Nozzle Assembly for Uranium Ore Ablation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for uranium recovery from low-grade ores are environmentally and operationally challenging, requiring reagents that can contaminate aquifers and are impractical for impermeable or shallow formations, and often result in significant waste production.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a pressurized fluid conduit and adjustable nozzle assembly to ablate heterogeneous uranium-bearing materials, separating them into distinct fractions through kinetic collisions, allowing for the recovery of uranium without chemical reagents and reducing material processing volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If chemical reagents are used for separation, then separation effectiveness is improved, but environmental contamination and operational complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical separation reagents with a mechanical ablation system that uses pressurized fluid jets to physically remove material. The system employs nozzles that direct high-pressure fluid streams at target material, utilizing mechanical force and fluid dynamics to achieve separation without chemical reactions, thereby eliminating environmental contamination from chemical reagents while maintaining separation effectiveness through physical means
2Productivity
If conventional processing methods are used, then material recovery is achieved, but processing volume and waste production increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes only the necessary material fractions through targeted ablation. The system selectively removes material based on physical properties such as density and composition, extracting only the bearing fractions containing valuable materials while leaving non-bearing fractions intact. This selective extraction approach significantly reduces waste production compared to conventional methods that process entire material volumes, thereby improving productivity efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters including fluid pressure, flow rate, and nozzle configuration to optimize the ablation process. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective material recovery with minimal waste. The pressurized fluid systems operate at controlled pressures and flow rates that enable selective removal of target materials while preserving non-bearing fractions, reducing overall processing volume and waste generation
3Productivity
If chemical reagents are used for uranium recovery, then recovery efficiency is improved, but operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex chemical recovery processes with a simplified mechanical ablation system. The equipment consists primarily of pressurized fluid sources, nozzles, and collection systems, eliminating the need for complex chemical reagent handling, storage, and disposal infrastructure. This mechanical approach reduces operational complexity while maintaining recovery efficiency through physical separation mechanisms that are easier to control and monitor
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional methods are used for low-grade ores, then processing is feasible, but economic viability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables economic processing of low-grade ores by extracting only the valuable bearing fractions through selective ablation. The system identifies and removes material containing target elements based on physical property differences, concentrating the valuable components into smaller volumes. This extraction approach transforms low-grade ores into economically viable materials by removing the bulk non-bearing material, making processing feasible and profitable where conventional methods fail
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts processing parameters including fluid pressure, flow rate, and nozzle configuration to optimize extraction from low-grade materials. By fine-tuning these parameters, the system achieves efficient recovery of valuable components from low-concentration materials. The ability to control ablation intensity and duration allows economical processing of low-grade ores, improving productivity viability while maintaining processing feasibility through parameter optimization
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 effectively separates uranium-bearing fractions from non-bearing fractions, reducing environmental impact and operational costs, and enables recovery from low-grade ores that were previously uneconomical, with high uranium concentration achieved in a smaller material volume.
Implementation Method 1
passing the fluid stream through an adjustable nozzle, impacting the fluid stream with another fluid stream at an oblique angle to ablate the heterogeneous particles of the material
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the conduit, and a separation system configured to separate particles of a heterogeneous material
Data Source
AI summary
A system for processing a heterogeneous material includes a conduit for a pressurized fluid and a nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the conduit. The nozzle assembly includes a plurality of adjustable nozzles configured such that fluid streams passing through each nozzle intersect at an oblique angle after passing through the nozzles. At least one of the fluid streams comprises a heterogeneous material. A method of processing a heterogeneous material includes entraining heterogeneous particles into at least one fluid stream, passing the fluid stream through an adjustable nozzle, impacting the fluid stream with another fluid stream at an oblique angle to ablate the heterogeneous particles, and classifying the heterogeneous particles.