Nuclear Containment Wet Filter with Submerged Manifold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filtration systems for nuclear reactor containment venting are not sufficiently effective in minimizing radioactive effluent release and occupy substantial space, necessitating a more compact and efficient filtration solution.
Innovation Solution
A wet scrubber system utilizing fiber filters connected to a manifold with outlets submerged in a liquid pool, preferably water with sodiumthiosulphate, to filter gases and aerosols, with an optional secondary filter for additional aerosol capture and a demister for moisture separation, designed for passive operation and integration within existing containment structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wet scrubber system with fiber filters is used, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is divided into multiple functional segments: a wet scrubber section with liquid pool for absorbing radioactive aerosols, fiber filters for capturing particulates, and a demister section for moisture separation. Each segment performs a specific filtration function, allowing the system to achieve high overall effectiveness while maintaining manageable complexity through modular functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The vessel structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the liquid pool for wet scrubbing, supports the fiber filters for particulate capture, provides a demister for moisture control, and acts as a pressure containment vessel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby improving filtration effectiveness without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Reliability
If a more effective filtration system is implemented, then radioactive effluent release is minimized, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber filters are positioned within the vessel above the liquid pool, with the demister section nested above the filters. The manifold outlets are submerged in the liquid pool, creating a nested arrangement where multiple filtration components occupy overlapping vertical spaces. This nesting allows the system to achieve comprehensive filtration (minimizing radioactive effluent) while compacting the horizontal footprint and reducing overall volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from horizontal to vertical spatial arrangement by stacking filtration functions vertically within a single pressure vessel. The liquid pool occupies the lower portion, fiber filters are positioned in the middle section, and the demister is located in the upper portion. This vertical stacking in the height dimension allows multiple filtration stages to be integrated without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint, thereby minimizing space requirements while maintaining high filtration effectiveness.
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 system significantly reduces radioactive emissions by efficiently filtering gases and aerosols, minimizing space requirements and ensuring early containment pressure release, even in low-pressure scenarios, while maintaining operational safety and reducing long-term contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
a second compartment in fluid communication with the containment is partially filled with water. As the hot containment gases and vapors pass through the water stored within the enclosed secondary compartment, a large portion of the fission products will be scrubbed from the containment gases
Implementation Method 2
the manifold and the fiber filters are covered with a liquid such as water which may have sodium thiosulphate dissolved within the liquid
Implementation Method 3
At the outlets of the manifold, fiber filters are attached. The effluent from the primary containment, which is distributed by the manifold, are passed through the fiber filters
Implementation Method 4
A demister is supported within the vessel above the pool of liquid for separating out any moisture from an exhaust fraction of the filtered containment atmospheric effluent
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A wet filter for a nuclear reactor primary containment vent that employs an inclined manifold having a plurality of outlets that communicate through a first set of metal fiber filters submerged in a pool of water enclosed within a pressure vessel. A demister suspended above the pool of water to remove any entrained moisture in the filtered effluent before being passed through a second stage of higher density, dry, metal fiber filters connected to a second manifold that communicates with an outlet on the pressure vessel that is connected to an exhaust passage to the atmosphere.