A modular water purification system for a nuclear power plant includes a plurality of modules that may be selectively connected together directly or through the use of intermediary adapters in a plurality of arrangements. The modules may include a pump module, a FOSAR module, a particulate filtration module, a cross-flow filtration module, a degasification module, and/or a demineralization module, among other possible modules. The modules may have common interfaces so that they can be interconnected (directly or through intermediary adapters) in a variety of configurations for different purposes within the context of the nuclear power plant (e.g., filtering pool water; collecting large objects via vacuuming). Various modules may have form factors and/or mounting structures that are similar enough to the fuel assemblies of the plant that (1) the plant's fuel assembly handling equipment can grab, move, and reposition the modules, and/or (2) the modules may be stored in the fuel pool's storage rack.
C02F 9/00 - Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
C02F 1/00 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
C02F 1/20 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by degassing, i.e. liberation of dissolved gases
C02F 1/32 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation with ultraviolet light
C02F 1/36 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage with mechanical oscillations ultrasonic vibrations
C02F 1/38 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by centrifugal separation
C02F 1/42 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by ion-exchange
C02F 1/463 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis by electrocoagulation
F04D 7/08 - Pumps adapted for handling specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts of centrifugal type the fluids being radioactive
F04D 29/22 - Rotors specially for centrifugal pumps
G21C 3/33 - Supporting or hanging of elements in the bundleMeans forming part of the bundle for inserting it into, or removing it from, the coreMeans for coupling adjacent bundles
G21C 19/307 - Arrangements for introducing fluent material into the reactor coreArrangements for removing fluent material from the reactor core with continuous purification of circulating fluent material, e.g. by extraction of fission products specially adapted for liquids
In a submersible ultrasonic cleaning system for use in highly radioactive environments (e.g., cleaning radiated nuclear fuel assemblies), a bond between energy producing transducers and an radiating wall is strengthened with a polyurethane adhesive such as Permabond PT326, or 3M DP-190 adhesive. In various diagnostic tests, one or more of the transducers are operated in an energy-transmitting mode while one or more other transducers are operated in an energy-detecting mode to detect a weakened transducer/wall bond and/or acoustic conditions of the working fluid.
B08B 3/12 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
A modular water purification system for a nuclear power plant includes a plurality of modules that may be selectively connected together directly or through the use of intermediary adapters in a plurality of arrangements. The modules may include a pump module, a FOSAR module, a particulate filtration module, a cross-flow filtration module, a degasification module, and/or a demineralization module, among other possible modules. The modules may have common interfaces so that they can be interconnected (directly or through intermediary adapters) in a variety of configurations for different purposes within the context of the nuclear power plant (e.g., filtering pool water; collecting large objects via vacuuming). Various modules may have form factors and/or mounting structures that are similar enough to the fuel assemblies of the plant that (1) the plant's fuel assembly handling equipment can grab, move, and reposition the modules, and/or (2) the modules may be stored in the fuel pool's storage rack.
C02F 9/00 - Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
G21C 3/33 - Supporting or hanging of elements in the bundleMeans forming part of the bundle for inserting it into, or removing it from, the coreMeans for coupling adjacent bundles
G21C 19/307 - Arrangements for introducing fluent material into the reactor coreArrangements for removing fluent material from the reactor core with continuous purification of circulating fluent material, e.g. by extraction of fission products specially adapted for liquids
A method for depositing zinc on the surfaces of a coolant loop of a nuclear power plant includes: providing within a portion of the coolant loop a treatment solution comprising zinc and optionally one or more noble metals and/or reducing agent(s); allowing the treatment solution to remain in the portion for a treatment period; and removing the treatment solution from the portion. According to various embodiments, an average temperature of the treatment solution over the course of the treatment period is less than 150° C. or 100° C. According to various embodiments, an instantaneous temperature of the treatment solution remains below 150° C. or 100° C. throughout the treatment period. The zinc deposition treatment may be applied (1) before the plant is first put into power-generating operation or (2) during an outage following power-generating operation and optionally following a chemical decontamination to remove any oxides formed on surfaces of a coolant loop during prior power operation period(s).
