Systems and methods related to ion exchange

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for ion exchange in which a processing fluid is injected simultaneously at multiple points within an ion exchange vessel, enabling the contaminants and / or contaminated processing fluid to be uniformly distributed throughout the ion exchange medium. [Solution] An ion exchange vessel comprising: a shell forming a chamber between it; a filling port for distributing an ion exchange medium or adsorbent into the chamber; an inlet header, each having an inlet nozzle, one or more of which are configured to operate to uniformly distribute a contaminated fluid to the ion exchange medium or adsorbent; an outlet header, each having an outlet nozzle, which removes fluid from the chamber; an outlet for discharging hydrogen from the chamber or for heat dissipation; a dewatering system for transporting excess water from the chamber; an inner discharge channel within the inner shell wall; and a shield, the shield comprising a lifting lug and a shield discharge inlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for ion exchange. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for ion exchange that enable a process fluid to be injected simultaneously at multiple points within an ion exchange vessel, allowing contaminants and / or contaminated process fluid to be evenly distributed throughout an ion exchange medium or adsorbent.

Background Art

[0002] Ion exchange processes are generally used to purify or reduce contaminants from a fluid by using bead-shaped resins ("medium") made from organic polymer substrates or granulated inorganic compounds, which are then placed in a column. The contaminated fluid typically flows vertically through the medium in the column, entering and exiting through treatment inlets and outlets. In its basic form, ion exchange typically involves the exchange of ions between solid particles and a liquid phase, and this action can be achieved by utilizing a wide variety of known processing processes and apparatuses. Typical ion exchange column designs focus on maximizing the utilization of medium capacity and minimizing any dead space within the medium column, resulting in insufficient contact between the contained ion exchange or adsorption medium and the fluid being handled. Known ion exchange approaches in the art focus on the design of fluid distributors and columns. As an example, fractal distribution generates a uniform fluid flow by placing the distribution orifices at equal distances from the central distribution opening, allowing for a more constant pressure drop throughout the distributor. Improvements to column configurations are currently used to create a narrow, defined reaction front when the fluid being handled flows vertically through the column, either from top to bottom or bottom to top. The use of more uniform resin beads can also enhance these desirable hydraulic flow characteristics. Currently, ion exchange devices and processing rates are limited by conventional fluid inlet configurations and media efficiency, where the fluid must flow vertically through the column to the outlet. However, with regard to the handling of highly radioactive waste liquids, maximizing media capacity utilization may be undesirable, as the frequency of column changes is determined by the total activity in the column rather than the depletion of media capacity. This generally means that at the time of column change, the media is highly heterogeneous, with the media near the inlet saturated with radioactive contaminants and the media towards the outlet not being effectively utilized. In fact, maximizing media capacity utilization is disadvantageous because it leads to high activity concentrations within small areas of the column, which can cause problems with hydrogen mitigation, temperature control, and future storage and disposal.What is needed in the art is a system and method that provides better distribution of a handleable fluid through an ion exchange medium to increase processing efficiency, and a robust, mobile or fixed, rapidly deployable, modular system to ensure timely storage and radiation protection. The systems and methods disclosed herein are not limited to nuclear waste applications but may be useful for other applications requiring uniform distribution of elements or compounds across a solid substrate. [Overview of the project]

[0003] Systems and methods for ion exchange are disclosed herein, which enable the simultaneous injection of a treatment fluid at multiple points within an ion exchange vessel, thereby uniformly distributing contaminants and / or contaminated treatment fluid throughout the ion exchange medium. These systems and methods may be implemented in one or more fixed, movable, and modular embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0004] A more complete understanding of the systems, methods, processes, and apparatus disclosed herein can be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in relation to the accompanying illustrative figures. In the figures, similar reference numbers refer to similar elements or actions throughout the figures.

[0005] [Figure 1] An embodiment of a complete ion exchange (IX) assembly, including a container and shield, is shown. [Figure 2] An embodiment of the shield is shown. [Figure 3] An embodiment of a ring-shaped container is shown. [Figure 4] A top view of an embodiment of the annular container is shown. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a diagram of section AA of the embodiment. [Figure 6] A front view of an embodiment of an annular container is shown. [Figure 7] Figure 6 shows a diagram of section BB of the embodiment. [Figure 8] This shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the annular container with the shell removed. [Figure 9] A front view of an embodiment of the IX assembly is shown. [Figure 10] Figure 9 shows a diagram of section DD in the embodiment. [Figure 11] An embodiment of a standard container is shown. [Figure 12] This illustrates an exemplary processing method that uses different types of containers in series (by filling). [Figure 13] An exemplary modular embodiment on a container of linear matrices is shown. [Figure 14] This shows an exemplary embodiment in which the two module containers of Figure 13 operate in parallel. [Figure 15] This shows an exemplary embodiment in which the two modules in Figure 13 operate in parallel. [Figure 16] This shows an exemplary embodiment in which the two modules in Figure 13 operate in series. [Figure 17] A front view of an exemplary movable embodiment is shown. [Figure 18] A top view of an exemplary movable embodiment is shown. [Figure 19] An example of a burst disk is shown. [Figure 20] An exemplary catalyst recombinator is shown. [Figure 21] Figure 1 shows an embodiment in which a catalyst recombinator is attached to the IX assembly.

