Passive Heat Removal Cask with Segmented Thermal Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing casks for storing and transporting heat-generating radioactive materials rely on active cooling systems, which can be cumbersome and risk environmental irradiation due to direct radiation paths, and may not effectively manage temperature without external power or structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a heat transport path within the cask that passively removes heat through convection, conduction, and radiation, using structures like heat pipes and conductive rods, with a fluid jacket and dampers to control heat loss, ensuring even temperature distribution and containment without external power or moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If active cooling systems are used to remove heat from radioactive materials, then heat removal effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and reliability worsen due to external power dependencies and moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transport path enables the cask to remove heat passively without external power sources or moving parts. The system serves itself by utilizing natural convection, conduction through the shielding structure, and radiation to transport heat from the radioactive materials to the external environment, eliminating the need for active cooling systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical active cooling systems with passive thermal transport mechanisms. Heat is removed through natural convection currents, conduction through the shielding materials, and thermal radiation, substituting mechanical pumps and power systems with fundamental physical heat transfer processes
2Temperature
If active cooling systems with direct radiation paths are used, then heat removal is improved, but radiation leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transport path is segmented into multiple sections: heat generation zone, shielding layer, heat transport path through the shielding, and external dissipation zone. This segmentation allows heat to be removed while radiation is blocked by the shielding materials, separating the thermal transport function from the radiation containment function
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding structure serves as an intermediary that blocks radiation while allowing heat transport. The heat transport path passes through the shielding materials which act as mediators, transferring heat from the radioactive materials to the external environment while preventing radiation leakage
3Reliability
If passive heat transport paths are implemented, then system reliability is improved, but heat removal capability may be insufficient without external power
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding structure performs multiple functions: it blocks radiation, provides structural containment, and serves as the heat transport path. The cask design integrates these functions into a single unified structure that passively removes heat while maintaining radiation containment and structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in thermal parameters (temperature gradients, convection currents, thermal conductivity) to enable passive heat removal. By designing the heat transport path to exploit natural thermal convection and conduction principles, the system achieves reliable heat removal capability without external power sources
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 solution allows for safe storage, transport, and disposal of radioactive materials by preventing radiation leakage and maintaining structural integrity, while passively managing heat to prevent damage or irradiation, ensuring consistent operating temperatures during loading and unloading.
Implementation Method 1
heat transport paths that allow the heat to easily move from inside the cask and shielding to outside the cask
Implementation Method 2
heat transport paths that allow the heat to easily move from inside the cask and shielding to outside the cask
Implementation Method 3
heat transport paths that allow the heat to easily move from inside the cask and shielding to outside the cask
Implementation Method 4
A jacket of fluid or meltable material that conducts heat by convection may surround the stored materials ensure an even temperature within the cask
Data Source
AI summary
Casks shield materials and passively remove heat via heat transport paths from deep inside to outside the cask. The transport path may be heat pipes and conductive rods that are non-linear so that radiation is always shielded by the cask. A damper may surround an end of the heat transport path to control heat loss from the cask. A jacket of fluid or meltable material that conducts heat by convection may surround stored materials ensure an even temperature within the cask, and the heat transport path may absorb heat from the jacket. Casks are useable to safely store, transport, and dispose of any sensitive or heat-generating material. Casks may be opened or closed to simultaneously load and offload materials at a consistent operating temperature provided by heaters in the cask.