A multi-functional flow-blocking and air-lock device and method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device and method. The device includes a ball inlet, a flow blocker housing, a flow blocker rotating disc, a first ball receiving opening, a broken ball collection opening, a second ball receiving opening, a ball guide rail, a first ball evacuation guide rail, and a second ball evacuation guide rail. The method includes the following steps: when a ball enters the device through the ball inlet, broken balls, debris, and dust entering with the ball fall into the lower portion of the flow blocker housing as they pass through the ball guide rail and are discharged through the broken ball collection opening. When a ball needs to enter the first ball receiving opening, the flow blocker rotating disc rotates counterclockwise driven by a rotating shaft, and when the second circular hole and the first ball evacuation guide rail are aligned with the first ball receiving opening, the ball falls into the first ball receiving opening. When a ball needs to enter the second ball receiving opening, the flow blocker rotating disc rotates clockwise driven by the rotating shaft, and when the third circular hole and the second ball evacuation guide rail are aligned with the second ball receiving opening, the ball falls into the second ball receiving opening. The present invention simultaneously functions as a distributor, a flow blocker, and a broken ball separator, reducing the number of system devices and the number of failure points.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of emerging energy and nuclear power industry, and particularly relates to a multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device and method. Background Art

[0002] The main function of the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor fuel loading and unloading system is to measure the fuel balls discharged from the reactor and detect whether they are of use value. If they are of use value, the fuel balls are returned to the reactor; if they are not of use value, they are discharged to the spent fuel system. The fuel ball distributor realizes this function.

[0003] Fuel balls and graphite balls are loaded from the atmospheric environment, and spent fuel balls and graphite balls are unloaded from the high-temperature and high-pressure helium environment of the reactor. While loading and unloading the balls, the two environments (different medium gases, different pressures, and different temperatures) must also be isolated. The baffle is a device that realizes material transmission without connecting the two environments.

[0004] Dust, debris and broken balls are inevitably generated during the loading and unloading process of fuel balls. The broken ball separator is a device used to discharge dust, debris and broken balls out of the system.

[0005] The distributors, baffles, and ball separators currently used in high-temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstration power plants have the following problems:

[0006] (1) There are many system devices, and each link may have failures, resulting in a high system failure rate;

[0007] (2) The ball cup of the flow control device cannot effectively discharge graphite dust and broken balls;

[0008] (3) The graphite dust and broken balls remaining in the ball cup of the baffle raise the graphite balls entering the ball cup, which can easily break and crush the intact graphite balls during the rotation of the baffle.

[0009] (4) When the graphite balls are damaged by the spoiler, the damage will continue to worsen and the reactor needs to be shut down for maintenance, which affects the safety of the unit operation and increases the risk of radiation exposure to personnel. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device and method in response to the deficiencies of the prior art.

[0011] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0012] A multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device comprises a goal opening, a flow-blocking housing, a flow-blocking rotary disc, a first ball receiving opening, a broken ball collecting opening, a second ball receiving opening, a goal guide rail, a first ball-volleying guide rail, and a second ball-volleying guide rail;

[0013] The diameter of the ball passing through the device is B. The baffle housing is a cylindrical housing with an inner diameter of C, with a value of C ranging from 5B to 6B. The inner diameters of the ball inlet, the first ball receiving port, and the second ball receiving port are all A, with a value of A ranging from 1.03B to 1.5B. The baffle housing is divided into upper and lower parts. The ball inlet, the first ball receiving port, and the second ball receiving port are installed on the central surface of the cylindrical circumference of the upper part of the baffle housing. The broken ball collection port has an inner diameter of A and is installed on the central surface of the cylindrical circumference of the lower part of the baffle housing.

[0014] The spoiler turntable is arranged in the spoiler housing and is matched with the spoiler housing with a gap, which can not only ensure that the spoiler turntable can rotate freely in the spoiler housing, but also play a sealing role; three circular holes with a diameter of A are opened in the circumference of the spoiler turntable ring, the first circular hole is opposite to the goal guide rail, the second circular hole is opposite to the first volleyball guide rail, and the third circular hole is opposite to the second volleyball guide rail. The three circular holes are smoothly connected to the three guide rails; a rotating shaft is connected to the center of the spoiler turntable.

[0015] A further improvement of the present invention is that the spoiler housing is installed at an inclination angle of 30° to 90°.

[0016] A further improvement of the present invention is that the inner surface of the upper portion of the baffle housing is smooth, and the upper cylindrical portion and the lower cylindrical portion are sealed and connected via a flange.

[0017] A further improvement of the present invention is that the cylindrical height of the spoiler housing is greater than 2.6A, and the cylindrical thickness of the upper part of the spoiler housing is 1.4A.

