Jet Pump Retainer Removal Underwater Remote Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In boiling water reactors, the retainer of the jet pump can lose its retaining force due to high-frequency oscillation, leading to potential damage and difficulty in removal due to high-radiation environments, with conventional methods lacking a method for safe underwater removal that maintains sufficient water shielding.
Innovation Solution
A method involving underwater-remote control to cut and remove the retainer or its fastening bolt, allowing for secure removal and minimizing worker radiation exposure, using techniques like electrical discharge machining and specialized devices for precise cutting and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the retainer is removed using conventional methods, then the retainer can be accessed, but worker radiation exposure increases and water shielding is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A water-filled shield container serves as an intermediary device between the high-radiation environment and the workers. The container maintains water shielding while allowing remote operation of cutting tools to cut the retainer or mounting bolts from a safe distance, thus eliminating direct worker exposure to radiation during retainer removal
Solution Approach 2:
Conventional mechanical removal methods requiring direct worker contact are replaced with underwater-remote control cutting operations. Electrical discharge machining or other cutting tools operated remotely through water shielding eliminate the need for workers to physically handle the retainer or bolts in high-radiation zones
2Reliability
If the retainer is removed immediately after loss of retaining force, then damage prevention is maximized, but removal difficulty increases due to high-radiation environment
Solution Approach 1:
The shield container is prepared and positioned in advance with water shielding already in place. Cutting tools are pre-positioned and ready for immediate remote operation when retainer removal is required, enabling rapid response to prevent damage while maintaining radiation protection
Solution Approach 2:
The water-filled shield container acts as a mediator that enables immediate retainer removal operations without compromising worker safety. The remote cutting capability allows the retainer to be cut and removed quickly after loss of retaining force, preventing damage while the water shielding protects workers from radiation
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 efficient recovery and secure removal of the jet pump retainer, maintaining reactor functionality while ensuring adequate water shielding to reduce radiation exposure for workers.
Implementation Method 1
cutting the retainer or a bolt for fastening the retainer through an underwater-remote control
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer provided at lower portion of a pump beam of a jet pump for circulating cooling water to a reactor core or a bolt for fastening the retainer is cut through an underwater-remote control to remove the bolt and the retainer is removed through the underwater-remote control.