[0006] The elements and actions shown in the diagrams are illustrative for simplification purposes and are not necessarily rendered in any particular order or embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Before any embodiment of the present invention is described in detail, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of the components described in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments of the present invention are possible and can be practiced or executed in various ways. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices, and techniques to which the disclosed embodiments can be applied. The full scope of the embodiments is not limited to the examples described below.

[0008] The following disclosures refer to accompanying drawings illustrating various embodiments for implementing the systems, methods, processes, and / or apparatus disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be used, and it should be understood that structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. overview

[0009] The systems and methods disclosed herein overcome the shortcomings of conventional ion exchange vessel designs (referred to herein as standard vessels) in the handling of highly radioactive waste and other types of fluids. In standard vessels, the contaminated treatment fluid flows vertically through the vessel from inlet to outlet in a defined, narrow, mass transfer zone. In the systems and methods disclosed herein, the treatment fluid (also referred to in some embodiments as contaminated water, wastewater, or influent water) is injected simultaneously at multiple points within the ion exchange vessel, allowing the treatment fluid and / or contaminants in the treatment fluid to diffuse evenly throughout the ion exchange medium, thereby enabling the even diffusion of contaminants within the vessel. It generates a more uniform distribution.

[0010] The objective of the systems and methods disclosed herein is to achieve uniform distribution of contaminants in an ion exchange medium using a ring-shaped vessel, in contrast to conventional approaches that seek to maximize the utilization of ion exchange media or adsorbents using standard vessels. This approach allows for better control of heat generation and subsequent cooling measures, particularly with highly radioactive treatment fluids.

[0011] The process fluid entering the annular container can be distributed throughout the height of the annular container, enabling the contaminants in the process fluid to be evenly distributed within the medium, thereby avoiding hot spots. The annular configuration allows for better heat dissipation through the utilization of a central natural convection cooling channel and a natural convection cooling channel between the annular container and the shield.

[0012] In some embodiments, adsorbents, absorbents, and sorbents can be used instead of the ion exchange medium. In considerations regarding adsorption and ion exchange, the two chemical treatment processes have subtle differences. However, for the purposes of this disclosure, these terms are used interchangeably. This disclosure considers embodiments of ion exchange related to nuclear waste planning, but the systems and methods can be useful for any application that requires an ion exchange treatment process. Embodiments of the container

[0013] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a complete ion exchange (IX) assembly 100 comprising a shield 200 and an annular container 300. In some embodiments, the empty container 300 may have a weight of about 1640 kg. In some embodiments, the shield 200 may have a weight of about 8829 kg. These listed weights are merely embodiments, and there are other possible weights for the empty container 300 and the shield 200. In some embodiments, the shield 200 and the container 300 are cylindrical in shape, and the container 300 may have a hollow interior. In some embodiments, the shield 200 and the container 300 can be an elliptical cylinder having an oval or elliptical cross-section, and the container 300 may have a hollow interior. The following figures show measurements in millimeters. These measurements are specific to the illustrated embodiments, and other values may exist for other embodiments.

[0014] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the shield 200. The shield 200 includes a lug 205 at the top for lifting and lowering the IX container 300 (Figure 3). The lifting lug 210 enables the IX assembly 100 (Figure 1) to remain stationary in a predetermined position during processing. One or more discharge ports 215 can be positioned around the base of the shield 200. The illustrated embodiment includes at least six equally spaced, sized discharge ports 215. In some embodiments, the quantity and spacing of the discharge ports 215 may differ from the illustrated embodiment. In some embodiments, one or more of the discharge ports may include a filter, such as a micrometer filter, to prevent dust emissions. These filters may be capable of preventing radioactive dust emissions for embodiments that process radioactive treatment fluids.

[0015] In some embodiments, the shield 200 is formed from cast lead metal. Lead metal is widely used for shielding properties when needed because it has certain properties beneficial for radioactive shielding. In some embodiments, other materials (e.g., shot, depleted uranium, steel plates, and / or concrete) may be used for shielding during ion exchange processing of radioactive fluids if a sufficient material thickness is used to reduce the ambient radiation exposure rate to an acceptable limit. In some embodiments regarding radioactive shielding requirements, the material used for the shield depends on characteristics such as the heat dissipation properties from the material, resistance to radiation damage, properties during reduction of radiation levels, the weight and thickness required for the embodied system and method, the durability of the shield, the potential for multi - use, industry availability, the cost of the material, and the physical consistency required for a particular embodiment. In some non - nuclear embodiments, the shield 200 can be used even though no radionuclides are present in the processing fluid. The shield material and thickness can vary between embodiments. In some embodiments, the same essential shield design can be used for standard and annular containers.

[0016] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of an annular vessel 300. The vessel 300 shown comprises a shell 305 surrounding an internal component having one or more internal discharge inlets 380 at its base. In some embodiments, the location of one or more discharge inlets 380 within the shell 305 correlates with one or more discharge inlets 215 (Figure 2) within the shield 200 (Figure 2). The one or more discharge inlet channels 380 allow air to enter the internal discharge channels, and the one or more discharge inlets 215 (Figure 2) allow air to enter both the internal and external discharge channels between the vessel and the shield, as disclosed below in more detail.

