Nuclear Fuel Storage Bin Segmentation and Flow Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing unloading and temporary storage devices for spent fuel spherical elements in nuclear power plants face challenges in ensuring geometrical integrity, residual heat removal, and γ-ray protection, particularly due to the need for reliable loading and unloading processes and the increased capacity requirements.
Innovation Solution
The proposed unloading and temporary storage device incorporates a stock bin with a cooling water jacket, a shielding module with external and neutron shields, and a loading module with redirecting flow passages to manage the flow of spherical elements, ensuring their integrity and safety through controlled temperature management and radiation protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the stock bin capacity is increased to more than 4000 spherical elements, then the temporary storage capacity is improved, but the residual heat removal difficulty and γ-ray radiation protection requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The stock bin is divided into multiple compartments (first stock bin and second stock bin) with different functions. The first stock bin handles spherical elements with capacity up to 1500, while the second stock bin handles spherical elements with capacity exceeding 1500. This segmentation allows differentiated management of heat and radiation for different storage volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the first stock bin and second stock bin. This transfer mechanism enables the movement of spherical elements between compartments, allowing the system to manage large-capacity storage (4000+) while distributing thermal and radiological loads across multiple segmented zones.
2Productivity
If spherical elements are loaded continuously from the core, then the loading efficiency is improved, but the collision damage to spherical elements and equipment worsens
Solution Approach 1:
A redirecting flow passage is introduced as an intermediary component between the core and the stock bin. This flow passage includes a redirecting component that changes the trajectory of spherical elements, reducing direct collision impact. The redirecting flow passage acts as a buffer zone that maintains continuous loading efficiency while protecting spherical elements from damage through controlled flow redirection.
3Quantity of substance
If the stock bin capacity is increased from 1500 to 4000 spherical elements, then the temporary storage capacity is improved, but the structural complexity and safety system requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The stock bin system is segmented into multiple independent compartments (first stock bin and second stock bin), each capable of holding up to 1500 spherical elements. This segmentation allows the system to achieve 4000+ capacity while maintaining manageable structural complexity in each individual compartment, with standardized designs that can be replicated.
Solution Approach 2:
The first stock bin and second stock bin are designed with universal characteristics, including similar structural frameworks, cooling water jacket configurations, and shielding arrangements. This multi-functionality approach allows the same design template to serve different capacity requirements, reducing overall structural complexity through standardization while achieving expanded capacity through parallel configuration.
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 device effectively reduces the falling speed of spherical elements, preventing damage and ensuring geometrical integrity, while providing reliable residual heat removal and γ-ray protection, with a compact structure and high reliability for safe operation.
Implementation Method 1
the barrel is provided with a cooling water jacket for cooling
Implementation Method 2
the unloading and temporary storage device provided by the present application effectively remove the residual heat of the spherical elements in the stock bin
Implementation Method 3
the shielding module includes an external shield disposed outside the barrel and a neutron shield disposed outside the external shield
Implementation Method 4
the sphere inlet passage and the sphere outlet pipeline form a redirecting flow passage for allowing spherical elements to flow in a redirecting manner
Implementation Method 5
the redirecting flow passage for allowing spherical elements to flow in a redirecting manner, the falling speed of the spherical elements can be effectively reduced
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to an unloading and temporary storage device. The unloading and temporary storage device includes a stock bin, a stock bin external member, a stock bin internal member, a shielding module and a loading module; the stock bin includes a barrel and a tank body; the stock bin external member includes a cooling water jacket; the stock bin internal member includes a straight bin, an inclined bin and an unloading bin that communicate sequentially; the shielding module includes an external shield and a neutron shield; the loading module includes a loading body; and sphere inlet passages are provided in the loading body. The unloading and temporary storage device can perform the functions of receiving, temporarily storing, atmosphere switching, and unloading of spherical elements, and also has the safety functions of ensuring geometrical integrity of the spherical elements, radiological protection and residual heat removal.