G21C 17/022 - Devices or arrangements for monitoring coolant or moderator for monitoring liquid coolants or moderators
G21C 19/28 - Arrangements for introducing fluent material into the reactor coreArrangements for removing fluent material from the reactor core
C23C 22/68 - Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive liquid, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals using aqueous solutions using aqueous solutions with pH between 6 and 8
C23C 30/00 - Coating with metallic material characterised only by the composition of the metallic material, i.e. not characterised by the coating process
C23C 22/77 - Controlling or regulating of the coating process
C23C 22/60 - Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive liquid, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals using aqueous solutions using alkaline aqueous solutions with pH > 8
A system and method of generating a real-time, crowdsourced visual map summarizing measurements reflecting environmental conditions affecting personnel safety in an industrial facility or work area is provided. The method includes receiving a request for a measurement map from a user, wherein the request includes an indication of the floor plan of interest of the facility; retrieving an image of the floor plan of interest; receiving measurement data and positional data from one or more portable measurement devices in the industrial facility or work area, wherein the portable measurement devices are either worn by workers, mounted to robotic platforms, carried by workers as hand-held instruments, or mounted to stationary equipment or structures; spatially interpolating the received measurement data with the positional data; overlaying the spatially interpolated measurement data on the floor plan of interest to generate a continuously updated visual map of industrial safety conditions present within the area of interest; and displaying the visual map to the user.
A method for depositing zinc on the surfaces of a coolant loop of a nuclear power plant includes: providing within a portion of the coolant loop a treatment solution comprising zinc and optionally one or more noble metals and/or reducing agent(s); allowing the treatment solution to remain in the portion for a treatment period; and removing the treatment solution from the portion. According to various embodiments, an average temperature of the treatment solution over the course of the treatment period is less than 150ºC or 100ºC. According to various embodiments, an instantaneous temperature of the treatment solution remains below 150ºC or 100ºC throughout the treatment period. The zinc deposition treatment may be applied (1) before the plant is first put into power-generating operation or (2) during an outage following power-generating operation and optionally following a chemical decontamination to remove any oxides formed on surfaces of a coolant loop during prior power operation period(s).
In a submersible ultrasonic cleaning system for use in highly radioactive environments (e.g., cleaning radiated nuclear fuel assemblies), a bond between energy producing transducers and an radiating wall is strengthened with a polyurethane adhesive such as Permabond PT326, or 3M DP-190 adhesive. In various diagnostic tests, one or more of the transducers are operated in an energy-transmitting mode while one or more other transducers are operated in an energy- detecting mode to detect a weakened transducer/wall bond and/or acoustic conditions of the working fluid.
B08B 3/12 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
In a submersible ultrasonic cleaning system for use in highly radioactive environments (e.g., cleaning radiated nuclear fuel assemblies), a bond between energy producing transducers and an radiating wall is strengthened with a polyurethane adhesive such as Permabond PT326, or 3M DP-190 adhesive. In various diagnostic tests, one or more of the transducers are operated in an energy-transmitting mode while one or more other transducers are operated in an energy- detecting mode to detect a weakened transducer/wall bond and/or acoustic conditions of the working fluid.
B08B 3/12 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
A method and system detects failures in nuclear fuel assemblies (600). A water treatment device degasses/removes fission gases from water used in the canister (500) of a vacuum sipping device (30). A sipping procedure then detects a failure in a fuel assembly in the canister. The degassing improves a signal-to-noise ratio of the detector used during the sipping process, and improves the failure detection sensitivity of the system. Additionally and/or alternatively, gas may be recirculated through the canister water before the vacuum is applied so that fission gas concentration in the recirculating gas reaches a baseline equilibrium with the canister water. The vacuum is thereafter applied and the sipping procedure proceeds such that an increase in detected radioactivity over the baseline equilibrium indicates a leak in the fuel assembly.
A method of cleaning a vessel having deposits on an interior surface includes removably bonding an ultrasonic transducer to an external wall of the vessel and using the ultrasonic transducer to produce ultrasonic energy coupled into the vessel wall such that at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy is transmitted to the interior surface.
