Nuclear Logging Shielding Device for Safe Source Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual mounting and demounting of radioactive sources in hydrocarbon well logging instruments expose workers to high radiation, causing health risks due to insufficient shielding and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A shielding device with a semicircular structure and sliding mechanism allows for safe source mounting and demounting, featuring a circular hole for tool passage and adjustable shielding materials to reduce radiation exposure, enabling workers to operate at a lower radiation level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual mounting and demounting method is used, then operation flexibility is maintained, but worker radiation exposure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A shielding device is introduced as an intermediary between the radioactive source and the worker. The device includes a shielding body with a passage that guides the source during mounting/demounting operations, while the shielding walls block radiation from reaching the worker. This mediator allows the operation to proceed while protecting the worker, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding device is divided into multiple components: a base for stability, a movable shielding body with passages, and detachable parts. This segmentation allows the device to maintain operational flexibility through movable components while providing comprehensive radiation shielding through the structured arrangement of shielding segments.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lead clothes and lead gloves are worn, then some radiation protection is provided, but shielding ability remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on personal protective equipment, a dedicated shielding device is introduced as an intermediary structure. This device provides substantial radiation protection through its shielding body and walls, making additional lead clothes and gloves unnecessary or significantly reducing their required protection level, thereby simplifying the overall protective system.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding device is designed to be self-contained and provide its own protection without requiring the worker to wear extensive protective gear. The device's structure inherently provides the shielding function, eliminating the need for complex personal protective equipment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If special lengthened source mounting and demounting tools are used, then worker protection is improved, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding device serves as a mediator that provides protection without requiring lengthened tools. The shielding body with its passage allows standard tools to be used while the worker operates from a protected position, eliminating the need for extended tool lengths and reducing operation time while maintaining protection.
4Ease of operation
If workers receive extensive training and simulation, then operation proficiency increases, but radiation dose during actual operation remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding device is introduced as a physical intermediary that provides protection regardless of worker proficiency level. While training improves operational skill, the shielding device ensures that even during learning curves or irregular operations, the worker remains protected from high radiation doses, decoupling protection from proficiency.
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 shielding device effectively reduces radiation dose rates for workers during source handling, simplifies the operation process, and reduces labor and management costs by providing enhanced protection and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The shielding device effectively reduces radiation dose rates for workers during source handling
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a shielding device of source mounting and demounting for a nuclear logging instrument including a device base and a shielding device body. The device base is directly placed on the ground or a well stand. The shielding device body is slidably assembled in an embedded slideway of the device base. During source mounting operation, a worker takes a source from a source container, and a radioactive source passes through the shielding device body through a circular hole of the shielding device body to be installed. During the source demounting operation, the radioactive source and the worker are arranged on both sides of the shielding device body during the operation at an instrument end. Through such design, the worker is allowed to calmly mount and demount the source in a relatively low radiation field.