Radioactive Waste Container Underwater Sealing and Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radioactive waste containers face challenges in securely fastening and sealing underwater, leading to inefficient radiation shielding, water accumulation, and difficulty in lifting and transporting radioactive waste during the dismantling of nuclear power facilities.
Innovation Solution
A radioactive waste container design featuring a container body and cover that can be easily fastened underwater, with irregularities on the upper surface and accommodating portions on the cover to enhance sealing, along with a water drain unit to prevent water accumulation and lifting lugs for stable transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the container body and cover are fastened underwater, then the container can store radioactive waste generated during underwater dismantling, but it is difficult to securely fasten the container body and cover underwater
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a container body and a separate cover that can be assembled independently. The cover includes a cover body and a bottom plate that can be separately positioned and then coupled together, allowing for easier underwater assembly of the sealing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Accommodating portions are introduced as intermediary coupling elements between the container body and cover. These accommodating portions receive and secure the irregularities, creating a reliable mechanical connection that facilitates underwater fastening without requiring complex sealing mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If the connecting portion between container body and cover is formed in a flat shape, then the structure is simple, but radiation shielding efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portion is designed with an irregular shape rather than a flat surface. The cover includes accommodating portions that couple with irregularities on the container body, creating a non-planar interface that increases radiation shielding efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the container body is positioned underwater for storage, then radiation shielding is improved, but water flows into the container body causing excessive weight
Solution Approach 1:
The container is equipped with a self-service water drainage system that automatically drains water from the container body. The drainage device includes a drainage hole and drainage pipe that allow water to be expelled from the container, maintaining operational weight while preserving the benefit of underwater positioning for radiation shielding.
4Device complexity
If no lifting device is provided for the container underwater, then the structure is simpler, but it is impossible to stably lift and transport the container
Solution Approach 1:
The container design integrates multiple functions into a unified structure. The same cover and coupling mechanisms that provide sealing and radiation shielding also incorporate lifting capabilities, allowing the container to be lifted and transported from underwater positions without adding separate complex lifting devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A radioactive waste container, for storing and transporting a radioactive waste, includes a container body, a cover and a water drain unit. The cover is fastened to the container body. The water drain unit is provided at the container body without protruding to an outside of the container body and configured to selectively drain water in the container body.