Hover-Skirt Sludge Suction for Radiation-Safe Tank Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radioactive sludge transfer systems leave residual sludge liquid in storage tanks, posing a radiation exposure risk during manual operation when transferring small amounts of sludge.
Innovation Solution
A residual radioactive sludge liquid suction apparatus with hover skirts and air jetting nozzles that float on the sludge surface, allowing for remote-controlled suction and movement, ensuring safe and complete transfer of residual sludge without direct exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional sludge transfer systems are used, then sludge can be transferred from storage tanks, but residual sludge liquid remains in the tanks requiring manual intervention that exposes workers to radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The suction apparatus is equipped with hover skirts that enable it to autonomously float and move on the sludge liquid surface without external mechanical assistance. The air supply source provides air to the hover skirts, allowing the apparatus to self-propel using jetting nozzles, eliminating the need for manual operation in radiation zones while ensuring complete sludge liquid removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by supplying air to hover skirts mounted on the suction apparatus body. The air jetting nozzles喷射 air to propel the apparatus across the sludge liquid surface, enabling remote operation without mechanical contact with radioactive materials, thus solving both the completeness of transfer and worker safety issues.
2Productivity
If manual operation is used for residual sludge liquid removal, then complete transfer can be achieved, but worker safety is compromised due to radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The hover skirts act as an intermediary between the suction apparatus and the sludge liquid surface. By floating on the surface and moving via air jetting, the apparatus can reach and suction residual sludge liquid completely while keeping operators outside the radiation zone, thus ensuring both completeness and safety.
3Productivity
If conventional transfer pumps are used, then bulk sludge transfer is efficient, but residual liquid remains requiring additional manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The sludge transfer process is segmented into two stages: bulk transfer using conventional pumps, and residual liquid removal using the hovercraft-style suction apparatus. This segmentation allows each method to optimize its function, with the apparatus specifically designed to handle the residual portion that pumps cannot reach, eliminating manual handling requirements.
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 safe and efficient suction of residual sludge liquid from storage tanks to another tank, minimizing radiation exposure and ensuring complete transfer of remaining sludge.
Implementation Method 1
a suction apparatus body (1); a plurality of hover skirts (2) mounted to the suction apparatus body (1)... an air supply source (6) that supplies air to the hover skirts (2)... the suction apparatus body (1) floats on a surface of the residual sludge liquid (L) by supplying the air from the air supply source (6) to the hover skirts (2)
Implementation Method 2
air jetting nozzles (13) mounted to the hover skirts (2), respectively... moves on the surface of the residual sludge liquid (L) by jetting the air from the air supply source (6) through the air jetting nozzles (13)
Implementation Method 3
a suction head (8) mounted to the suction apparatus body (1) and configured to suck the residual sludge liquid (L)
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a residual radioactive sludge liquid suction apparatus capable of safely and surely sucking radioactive sludge liquid remaining in a sludge storage tank with no fear of being exposed to radiation at a time when a small amount of sludge liquid remaining in the sludge storage tank is transferred to another tank. The suction apparatus is a residual radioactive sludge liquid suction apparatus used for sucking residual radioactive sludge liquid (L) at a time when the residual sludge liquid (L) remaining in a sludge storage tank T1 is transferred, and includes: a suction apparatus body 1; three hover skirts 2 mounted to the suction apparatus body 1; a suction head 8 mounted to the suction apparatus body 1 and configured to suck the residual sludge liquid (L); air jetting nozzles 13 mounted to the hover skirts 2, respectively; and an air supply source that supplies air to the hover skirts and the air jetting nozzles, wherein the suction apparatus body 1 floats on a surface of the residual sludge liquid (L) by supplying the air from the air supply source to the hover skirts, and moves on the surface of the residual sludge liquid (L) by jetting the air from the air supply source through the air jetting nozzles 13.