Fireproof Container Hood with Reactive Lacquer Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container arrangements for radioactive inventory face challenges in achieving effective thermal insulation without excessive thickness, leading to higher manufacturing costs and handling difficulties, while also failing to adequately manage residual heat radiation during fires.
Innovation Solution
A container arrangement featuring a hood with a reduced thermal conductivity outer layer, composed of a foamed or dehydrated layer with a lacquer, preferably epoxy resin, and an inner metal layer, which is reversibly attached to the container using fixing elements, allowing for efficient cooling and fire protection without increasing container design complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bag-like protective cover is used for fireproof retrofitting, then fire resistance is improved, but thermal insulation requires large thickness which increases manufacturing cost and handling difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a lacquer coating that undergoes chemical transformation when exposed to fire temperatures. The lacquer changes from a thin liquid coating to a thick, porous foam structure with reduced thermal conductivity, providing fire protection without requiring the container to be designed for high temperatures from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The lacquer undergoes phase transition from liquid to foam when exposed to heat. This phase change allows the thin coating to expand and form an insulating barrier during fire exposure, achieving fire protection functionality without requiring thick permanent insulation layers.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sack-like protective cover is used for thermal insulation, then fire protection is improved, but residual heat radiation is held back resulting in higher container temperatures and greater manufacturing effort
Solution Approach 1:
The fire protection system transitions from a static thick insulation layer to a dynamic thin lacquer coating that activates only when needed. The lacquer remains thin during normal operation allowing heat dissipation, but expands into an insulating foam when exposed to fire, providing protection only when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The lacquer acts as a sacrificial, single-use protective layer that is applied thinly and activates only during fire exposure. It provides temporary fire protection during the critical period of fire exposure without requiring permanent thick insulation that would interfere with normal heat management.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a hood with reduced thermal conductivity outer layer is used, then thermal insulation is improved, but handling ease may be worsened due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The fire protection system is segmented into two functional parts: a permanent hood providing structural protection and a reversible lacquer coating providing thermal insulation. The lacquer can be applied and removed as needed, allowing the container to be handled and transported easily when fire protection is not required, while providing protection when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective system transitions from a permanently attached thick cover to a dynamic thin lacquer coating that can be applied and removed. This allows the container to switch between easy handling mode (without thick cover) and fire protection mode (with activated lacquer), optimizing both handling ease and fire protection as 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
The solution provides enhanced thermal insulation and fire resistance with reduced thermal conductivity, enabling better cooling of radioactive inventory and easier handling, while maintaining structural integrity and compliance with European standards.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal conductivity of the outer layer can be reduced, for example, by foaming, dehydration, material conversion or by a combination of these processes in the outer layer
Implementation Method 2
The thermal conductivity of the outer layer can be reduced, for example, by foaming, dehydration, material conversion or by a combination of these processes in the outer layer
Implementation Method 3
The thermal conductivity of the outer layer is preferably reduced, at least temporarily, by at least a factor of 5 and preferably by a factor of at least 10 as a result of the effect of heat
Data Source
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AI summary
Container arrangement for holding radioactive inventory. The container arrangement comprises a container and a cover that can be placed over at least a section of the container. The container has a base, a shell, and a lid. The cover encloses the lid and at least a predominant part of the shell. The cover has an inner layer facing the container and an outer layer facing away from the container. The thermal conductivity of the outer layer can be reduced by the application of heat.