[0017] Figure 4 shows a top view of an embodiment of the annular vessel 300. The embodiment of the vessel 300 shown includes an outlet 310, an inlet 315, a discharge port 317, an inner channel discharge outlet 320a, b, a filling port 325a, b, a shield cap 330, and a dewatering pipe 335. In some embodiments, the shield cap 330 and the upper part 301 of the vessel 300 (Figure 3) may be made of cast lead metal to provide shielding. Any shielding material that can provide shielding from radionuclides may be used, and examples include, but are not limited to, steel, depleted uranium, and concrete, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, hydrogen may be discharged using the discharge port 317. In some embodiments, the discharge port 317 may be used to cool and dissipate heat, such as heat generated during radioactive decay. In some embodiments, the dewatering pipe 335 is used to remove free water when the vessel is evacuated. Free water is essentially a processed fluid that has been treated by a container and may proceed to another container or process for further treatment, or, depending on one or more characteristics of the influent water in the overall process and the treatment stage, it may be "clean" water at the end of the treatment regime.

[0018] Figure 5 shows a diagram of section AA of the embodiment of Figure 4. Section AA is a vertical cross-section of the vessel 300 in the downward direction. In some embodiments, filling ports 325a, b in the upper part 301 of the vessel 300 allow for the addition of ion exchange medium. The filling ports 325a, b may be mated with plugs for shielding the processing process during use. In some embodiments, the plugs may include lead metal or any material that can provide shielding from radionuclides. A shield cap 330 covers and shields the inlet 315 (Figures 3 and 4), outlet 310 (Figures 3 and 4), discharge port 317, and dewatering pipe 335. A shell 305 surrounds the internal components and provides some additional shielding. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the discharge port 317 is 25 mm. In some embodiments, the walls of the inner shell 307 and the outer shell 306 are 10 mm thick, the outer diameter of the outer shell 306 is 660 mm, and the inner diameter of the inner shell 307 is 300 mm. In some embodiments, other measurements may be used for the outlet 317, the wall of the outer shell 306, the outer diameter of the outer shell 306, and the inner diameter of the inner shell 307. The vertical axis is defined through the center of the container 300.

[0019] In the shown embodiment, positioned between the inner shell 307 and the outer shell 306 are two or more evenly distributed (vertically and radially) inlet headers 350 and outlet headers 355, respectively. In some embodiments, the headers 350 and 355 are ring-shaped with nozzles evenly distributed on at least one inside and outside the ring. The headers 350 and 355 with nozzles serve to uniformly distribute the processing fluid into the ion exchange medium contained within the vessel 300. In some embodiments, as shown in detail C, one or more inlet and / or outlet nozzles may have wedge wire screens on their ends for axial flow. In the shown embodiment, five headers 350 and 355 are, The medium is evenly distributed along the internal height of the container 300, with three inlet headers 350 and two outlet headers 355 alternating. In some embodiments, the medium filling height is 1200 mm, which allows for a total volume of 0.3 m³. In some embodiments, other measurements and volumes may be used.

[0020] Figure 6 shows a front view of an embodiment of the annular vessel 300. In some embodiments, the height of the shell 305 is 1400 mm. In some embodiments, other measurements may be used. Section BB is cut horizontally across the vessel 300. Figure 7 shows a diagram of section BB of the embodiment of Figure 6. In the shown embodiment, there are 12 evenly distributed inlet nozzles 351 outside the inlet header 350 and 8 evenly distributed inlet nozzles 351 inside the inner header 350. As described in the description of Figure 5, in some embodiments, the inlet header 350 and the outlet header 355 (Figure 5) may alternate along the length of the vessel 300 (Figure 5). Other configurations are also possible.

[0021] Figure 8 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the annular container 300 with the shell 305 (Figure 3) removed to more clearly show the internal components. The shown embodiment shows an inlet header 350 with alternating nozzles 351 and an outlet header 355 with nozzles 356, as described in Figure 7. The vertical axis is defined through the center of the container 300.

[0022] Figure 9 shows a front view of the IX assembly 100. Section DD cuts the center of the IX assembly 100 downwards and vertically. Figure 10 shows a diagram of section DD in the embodiment of Figure 9. In the shown embodiment, the IX assembly 100 comprises an annular container 300 (Figure 6). In some embodiments, the overall height of the IX assembly 100 is 2407 mm. In some embodiments, the measurements of the shield 200 are as follows: height is 1965 mm, overall thickness is 150 mm, thickness between walls is 126 mm, thickness of outer wall 201 is 12 mm, thickness of inner wall 202 is 12 mm, outer diameter of outer wall 201 is 1000 mm, and inner diameter of inner wall 202 is 700 mm. These measurements may vary in other embodiments. In the shown embodiment, the outer discharge channel 415 is located between the inner wall 202 of the shield 200 and the shell 305, which connects one or more discharge inlets 215 from the base to the upper outer channel discharge outlet 410. The inner discharge channel 420 is located inside the IX assembly 100 in the shown embodiment and discharges to the upper discharge outlets 320a, b of the IX assembly 100.

