Sludge Removal Blade and Water Jet Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing sludge from underwater deposits, such as nuclear waste storage ponds and oil/gas well sites, suffer from low collection rates due to the varying consolidation and structure of sludge, especially when it is stratified or deep and unevenly distributed, posing challenges for efficient and safe removal.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using a blade to cut into the sludge, followed by pressurized water jets that fluidize and convey the sludge into a collection chamber, ensuring high collection rates and containment of the fluidized material for efficient removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water jets are used to fluidize sludge externally, then sludge removal can be achieved, but collection rates remain low (less than 15%) due to sludge escaping or being difficult to contain
Solution Approach 1:
The blade cuts into the sludge and directs it into the collection chamber before the water jets fully fluidize it. This preliminary action ensures the sludge is contained within the chamber structure before fluidization occurs, preventing escape and enabling effective collection at high rates
Solution Approach 2:
The collection chamber acts as an intermediary structure between the external water jets and the sludge. It receives the sludge from the blade, contains the fluidization process, and directs the fluidized sludge to the discharge point, thereby solving the containment problem while maintaining high collection rates
2Productivity
If conventional sludge removal methods are used on stratified or consolidated sludge, then removal can be attempted, but collection rates are poor due to strong bonding and stratification
Solution Approach 1:
The blade segments the stratified sludge into smaller portions as it cuts through the deposit. This segmentation breaks up the stratified layers and reduces the bonding strength between particles, making the sludge more susceptible to fluidization by water jets and improving overall removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The blade performs preliminary cutting and loosening of the consolidated and stratified sludge structure before the water jets apply fluidizing force. This preliminary action reduces the bonding strength and prepares the sludge for efficient fluidization, thereby improving removal efficiency despite strong initial bonding
3Object-affected harmful factors
If remote operation is implemented for radioactive sludge removal, then operator safety is improved, but operational complexity increases due to remote control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed to be self-propelled and self-operating through remote control. The hydraulic system, blade mechanism, and water jet delivery are integrated into a single unit that can autonomously perform sludge removal tasks when guided by remote control signals, reducing the need for complex multi-component remote operation systems while maintaining operator safety
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 solution achieves high sludge collection rates by effectively fluidizing and containing the sludge within the collection chamber, addressing the inefficiencies of previous methods and ensuring safe, remote operation in radioactive and uneven environments.
Implementation Method 1
a blade (5) which projects forwards from the bottom wall (24) of the housing (2) so that, as the apparatus moves forwards, a cutting edge (7) of the blade (5) cuts horizontally into the surface of the sludge
Implementation Method 2
A first set of nozzles (10) is arranged along the manifold (8) to direct a first row of jets (14) of the pressurized water rearwards onto the surface of the blade (5). The jets (14) fluidize the collected sludge
Implementation Method 3
the fluidized sludge is effectively contained and very high collection rates can be achieved
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for removing sludge from an underwater deposit comprises a blade having a cutting edge that points forwards and a blade surface to the rear of the cutting edge that faces the interior of a housing. Nozzles are positioned and oriented to direct jets of water onto the blade surface to fluidize sludge that has been cut by the blade. The jets have a component of motion in the rearward direction relative to the blade surface, whereby the fluidized sludge is effectively contained within the housing and high collection rates can be achieved. The apparatus can be adapted for horizontal use over the surface of a sludge deposit or for movement in any direction through a bulk sludge deposit.