B08B 3/12 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
B08B 7/02 - Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned
B08B 9/02 - Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
A method and system detects failures in nuclear fuel assemblies (600). A water treatment device degasses/removes fission gases from water used in the canister (500) of a vacuum sipping device (30). A sipping procedure then detects a failure in a fuel assembly in the canister. The degassing improves a signal-to-noise ratio of the detector used during the sipping process, and improves the failure detection sensitivity of the system. Additionally and/or alternatively, gas may be recirculated through the canister water before the vacuum is applied so that fission gas concentration in the recirculating gas reaches a baseline equilibrium with the canister water. The vacuum is thereafter applied and the sipping procedure proceeds such that an increase in detected radioactivity over the baseline equilibrium indicates a leak in the fuel assembly.
A method and system detects failures in nuclear fuel assemblies (600). A water treatment device degasses/removes fission gases from water used in the canister (500) of a vacuum sipping device (30). A sipping procedure then detects a failure in a fuel assembly in the canister. The degassing improves a signal-to-noise ratio of the detector used during the sipping process, and improves the failure detection sensitivity of the system. Additionally and/or alternatively, gas may be recirculated through the canister water before the vacuum is applied so that fission gas concentration in the recirculating gas reaches a baseline equilibrium with the canister water. The vacuum is thereafter applied and the sipping procedure proceeds such that an increase in detected radioactivity over the baseline equilibrium indicates a leak in the fuel assembly.
A method of cleaning a vessel having deposits on an interior surface includes removably bonding an ultrasonic transducer to an external wall of the vessel and using the ultrasonic transducer to produce ultrasonic energy coupled into the vessel wall such that at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy is transmitted to the interior surface
B08B 3/10 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
B08B 3/12 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
B08B 7/02 - Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned
A method of cleaning a vessel having deposits on an interior surface includes removably bonding an ultrasonic transducer to an external wall of the vessel and using the ultrasonic transducer to produce ultrasonic energy coupled into the vessel wall such that at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy is transmitted to the interior surface
B08B 3/10 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
B08B 3/12 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
B08B 7/02 - Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned
An aqueous cleaning solution that has been previously used to remove deposits from a nuclear steam generator (or other vessel) is reused after being transferred from the steam generator into an external vessel. The spent cleaning solution may be reconditioned and reused in a further cleaning of the same steam generator or a different steam generator. The different cleanings being accomplished by the cleaning solution may be of the same type or different types (e.g., iron oxide removal and/or copper removal).
An aqueous cleaning solution that has been previously used to remove deposits from a nuclear steam generator (or other vessel) is reused after being transferred from the steam generator into an external vessel. The spent cleaning solution may be reconditioned and reused in a further cleaning of the same steam generator or a different steam generator. The different cleanings being accomplished by the cleaning solution may be of the same type or different types (e.g., iron oxide removal and/or copper removal).
An aqueous cleaning solution that has been previously used to remove deposits from a nuclear steam generator (or other vessel) is reused after being transferred from the steam generator into an external vessel. The spent cleaning solution may be reconditioned and reused in a further cleaning of the same steam generator or a different steam generator. The different cleanings being accomplished by the cleaning solution may be of the same type or different types (e.g., iron oxide removal and/or copper removal).
A particulate removal apparatus and method are used to capture and remove particulates from nuclear reactor core coolant during normal operation. Bottom nozzle, particulate removal apparatus and top nozzle structures form an assembly sized to be installed in place of a nuclear fuel assembly. The particulate removal achieved reduces the inventory of corrosion product deposits, foreign objects and other particulates in the reactor coolant system. This in turn reduces activation or deposition of particulates on fuel cladding, with a corresponding improvement in fuel reliability and reduction in ex-core radiation fields.
G21C 19/30 - Arrangements for introducing fluent material into the reactor coreArrangements for removing fluent material from the reactor core with continuous purification of circulating fluent material, e.g. by extraction of fission products
A particulate removal apparatus and method are used to capture and remove particulates from nuclear reactor core coolant during normal operation. Bottom nozzle, particulate removal apparatus and top nozzle structures form an assembly sized to be installed in place of a nuclear fuel assembly. The particulate removal achieved reduces the inventory of corrosion product deposits, foreign objects and other particulates in the reactor coolant system. This in turn reduces activation or deposition of particulates on fuel cladding, with a corresponding improvement in fuel reliability and reduction in ex-core radiation fields.
