Fuel Rod Container Drying via Closed Gas Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for encapsulating fuel rods or fuel rod sections fail to quantify residual water content accurately, leading to potential excess water issues during storage, which can cause inadmissible internal pressure due to evaporation from decay heat.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a gas-tight encapsulation process where the fuel rod or fuel rod section is inserted into a container, connected to a scavenging gas line, and water is expelled using scavenging gas, forming a closed gas circuit to circulate hot gas until the moisture content reaches a stable value, allowing for precise measurement and subsequent closure, with optional cyclic repetition for low moisture thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water is removed from the fuel rod container using gas injection through closure elements, then water expulsion is achieved, but residual water content cannot be quantified accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism by measuring the moisture content of the gas circulating in the closed circuit and using this information to control the drying process. Sensors detect the moisture level, and this data feeds back to determine when to continue or stop the drying operation, enabling precise quantification of residual water content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical water removal method (gas injection through closure elements) with a thermal drying process using circulating hot gas in a closed circuit. This substitution allows for continuous monitoring and measurement of moisture content through gas phase analysis, enabling accurate quantification of residual water.
2Reliability
If water is not completely removed from the container, then storage safety is compromised due to pressure buildup from evaporation, but aggressive drying increases process complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous circulation of heating gas through the closed circuit, maintaining constant thermal action on the residual water. This continuous process efficiently removes water without requiring complex intermittent operations, multiple stages, or complex control mechanisms, thereby achieving reliable drying with relatively simple equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the drying process by adjusting parameters such as gas temperature, circulation rate, and moisture content thresholds. By monitoring and adjusting these parameters, the system achieves complete water removal for storage safety while maintaining a relatively simple process structure through parameter optimization rather than structural complexity.
3Measurement precision
If a closed gas circuit is used for drying, then moisture content can be monitored, but the process requires additional equipment and setup time
Solution Approach 1:
The closed gas circuit serves multiple functions: it acts as both the drying medium and the measurement pathway. The same circulating gas that removes moisture also carries moisture information to sensors, eliminating the need for separate measurement systems and reducing overall equipment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the drying function and the measurement function into a single integrated system. The closed gas circuit simultaneously performs water removal and moisture content monitoring, combining what could be separate systems into one unified process that reduces overall complexity.
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
Enables reliable quantification and reduction of residual water content in fuel rod containers, ensuring safe storage by maintaining low moisture levels and preventing excessive pressure buildup.
Implementation Method 1
circulating a hot gas in the gas circuit until the absolute moisture content reaches a final value
Implementation Method 2
In the gas circuit there are arranged a pump and a heating device for circulating and heating a heating gas situated in the gas circuit
Implementation Method 3
Measurement devices are provided for detecting the absolute moisture content of the heating gas flowing from the second chamber into the bypass line
Data Source
AI summary
A method for encapsulating a fuel rod or a fuel rod section in a container includes inserting the fuel rod or fuel rod section into the container. One of the ends of the container is connected to a purging-gas line. The container is dehydrated and purged by use of a purging gas. The ends of the container are connected to a bypass line in such a way that a closed gas circuit is produced and a hot gas is circulated in the gas circuit until the absolute moisture content reaches an end value at which the absolute moisture content no longer rises. The container is disconnected from the gas circuit and subsequently the container is closed in a fluid-tight manner at both ends.