Heavy Water Reactor Dousing Tank Segmented Dismantling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is no established method for safely dismantling the dousing tank concrete structure of a heavy water reactor, which is radioactive and poses a risk of contaminated dust exposure to workers.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the selection of a dousing tank for dismantlement, dismantling of internal structures, fixing the tank to a dome structure, and using a cutting unit to separate the tank into manageable sections while employing recovery modules to contain and recover scattered materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional dismantling methods are used on the dousing tank concrete structure, then the dismantling process can proceed, but workers will be exposed to contaminated dust and radioactive materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of dismantling processVSAvoidworker exposure to contaminated dust

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dousing tank concrete structure is divided into multiple sections through controlled cutting. The cutting unit creates segmented sections that can be individually handled and removed, preventing widespread dust contamination and enabling systematic decontamination between sections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A dust collection and containment system acts as an intermediary between the cutting operation and the worker environment. This system captures contaminated dust at the source during cutting operations, preventing its dispersion into the workspace and protecting workers from exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the dousing tank is dismantled as a whole structure, then the process is simpler, but the tank cannot be safely removed due to its size and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedismantling process complexityVSAvoidsafety of structure removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The large dousing tank concrete structure is cut into smaller, manageable sections using the cutting unit. This segmentation allows each section to be safely handled, transported, and disposed of separately, making the removal of the entire structure feasible despite its original size and contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dismantling process utilizes vertical space by positioning the cutting unit to cut sections that can be lowered or moved vertically. This dimensional approach enables removal of large sections that would be impossible to maneuver horizontally through confined reactor spaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If cutting is performed on the dousing tank, then the tank can be separated into sections, but cut material will scatter and create contamination risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedismantling efficiencyVSAvoidscattered cut material contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Dust collection hoods and containment barriers are positioned as intermediaries between the cutting operation and the surrounding environment. These structures capture cut material at the point of generation, preventing scattering while allowing the cutting process to proceed efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting operation, which inherently creates scattered cut material, is paired with a recovery system that captures and collects this material. The harmful scattered material is converted into a contained, recoverable stream that can be systematically removed and disposed of, turning a contamination risk into a controlled material flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS20250182920A1Method for removing dousing tank of heavy water reactor structure

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO LTD

AI summary

There is provided a method of dismantling a dousing tank of a heavy water reactor structure. The method of dismantling a dousing tank of a heavy water reactor structure includes: selecting a dousing tank of a heavy water reactor structure for dismantlement; dismantling a 1st structure inside the dousing tank; fixing the dousing tank to a dome structure portion provided above the dousing tank through a mounting port; positioning a cutting unit on a 2nd structure including a concrete structure inside the dousing tank; and performing, by the cutting unit, cutting based on a forward or reverse rotation manner on an inner peripheral surface of the dousing tank.