Passive Radioactive Material Reduction Unit for Nuclear Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for reducing floating radioactive material in containment buildings during major accidents face challenges such as radiation poisoning of catalysts, reduced efficiency due to heating from catalytic reactions, and the need for external energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A passive apparatus with a radioactive material reduction unit upstream of a flow induction unit, where the flow induction unit has a replaceable modular form with a bed structure of catalysts fixed to porous substrates, and an adsorber with a modular structure for gaseous radioactive material removal, along with an aerosol filter to handle particulate material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If radioactive material reduction unit is placed upstream of flow induction unit, then catalyst poisoning is prevented and lifespan is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: a radioactive material reduction unit (with aerosol filter and adsorber) and a flow induction unit (with catalyst). This segmentation allows the radioactive material to be removed before reaching the catalyst, preventing catalyst poisoning and extending its lifespan while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
2Productivity
If catalytic reaction is used to generate natural convection flow, then hydrogen removal efficiency is improved, but air heating occurs which is unfavorable for iodine filtering
Solution Approach 1:
The radioactive material reduction unit performs iodine filtering and aerosol removal before the air enters the flow induction unit where catalytic reaction occurs. By completing the temperature-sensitive filtration operation beforehand, the system maintains iodine filtering effectiveness while still achieving efficient hydrogen removal through subsequent catalytic reaction and natural convection.
3Ease of operation
If passive operation is implemented without external energy, then operational simplicity and reliability are improved, but the ability to maintain sufficient operation duration is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flow induction unit utilizes the heat generated from catalytic hydrogen-oxygen reaction to create natural convection flow, which drives the air through the radioactive material reduction unit. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources while maintaining sufficient operation duration, as the system uses its own chemical reaction energy to sustain airflow and filtration operations.
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 apparatus operates without external energy, effectively reducing radioactive material by preventing catalyst poisoning, extending its lifespan, and improving air flow and adsorption efficiency, thus ensuring prolonged passive operation.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorber configured to remove gaseous radioactive material
Implementation Method 2
an aerosol filter configured to remove particulate radioactive material
Implementation Method 3
a flow induction unit configured to induce an air flow through catalytic reaction with hydrogen in the air
Implementation Method 4
generates an air flow using heat generated through catalytic reaction hydrogen, thereby removing hydrogen
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus for reducing floating radioactive material in a containment building capable of reducing radioactive material in the event of a major accident in a containment building such as a nuclear power plant. A radioactive material reduction unit configured to reduce radioactive material in the air is provided upstream of a flow induction unit configured to induce an air flow through catalytic reaction with hydrogen in the air in the event of a major accident. The flow induction unit may have a replaceable modular form. The radioactive material reduction unit may include an adsorber module configured to remove gaseous radioactive material, such as iodine or an iodine compound. The adsorber module may have a replaceable modular form. In addition, the radioactive material reduction unit may further include an aerosol filter fixed to an inlet to remove particulate radioactive material.