Radioactive Waste Gasification for Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radioactively contaminated waste is difficult to treat and dispose of, as existing methods are costly and inefficient in reducing waste volume and converting it into environmentally safe forms.
Innovation Solution
A method involving gasification of waste material containing organic components and low- to medium-level radioactive agents in a fluidized bed reactor at 600-950°C with air, followed by water quenching and filtration to remove radioactive agents, producing a treated gaseous material that can be further burnt and scrubbed to reduce waste volume and produce a combustible fuel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to treat radioactively contaminated waste, then the waste can be disposed of, but the treatment cost is high and waste volume reduction is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the gasification temperature (600-950°C) and air ratio (below 1) to transform waste material into syngas, achieving both volume reduction and energy recovery. This transforms the waste treatment process from a purely disposal-oriented operation to one that produces usable energy, thereby reducing both cost and volume simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful radioactive waste into beneficial syngas through gasification. The organic components of the waste are transformed into a combustible fuel source, while the radioactive agents are concentrated in a small solid residue. This converts the waste problem into an energy solution, reducing disposal costs and volume
2Volume of stationary object
If waste material is gasified at high temperature to reduce volume, then waste volume is reduced by over 90%, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous useful action by using the syngas produced during gasification to maintain the gasification process itself and generate additional energy. The syngas is combusted to provide heat for the gasification reactor and can also be used to generate electricity, creating a self-sustaining system that minimizes external energy input while achieving continuous waste volume reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The gasification process is designed to be self-sustaining, where the waste material itself provides the fuel for the process. The organic components gasify to produce syngas, which is then combusted to provide the heat necessary for continued gasification, reducing the need for external energy input
3Object-affected harmful factors
If radioactive agents are removed from gaseous material through filtration, then the gaseous material becomes safe for energy production, but the complexity of the treatment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the waste treatment into distinct stages: gasification of organic material, removal of radioactive agents through filtration, and utilization of the cleaned syngas. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, with the filtration step specifically targeting radioactive particle removal while preserving the combustible syngas for energy production
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
Achieves over 90% volume reduction of radioactive waste, enabling cost-effective and energy-effective treatment, with the treated gaseous material suitable for energy production and safe disposal of the radioactive fraction.
Implementation Method 1
the waste material including organic components and radioactive agents which are low-level and/or medium-level radioactive agents is gasified at temperature between 600 - 950 °C in a fluidized bed reactor
Implementation Method 2
the gaseous material is cooled by water quenching so that temperature is between 300 - 500 °C after the cooling
Implementation Method 3
solid fraction including radioactive agents is removed from the gaseous material in a gas cleaning step by filtering at temperatures between 300 - 500 °C
Implementation Method 4
the treated gaseous material is burnt and/or is post-treated by a gas scrubbing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating waste material including organic components and radioactive agents. According to the invention, the method comprising steps: the waste material including organic components and radioactive agents is gasified at temperature between 600 –950 ºC in a reactor to form a gaseous material; the gaseous material is cooled so that temperature is between 300 –500 ºC after the cooling; and solid fraction including radioactive agents is removed from the gaseous material in a gas cleaning step, in order to form a treated gaseous material. Further, the invention relates to a product gas.