Search results
1 – 10 of 16Qiang Liu, Shun-Peng Zhu, Zheng-Yong Yu and Ran Ding
Transport is an integral part of the nuclear fuel cycle. The procedures employed are designed and conducted to ensure the public and environment protection both routinely and when…
Abstract
Purpose
Transport is an integral part of the nuclear fuel cycle. The procedures employed are designed and conducted to ensure the public and environment protection both routinely and when transport accidents occur. According to this, the purpose of this paper is to focus on a coupled thermal-drop impact analysis-based safety assessment of a nuclear fuel cask.
Design/methodology/approach
For the cask, high altitude falling and fire accidents are the two most serious accidents during its transportation. In this paper, a sequentially coupled thermal-drop impact analysis is performed by using a nuclear fuel cask model for safety assessment. High altitude falling and fire accidents of the nuclear fuel cask were conducted by using finite element simulations for coupled thermal-drop impact analysis.
Findings
Results showed that the cask can withstand a drop test and survive a fire of 800°C for 30 minutes. In addition, an improved design is explored and evaluated, which provides a reference for structural design and safety assessment of nuclear fuel casks.
Originality/value
A coupled thermal-drop impact analysis-based safety assessment procedure is developed for the nuclear fuel cask.
Details
Keywords
Mini‐test chambers. As a result of continuous development, Heraeus Equipment have now introduced two updated versions of their VMT range of Mini test chambers, the VMT 04/35 and…
Abstract
Mini‐test chambers. As a result of continuous development, Heraeus Equipment have now introduced two updated versions of their VMT range of Mini test chambers, the VMT 04/35 and the VMT 07/35.
Philippe Desbats, Franck Geffard, Gérard Piolain and Alain Coudray
Aims to describe how to make an industrial robot work as a telemanipulator with force feedback, in order to carry out various tasks for remote handling in nuclear fuel cycle…
Abstract
Purpose
Aims to describe how to make an industrial robot work as a telemanipulator with force feedback, in order to carry out various tasks for remote handling in nuclear fuel cycle plants.
Design/methodology/approach
The robot Staübli RX170 (used as a slave arm) has been fitted with a force‐torque sensor and an electronic system for sensors' signals multiplexing. The overall system has been made tolerant to γ radiation up to a 10 kGy integrated dose. The industrial robot has been coupled to a master arm with force feedback capability and to the computer assisted teleoperation controller TAO2000 developed by CEA‐LIST.
Findings
The result of the maintenance operation reported in the paper, carried out with a Staübli RX170 robot at AREVA/COGEMA La Hague plant, illustrates the validity of this approach and demonstrates how remote handling can benefit from this new technology.
Originality/value
Introduces the teleoperation of industrial robots as a new solution for the maintenance of nuclear facilities. Wrist force/torque sensing and advanced master‐slave controller provide the operators with a high performance teleoperation system. Only limited modification of the existing design of the industrial robot has been carried out in order to transform it into a nuclear telemanipulator.
Details
Keywords
Fahrettin Okcabol and Joan Hoffman
There is growing apprehension about climate change and the role played by fossil fuels. Exploration of renewable sources of energy as an alternative to fossil fuels reveals that…
Abstract
There is growing apprehension about climate change and the role played by fossil fuels. Exploration of renewable sources of energy as an alternative to fossil fuels reveals that there is no path forward toward a true green economy that does not have negative environmental side effects. Thus, the improvement of managerial and financial accounting to provide more environmental information and accountability by governmental and nongovernmental institutions is increasingly important in guiding us toward wiser choices. Since the 1970s, the increasing concerns about the environment in the United States have led to improved regulation and more comprehensive environmental reporting requirements and accounting standards. Also, global institutions have been created to foster voluntary reporting of both direct and indirect environmental impacts of their activities by institutions. However, evidence suggests that, while some large global firms have found it useful to engage in sustainability reporting throughout their operations, in general, the US organizational environmental reporting is not strong and is oriented toward the legal minimum when present. If we are to take account of the many direct and indirect ways in which our production choices affect our environment, then our institutions need to play a larger role in informing our choices. Both the Environmental Managerial Accounting Initiative and an enhanced balanced scorecard approach are recommended as frameworks for future efforts; public and private institutions must also include life cycle analysis in decision-making systems in order to enhance their ability to help achieve sustainable economic progress.
Details
Keywords
I.M. Mousaa, N.A. Abdelreheim, S.A. Elnaggar and Rasha M. Fathy
The purpose of this study is to prepare copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in an easy and efficient way using a natural and environmentally friendly substance like ascorbic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to prepare copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in an easy and efficient way using a natural and environmentally friendly substance like ascorbic acid. Various concentrations of these nanoparticles were then added to solvent-free coating formulations to produce highly hydrophobic, corrosion-resistant and antimicrobial hybrid coatings. These hybrid formulations were also used to coat the spent fuel casks for their integrity.
