Rotatable Nuclear Dismantling Cover with Sealed Sliding Gate

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Solution Overview

Problem

During the dismantling of nuclear power facilities, harmful materials like aerosols and radiation are released, causing environmental pollution and excessive radiation exposure for workers, which existing methods fail to adequately prevent.

Innovation Solution

A safety cover structure with a rotatable cover, driving mechanism, opening and closing system, fire extinguishing components, radiation sensors, and alarm systems to contain and monitor the dismantling process, preventing material discharge and alerting workers to excessive radiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the reactor pressure container is cut and dismantled, then the dismantling operation can be completed, but harmful materials such as aerosols and scattering materials are generated causing environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedismantling operation completionVSAvoidenvironmental pollution from aerosols and scattering materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dismantling process is segmented into controlled stages within the cover structure. The cover portion is divided into multiple sections including the main cover, sliding gate, and sealing portions, allowing controlled access and containment at different stages of dismantling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover structure acts as an intermediary containment system between the dismantling process and the external environment. The sliding gate serves as a controllable intermediary that selectively allows material passage while maintaining overall containment, preventing harmful materials from reaching the external environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the reactor pressure container is dismantled, then the facility can be decommissioned, but excessive radiation is emitted causing worker exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefacility decommissioningVSAvoidexcessive radiation exposure to workers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dose sensor provides real-time feedback on radiation levels within the cover structure. When radiation exceeds predetermined safety thresholds, the alarm portion immediately alerts workers, enabling them to take protective actions. This closed-loop feedback system continuously monitors and controls radiation exposure risks during dismantling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The cover structure is assembled and sealed before dismantling operations begin, establishing radiation containment in advance. The sealing portion is installed to close gaps between the cover and concrete structure, preventing radiation leakage before workers are exposed to the environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the cover portion is sealed to prevent material discharge, then environmental pollution is prevented, but fire risk increases inside the cover

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental pollution preventionVSAvoidfire risk inside the cover

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fire extinguishing device acts as an intermediary safety system between the potential fire hazard and the sealed cover environment. The fire detector monitors for fire conditions, and when detected, the extinguishing device is activated to suppress fires within the confined space, preventing fire propagation while maintaining the sealed containment structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the sliding gate is opened to remove materials, then dismantling progress is enabled, but harmful materials may be discharged to the outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial removal efficiencyVSAvoiddischarge of harmful materials

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding gate provides localized controlled access at a specific position on the cover structure. Rather than opening the entire cover, only a localized portion (the gate) is opened to the minimum necessary extent for material removal. This localized opening minimizes the risk of harmful material discharge while enabling necessary dismantling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12033765B2Safety cover structure usable in dismantling operations at nuclear facility

Publication Date: 2024.07.09 KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO LTD

AI summary

A safety cover structure of a nuclear facility is disclosed. The safety cover structure includes: a cover portion rotatably installed on a body protection concrete slab to cover a cavity where a reactor pressure container is located; a driving portion configured to rotate the cover portion relative to the cavity; an opening and closing portion that is installed on the cover portion and is configured to allow materials resulting from cutting and dismantling of the reactor pressure container to move therethrough; a fire extinguishing portion configured to extinguish a fire generated inside the cover portion; a dose sensor installed in the cover portion and configured to measure a radiation dose emitted from the reactor pressure container; and an alarm portion configured to receive a sensing signal from the dose sensor and provide an alarm when the measured radiation dose exceeds a predetermined value.