Radioactive Liquid Waste Treatment Apparatus with Electrostatic Colloid Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating radioactive liquid waste from nuclear facilities are inefficient in removing particulate and colloidal substances, leading to increased generation of radioactive waste and difficulty in adjusting pH to neutral levels, which affects the removal efficiency of radioactive nuclides.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a filtration device to remove particulate substances, followed by an electrostatic filter to remove colloidal substances, and multiple adsorption devices with specific adsorbents like oxine impregnated activated carbon to adjust pH and enhance the removal efficiency of radioactive nuclides, using oxidizing, reducing, or pH adjusting agents as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If only filtration device is used to remove particulate substances, then particulate removal is achieved, but colloidal substance removal is insufficient leading to increased radioactive waste generation
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is segmented into multiple stages: first removing particulate substances with a filtration device, then removing colloidal substances with an electrostatic filter, and finally removing radioactive nuclides with adsorption devices. This segmentation allows each device to specialize in removing specific types of contaminants, thereby reducing overall radioactive waste while maintaining high removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrostatic filter acts as an intermediary device between the filtration device and adsorption devices. It specifically targets colloidal substances that the filtration device cannot remove, using electrostatic attraction to capture charged colloidal particles. This intermediary step prevents colloidal substances from reaching the adsorption devices, reducing waste generation while maintaining effective contaminant removal.
2Ease of operation
If pH adjustment is performed using chemical agents, then pH neutralization is achieved, but the treatment process becomes more complex and requires additional chemical handling
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorption devices perform dual functions: removing radioactive nuclides and simultaneously adjusting pH to neutral levels. The adsorbents used in these devices naturally buffer the pH of the liquid waste as they remove radioactive contaminants, eliminating the need for separate pH adjustment steps and chemical agents. This self-service approach simplifies the overall treatment process while maintaining operational ease.
3Reliability
If multiple treatment devices are added to improve removal efficiency, then radioactive nuclide removal is enhanced, but the device complexity and process difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each treatment device in the series is designed with multi-functionality to justify its inclusion. The electrostatic filter removes both colloidal substances and contributes to overall contaminant reduction. The adsorption devices simultaneously remove radioactive nuclides and adjust pH levels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized devices, thereby limiting overall system complexity while maintaining high removal efficiency.
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 reduces the amount of radioactive waste generated, achieves efficient removal of radioactive nuclides, and adjusts the pH of treated water to a neutral range without adding chemical agents, thereby simplifying the treatment process and improving removal efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a filtration device to remove particulate substances
Implementation Method 2
an electrostatic filter to remove colloidal substances
Implementation Method 3
radioactive nuclides are removed from radioactive liquid waste using an ion exchange resin or the like through adsorption
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method of treating radioactive liquid waste which reduces the amount of radioactive waste to be generated and is capable of removing a radioactive nuclide from radioactive liquid waste to the extent that the concentration thereof is less than or equal to the measurement lower limit using a simple apparatus configuration. A filtration device is connected to a colloid removal device by a connection pipe. An adsorption tower positioned at the highest stream of an adsorption device is connected to the colloid removal device by a connection pipe. The colloid removal device includes an electrostatic filter. Respective adsorption towers in the adsorption device are sequentially connected by a pipe. A discharge pipe is connected to the adsorption tower positioned at the lowest stream of the adsorption device. Radioactive liquid waste, containing particles having a particle diameter of 1 μm or greater, negatively charged colloids, and a radioactive nuclide, is supplied to the filtration device. The particles having a particle diameter of 1 μm or greater are removed by the filtration device and the negatively charged colloids are removed by the electrostatic filter that is positively charged. The radioactive nuclide is removed by the adsorption tower.