Remote Heating Element Charging for Vitrified Melting Furnaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Workers face difficulties in safely charging a heating element into a vitrified melting furnace during emergency stops, risking exposure to radioactive waste due to the need for direct handling and glass removal operations.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a main frame, universal joint, heating element binding portion, and gripper is used to remotely charge a heating element into the furnace, allowing operation without glass removal during abnormal stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a worker directly charges a heating element into the furnace during emergency stop, then the operation can be performed, but the worker is exposed to radioactive waste and faces safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic manipulator system serves as an intermediary between the operator and the heating element charging process. The manipulator includes a gripper that holds the heating element, a universal joint for flexible positioning, and a reference portion that guides the charging operation, allowing the worker to operate remotely without direct exposure to radioactive waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of charging heating elements is replaced with an automated robotic manipulator system. The manipulator uses mechanical joints, grippers, and reference portions to automatically position and charge heating elements into the furnace, eliminating the need for workers to physically enter the hazardous environment.
2Productivity
If glass removal operation is performed during abnormal stop, then the furnace can be restarted, but the worker faces exposure risk and operational disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic manipulator system is prepared in advance with heating elements and positioning mechanisms. When an abnormal stop occurs, the system can immediately perform charging operations without requiring glass removal, as the manipulator can navigate and position heating elements through the existing furnace structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic manipulator acts as an intermediary that enables furnace restart operations without direct worker involvement in hazardous glass removal. The system includes a reference portion that slides along the furnace interior to guide the manipulator's movements, allowing safe charging operations during abnormal conditions.
3Device complexity
If the heating element binding portion is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the heating element cannot be properly positioned during charging
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element binding portion is made dynamic through a universal joint that allows multi-directional rotation and positioning. This enables the binding portion to adapt its orientation during the charging process while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, balancing structural simplicity with operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding portion is divided into separate functional segments: the universal joint for positioning, the binding portion itself for holding the heating element, and the gripper for manipulation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for charging a heating element for heating a glass melt, to restart a vitrified melting furnace, during emergency stop of the vitrified melting furnace for vitrifying radioactive waste is disclosed. The apparatus for charging a heating element into a vitrified melting furnace according to the present invention comprises a main frame, a universal joint positioned at one end of the main frame, at least one heating element binding portion rotating by being connected to the universal joint, and a gripper positioned at an end of the heating element binding portion, gripping the heating element.