G21C 19/40 - Arrangements for preventing occurrence of critical conditions, e.g. during storage
G21C 3/32 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements
B01D 46/10 - Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces
G21C 5/02 - Moderator or core structureSelection of materials for use as moderator Details
G21C 19/307 - Arrangements for introducing fluent material into the reactor coreArrangements for removing fluent material from the reactor core with continuous purification of circulating fluent material, e.g. by extraction of fission products specially adapted for liquids
20.
Method and apparatus for evaluating repair and remediation alternatives for heat exchangers
A method is provided for evaluating simultaneously the effects of multiple, interdependent heat-exchanger degradation modes for a heat exchanger of a power plant in the context of a series of alternative heat-exchanger remediation strategies. The method includes calculating time-varying predicted future progressions of heat exchanger performance metrics for a plurality of alternative heat-exchanger remediation strategies, and calculating time-varying predicted future progressions of financial metrics describing the accumulated financial benefit of each of the strategies. The calculations may be provided in probabilistic terms. A strategy may then be chosen based, at least in part, on the calculated results.
Provided area cleaning apparatus and an associated method of using the disclosed apparatus wherein the apparatus utilizes one or more nozzles configured to provide a coherent stream of one or more cleaning fluids for removing accumulated fine particulate matter, sludge, from surfaces. The nozzles may be sized, arranged and configured to provide coherent streams that maintain the initial stream diameter for a substantial portion of the maximum dimension of the space being cleaned. The apparatus and method are expected to be particularly useful in the cleaning of heat exchangers incorporating a plurality of substantially vertical and narrowly spaced tubes by directing cleansing streams along a plurality of intertube spaces.
B08B 3/00 - Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
B08B 3/12 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers and similar vessels by introducing chemical cleaning solutions and/or solvents while maintaining a target temperature range by direct steam injection into the cleaning solution. The steam may be injected directly into the heat exchanger or into a temporary side stream loop for recirculating the cleaning solution or admixed with fluids being injected to the heat exchanger. The disclosed methods are suitable for removing metallic oxides from a heat exchanger under chemically reducing conditions or metallic species such as copper under chemically oxidizing conditions. In order to further enhance the heat transfer efficiency of heating cleaning solvents by direct steam injection, mixing on the secondary side of the heat exchanger can be enhanced by gas sparging or by transferring liquid between heat exchangers when more than one heat exchanger is being cleaned at the same time.
A method is provided for evaluating simultaneously the effects of multiple, interdependent heat-exchanger degradation modes for a heat exchanger of a power plant in the context of a series of alternative heat-exchanger remediation strategies. The method includes calculating time-varying predicted future progressions of heat exchanger performance metrics for a plurality of alternative heat-exchanger remediation strategies, and calculating time- varying predicted future progressions of financial metrics describing the accumulated financial benefit of each of the strategies. The calculations may be provided in probabilistic terms. A strategy may then be chosen based, at least in part, on the calculated results.
The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for conditioning and removing solid deposits that have formed on or otherwise accumulated within one or more components including, for example, scale formed within a steam generating system. The aqueous cleaning compositions incorporate one or more quaternary ammonium hydroxides characterized by pKa values no less than about 13.5. These quaternary ammonium hydroxides may be used alone or in combination with one or more additives including, for example, chelating agents, reducing or oxidizing agents, pH adjustment agents, surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, complexing agents, dispersants and combinations thereof.
