Suspended pH Adjuster Basket for Nuclear Reactor Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pH adjusting systems for nuclear reactors face challenges in effectively adjusting pH levels during abnormal situations, particularly when space on the reactor container floor is limited, leading to potential operational failures and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A pH adjusting apparatus comprising a basket housing container with an inlet for solvent introduction and an overflow pipe connected to the reactor's internal water storage tank, allowing for pH adjuster dissolution and generation of a pH-adjusted solution without the need for driving systems, enabling reliable pH adjustment even when the basket cannot be submerged on the reactor container floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the basket is disposed on the floor of the internal water storage tank to dissolve pH adjuster, then pH adjustment can be performed, but the available space on the reactor container floor is limited and may not accommodate the basket
Solution Approach 1:
The pH adjuster dissolution system is moved from the horizontal floor plane to the vertical dimension by suspending the basket from the ceiling structure. This allows the basket to be positioned in the vertical space above the internal water storage tank rather than competing for limited floor area, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space within the reactor container.
Solution Approach 2:
The basket containing the pH adjuster is pre-positioned and suspended from the ceiling structure before an abnormal situation occurs. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when spray water is introduced, the pH adjuster is already in place and ready for dissolution, eliminating the need for floor-level installation during emergency operations.
2Ease of operation
If pumps or valves are used to circulate pH-adjusted solution, then pH adjustment can be controlled, but system reliability decreases due to potential operational failures of driving systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural circulation of spray water already present in the reactor container to dissolve the pH adjuster and distribute the pH-adjusted solution. The spray water flow itself serves the dual purpose of cooling the reactor and activating the pH adjustment mechanism, eliminating the need for separate pumps or valves and thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving systems (pumps and valves) are extracted from the pH adjustment mechanism. Instead of using mechanical components to control pH adjustment, the system relies on the passive dissolution of pH adjuster in the naturally circulating spray water, removing potential failure points while maintaining functionality.
3Volume of stationary object
If the basket is placed above the internal water storage tank to utilize available space, then space utilization improves, but the basket cannot be submerged to dissolve pH adjuster
Solution Approach 1:
The basket housing container acts as an intermediary structure that bridges the gap between the suspended basket position and the spray water flow path. It guides the spray water to contact the pH adjuster in the basket while allowing the basket to remain in the vertically optimized position above the internal water storage tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic flow of spray water to deliver the dissolving medium to the pH adjuster. The spray water is directed through the basket housing container to ensure proper contact with the pH adjuster, using fluid dynamics rather than mechanical submersion to achieve dissolution.
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 configuration ensures reliable pH adjustment in nuclear reactors by generating and circulating pH-adjusted solutions without relying on pumps or valves, improving system reliability and allowing for flexible basket placement above the internal water storage tank, thus effectively utilizing available space.
Implementation Method 1
an inlet that introduces a solvent for dissolving or diluting the pH adjuster
Implementation Method 2
an overflow pipe connected to the reactor's internal water storage tank, allowing for pH adjuster dissolution and generation of a pH-adjusted solution
Data Source
AI summary
A pH adjusting apparatus arranged above a water pit for refueling disposed in a reactor container that stores a nuclear reactor includes a pH adjuster, a basket 50 that contains the pH adjuster, and a basket housing container 51 that houses the basket 50 therein and has formed therein an inlet through which a solvent for dissolving or diluting the pH adjuster flows in and an overflow pipe 52 through which a pH-adjusted solution generated by dissolving or mixing the pH adjuster in the solvent flows out to the water pit for refueling. Consequently, even if it is difficult to dispose the basket 50 on a floor of the water pit for refueling, it is possible to suitably perform pH adjustment in the reactor container.