Crossed-Field HLW Separation Chamber for Waste Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing volume of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) from nuclear power plants poses a significant challenge for storage and disposal, as a large portion of the waste volume is composed of low-mass, non-radioactive elements, while the more radioactive elements have a disproportionately low mass. There is a need for a process to separate high-mass, more radioactive portions from low-mass, less radioactive portions within the HLW.
Innovation Solution
A separation apparatus is designed to separate high-level nuclear waste into high-mass and low-mass portions using a cylindrical separation chamber with inductively-coupled plasma torches, magnetic elements, and concentric electrodes. The apparatus generates crossed magnetic and electric fields to separate the high-mass and low-mass portions based on their atomic masses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional storage methods are used for high-level nuclear waste, then all waste material is stored together, but this results in large storage volume requirements due to the inclusion of low-mass non-radioactive elements
Solution Approach 1:
The waste stream is segmented into multiple mass zones within the separation chamber, with light elements directed to one outlet and heavy elements to another outlet, physically dividing the waste into separable streams
Solution Approach 2:
Conventional mechanical separation methods are replaced with electromagnetic field-based separation, where electric and magnetic fields interact with ionized waste particles to separate them by mass without mechanical contact
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional storage methods are used for high-level nuclear waste, then simple storage structures are used, but this results in high storage costs due to the large volume of low-mass non-radioactive elements
Solution Approach 1:
The low-mass non-radioactive elements are extracted from the waste stream and separated into a distinct outlet, removing unnecessary material from the high-level waste stream that would otherwise require expensive long-term storage
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the waste is changed from neutral to ionized through plasma generation, fundamentally altering how the waste interacts with external fields and enabling mass-based separation by atomic weight
3Measurement precision
If plasma torches and electromagnetic fields are used for separation, then effective mass-based separation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma torch serves multiple functions: it ionizes the waste stream, heats the material to facilitate separation, and creates a controlled environment for electromagnetic interaction, reducing the need for separate processing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The separation process transitions from conventional one-dimensional mechanical separation to three-dimensional spatial separation using crossed electric and magnetic fields, allowing particles to be separated along multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously
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 apparatus effectively separates high-mass and low-mass portions of high-level nuclear waste, allowing for the reduction of waste volume and improved storage and disposal methods by segregating more radioactive materials from less radioactive bulk elements.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma torch being formed to inject a multi-species stream into the separation chamber via the through-opening of the inlet end, the multi-species stream including a partially ionized supply of the high-level nuclear waste and a plasma discharge
Implementation Method 2
first inductively-coupled plasma torch assembly being mounted to the inlet end of the housing
Implementation Method 3
a second inductively-coupled plasma torch assembly including an rf (radio-frequency) coil circumferentially disposed around the second axial housing section, the rf coil being connected to a voltage source for energizing and further ionizing the partially ionized supply of the high-level nuclear waste within the cylindrical separation chamber
Implementation Method 4
first and second magnetic elements circumferentially disposed around the first axial housing section and the third axial housing section, respectively, the first and second magnetic elements being positioned for generating a magnetic field that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical separation chamber
Implementation Method 5
the plurality of concentric electrodes being connected to at least one external power source such that each of the plurality of concentric electrodes receives a unique electric potential from the at least one external power source for generating an electric field that is perpendicular to the magnetic field
Implementation Method 6
the magnetic and electric fields being oriented along the separation chamber such that when the multi-species stream is injected into the separation chamber, the high-mass portion of the fluidized supply of high-level nuclear waste is ejected radially outwards towards the at least one first outlet aperture, and the low-mass portion of the fluidized supply high-level nuclear waste is directed along the longitudinal axis of the separation chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A separation apparatus for separating a supply of high-level nuclear waste (HLW), where the HL nuclear waste is separated into high-mass and low-mass portions. The high-and-low mass portions of the HLW have respective atomic masses that are above and below an atomic mass cut-off point of the separation apparatus. The separation apparatus includes first and second ICP torches that are respectively mounted to and within an apparatus housing. The apparatus housing defines a cylindrical separation chamber and includes first and second magnetic elements which generate a magnetic field along the length of the separation chamber, and a plurality concentric ring electrodes which generate an electric field that is perpendicular to, and which crosses the magnetic field. The supply of HLW is subject to a mass separation process within the separation chamber using the set of crossed electric and magnetic fields.