Mobile Borated Water Supply Apparatus for Nuclear Emergency Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear power plants face challenges in maintaining a continuous supply of borated water during emergencies, as their storage tanks are insufficient for prolonged use, and existing solutions are integrated within the plant and may not function during a control breakdown or catastrophe.
Innovation Solution
A mobile apparatus for supplying a continuous flow of borated water, comprising dispensing mechanisms, a mechanical mixer, pumping means, and a handling crane, designed for easy transportation and rapid deployment, with units integrated in 20-foot containers for mobility and scalability, including filtration and heating systems to maintain optimal pH and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If storage tanks with dissolved boron compounds are used, then borated water can be supplied for short-term emergency cooling, but the supply duration is limited to a few hours due to tank size constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the borated water supply function into separate modular units: a mobile boration unit that mixes boron compounds with water on-demand, and separate storage tanks for water and boron compounds. This eliminates the need for a single large tank containing pre-mixed borated water, allowing extended supply duration without increasing individual tank sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-positions separate storage tanks for water and boron compounds at the emergency site. When needed, these pre-stored materials are quickly combined by the mobile boration unit to produce borated water continuously, enabling prolonged supply without requiring a large pre-filled tank.
2Reliability
If mobile boration units are deployed outside the plant, then independence from plant infrastructure is achieved, but deployment time and setup complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile boration unit is designed with dynamic, adaptable connections that can interface with various external water sources (trucks, hoses, municipal supplies) rather than requiring fixed plant infrastructure. This flexibility enables rapid deployment to different locations without extensive setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses intermediate connection components (hoses, adapters, quick-connect couplings) that bridge the mobile unit to various external water sources. These intermediaries enable rapid connection and deployment without requiring permanent infrastructure installation.
3Duration of action of moving object
If boron concentration is increased to extend supply duration, then cooling capacity is improved, but the risk of precipitation and loss of solubility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile boration unit dynamically adjusts the boron concentration parameter in real-time based on cooling demands and water temperature conditions. This allows optimization of concentration levels to extend supply duration while maintaining solubility stability and preventing precipitation through continuous parameter monitoring and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control that monitors boron concentration, water temperature, and flow rate to automatically adjust mixing ratios. This feedback mechanism ensures boron remains dissolved at optimal concentrations for extended supply duration without exceeding solubility limits that would cause precipitation.
4Productivity
If multiple mobile units are deployed to increase borated water supply capacity, then continuous flow capability is improved, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each mobile boration unit is designed as a universal, self-contained system that can operate independently or in parallel with other identical units. This universality simplifies coordination when multiple units are deployed, as they all use the same protocols and interfaces, reducing system complexity despite increased capacity.
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 a reliable and scalable supply of borated water for extended periods, independent of the plant's infrastructure, ensuring reactor cooling and radiation control during emergencies by providing a continuous flow of borated water with precise concentration regulation and pH management.
Implementation Method 1
a device for mixing the relevant components
Implementation Method 2
pumping devices
Implementation Method 3
Boron is a neutron capturer which proves ideal for reducing radiation and neutralising the reaction of the nuclear fuel
Implementation Method 4
including filtration and heating systems to maintain optimal pH and temperature
Implementation Method 5
including filtration and heating systems
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention comprises: metering assemblies provided with corresponding grinders and feeders; a feeder for supplying water to the circuit; a meter and/or flow regulator for adapting the concentration of the products supplied to the water; pumping means for conveying the mixture to a mixing reactor; a reactor with a mechanical mixer; a recirculation line of the mixer; and supply pumping means, preferably forming two units in independent cages or containers, comprising crane means for supplying the boration products in big bags.