Iron Citrate Injection for Nuclear Reactor Radiation Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation exposure reduction techniques for nuclear power plant workers face challenges in uniformly controlling iron concentration in coolants and achieving effective ferritization of radionuclides on reactor core surfaces, leading to increased workload and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
Injecting soluble organic iron, such as iron citrate, or iron oxalate with a particle diameter of 3 μm or less into the coolant to ferritize and fix nickel and cobalt radionuclides on the reactor core structure, reducing the need for electrolysis and mechanical cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If electrolysis operation is used to obtain iron ions, then iron can be injected into coolant, but the generation speed of iron ions varies and iron concentration cannot be uniformly controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical electrolysis system with a chemical dissolution system. Iron powder is dissolved in acid solution to produce iron ions, which are then injected into the coolant. This chemical method provides more stable and controllable iron ion generation compared to electrolysis, resolving the issue of non-uniform iron concentration control.
2Ease of operation
If electrolysis operation is used to obtain iron ions, then iron can be injected into coolant, but mechanical cleaning is needed to remove oxide film and workload is heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cleaning process with a chemical dissolution process. Instead of mechanically removing oxide films from electrodes, the iron powder is chemically dissolved in acid solution, which automatically removes oxide layers and prepares the iron for injection. This eliminates the need for separate mechanical cleaning operations and reduces overall workload.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acid solution as an intermediary substance that facilitates the conversion of iron powder to iron ions. The acid acts as a mediator that dissolves the iron powder and removes oxide films, enabling the iron injection process without requiring direct mechanical intervention. This intermediary chemical process simplifies the overall operation.
3Reliability
If iron oxide is injected into coolant, then ferritization of nickel or cobalt can proceed, but iron oxide has lower reactivity and good ferritization cannot be expected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical form of iron from oxide to metallic powder or ionic form. By using iron powder that is chemically more reactive, or by dissolving iron powder in acid to produce iron ions, the reactivity parameter is significantly increased compared to iron oxide. This enhanced reactivity ensures effective ferritization of nickel and cobalt in the coolant.
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
This method allows for efficient and controlled ferritization of nickel and cobalt on the fuel cladding tube surfaces, reducing radiation exposure and simplifying the handling process by maintaining uniform iron concentration and reducing workload.
Implementation Method 1
Injecting soluble organic iron, such as iron citrate, or iron oxalate with a particle diameter of 3 μm or less into the coolant
Implementation Method 2
ferritizing and fixing radionuclides or parent nuclides thereof, which are contained in the coolant, on the surface of a reactor core structure
Implementation Method 3
the ferritization of nickel or cobalt easily proceeds on the surface of the fuel cladding tube by the operation of the boiling and condensation
Implementation Method 4
the ferritization of nickel or cobalt easily proceeds on the surface of the fuel cladding tube by the operation of the boiling and condensation
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation exposure reduction method includes the steps of: injecting iron into a coolant which flows from the reactor cooling system to the reactor core in a nuclear power plant; and ferritizing and fixing radionuclides or parent nuclides thereof, which are contained in the coolant, on the surface of a reactor core structure, wherein an iron citrate which is soluble organic iron, or iron oxalate or iron fumarate which has a particle diameter of 3 μm or less, is used as the iron to be injected into the coolant.