Containerized Borated Water Mixing for Emergency Nuclear Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nuclear power plant safety systems lack a reliable means to supply large amounts of borated water continuously during emergencies, as conventional facilities are inadequate and may not function during power failures.
Innovation Solution
A portable device integrated in a single 20-foot container, comprising a mechanical mixer, boric acid feeding system, monitoring and control system, and shielding, which allows easy transport and automated operation to supply continuously flowing borated water using external power and water sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional borated water supply facilities are used, then the system is available for normal operation, but the facilities cannot supply large amounts of borated water continuously during emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device is contained within a standardized 20-foot maritime container, dividing the borated water supply system into modular, transportable units that can be deployed independently of fixed facilities
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device serves as an intermediary system between external water sources and the nuclear reactor cooling system, enabling borated water supply when conventional facilities fail
2Duration of action of moving object
If storage tanks with boron compounds are used, then the concentration can be maintained, but the tanks have limited dimensions and cannot supply continuous flow for more than a few hours
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical mixer enables continuous mixing and dissolution of boron compounds in flowing water, allowing indefinite supply duration limited only by boron compound availability rather than storage tank capacity
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical mixer replaces static storage tanks, using continuous mechanical mixing action to dissolve boron compounds on-demand in flowing water, eliminating the volume-time tradeoff inherent in storage systems
3Ease of operation
If a portable device in a 20-foot container is used, then the device is easily transportable and quickly deployable, but the device complexity increases with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (storage, mixing, pumping, control) are merged into a single integrated portable device within one container, simplifying deployment while managing complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device performs multiple functions (storage, mixing, pumping, temperature control) within a single system, reducing the number of separate deployable units needed
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
Ensures reliable and continuous supply of borated water, minimizing health risks to operators and enhancing system reliability and versatility, with improved ease of assembly and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical mixer, which allows easy transport and automated operation to supply continuously flowing borated water
Implementation Method 2
A portable device integrated in a single 20-foot container, comprising a mechanical mixer, boric acid feeding system, monitoring and control system, and shielding
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a portable device for the boration of continuously flowing water, which is automated and transportable in a container; which does not require the presence of an operator during operation once the boric acid has been loaded into the device; which comprises a set of inlet and outlet lines that allow borated water to be provided to several consumers, also allowing a combined supply of raw water/borated water; and which allows automatic adjustment of the flow rate, concentration, temperature, and outlet of the supplied borated water.