Composite Waste Disposal via Controlled Gasification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The disposal of fiber-reinforced composite materials, particularly those contaminated with fluorine and uranium, poses challenges due to uncontrolled release of hazardous substances during combustion, which is unsafe and environmentally harmful.
Innovation Solution
A method involving chemical gasification of the composite material, where the matrix is dissolved and then thermally decomposed with added process gases in an endothermic process, using controlled amounts of oxidizing agents to prevent explosive reactions and isolate hazardous substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If combustion is used to dispose of fiber-reinforced composites, then the composite material is destroyed and converted to simpler substances, but hazardous substances like fluorine and uranium compounds are released uncontrolled into the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inert atmosphere by conducting the disposal process in a controlled environment with limited oxygen supply. The combustion process is performed under oxygen-limited conditions (oxygen concentration below 15% by volume, preferably below 10%), which prevents complete combustion and formation of hazardous fluorine and uranium compounds while still achieving decomposition of the composite material. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining disposal effectiveness while eliminating harmful emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the oxygen concentration parameter from normal atmospheric levels (21%) to controlled low levels (below 15%, preferably below 10%). This parameter change transforms the combustion process from a high-temperature complete combustion that releases hazardous substances to a controlled low-temperature incomplete combustion that avoids hazardous compound formation while still achieving material decomposition.
2Productivity
If additional fuel is added to facilitate combustion of fiber-reinforced composites, then the combustion reaction proceeds more efficiently, but the process becomes difficult to control and may lead to explosive reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing oxygen in limited amounts rather than excess oxygen. The oxygen supply is controlled to maintain concentrations below 15% by volume, which is sufficient to sustain decomposition reactions but insufficient to support explosive combustion. This approach achieves adequate reaction progress while preventing runaway reactions and maintaining process control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the decomposition process and adjusting oxygen supply accordingly. The controlled oxygen concentration regime (below 15%, preferably below 10%) acts as a feedback mechanism that automatically prevents conditions favorable for explosive reactions, thereby maintaining both productivity and reliability.
3Strength
If high temperatures above 2000° C. are used to carbonize and graphitize carbon fiber, then the fiber achieves high purity and resistance, but fluorine and uranium compounds are released into the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from extreme high temperatures (>2000°C) to moderate temperatures (below 1000°C, preferably between 400-800°C). This temperature reduction prevents the formation and release of hazardous fluorine and uranium compounds while still achieving sufficient decomposition of the composite matrix and purification of carbon fibers through controlled oxidation and volatilization of impurities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies inert atmosphere conditions by maintaining oxygen-limited environment (oxygen concentration below 15% by volume) during the thermal processing. This prevents complete combustion and formation of hazardous compounds at elevated temperatures, allowing the process to proceed at lower temperatures while still achieving fiber purification without environmental release of harmful substances.
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
This method allows for the safe and environmentally friendly decomposition of fiber-reinforced composites, separating and isolating hazardous substances like uranium and fluorine, reducing the risk of uncontrolled releases and enabling recovery of materials, thus minimizing storage burdens.
Implementation Method 1
the component is chemically gasified, the composite material being technically entirely decomposed into its basic constituents, the composite material matrix being dissolved in a first step
Implementation Method 2
the remaining starting materials and intermediate products being thermally decomposed in a subsequent step and reacted with added process gases, a reactive gas being supplied at least in the subsequent step and the subsequent step being conducted endothermically
Implementation Method 3
the subsequent step being conducted endothermically
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the disposal of a composite material, in particular a composite material contaminated, for example, by radioactivity and containing fluorine impurities. The inventive method for the disposal of a component containing a composite material with a composite matrix and a technical fiber, is characterized in that the component is chemically gasified, wherein the composite material is technically completely decomposed into its basic components, wherein in a first step the composite matrix is dissolved and in a subsequent step the remaining starting materials and intermediate products are thermally decomposed and reacted with added process gases, wherein at least in the subsequent step a reactive gas is supplied and the subsequent step is conducted endothermically.