Nuclear Reactor Shielding Facility Using Water-Filled Enclosure

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Solution Overview

Problem

The construction of facilities using small nuclear reactors becomes burdensome due to the need for robust shielding with metal or thick concrete, which increases the complexity and cost of the facility.

Innovation Solution

A nuclear reactor shielding facility is designed with a base structure encasing the reactor except for the installation surface, and a shielding structure filled with water and polymer, which provides effective radiation shielding without the need for extensive solid shielding materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If robust shielding with metal or thick concrete is used, then shielding performance against ionizing radiation is improved, but construction complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding performanceVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies hydraulics by using water as the shielding material instead of solid metal or concrete. The water is contained within a structure that encloses the nuclear reactor, creating a hydraulic shielding system that reduces construction complexity while maintaining shielding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and composition parameters of the shielding material from solid (metal/concrete) to liquid (water). This parameter change allows for easier construction and lower cost while achieving the required shielding performance through optimized water depth and containment structure design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If robust shielding with metal or thick concrete is used, then shielding performance against ionizing radiation is improved, but construction cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding performanceVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses water (hydraulic material) as the shielding medium, which is significantly cheaper than metal or concrete. The water is contained within a structural enclosure, creating a cost-effective shielding solution that reduces construction costs while maintaining protective performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from expensive solid materials (metal/concrete) to inexpensive liquid water. This parameter change dramatically reduces construction cost while the shielding effectiveness is maintained through proper design of the containment structure and water depth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If solid shielding materials are used, then shielding performance is improved, but handling and construction burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshielding performanceVSAvoidconstruction burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces solid shielding materials with water, which is much easier to handle and install. The water is simply poured into the containment structure, eliminating the need for heavy lifting, positioning, and sealing operations required for solid materials like metal or concrete.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state from solid to liquid, transforming the shielding material from difficult-to-handle solid blocks to easy-to-install liquid water. This parameter change dramatically reduces construction burden while maintaining shielding performance through optimized water depth and containment design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enables easier and more cost-effective construction of nuclear reactor facilities while ensuring robust shielding against ionizing radiation, reducing the burden of handling and constructing solid shielding materials.

Implementation Method 1

a shielding structure that is disposed on an entire surface of the base structure and internal of which is filled with water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250149194A1Nuclear reactor shielding facility, nuclear facility, and nuclear reactor shielding facility construction method

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

An easy-to-construct nuclear reactor shielding facility with robust shielding against ionizing radiation is provided. This nuclear reactor shielding facility is a nuclear reactor shielding facility for shielding a nuclear reactor installed on an installation surface by enclosing the nuclear reactor, and includes: a base structure that is disposed around an outer surface of the nuclear reactor except for the installation surface, and encloses an entire surface of the nuclear reactor except for the installation surface; and a shielding structure that is disposed on an entire surface of the base structure and internal of which is filled with water.