Iodine Trapping Apparatus Using Nonvolatile Liquid for Nuclear Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current iodine trapping apparatuses in nuclear power structures have inefficiencies in trapping organic iodine at relatively low temperature ranges (100°C to 130°C), particularly failing to effectively capture methyl iodide and iodine molecules.
Innovation Solution
An iodine trapping apparatus utilizing a first trapping agent containing a nonvolatile liquid and a reducing agent, which generates and traps iodide ions from organic iodine, enhancing trapping efficiency across a wide temperature range of 100°C to 160°C, preferably using ionic liquids and quaternary salts to maintain stability and solubility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional iodine trapping apparatus using pool water or scrubbing water is used, then inorganic iodine can be trapped, but organic iodine (especially methyl iodide) cannot be sufficiently trapped due to its hydrophobic nature and low solubility in water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-aqueous liquid (hydrocarbon solvent) as an intermediary medium between the gaseous organic iodine and the aqueous scrubbing water. This non-aqueous liquid serves as a mediator that can dissolve hydrophobic organic iodine compounds like methyl iodide, which cannot be effectively trapped by water alone. The two-phase system (aqueous + non-aqueous) allows the non-aqueous liquid to contact and trap organic iodine first, then the aqueous phase can trap inorganic iodine, achieving comprehensive trapping of both forms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite trapping system consisting of two distinct liquid phases: an aqueous phase (scrubbing water) and a non-aqueous phase (hydrocarbon solvent). Each phase has specific properties optimized for trapping different types of iodine - the aqueous phase for inorganic iodine and the non-aqueous phase for organic iodine. This composite approach combines the strengths of both liquid types to achieve broad-spectrum iodine trapping capability.
2Reliability
If a single trapping medium is used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the trapping efficiency varies significantly across different temperature ranges (particularly poor at 100°C to 130°C)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the trapping apparatus into multiple functional sections: a non-aqueous liquid trapping section and an aqueous scrubbing water section. Each section is optimized for specific temperature ranges and iodine forms. The non-aqueous liquid section handles organic iodine trapping particularly effectively at lower temperatures (100°C to 130°C), while the aqueous section handles inorganic iodine. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring a single complex medium to handle all conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the trapping medium by using different liquid phases with distinct properties. The non-aqueous liquid has different solubility characteristics, viscosity, and temperature dependence compared to water. By selecting appropriate hydrocarbon solvents with suitable boiling points and solubility properties, the system maintains effective organic iodine trapping across a wide temperature range, particularly improving performance at 100°C to 130°C where conventional water-based systems fail.
3Reliability
If pool water or scrubbing water is used for trapping, then the apparatus is easy to operate, but organic iodine is not sufficiently trapped due to hydrophobicity and requires additional chemical reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The non-aqueous liquid acts as a contact medium that facilitates direct physical absorption of organic iodine without requiring complex chemical reaction systems. This intermediary liquid provides a interface where hydrophobic organic iodine can be trapped through solubility and condensation, simplifying the overall mechanism compared to using water alone which would require additional chemical reagents and reaction steps to achieve comparable trapping efficiency.
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 achieves high-efficiency trapping of organic iodine (98% or more) in a wide temperature range, reducing the risk of iodine leakage into the environment during nuclear accidents.
Implementation Method 1
a reducing agent, which generates and traps iodide ions from organic iodine
Implementation Method 2
a nonvolatile liquid and a reducing agent, which generates and traps iodide ions from organic iodine
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
To provide an iodine trapping apparatus capable of trapping organic iodine in a wide temperature range with high efficiency. The iodine trapping apparatus includes a first trapping agent (2) capable of trapping organic iodine in a gas in a nuclear power structure main body (4). The first trapping agent (2) contains a generating and trapping component which generates an iodide ion I- from organic iodine RI and traps the generated iodide ion, and a generating component which is different from the generating and trapping component, generates an iodide ion from the organic iodine at least at 100°C to 130°C, and traps the generated iodide ion in the generating and trapping component.