Multi-barrier Radioactive Waste Container with Composite Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disposal containers for high-level radioactive waste lack sufficient corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and radiation embrittlement resistance, and are not economically efficient, with most being made of single metal types and having weak structural integrity for long-term underground storage.
Innovation Solution
A disposal container with multiple barriers consisting of a carbon steel inner wall, an Inconel middle wall bonded to the inner wall, a copper outer wall bonded to the middle wall, and a heat sink with radiation fins and a siphon pipe for heat dissipation, along with a Na-Bentonite buffer in a deposition hole for enhanced corrosion resistance and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single metal type is used for the disposal container, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the corrosion resistance and mechanical strength are insufficient for long-term underground storage
Solution Approach 1:
The disposal container employs a composite structure with three different metal walls: an inner wall made of carbon steel for mechanical strength, a middle wall made of Inconel for corrosion resistance, and an outer wall made of copper for additional corrosion protection and heat dissipation. This multi-material composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining the advantages of different materials to achieve both manufacturing feasibility and superior long-term reliability.
2Device complexity
If a single metal type is used for the disposal container, then the structural design is simple, but the mechanical strength and radiation embrittlement resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses a composite wall structure where the inner carbon steel wall provides mechanical strength, the middle Inconel wall resists corrosion and radiation embrittlement, and the outer copper wall provides additional protection. This composite material strategy resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and mechanical strength by distributing different functional requirements across multiple material layers.
3Reliability
If conventional single-material containers are used, then the cost is lower, but the manufacturing convenience and corrosion resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure with carbon steel, Inconel, and copper walls bonded together. Each material is selected for its specific properties: carbon steel for structural integrity and manufacturing ease, Inconel for superior corrosion resistance, and copper for additional corrosion protection and thermal management. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by optimizing each layer for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturability.
4Device complexity
If no heat dissipation structure is added, then the container structure is simple, but the decay heat cannot be effectively managed
Solution Approach 1:
The outer copper wall serves multiple functions: it provides additional corrosion protection, acts as a heat dissipation structure due to copper's high thermal conductivity, and maintains structural integrity. By making the outer wall multi-functional, the patent resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and heat dissipation efficiency without adding separate complex cooling systems.
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 multi-barrier system provides superior corrosion resistance, improved manufacturing convenience, and effective heat dissipation, ensuring safe and long-term storage of high-level radioactive waste by maintaining structural integrity and managing decay heat.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink with radiation fins and a siphon pipe for heat dissipation
Implementation Method 2
a heat sink with radiation fins and a siphon pipe for heat dissipation
Implementation Method 3
a Na-Bentonite buffer in a deposition hole for enhanced corrosion resistance and cooling
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a disposal container and a storage system for high-level radioactive waste and, more specifically, to a disposal container for high-level radioactive waste using multiple barriers and a barrier system using thereof, the disposal container having the multiple barriers consisting of an inner wall made of carbon steel for excellent corrosion resistance and ease of manufacture, a middle wall made of Inconel, which is bonded to a lateral surface of the inner wall, and an outer wall made of copper, which is bonded to a lateral surface of the middle wall.