Design/methodology/approach
The hybrid coated films were then characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), water contact angle and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, different measurements, namely, mechanical, physical, chemical, thermal, corrosion tests, open circuit potential and antimicrobial activity of these hybrid films were performed.
Findings
The results showed that the copper oxide was prepared at nanometer scales with good homogeneity and diffusion in the epoxy acrylate matrix. It also showed that some hybrid coatings have high corrosion resistance, strong hardness, excellent water resistance, remarkable antimicrobial activity and high thermal stability compared to virgin epoxy acrylates.
Originality/value
The formula containing 0.5% CuO NPs was found to provide the highest corrosion protection and antimicrobial activity for mild steel in 3.5% sodium chloride (NaCl).
Details
Keywords
Thomas Pregger, Evasio Lavagno, Maryse Labriet, Pernille Seljom, Markus Biberacher, Markus Blesl, Franz Trieb, Marlene O'Sullivan, Raffaella Gerboni, Laura Schranz, Helena Cabal, Yolanda Lechón and Daniela Zocher
Two main activities of the EC FP7 Risk of Energy Availability: Common Corridors for Europe Supply Security (REACCESS) project applied a systematic approach to collect the main…
Abstract
Purpose
Two main activities of the EC FP7 Risk of Energy Availability: Common Corridors for Europe Supply Security (REACCESS) project applied a systematic approach to collect the main characteristics of energy supply corridors starting from mining activities in exporting regions up to the import infrastructures and capacities of EU27+countries. The aim of the present paper is to summarise identified information on import potentials and the possible corridors for the EU27+energy supply of the future. This information is used as new starting point for the energy system modelling in the REACCESS project.
Design/methodology/approach
Detailed information on existing, planned or potential developments derived from literature reviews and expert surveys, as well as from our own calculations, was compiled in a consistent database. By using suitable geographic information system (GIS) tools, all the identified energy supply routes were represented graphically and analysed with reference to their spatial characteristics.
Findings
The information collected was used to generate a comprehensive database of resources, production capacities and import routes. Together with further detailed information on technological and economic parameters (not shown in this paper), this database provides new complete and consistent input for the modelling of import corridors and associated risks regarding the energy systems in Europe.
Originality/value
The originality of the paper is the synthesis of a huge volume of information provided in the literature and own additional calculations in a consistent way. The resulting database provides the framework for the integration of security of supply aspects into energy scenario modelling, which is an important modelling challenge and one of the main tasks of REACCESS. The study considers oil, gas, coal and nuclear fuel as well as renewable imports of solar electricity and biomass, and also hydrogen as a possible new energy carrier.
Details
Keywords
During the revolution in the field of engineering which is based on the use of computers and numerical methods of calculation, an evolution has emerged. This concerns the…
Abstract
During the revolution in the field of engineering which is based on the use of computers and numerical methods of calculation, an evolution has emerged. This concerns the development of desktop computers and finite element software suited for the small and cheap machines. By that it became possible to utilize this highly effective tool with only low investments necessary. Described are the way to and the characteristics of such a software package, consisting of a preprocessor, a temperature field analysis part, a linear‐elastic rigidity calculation part, a non‐linear elastic—plastic structural analysis part and a postprocessor.
Hyo Jik Lee, Jong Kwang Lee, Byung Suk Park and Ji Sup Yoon
This paper aims to describe bridge transported servo‐manipulator (BTSM) system, which was developed to overcome the limited workspace of the conventional mechanical master‐slave…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe bridge transported servo‐manipulator (BTSM) system, which was developed to overcome the limited workspace of the conventional mechanical master‐slave manipulators in a hot cell.
Design/methodology/approach
The BTSM system consists of four components: a transporter with a telescoping tubeset, a slave manipulator, a master manipulator, and a remote control system. The slave manipulator is able to move horizontally, transversely, and vertically by using the transporter.
Findings
The performance test of the BTSM system has been carried out in terms of basic functions such as force threshold, bilateral control and force reflection characteristic.
Originality/value
With respect to design characteristic, the BTSM system has the novel features in that the individual motor modules or the slave manipulator can be repaired in a fully remote manner in case of catastrophic failure. Also, a 3D viewing camera facilitates remote tasks giving human operators realistic environmental information.
Details
Keywords
From earliest times the land and all it produced to feed and sustain those who dwelt on it was mankind's greatest asset. From the Biblical “land of milk and honey”, down through…
Abstract
From earliest times the land and all it produced to feed and sustain those who dwelt on it was mankind's greatest asset. From the Biblical “land of milk and honey”, down through history to the “country of farmers” visualised by the American colonists when they severed the links with the mother country, those who had all their needs met by the land were blessed — they still are! The inevitable change brought about by the fast‐growing populations caused them to turn to industry; Britain introduced the “machine age” to the world; the USA the concept of mass production — and the troubles and problems of man increased to the present chaos of to‐day. There remained areas which depended on an agri‐economy — the granary countries, as the vast open spaces of pre‐War Russia; now the great plains of North America, to supply grain for the bread of the peoples of the dense industrial conurbations, which no longer produced anything like enough to feed themselves.