temperature melting furnaces for the treatment of medium- and low-level radioactive waste is as follows: To create a glass melt before the waste is added, a certain amount (e.g., about 60 kg) of glass frit is first filled into the interior space of the vitrification melting furnace (e.g., 55 cm in diameter), and a titanium metal ring with a specified diameter (e.g., about 36 cm inner diameter, 38 cm outer diameter) is inserted into the solid glass frit at a specified height (e.g., 16 or 18 cm) from the bottom of the vitrification melting furnace.

[0031] In this state, the output of the high frequency generator is gradually increased to generate electromagnetic waves in the inductor surrounding the vitrification melting furnace, and these waves are concentrated on the titanium metal ring 5. This generates an induced current in the titanium metal ring 5, and the concentrated electromagnetic waves ignite at a certain point on the titanium metal ring 5 where the induced current is concentrated.

[0032] In this way, the thermal and electrical energy generated by the titanium metal ring 5 is transferred to the glass, igniting and melting it. The state of ignition can be seen with the naked eye, but it can also be easily detected by changes in the input voltage and current flowing into the low-temperature vitrification melting furnace. Before the titanium metal ring 5 ignites, the voltage and current increase in a gentle upward curve. At the moment of ignition, the physical properties of the glass change, causing the voltage to drop sharply and the current to rise sharply. Through this process, molten glass is formed by the heating element 5 inserted in the vitrification melting furnace. However, the heating element 5 becomes oxidized and cannot be reused.

[0033] Furthermore, during the process of treating radioactive waste, an unexpected shutdown of a vitrification melting furnace may occur. When the vitrification melting furnace unexpectedly shuts down, the molten metal inside the vitrification melting furnace cools down, and an additional heating element must be added to reheat the molten metal before the furnace can be restarted. The present invention relates to a device for adding a heating element to a vitrification melting furnace so that the molten metal inside the furnace can be reheated when the vitrification processing system unexpectedly shuts down during the vitrification process.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, a heating element charging device 10 for a vitrification melting furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention charges a heating element into a glass melting furnace for vitrifying radioactive waste, and may include a main frame 100, a universal joint 110 located at one end of the main frame 100, at least one heating element attachment part 120 connected to the universal joint 110 and rotating, and a gripper 130 located at an end of the heating element attachment part 120 and gripping the heating element 5.

[0035] The main frame 100 forms the main body of the vitrification melting furnace heating element charging device 10 and may be in the shape of a bar extending from one end to the other end.

[0036] A universal joint 110 is located at one end of the main frame 100. A heating element attachment part 120 is coupled to the universal joint 110. The universal joint 110 allows the heating element attachment part 120 to rotate at one end of the main frame 100. The universal joint 110 can also be coupled to one end of the main frame 100 while rotating. As a result, the main frame 100 can also rotate via the universal joint 110.

[0037] The heating element attachment part 120 can be located at one end of the main frame 100 by a universal joint 110 .

[0038] The heating element attachment part 120 may be in the form of a bar. A plurality of heating element attachment parts 120 are connected to the universal joint 110. By configuring a plurality of heating element attachment parts 120, the load of the heating element 5 held at the end of the heating element attachment part 120 can be distributed to each of the plurality of heating element attachment parts 120.

[0039] One end of the heating element attachment part 120 is connected to the universal joint 110 and can be rotated and coupled at the universal joint 110. For example, the heating element attachment part 120 can be rotated within an angle of 90° by the universal joint 110. The heating element attachment part 120 can be rotated away from the main frame 100 or rotated toward the main frame 100.

[0040] The gripper 130 is located at an end of the heating element bonding portion 120 and can grip the heating element 5. The gripper 130 can be located at the end of each heating element bonding portion 120. When there are multiple heating element bonding portions 120, multiple grippers 130 are provided. For example, in FIG. 1, a case where there are four heating element bonding portions 120 is shown, and a gripper 130 is provided at the end of each heating element bonding portion 120.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the gripper 130 may include a support portion 210 and a gripping portion 220 coupled to the support portion 210 .

[0042] The support part 210 is coupled to the heating element connecting part 120 and may include a hole (not shown) through which an adjustment wire 150 passes to adjust the first finger part 221 and the second finger part 222 of the grip part 220. The support part 210 can support the grip part 220 so that the first and second finger parts 221 and 222 of the grip part 220 can grip the heating element 5.

[0043] The gripping portion 220 of the gripper 130 may include a first finger portion 221, a second finger portion 222 connected to the first finger portion 221, a first joint 231 connecting the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222, and a second joint 232 connecting each of the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 to the support portion 210.

[0044] The first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 are connected by a first joint 231 and a second joint 232, and can move to grip the heating element 5. That is, when the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 of the gripping portion 220 grip the heating element 5, the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 can move so that the distance between the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 becomes closer.

[0045] On the other hand, when the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 of the gripping portion 220 load the heating element 5 into a glass melting furnace and release the grip on the heating element 5, the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 can move so that the distance between the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 increases.

[0046] As described above, the adjustment wire 150 may be included to adjust the movement of the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222. That is, the device 10 for charging a heating element into a vitrification melting furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the adjustment wire 150 connected to the first joint 231 and adjusting the movement of the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 so that the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 grip the heating element 5 or release the grip of the heating element 5.

[0047] The adjustment wire 150 can adjust the movement of the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 in a manner that applies or does not apply tension to the first joint 231 .