[0023] Figure 11 shows an embodiment of a standard container 400. Standard containers are known in the art. The shown embodiment has external components similar to those of an annular container. The interior of the standard container 400 does not include a discharge channel. The shown standard container 400 comprises a single header 357 having a nozzle 358 positioned near the base of the container 400. In the shown embodiment, the nozzle 358 is oriented vertically. These containers 400 may be filled with an adsorbent or one or more filters, tube filters, or filter materials. In some embodiments, a standard container 400 may be preferred when the risk of hot spots is reduced or eliminated, for example, when the activity of the processing fluid is low or negligible. In some embodiments, annular containers and standard containers may be implemented in the same processing process at different stages of the processing process.

[0024] In some embodiments, the standard vessel 400 (Figure 10) or the annular vessel 300 (Figure 5) may be filled with one or more filters instead of an ion exchange medium. These types of vessels are referred to as filter vessels. In some embodiments, the annular zone of the annular filter vessel may comprise a beam of tubular microfilters. In such embodiments, the processing fluid may be supplied through the top of the tube. In some embodiments, the filter material may include a non-radiosensitive metal or ceramic material.

[0025] Configuration and size determination The ion exchange vessel (or column) may be expandable. Table 1 below shows some degrees of freedom for sizing and their potential effects in some embodiments. [Table 1]

[0026] In some embodiments, the container configuration, size, and radioactive loading may be a compromise between one or more of the following: dose flow rate, temperature, radioactive gas management, operability (container handling), clutter (footprint), storage (total number of spent containers), and long-term waste packaging (filtering material). The container size and configuration may vary depending on the characteristics of the fluid being processed, as well as other site factors such as throughput requirements, footprint, and other factors.

[0027] radioactive applications Some embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein may be used to process radioactive waste fluids. In ion exchange vessel configurations known in the art (standard vessels), as a processing fluid containing radioactive isotopes passes through the vessel, the radioactivity is concentrated in the influent water and slowly progresses downward (or upward) through the vessel as the ion exchange sites become saturated on the ion exchange medium. When handling highly radioactive waste, the activity limit for the vessel is reached rapidly, and most of the absorbed radioactivity is concentrated very close to the input to the vessel, in a largely inactive state, if any, in most of the ion exchange medium. This results in a non-uniform depleted vessel, complicating both hydrogen repair and the occurrence of localized thermal heating, and impairing the safe storage and handling of the depleted ion exchange medium.

[0028] In applications for processing highly radioactive waste fluids, the amount of waste fluid that can be handled by an ion exchange container generally depends on the total amount of radioactivity concentrated in the container, rather than on the capacity of the ion exchange medium; therefore, maximizing the capacity of the ion exchange medium is typically undesirable. The amount of activity that can be safely captured is limited by the combination of heat generated from radioactive decay and hydrogen produced by the radiolysis of water in the ion exchange medium. To achieve efficient cooling and sufficient hydrogen repair, a more uniform distribution of activity is obtained, and "hot spots" exist within the ion exchange container where activity is concentrated. It is essential that hot spots are absent. Hot spots can significantly impair the safety and handling of depleted ion exchange vessels and compromise shielding, thereby potentially leading to dose rates higher than conventional safety limits at specific locations. The annular vessel systems and methods disclosed herein reduce / eliminate these concerns through increased heat dissipation and uniform loading.

[0029] With regard to handling processes involving radioactive contaminants, additional shielding and leak containment measures may be incorporated into the equipment to prevent the release of contaminants into the environment and to protect the environment and personnel in the event of damage. For example, in a modularized embodiment, the processing lines between modules may include secondary containment and leak detection systems. The processing modules may include additional shielding, redundant valves and instrumentation, leak detection systems, emergency shutdowns, and hydrogen / flammable gas discharge systems.

[0030] Other processing applications Uniform distribution of contaminants throughout ion exchange resins, adsorbents, or other granular materials (ion exchange media) can be utilized in a variety of applications. Uniformity and heterogeneity are known concepts used in chemistry relating to the uniformity of substances in a space or container. A uniform material is consistent in composition or properties (i.e., color, shape, size, weight, height, distribution, texture, temperature, radioactivity, etc.), while a heterogeneous material is clearly not uniform in one (or more) of these properties.

[0031] Exemplary applications may include the uniform loading of a catalyst metal (e.g., platinum, nickel, etc.) into an entire zeolite or other substrate. This is typically carried out using a batch operation in which the substrate is physically mixed with a catalyst solution, the fluid is discharged, and then the final product is dehydrated. The application of the systems and methods disclosed herein may allow this manufacturing process to be carried out with fewer mechanical operations (e.g., no mixing operation), in a shorter period of time, and in a smaller container. Eliminating mixing also minimizes product consumption, reduces waste, and eliminates the need for washing to remove any particles that may be generated.

[0032] Container type by filling The types of containers listed below are examples only and are not intended to be limiting. Containers may be loaded with possible ion exchange media or filter materials. The characteristics of the processing fluid and / or the target isotope in the processing fluid may determine the type of ion exchange material or filter material, the number of containers that may be required, the order of processing, and the layout (series / parallel) of the specific processing steps.

