Radioactive Waste Cask with Ceramic-Armor Transport Canister
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for storing high level long-lived radioactive waste lack sufficient resistance to mechanical damage and high temperatures, posing risks during transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A radiation and impact-protected radioactive waste cask is designed with a steel outer and inner wall, a lead layer between them, and a layer of quartz sand inside, along with a removable outer transportation canister made of armor grade steel, high strength steel, and ceramic material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional storage containers are used for high level long-lived radioactive waste, then the storage structure is simple, but the resistance to mechanical damage and high temperatures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container employs a composite structure combining steel outer and inner walls with a lead layer between them, creating a multi-material system that enhances mechanical strength and thermal resistance while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The container design features nested components including an inner vessel/cassette/inner box surrounded by quartz sand, which is itself contained within the double-walled steel structure, creating a protective hierarchy that shields the radioactive waste from multiple types of damage
2Temperature
If conventional storage containers are used for high level long-lived radioactive waste, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the resistance to high temperatures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lead layer sandwiched between steel walls and the quartz sand filling provide thermal protection mechanisms, absorbing and distributing heat to protect the radioactive waste from high temperatures during storage and transport
Solution Approach 2:
The quartz sand is pre-positioned around the inner vessel before final assembly, creating a thermal and mechanical cushioning layer that protects against temperature extremes and mechanical impacts before the container is put into service
3Reliability
If a removable outer transportation canister is added, then the protection during transport is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation system is divided into separable components - a removable outer transportation canister that can be detached from the inner container, allowing the radioactive waste to be protected during transport while enabling easy access and storage at the destination
Solution Approach 2:
The transportation canister itself uses composite construction with armor grade steel outer layer, high strength steel inner layer, and ceramic material intermediate layer, creating a multi-functional protective barrier against mechanical damage, heat, and radiation
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 significantly enhances the resistance of the waste cask to mechanical damage and high temperatures, ensuring the integrity and safety of the radioactive waste during transport and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a lead layer located between the two steel walls
Implementation Method 2
The quartz sand layer and lead layer will enhance resistance to high temperatures and will ensure the integrity of the container, even at very high temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation and impact-protected radioactive waste cask, comprising a container for radioactive waste including an outer steel wall, an inner steel wall, a layer of lead located between the two steel walls, a steel base, a steel cover, a volume of quartz sand located inside the container, at least one internal vessel that is surrounded at least partially by the volume of quartz sand; and radioactive waste located inside the receptacle, wherein the radiation and impact-protected radioactive waste cask further comprises a removable outer transportation canister, wherein the removable outer transportation canister comprises a hollow cylindrical or polygonal body with a lower end and an upper end, configured for fittingly receiving therein the container for radioactive waste, wherein the lower end is closed by a fixed bottom and the upper is closed with a removable canister cover, wherein the hollow cylindrical or polygonal body, the fixed bottom and the removable canister cover are made of at least three layers, an outer layer made of armor grade steel, an inner layer made of high strength steel, and an intermediate layer between said outer and inner layers, said intermediate layer being made of one or more strati comprising ceramic material, wherein said ceramic material is selected from oxide ceramics, non-oxide ceramics and mixtures thereof.