[0048] The adjustment wire 150 may be connected to the first joint 231 through a hole in the support part 210. In addition, the adjustment wire 150 may pass through the inside of the heating element connecting part 120 through an adjustment wire through-hole (not shown) formed inside the heating element connecting part 120. That is, the adjustment wire 150 may be positioned by passing through the support part 210 of the gripper 130 and the inside of the heating element connecting part 120. In addition, the adjustment wire 150 may pass through a part of the heating element connecting part 120 and then be pulled out to the outside at a middle part of the heating element connecting part 120. The pulled out adjustment wire 150 may be connected to the adjustment part 180, which will be described later.

[0049] The adjustment unit 180 adjusts the loosening and fastening of the adjustment wire 150, and may be located at the other end of the main frame 100. For example, when the adjustment wire 150 is fastened by operating the adjustment unit 180, tension is applied to the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222, allowing the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 to grip the heating element 5. When the adjustment wire 150 is loosened by operating the adjustment unit 180, tension is no longer applied to the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222, allowing the first finger portion 221 and the second finger portion 222 to release their grip on the heating element 5.

[0050] The heating element charging device 10 for a vitrification melting furnace according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a reference unit 170 that is slidably positioned on the main frame 100 and adjusts the behavior of the heating element connecting unit 120.

[0051] 1 and 3, when the reference part 170 is slid toward one end of the main frame 100, the heater attachment part 120 may be rotated away from the main frame 100. The heater attachment part 120 may be rotated to form a 90° angle with the main frame 100.

[0052] Furthermore, when the reference part 170 is slid in a direction opposite to one end of the main frame 100, the heating element connecting part 120 can be rotated to approach the main frame 100. By rotating the heating element connecting part 120 to approach the main frame 100, the heating element charging device 10 for a vitrification melting furnace can be easily pulled out of the vitrification melting furnace.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 4, the charging of the heating element 5 into the vitrification melting furnace using the device 10 for charging heating elements into the vitrification melting furnace according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0054] In the initial stage of vitrification, workers manually inserted the heating element without any additional equipment, but in an emergency, it is difficult for workers to work in close proximity in an environment with radioactive waste. In the event of an emergency shutdown of the vitrification furnace, the glass inside the glass melt must be completely removed before the vitrification process can resume, which poses a risk of worker exposure or accidents during glass removal.

[0055] During the vitrification process, a heating element (Ti-ring) is inserted inside to form the initial glass melt, which is then oxidized after generating heat. If an emergency shutdown occurs during the radioactive waste treatment process, the internal molten metal cools down, and an additional heating element must be inserted to restart the melting furnace.

[0056] For this purpose, the trap door 2 in the upper chamber of the vitrification melting furnace 1 is opened to secure space for additional heating elements 5 to be charged.

[0057] Thereafter, an operator (or a robot) uses the vitrification melting furnace heating element charging device 10 to charge the circular heating element 5 into the vitrification melting furnace. More specifically, the gripper 130 grips the heating element 5 at the end of the heating element connecting part 120. To this end, tension is applied to the first finger part 221 and the second finger part 222 of the gripper 130 by the adjustment wire 150, and the adjustment wire 150 is fixed to the adjustment part 180.

[0058] The device 10 for charging a heating element into a vitrification melting furnace, holding the heating element 5, is inserted into the vitrification melting furnace 1 through the trap door 2. The tension applied to the gripper 130 is then released via the adjustment wire 150, and the heating element 5 held by the first and second finger portions 221, 222 is charged onto the molten glass. The reference portion 170 on the main frame 100 is then slid toward the other end, and the heating element connecting portion 120 is rotated so as to approach the main frame 100 (see FIG. 3), after which the device 10 for charging a heating element into a vitrification melting furnace is pulled out of the vitrification melting furnace 1.

[0059] The heating element 5 is charged into the vitrification melting furnace 1 by the above-described process using the heating element charging device 10 for the vitrification melting furnace according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] 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. In an apparatus for charging a heating element into a glass melting furnace for vitrifying radioactive waste, Mainframe; a universal joint located at one end of the main frame; at least one heating element attachment part connected to the universal joint and rotating; a gripper located at an end of the heating element binding portion and configured to grip the heating element; and a reference portion that is slidably positioned on the main frame and adjusts the behavior of the heating element binding portion; the gripper includes a support portion and a gripping portion connected to the support portion; When the reference portion is slid toward the one end of the main frame, The heating element connecting portion is rotated away from the main frame.

2. 2. The heating element charging device for a vitrification melting furnace according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portion includes a first finger portion, a second finger portion connected to the first finger portion, a first joint connecting the first finger portion and the second finger portion, and a second joint connecting each of the first finger portion and the second finger portion to the support portion.

3. 3. The heating element charging device for a vitrification melting furnace according to claim 2, further comprising an adjustment wire connected to the first joint and configured to adjust the movement of the first finger portion and the second finger portion so that the first finger portion and the second finger portion grip the heating element or release their grip on the heating element.

4. 4. The heating element charging device for a vitrification melting furnace according to claim 3, further comprising an adjusting part for adjusting the loosening and fastening of the adjusting wire and located at the other end of the main frame.

5. When the reference portion is slid in a direction opposite to the one end of the main frame, 2. The heating element charging device for a vitrification melting furnace according to claim 1, wherein the heating element connecting portion is rotated so as to approach the main frame.

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