Modular Vol-Oxidizer for Spent Nuclear Fuel Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management and disposal of spent nuclear fuel pose challenges due to increasing storage needs and safety concerns, as conventional methods require significant space and pose risks for improper disposal, necessitating a new approach for processing and recycling in a solid state.
Innovation Solution
A modular vol-oxidizer system for spent nuclear fuel that includes a reactor module for oxidation, a heating module to achieve high temperatures, a utility module for controlling conditions, a drive module for fuel transfer, a valve module for discharge control, and a collecting container module, allowing for remote operation, maintenance, and repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a conventional non-modular vol-oxidizer structure is used, then the device can process spent nuclear fuel, but maintenance and repair become difficult and require direct access to highly radioactive areas
Solution Approach 1:
The vol-oxidizer is divided into multiple independent modules including a reactor module, heating module, utility module, support module, drive module, valve module, and collecting container module. Each module can be separately assembled, disassembled, and replaced, enabling convenient maintenance and repair without requiring access to highly radioactive areas. The modular design allows defective modules to be isolated and replaced independently.
2Ease of operation
If modules are designed for easy assembly and disassembly, then maintenance becomes convenient, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Connection and disconnection structures are pre-designed and pre-positioned on each module during manufacturing. The modules include standardized connection interfaces with alignment features and sealing structures that ensure reliable connections when assembled. This preliminary preparation enables both ease of assembly and connection reliability without requiring complex field modifications.
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 convenient separation, connection, maintenance, and repair of the vol-oxidizer system, facilitating the processing and recycling of spent nuclear fuel while addressing storage and safety issues through remote operation in a highly radioactive environment.
Implementation Method 1
a heating module to heat the reactor module to high temperature
Implementation Method 2
a reactor module in which the spent nuclear fuel is placed and oxidized
Data Source
AI summary
A vol-oxidizer for spent nuclear fuel is provided. The vol-oxidizer includes a reactor module in which the spent nuclear fuel is put and oxidized; a heating module to heat the reactor module to a high temperature; a utility module to control an inner state of the reactor module, being connected with the reactor module; a support module to support the heating module and the reactor module; a drive module to supply a driving force for transferring the spent nuclear fuel within the reactor module; a valve module to control discharge of the spent nuclear fuel being oxidized in the reactor module; and a collecting container module to collect the spent nuclear fuel being oxidized and discharged from the reactor module. The respective modules are assembled and disassembled with respect to one another.