[0033] The ion exchange vessels can be filled with any type of adsorbent or ion exchange medium, and the IX system can operate to remove many different contaminants when using two or more vessels having different adsorbents or ion exchange media in series. In some embodiments, one or more vessels may be used in series and / or parallel with one or more solid removal filters, ultrafiltration, and / or other filtration systems. In addition, in some embodiments, the treatment fluid may proceed through pretreatment such as reverse osmosis in series and / or parallel before being treated through one or more vessels.

[0034] Figure 12 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the containers may be used in series. In the shown embodiment, each container is operable to capture different specific elements. In the shown embodiment, the pH of the treatment fluid may be optionally adjusted in tank 415 using a base or acid in some embodiments. The pH may be adjusted over a wide range to maximize isotope removal for a particular treatment fluid. In some embodiments, one or more adsorbents may operate optimally at a pH of 6–8. The treatment fluid is then filtered through one or more filters. The fluid may proceed through step 420, and then through Cs / Sr IX 425, I IX 430, Sb IX 435, and Ru IX 440. In some embodiments, the processed fluid may proceed through tank 445 for final chemical adjustment before exiting the processing process. Number of containers

[0035] The number and type of vessels used for processing depend on several factors, including the characteristics of the processing fluid (temperature, water chemistry, concentration and type of contaminants, volume, etc.), the overall activity to be purified, decay time, and the average radiation load per vessel, among other site-specific factors such as footprint, processing implementation timeline, and required throughput.

[0036] The number of containers required may also be affected by the timeline of the on-site implementation. Over time, radioactive elements decay, so if the processing process is started late, the overall activity of the processing fluid decreases, which may result in a reduction in the number of containers required.

[0037] The use or number of filter containers (or cartridges) may vary based on one or more of the following: the overall particle activity in the processing fluid, the type of filter, and the maximum decay heat per filter container (driven by activity accumulation). The achievable particle decontamination factor may depend on the particle size distribution and cutoff threshold of the available filters. Fixed, movable, and / or modular systems

[0038] The systems and methods disclosed herein may be implemented in one or more fixed, mobile, and modular configurations. A fixed configuration is one in which one or more containers are positioned and fixed in place at a site. A mobile configuration is one in which one or more containers are configured to be movable within a mobile container, on a trailer, or otherwise, around a site or from one site to another. A modular configuration is one in which one or more containers are configured in a modular "plug-and-play" configuration for easier transport and setup. A site may utilize more than one configuration type for a single project.

[0039] Modularity and mobility are crucial aspects of an effective, efficient, flexible, and deployable water handling system, particularly in response to accidents like Fukushima. By incorporating one or more processing steps within one or more separate modules, including the IX system, adaptability and better handling customization are possible, and only the necessary modules can be transported to the site, thereby reducing transportation, setup, and processing costs and time. Modules can be added or removed at any time, enabling a phased approach to site cleanup / treatment. An example of a modular container is the ISO shipping container, a highly mobile and widely used standardized container that can be quickly and easily transported to sites worldwide on existing infrastructure, including trucks, rail, ships, airplanes, and other conventional industrial transport media, as needed. Standard shipping sizes allow for easy stacking for simple and cost-effective transport; however, other shapes and sizes are possible, including trailer-mounted configurations, drivable configurations, and custom-sized configurations. Modularity allows for easier setup, as modules can be configured in any configuration required by the region's topography, including stacking. Modularity also allows for easy replacement or simple gradual removal for maintenance. Each module may be equipped with a standard-size quick cut for quick and easy connection / disconnection between any modules in any configuration. Modules can operate in series, parallel, or a combination thereof. Parallel operation allows for handling large volumes of fluid.

[0040] The systems and methods disclosed herein are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, with relevant portions reproduced herein with some modifications, U.S. Patent No. 9,981,868 (U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 748,535), filed June 24, 2015, issued May 29, 2018, with a priority date of June 24, 2014, titled "Mobile Processing System for Hazardous and It can be operated in combination with the systems and methods disclosed in "Radioactive Isotope Removal".

[0041] Figure 13 shows one embodiment of a modular linear matrix of containers 500. Each container 510 rests in a fixed position on the base 505. In the shown embodiment, the base is sized to accommodate five containers 510 in a single linear matrix; however, other embodiments with more or fewer containers 510 are possible. One or more of the containers 510 may be standard containers. One or more of the containers 510 may be annular containers. Each container 510 may be filled with a different ion exchange medium or filter, or one or more containers 510 may contain the same ion exchange medium or filter. In the shown embodiment, the processing fluid may travel through the containers 510 in series, entering each container inlet 715 and exiting through the container outlet 710.

[0042] In some embodiments, processing may occur in parallel between one or more matrices, as shown in Figure 14. The flow of the processing fluid enters the inlet 715 on container 510a, exits through the outlet 710 on container 510a, enters container 510b through the inlet 715, and exits container 510b through the outlet 710. The remainder of the processing flow between two matrices occurs in the same manner between containers 510c and 510d, between containers 510e and 510f, between containers 510g and 510h, and between containers 510n and 510z. The embodiments shown show five containers 510 on each matrice 500, but more or fewer containers are possible. In some embodiments, one or more matrices may operate in parallel, as shown in Figure 15. In some embodiments, one or more matrices may operate in series, as shown in Figure 16. The flow proceeds through the inlet and outlet, as in Figure 13, although it is generally shown in Figures 15 and 16 for clarity. In some embodiments, the processing fluid may flow between one or more matrices 500 having one or more of different lengths, container volumes, container sizes, and container types.

