Handling Equipment for Fast Reactor Plug Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting plugs and removable blocks from fast reactors with heavy liquid metal coolants face challenges in controlling fixation devices, ensuring safety, and preventing radioactive contamination, particularly due to the high buoyancy and radioactive nature of the coolant.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a handling equipment set that includes a cable reduction box, guide channel, and reloading armor, filled with inert gas, to control and transport the plug and removable block, ensuring safe extraction and orientation, reducing equipment needs, and preventing coolant contact with atmospheric air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a pulling hoist with automatic grip is used to extract the removable block, then the extraction operation can be automated, but the fixation devices cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the handling equipment set with cable reduction box and guide channel) that mediates between the automatic pulling hoist and the removable block. This intermediary system provides both automatic extraction capability and manual control interface for fixation devices, resolving the contradiction between automation and operability
2Use of energy by moving object
If heavy liquid metal coolant is used for cooling, then efficient heat removal is achieved, but considerable buoyancy forces act on extraction equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principles by designing the handling equipment with balanced mechanical systems that compensate for the buoyancy forces generated by the heavy liquid metal coolant. The cable reduction box and guide channel system are engineered to counteract these forces, allowing safe extraction while maintaining the beneficial cooling properties of the heavy coolant
3Device complexity
If the plug and removable block are extracted without spent fuel assemblies, then the extraction process is simplified, but radiation safety and coolant containment become more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the extraction process into distinct phases with dedicated equipment for each function. The handling equipment set is divided into separate components (cable reduction box, guide channel, pulling hoist) that can be independently controlled and monitored, simplifying the overall process while enhancing safety through modular design and specialized functionality for radiation protection and coolant containment
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to nuclear engineering, in particular to a process of the plug and the removable block extraction from a fast reactor with a heavy liquid metal coolant. The technical result consists in extracting the plug and the removable block without fuel assemblies from the nuclear reactor using a complex of handling equipment under radiation safety conditions. The method of the plug removable block extraction involves preliminary installation of handling equipment, removing the plug from the reactor monoblock, as well as transportation and positioning of the plug in the plug shaft, unloading the removable block, its transportation and placing the removable block in the shaft for the removable block disassembly. 3 figures.