Corrugated HIP Container for Predictable Radioactive Waste Collapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
The unpredictable nature of radioactive waste powders, with varying particle sizes and shapes, makes it difficult to model and predict the collapse of HIP containers, leading to inconsistent volume reductions and potential container distortion during Hot Isostatic Pressing, which complicates the consolidation and disposal of radioactive waste.
Innovation Solution
A HIP container design featuring an outer and inner cylinder with internal compression plates configured to resist collapse, ensuring consistent collapse to a predetermined diameter, regardless of starting packing density, and a method involving heat and pressure application to consolidate materials while maintaining a predictable shape and dimension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional HIP containers are used with radioactive waste powders, then the container can accommodate the material, but the collapse is unpredictable and leads to container distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the container wall by introducing corrugations (axial and/or radial) that modify the collapse behavior. These geometric parameter changes allow the container to accommodate unpredictable volume reductions while maintaining shape control through the structured deformation pattern of the corrugated walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The container design accepts and manages dynamic collapse during the HIP process rather than resisting it. The corrugated structure is designed to deform in a controlled manner during pressing, transforming from a rigid container to a dynamically adaptable structure that maintains integrity throughout the consolidation process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If HIP containers are designed to accommodate large volume reductions, then they can handle low packing densities, but the containers become distorted and difficult to dispose of
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric corrugation patterns (axial and/or radial) that create predetermined collapse zones. These asymmetric features guide the deformation in specific directions, allowing the container to adapt to volume changes while maintaining overall geometric control and preventing random distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The container wall is segmented into corrugated sections that can deform independently. This segmentation allows different parts of the container to accommodate volume changes differently, with each corrugated section absorbing some of the deformation while maintaining the overall container shape.
3Manufacturing precision
If the container is made rigid to prevent distortion, then shape is maintained, but it cannot accommodate the large volume reductions from low density powders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible corrugated shell structure that can deform during the HIP process. The corrugated walls provide flexibility to accommodate volume reduction while the structured geometry maintains shape control, effectively combining the benefits of rigidity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugations add geometric complexity in multiple dimensions (axial and radial directions) that allow the container to manage volume changes through controlled deformation in these dimensions, rather than simply expanding or contracting uniformly.
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
The container consistently collapses to a predetermined size, allowing for efficient packing and disposal of radioactive waste forms, reducing the risk of container distortion and optimizing the filling of disposal canisters, thereby enhancing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the Hot Isostatic Pressing process.
Implementation Method 1
Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIPing) of metal powders is common industry practice
Implementation Method 2
internal compression plates that are curved to match the radius of the inner and outer containers and are configured to resist collapse during consolidation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
There is disclosed a container for the consolidation of materials, such as waste materials including radioactive containing waste. The container comprises an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder comprising internal compression plates that are designed to resist collapse during consolidation, and therefore control the size of the consolidated container to a predictable shape and dimension. The container is sufficient to hold a variety of materials, including hazardous, toxic, or radioactive waste, and the container is configured to hold such waste without releasing it to the environment. There is also disclosed a method of consolidating such materials using the container described herein.