[0043] Figures 17 and 18 show a front view and a top view, respectively, of the embodiment of Figure 13 within the movable container 600. The mobility, modularity, and expandability of the container enable a wide range of processing capacities and configurations. For example, a module may comprise one or more containers or container types, and various numbers of modules may be mobilized in a single container, skid, or other movable means. Hydrogen management and cooling

[0044] It is important to note that the hydrogen source within the container is water, and while radiolysis occurs and water is replenished due to radiolysis heating, a reduced amount of water remains. This means that the risk associated with hydrogen generation tends to decrease during the process, and in some embodiments, it may be only a small amount at the end of the process when the container and / or its contents are prepared and transported to storage.

[0045] Hydrogen accumulation occurs during processing and storage. During processing, if the processing fluid is flowing, hydrogen is cleared from the container along with the processing fluid. If the processing process stops for any reason, the hydrogen must be discharged through defined discharge routes on the container into the appropriate system (recombiner, dilution, and discharge, as described in detail below).

[0046] During storage in a dehydrated container, the hydrogen is diluted using natural convection and (in some embodiments) discharged. Natural convection is driven primarily by the density difference between the discharged gas and the ambient air, resulting from hydrogen production and decay heat.

[0047] In some embodiments, burst discs may be added to the container before transport. Burst discs are also known as rupture discs, pressure safety discs, bursting discs, or burst diaphragms. These devices act as one-time pressure-relieving safety valves that protect the system from overpressure or vacuum conditions. Burst discs are designed to fail at a predetermined pressure. Some advantages of burst discs, in contrast to pressure relief valves, include leak resistance, reduced cost, response time, size constraints, and ease of maintenance. Figure 19 shows one embodiment of a burst disc.

[0048] In some embodiments, when the container is no longer in use, its contents are dehydrated and placed in a storage facility. In the storage facility, the hydrogen released from the water is naturally diluted and discharged from the container into the atmosphere using natural convection. Because the principle of natural convection is based on utilizing a low pressure difference, including a filter / screen with higher resistance may reduce the ability to discharge naturally below any flammability limit. However, in some embodiments, a filter / screen (e.g., NucFil® or Poral®) may be added to the hydrogen discharge port on the container for transport or storage.

[0049] In some embodiments, the contents of the container may be removed, treated, and packaged for final disposal. Since hydrogen is naturally discharged into the atmosphere below the flammability limit, recombiners are generally considered unnecessary; however, in some embodiments, recombiners may be added to the final disposal container. Figure 20 shows an exemplary catalytic recombiner. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 21, a commercially available catalytic recombiner may be added to the container after operation and drying through a filling port or other inlet. Recombining may be added to the container overpack or secondary storage. Any type of recombiner may be used. In Figure 21, hydrogen may be discharged from the H2 discharge port 317 on the IX assembly 100 and flow into the recombiner 605. During operation, ports 310, 315, and 335 are the outlet, inlet, and drain pipes, respectively. During storage, one or more of these ports 310, 315, and 335 may again serve as air inlets.

[0050] Sensing and control One or more sensors and devices may be used to monitor and control the system throughout the entire processing process. The location and type of sensors and / or devices may depend, among other design considerations, on the scale of the processing process and the chemical properties of the processing fluid. Sensor types may include, among others, one or more of the following: contact sensors, non-contact sensors, capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, 3D imaging devices, fiber optic cables, cameras, thermal imaging devices, thermometers, pressure sensors, radiation detectors, LIDAR, and microphones. In some embodiments, one or more infrared (IR) cameras may be used in the system, with or without radiation shielding.

[0051] Some embodiments may include one or more imaging sensors. These one or more imaging sensors may include, among other things, one or more of 3D imaging, 2D distance sensors, cameras (in some embodiments, such as IR cameras or radiation-shielded IR cameras), thermal imaging devices, and radiation detectors. One or more imaging sensors may be used to provide inspection and monitoring capabilities to a remote operator. Signals from one or more imaging sensors may be displayed in real time, recorded for later review, and / or recorded for operation recording. Any one or more cameras may be of a fixed type or a pan-tilt-zoom type. The operator may control pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ), focus, and lights, etc. While controlling a camera having control features, it is possible to select and manage the desired camera view for operation. In one embodiment, an appropriate visual scope of operation may be enabled by the camera system through an appropriate camera scope determined by the quantity and location of the camera.

[0052] In some embodiments, sensors are added solely to track material properties throughout the processing process. In some embodiments, sensor data is used to control the operation of the system. In some embodiments, a sensor fusion algorithm may be used to analyze data acquired from one or more sensors of one or more different types. In some embodiments, sensor data is automatically analyzed for processing processes that require little or no input from a human operator and automatically bring about changes in the control system. In some embodiments, sensor data and / or analysis are displayed for a human operator to perform manual adjustments.

[0053] In some embodiments, suitable sensors may be used to monitor the processing conditions at one or more critical locations in order to identify problems early, including one or more of the processing flow, pressure, and temperature, as well as activity levels (dose) at one or more critical locations. contrast

[0054] In some embodiments, the control system may capture, store, and show trends in critical process and facility data, including, but not limited to, activity levels, temperature, pressure, and flow rates. In some embodiments, the data may be processed on-site in near real-time. In some embodiments, the data and / or processed information may be transmitted to a remote location for long-term storage. In some embodiments, the control system may have a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) to control the relevant systems and processes.