C02F 5/08 - Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents
C02F 5/12 - Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents using organic substances containing nitrogen
C23F 14/02 - Inhibiting incrustation in apparatus for heating liquids for physical or chemical purposes by chemical means
F28G 9/00 - Cleaning by flushing or washing, e.g. with chemical solvents
The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for conditioning and removing solid deposits that have formed on or otherwise accumulated within one or more components including, for example, scale formed within a steam generating system. The aqueous cleaning compositions incorporate one or more quaternary ammonium hydroxides characterized by PKa values no less than about 13.5. These quaternary ammonium hydroxides may be used alone or in combination with one or more additives including, for example, chelating agents, reducing or oxidizing agents, pH adjustment agents, surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, complexing agents, dispersants and combinations thereof
C02F 5/08 - Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents
C02F 5/12 - Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents using organic substances containing nitrogen
C23F 14/02 - Inhibiting incrustation in apparatus for heating liquids for physical or chemical purposes by chemical means
F22B 37/48 - Devices or arrangements for removing water, minerals or sludge from boilers
F28G 9/00 - Cleaning by flushing or washing, e.g. with chemical solvents
The present invention provides methods and compositions useful for conditioning and removing solid deposits that have formed on or otherwise accumulated within one or more components including, for example, scale formed within a steam generating system. The aqueous cleaning compositions incorporate one or more quaternary ammonium hydroxides characterized by pKa values no less than about 13.5. These quaternary ammonium hydroxides may be used alone or in combination with one or more additives including, for example, chelating agents, reducing or oxidizing agents, pH adjustment agents, surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, complexing agents, dispersants and combinations thereof.
C02F 5/12 - Treatment of water with complexing chemicals or other solubilising agents for softening, scale prevention or scale removal, e.g. adding sequestering agents using organic substances containing nitrogen
27.
CHEMICAL CLEANING METHOD AND SYSTEM WITH STEAM INJECTION
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers and similar vessels by introducing chemical cleaning solutions and/or solvents while maintaining a target temperature range by direct steam injection into the cleaning solution. The steam may be injected directly into the heat exchanger or into a temporary side stream loop for recirculating the cleaning solution or admixed with fluids being injected to the heat exchanger. The disclosed methods are suitable for removing metallic oxides from a heat exchanger under chemically reducing conditions or metallic species such as copper under chemically oxidizing conditions. In order to further enhance the heat transfer efficiency of heating cleaning solvents by direct steam injection, mixing on the secondary side of the heat exchanger can be enhanced by gas sparging or by transferring liquid between heat exchangers when more than one heat exchanger is being cleaned at the same time.
Provided are a range of ultrasonic cleaning assemblies that include radiating surfaces activated by corresponding arrays of planar transducers configured to increase the power applied to a reduced volume of fluid associated with a fuel assembly, thereby increasing that applied power density for improved cleaning. The individual ultrasonic cleaning assemblies may be arranged in a variety of modules that, in turn, may be combined to increase the length of the cleaning zone and provide variations in the power density applied to improve the cleaning uniformity.
B08B 3/12 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
A method of in-situ cleaning of a portion of a boiling water reactor nuclear power plant. In one aspect, the method includes identifying a jet pump for the boiling water reactor nuclear power plant for cleaning, providing an ultrasonic cleaning tool that has a transducer, inserting at least a portion of the transducer into or adjacent to the interior cavity of the jet pump, in-situ, and energizing the transducer to a desired energy level.
B08B 3/12 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
B08B 9/00 - Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto
B08B 9/04 - Cleaning the internal surfacesRemoval of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
30.
Apparatus and method for increasing filter capacity using ultrasonic regeneration
A filter system and associated methods of filtering utilize a combination of ultrasonically enhanced backwashing and a modified filter media configurations for increasing the specific loading on a portion of the filter media, thereby tending to increase the total particulate holding capacity of the improved filter. Depending on factors such as the filter configuration, the particulate size distribution and the differential pressure that can be maintained across the filter, it is expected that the particulate holding capacity can be more than doubled relative to a conventional filter having similarly configured filter media.
Provided area cleaning apparatus and an associated method of using the disclosed apparatus wherein the apparatus utilizes one or more nozzles configured to provide a coherent stream of one or more cleaning fluids for removing accumulated fine particulate matter, sludge, from surfaces. The nozzles may be sized, arranged and configured to provide coherent streams that maintain the initial stream diameter for a substantial portion of the maximum dimension of the space being cleaned. The apparatus and method are expected to be particularly useful in the cleaning of heat exchangers incorporating a plurality of substantially vertical and narrowly spaced tubes by directing cleansing streams along a plurality of intertube spaces.
B08B 3/00 - Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
B08B 3/12 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
patents
