Containment Vessel Window Sealing System for Radiation Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Containment enclosures for radioactive materials face issues with leakages due to inefficient seals, leading to costly and cumbersome maintenance operations.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system with hermetic chambers filled with neutral gas and equipped with pressure-measuring and gas-injection devices to maintain airtightness, ensuring reliable and durable sealing by injecting gas to reach a reference pressure value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple O-ring seals are used at the interface between protective glass and frame, then the sealing structure is simple and easy to install, but the seals become inefficient under the effect of radiation and time, leading to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing elements (first sealing element between protective glass and frame, second sealing element between frame and opening) rather than relying on a single seal. This segmentation allows each sealing element to be optimized for its specific location and failure modes, improving overall reliability while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are pre-assembled with the frame and protective glass before final installation into the opening. This preliminary assembly ensures proper sealing configuration is achieved before the component is installed in its final position, reducing installation complexity while ensuring reliable sealing from the outset
2Ease of manufacture
If simple O-ring seals are used, then installation is straightforward, but maintenance becomes complex and costly when leaks occur due to radiation degradation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system uses multiple independent sealing elements that can be individually replaced if one fails, rather than requiring complete disassembly and replacement of the entire sealing system. This reduces maintenance complexity and cost while keeping the initial installation simple
Solution Approach 2:
Different sealing elements are positioned at critical interfaces (protective glass-frame and frame-opening) where leakage risks are highest due to radiation exposure and mechanical stress. This localized sealing approach ensures maintenance resources are focused on the most vulnerable areas, reducing overall maintenance complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject of the invention is a containment building (1) comprising a wall (10) made of a material of the concrete type that delimits a space (12) and at least one viewing module (30), this viewing module comprising at least one window (33) arranged in an opening (32) in the wall (10), said window having a frame (36) in which at least one optical unit (34) that provides protection from high-energy and/or neutron radiation is placed, said frame being fitted in the opening (32), the viewing module also having a protective element (37) that comprises a sash (38) bearing a pane (39) and arranged so as to close the opening at the face on the inside of the building, said viewing module thus comprising at least one interface (I) between two surfaces (S), characterized in that it also comprises at least one sealing system (40) arranged at at least one interface (I).