[0055] General Terms and Interpretation Rules Any method described in the claims or specification should not be construed as requiring the steps to be performed in a specific order unless otherwise expressly stated. Furthermore, any method should be construed as providing support for performing the listed steps in any order unless otherwise expressly stated.

[0056] Certain features described within the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination within a single implementation. Conversely, various features described within the context of a single implementation can also be implemented individually or in any preferred subcombination within multiple implementations. Furthermore, features may be described above in a particular combination and may be initially claimed as such, but one or more features from the claimed combination may be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed towards a subcombination or a variation of a subcombination.

[0057] The exemplary configurations described in this document do not represent all possible implementations or examples within the claims. The term “example” should be interpreted as “serving as an example, illustration, or illustration,” and not as “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.”

[0058] Articles such as "the," "a," and "an" can imply singular or plural forms. Also, when the word "or" is used without the preceding "either" (or in other similar languages ​​that clearly indicate that "or" is exclusive - for example, It should be interpreted as inclusive (for example, "x or y" means either x or y, or both), and inclusive (for example, "x or y" means either x or y, or both).

[0059] The term "and / or" should also be interpreted as inclusive (for example, "x and / or y" means either x or y, or both). Where "and / or" or "or" is used as a combination for a group of three or more items, the group should be interpreted as including just one item, all items together, or any combination or number of items.

[0060] The phrase "based on" should be interpreted as referring to an open set of conditions unless otherwise explicitly stated (for example, based only on given conditions). For example, steps described as being based on given conditions may be based on the enumerated conditions and one or more unenumerated conditions.

[0061] The terms have, having, include, and including should be interpreted as synonyms for comprise and comprising. The use of these terms should also be understood as disclosing and providing support for narrower alternative implementations in which these terms are superseded by "consisting of" or "consisting essentially of."

[0062] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions used in the specification (excluding the claims) to represent dimensions, physical properties, etc., are understood to be modified in all instances by the term "approximately." At a minimum, each numerical parameter described herein or in the claims, modified by the term "approximately," should be interpreted by taking into account the number of significant figures stated and by applying the usual rounding method, not as an attempt to limit the application of the equivalence principle to the claims.

[0063] It is understood that all disclosed scopes include claims enumerating any sub-ranges or any and all individual values ​​encompassed by each range, and that these scopes provide support for the claims. For example, the described range 1–10 should be considered to include claims enumerating any and all sub-ranges or individual values, including the values ​​at both ends, from a minimum value of 1 to a maximum value of 10, and that these scopes provide support for the claims, i.e., all sub-ranges starting with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5–10, 2.34–3.56, etc.) or any value between 1 and 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, etc.), and these values ​​can be expressed individually, as a minimum value (e.g., 5.8 or more), or as a maximum value (e.g., 9.9994 or less).

[0064] All disclosed numerical values ​​are understood to be variable from 0-100% in either direction, thereby providing support for claims that enumerate such values ​​(either individually or as minimum or maximum values—e.g., greater than or equal to <value> and less than or equal to <value>) or any range or subrange that can be formed by such values. For example, the numerical value 8 described is understood to vary from 0 to 16 (100% in either direction), providing support for claims that enumerate the range itself (e.g., 0 to 16), any subrange within the range (e.g., 2 to 12.5), or any individual value within the individually represented range (e.g., 15.2), as a minimum value (e.g., at least 4.3), or as a maximum value (e.g., 12.4 or less).

[0065] Terms enumerated in the claims are based on the relevant entries in widely used general dictionaries and / or relevant technical dictionaries, and their meanings as generally understood by those skilled in the art. While understanding that the ordinary and conventional meanings of terms should be given as determined by reference, and that the broadest meaning given by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the terms in the claims (e.g., two or more related dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries), the following exceptions are permitted: (a) if a term is used in a broader form than its ordinary and conventional meaning, that term should be given an additional broader meaning in addition to its ordinary and conventional meaning, or (b) if a term is explicitly defined to have a different meaning by listing terms followed by the phrase "when used in this document," or similar language (e.g., "the term means," "the term is defined as," "for the purposes of this disclosure, the term should mean," etc.). Reference to specific examples, the use of "i.e.," the use of the word "invention," etc., does not mean referencing exception (b) or otherwise limiting the scope of the listed terms in the claims. Except in the circumstances to which exception (b) applies, nothing contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or denial of the claims.

[0066] The subject matter enumerated in the claims is not identical to, and should not be construed as identical to, any implementation, feature, or combination of feature described or illustrated herein. This is true even when only a single implementation of a feature or combination of feature is illustrated and described.

