Nuclear Reactor Pressure Vessel Decommissioning via Inversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for decommissioning nuclear facilities face challenges in easily cutting and separating the nuclear reactor pressure vessel from the bio-protective concrete, which complicates the decommissioning process and increases time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method involving floating the nuclear reactor pressure vessel above the cavity, rotating it 180 degrees to mount the upper portion on the bio-protective concrete, and using cranes to position and cut the vessel for decommissioning, allowing for efficient separation and cutting without interference from the concrete and pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the nuclear reactor pressure vessel is separated from the bio-protective concrete using conventional methods, then the separation can be achieved, but the cutting and decommissioning process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cutting the pressure vessel from the concrete as traditionally done, the invention inverts the approach by rotating the pressure vessel 180 degrees and mounting it on the concrete surface, allowing the cutting operation to be performed more easily from the inverted position
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary actions by floating the pressure vessel above the cavity and rotating it to the inverted position before performing the cutting operation, which simplifies the subsequent decommissioning process
2Loss of time
If conventional cutting methods are used on the pressure vessel, then separation is achieved, but the process requires more time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the pressure vessel to a horizontal position mounted on the concrete surface, which transforms the cutting operation from a difficult vertical separation to an easier horizontal cutting process, thereby reducing decommissioning time and improving ease of operation
3Ease of operation
If the pressure vessel is positioned horizontally in the cavity, then it is stable during operation, but it is difficult to access for cutting and decommissioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions the pressure vessel from a static horizontal position in the cavity to a dynamic inverted position mounted on the concrete surface, allowing easy access for cutting operations while maintaining stability through the mounting mechanism on the concrete surface
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 approach simplifies the decommissioning process by enabling easy separation and cutting of the nuclear reactor pressure vessel from the bio-protective concrete, reducing the overall time and cost of decommissioning a nuclear facility.
Implementation Method 1
lifting the nuclear reactor pressure vessel from the bio-protective concrete by using the first crane
Implementation Method 2
rotating the reactor pressure vessel so that the upper portion of the nuclear reactor pressure vessel is closer to the bio-protective concrete than the lower portion
Implementation Method 3
cutting and decommissioning the nuclear reactor pressure vessel mounted on the neighboring upper surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method for decommissioning a nuclear facility includes: floating the nuclear reactor pressure vessel above the cavity; rotating the reactor pressure vessel so that the upper portion of the nuclear reactor pressure vessel is closer to the bio-protective concrete than the lower portion; mounting the upper portion of the nuclear reactor pressure vessel on the neighboring upper surface of the bio-protective concrete; and cutting and decommissioning the nuclear reactor pressure vessel mounted on the neighboring upper surface.