Thermal Sleeve Removal Tool for Reactor Cooling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing a thermal sleeve from a reactor coolant system require cutting the safety injection pipe, leading to increased operation time, reliability issues, and high costs, as well as potential contamination and radiation exposure due to the need for manual access in a radioactive environment.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a sleeve removal tool with a corn head and pressure plate, a horizontal movement carrier, and a vertical movement carrier, which uses hydraulic pressure and wire ropes to remove the thermal sleeve without cutting the pipe, allowing for remote and underwater operation to minimize radiation exposure and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cutting operations are performed to remove the thermal sleeve, then the thermal sleeve can be removed from the safety injection pipe, but the operation period increases and system reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thermal sleeve from the safety injection pipe using a specialized removal tool that grips the sleeve and pulls it out intact, rather than cutting both the sleeve and the pipe. This extraction method maintains pipe integrity and reduces operation time
Solution Approach 2:
The removal tool is inserted into the safety injection pipe beforehand to engage with the thermal sleeve before any cutting operation would occur. The tool prepares the system for sleeve removal by establishing a gripping connection that enables intact extraction
2Ease of manufacture
If cutting operations are performed to remove the thermal sleeve, then the thermal sleeve can be removed, but removal costs increase and impurities invade the system
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal sleeve is extracted intact from the safety injection pipe using the removal tool, avoiding cutting operations that would generate metal debris and impurities. This extraction approach eliminates contamination risks and reduces removal costs by preventing damage to the pipe
3Ease of operation
If the safety injection pipe is cut to remove the thermal sleeve, then the thermal sleeve can be accessed, but welding operations are required which increase operation time and reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The removal tool provides direct access to the thermal sleeve by engaging it internally and pulling it out intact, eliminating the need to cut and subsequently weld the safety injection pipe. This maintains system integrity and reliability
4Ease of operation
If manual access is attempted in the radioactive region, then the thermal sleeve can be removed, but radiation exposure and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The removal tool serves as an intermediary device that can be inserted through existing pipe openings to reach and remove the thermal sleeve remotely. This eliminates the need for direct manual access to the highly radioactive region where the thermal sleeve is located
Solution Approach 2:
The removal tool is designed to be inserted into the safety injection pipe, which itself is nested within the reactor system. This nested approach allows remote operation from outside the highly radioactive core region
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
Enables efficient and safe removal of thermal sleeves without pipe cutting, reducing operation time, costs, and radiation exposure, while maintaining system reliability and preventing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a spring connected to an upper surface of the pressure plate to keep the pressure plate in an unfolded state
Implementation Method 2
uses hydraulic pressure and wire ropes to remove the thermal sleeve without cutting the pipe
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus for removing a thermal sleeve (1) from a cold leg of a reactor coolant system (110), which removes an unintentionally separated thermal sleeve (1) without pipe cutting, preventing invasion of impurities into pipes and achieving reliable pipe re-welding. The apparatus includes a sleeve removal tool (10) including a corn head (12) formed at a shaft (11), a pressure plate (16) below the corn head (12) to maximize hydraulic pressure inside a safety injection pipe, a spring (17) connected to the pressure plate (16) to keep the pressure plate unfolded, and a guide wheel (15) to guide the sleeve removal tool (10) into the safety injection pipe, a horizontal movement carrier (20) including bodies connected to each other by a link, a seating rod (23) for seating of the sleeve removal tool (10), and moving wheels (24) for movement of the horizontal movement carrier (20), and a vertical movement carrier (30) including first (31) and second (32) anti-separation bars to prevent separation of the horizontal movement carrier (20).