[0067] The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present invention. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications to the elements and their configurations and arrangements are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ion exchange vessel for handling contaminated fluids, A shell comprising an inner shell wall and an outer shell wall, with a chamber formed between them, One or more packed ports configured to distribute at least one of an ion exchange medium or an adsorbent into the chamber, One or more inlet headers configured to operate within the chamber, each inlet header comprising one or more inlet nozzles, the one or more inlet nozzles configured to operate in such a way as to uniformly distribute the contaminated fluid to at least one of the ion exchange medium or adsorbent, One or more outlet headers configured to be operable within the chamber, each outlet header comprising one or more outlet nozzles, the one or more outlet nozzles configured to remove fluid from the chamber, A discharge port configured to discharge hydrogen from the chamber or to dissipate heat, A dewatering system configured to transport excess water from the chamber, The inner discharge channel within the inner shell wall, An ion exchange vessel comprising a shield, the shield being composed of at least one of lead metal, steel, or depleted uranium, wherein the shield has one or more lifting lugs and one or more shield discharge ports.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ion exchange container and the shield are cylindrical in shape.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the shield is configured to fit onto the ion exchange container.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein an outlet discharge channel is formed between the shield and the shell.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more inlet headers and the one or more outlet headers are arranged alternately along the length of the ion exchange container.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the one or more inlet headers and the one or more outlet headers are evenly distributed along the length of the ion exchange container.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein there are three inlet headers and two outlet headers.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein one or more shell discharge ports correlate with one or more shield discharge ports.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a catalyst recombinator.

10. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a burst disk.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ion exchange container is contained within a movable processing skid.

12. An ion exchange system for handling contaminated fluids, One or more shields, each made of at least one of the following: lead metal, steel, or depleted uranium It also consists of one, and each of the one or more shields includes one or more lifting lugs and one or more shield discharge ports, The system comprises one or more ion exchange containers, and each of the one or more ion exchange containers is A shell comprising an inner shell wall and an outer shell wall, with a chamber formed between them, One or more packed ports configured to distribute at least one of an ion exchange medium or an adsorbent into the chamber, One or more inlet headers configured to operate within the chamber, each inlet header comprising one or more inlet nozzles, the one or more inlet nozzles configured to operate in such a way as to uniformly distribute the contaminated fluid to at least one of the ion exchange medium or adsorbent, One or more outlet headers configured to be operable within the chamber, each outlet header comprising one or more outlet nozzles, the one or more outlet nozzles configured to remove fluid from the chamber, A discharge port configured to discharge hydrogen from the chamber or to dissipate heat, A dewatering system configured to transport excess water from the chamber, An ion exchange system comprising an inner discharge channel within the inner shell wall.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the one or more ion exchange containers and the one or more shields are cylindrical in shape.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein one or more shields are configured to fit onto one or more ion exchange vessels.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein an outlet discharge channel is formed between one or more shields and the shell.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein the one or more inlet headers and the one or more outlet headers are alternately arranged along the vertical axis of the one or more ion exchange vessels.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the one or more inlet headers and the one or more outlet headers are evenly distributed along the vertical axis of the one or more ion exchange vessels.

18. The system according to claim 16, wherein there are three inlet headers and two outlet headers.

19. The system according to claim 12, wherein one or more shell discharge ports correlate with one or more shield discharge ports.

20. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a catalyst recombinator.

21. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a burst disk.

22. The system according to claim 12, wherein one or more ion exchange vessels are contained within a movable processing skid.

23. An ion exchange method for handling contaminated fluids, Shielding the ion exchange vessel using a shield composed of at least one of lead metal and depleted uranium, Distributing at least one of the ion exchange medium or adsorbent into the ion exchange container through one or more filling ports, Distributing a contaminated fluid uniformly through one or more inlet nozzles to at least one of the ion exchange medium or adsorbent, wherein the one or more inlet nozzles are distributed radially on one or more inlet headers, and the one or more inlet headers are distributed perpendicularly along the length of the ion exchange container, thereby delivering a decontaminated fluid. An ion exchange method comprising removing a decontaminated fluid from the ion exchange vessel through one or more outlet nozzles, wherein the one or more outlet nozzles are distributed radially on one or more outlet headers, the one or more outlet headers are distributed perpendicularly along the length of the ion exchange vessel and are located between the inlet headers.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the ion exchange container and the shield are cylindrical in shape.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the shield is configured to fit onto the ion exchange container.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein there are three inlet headers and two outlet headers.

27. An ion exchange method for handling contaminated fluids, Shielding one or more ion exchange containers using one or more shields, each composed of at least one of lead metal and depleted uranium, Distributing at least one of the ion exchange medium or adsorbent into one or more ion exchange containers through one or more filling ports, Distributing a contaminated fluid uniformly through one or more inlet nozzles to at least one of the ion exchange medium or adsorbent, wherein the one or more inlet nozzles are distributed radially on one or more inlet headers, and the one or more inlet headers are distributed vertically along the length of each of the one or more ion exchange containers, thereby delivering a decontaminated fluid. An ion exchange method comprising removing a decontaminated fluid from one or more ion exchange containers through one or more outlet nozzles, wherein the one or more outlet nozzles are distributed radially on one or more outlet headers, the one or more outlet headers are distributed perpendicularly along the length of the ion exchange container and are located between the inlet headers.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the one or more ion exchange containers and the one or more shields are cylindrical in shape.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the one or more shields are configured to fit onto the one or more ion exchange containers.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein there are three inlet headers and two outlet headers.

31. The method according to claim 27, wherein one or more ion exchange containers are contained within a movable processing skid.

Images