Branched Waste Entry Unit for Low-Dust Glass Melter Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for introducing combustible radioactive waste into a glass melter in nuclear power plants face issues such as dust scattering, which can lead to operational hazards and hinder internal monitoring, necessitating a stable and dust-minimizing waste feeding process for long-term melter operation.
Innovation Solution
A vitrification apparatus with an entry unit having a bar-shaped body and branching portions, capable of vertical and rotational movements, distributes target material to the glass melt while avoiding interference from mixing assistance units, using corrosion-resistant extensions and helical plate structures to minimize dust generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If combustible waste is introduced into the glass melter through conventional methods (pelletized waste via screw feeder), then the waste can be supplied to the glass melter, but dust scattering occurs which may lead to waste inflow into exhaust gas facility or hinder internal monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The entry unit is divided into multiple branch portions (first, second, third branch portions) that distribute the target material to different locations within the glass melt. This segmentation allows the waste to be introduced at multiple points rather than a single location, reducing dust concentration and scattering while maintaining reliable waste supply to the glass melter
Solution Approach 2:
The entry unit acts as an intermediary device between the waste supply system and the glass melter. It includes a hollow structure with multiple branch portions that distribute target material, and plate-shaped structures that rotate to further disperse the material. This intermediary mechanism prevents direct introduction of dust-generating waste while maintaining stable supply
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the entry unit performs vertical positional movement and circumferential rotation to optimize waste distribution, then dust generation is minimized and monitoring is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The entry unit is designed to perform dynamic operations including vertical positional movement and circumferential rotation. The drive unit provides driving force for these movements, allowing the entry unit to adapt its position and orientation to optimize waste distribution and minimize dust generation. The plate-shaped structures also rotate to further disperse material dynamically
Solution Approach 2:
The entry unit serves multiple functions: it distributes target material through multiple branch portions, performs vertical positional movement to adjust depth, executes circumferential rotation to select feeding positions, and works with plate-shaped structures for rotational flow. This multi-functionality reduces dust generation through a single integrated device rather than multiple separate mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables stable supply of radioactive waste to the glass melter, minimizing dust generation and ensuring stable operation by preventing scattering and maintaining internal monitoring integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the entry unit may perform vertical positional movement based on the driving force of the drive unit, and the entry unit may perform the vertical positional movement in response to a level of the glass melt in the lower chamber unit
Implementation Method 2
the mixing assistance unit injects fluid into the internal space of the lower chamber unit
Implementation Method 3
the plate-shaped structures may be formed in a helical shape for vortex generation in a hollow portion of the branch portion, and the target material may be rotationally mixed and discharged outside the entry unit through the plate-shaped structures
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a vitrification apparatus and method for a nuclear power plant. The vitrification apparatus includes: an upper chamber unit; a drive unit configured to provide driving force; a lower chamber unit in which glass melt is received in an internal space; and a hollow entry unit configured to enter the internal space of the lower chamber unit through the upper chamber unit and to supply a target material to the glass melt, wherein: the entry unit includes: a body portion having a bar shape, and a branch portion branching in plurality from the body portion; the target material is supplied to the glass melt by being distributed through the body portion and the branch portion; and a variable operation is performed based on the driving force of the drive unit.