[0018] A further improvement of the present invention is that the goal guide rail, the first volleyball guide rail and the second volleyball guide rail are all square frames composed of four cylinders, the outer diameter of the cylinders is between 0.1B and 0.3B, and the distance between two adjacent cylinders is 0.9B, ensuring that balls with a diameter less than 0.9B can escape from the square frame.

[0019] A further improvement of the present invention is that the goal guide rail, the first volleyball guide rail and the second volleyball guide rail are made of a material with a lower hardness than the ball to avoid damaging the ball during the ball passing process.

[0020] A further improvement of the present invention is that the spoiler turntable is a ring with a thickness of 1.4A and an outer diameter less than C. The wall thickness of the ring meets the strength requirements of the spoiler turntable and ensures that the spoiler turntable does not deform during rotation. The outer surface of the spoiler turntable is smooth.

[0021] A further improvement of the present invention is that the baffle rotary disc is connected to an actuator capable of bidirectional action via a rotating shaft.

[0022] A further improvement of the present invention is that when the ball receiving port is opposite to the first circular hole and the ball receiving guide rail, the second circular hole and the third circular hole are sealed by the baffle shell; when the first ball receiving port is opposite to the second circular hole and the first volleyball guide rail, the first circular hole and the third circular hole are sealed by the baffle shell; when the second ball receiving port is opposite to the third circular hole and the second volleyball guide rail, the second circular hole and the first circular hole are sealed by the baffle shell.

[0023] A multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking method, based on the multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device, comprises:

[0024] When the ball enters the device from the ball inlet, the broken balls, debris and dust that enter with the ball fall into the lower part of the baffle housing when passing through the ball guide and are discharged through the broken ball collection port;

[0025] When the ball needs to enter the first ball receiving port, the baffle turntable rotates counterclockwise under the drive of the rotating shaft, and when the second circular hole and the first volleyball guide rail are opposite to the first ball receiving port, the ball falls into the first ball receiving port;

[0026] When the ball needs to enter the second ball receiving port, the baffle turntable rotates clockwise under the drive of the rotating shaft, and when the third circular hole and the second volleyball guide rail are opposite to the second ball receiving port, the ball falls into the second ball receiving port.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial technical effects:

[0028] The present invention provides a multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device and method. Compared with the currently used devices, the device has the following obvious advantages:

[0029] 1) The device provided by this method can simultaneously have the functions of a distributor, a flow blocker, and a ball separator, greatly reducing the number of system devices and the number of system failure points;

[0030] 2) The part of the device provided by this method that contacts the fuel balls is made of soft material, which is not easy to generate dust or broken balls;

[0031] 3) The fuel balls in the equipment provided by this method roll on the guide rails, which can fully separate dust, debris and broken balls;

[0032] 4) The device provided by this method overcomes the shortcomings of existing spoilers such as ball shearing and jamming, and operates more stably.

[0033] 5) The equipment provided by this method can achieve isolation of two environments while conveying materials, thereby improving the efficiency of material conveying;

[0034] 6) Improved the reliability and stability of equipment operation;

[0035] 7) Reduced downtime risk and maintenance-related risks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 This is a front cross-sectional view of a multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 The figure is a side sectional view of a multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device of the present invention.

[0038] Description of reference numerals:

[0039] 1. Goal opening, 2. Baffle housing, 3. Baffle turntable, 4. Second row ball guide rail, 5. Second ball receiving opening, 6. Goal guide rail, 7. First row ball guide rail, 8. First ball receiving opening, 9. Broken ball collection port, 10. Flange. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, unless there is a conflict, the embodiments of the present disclosure and the features described in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the present invention provides a multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device, comprising a goal port 1, a baffle housing 2, a baffle turntable 3, a first ball receiving port 8, a broken ball collecting port 9, a second ball receiving port 5, a goal guide rail 6, a first ball row guide rail 7 and a second ball row guide rail 4; the diameter of the ball passing through the device is B, the baffle housing 2 is installed at an inclination angle of 30° to 90°, and is a cylindrical housing with an inner diameter C, the value of C is 5B to 6B, the inner surface of the upper part of the baffle housing 2 is smooth, the upper cylinder and the lower cylinder are sealed by a flange 10, the cylindrical height of the baffle housing 2 is greater than 2.6A, the thickness of the upper cylinder of the baffle housing 2 is 1.4A, the inner diameters of the goal port 1, the first ball receiving port 8 and the second ball receiving port 5 are all A, and the value of A is 1.03B To 1.5B, the baffle housing 2 is divided into two parts, the goal inlet 1, the first ball receiving port 8 and the second ball receiving port 5 are installed on the central surface of the cylindrical circumference of the upper part of the baffle housing 2, and the broken ball collection port 9 has an inner diameter of A and is installed on the central surface of the cylindrical circumference of the lower part of the baffle housing 2; the baffle turntable 3 is arranged in the baffle housing 2 and is clearance-matched with the baffle housing 2, which can not only ensure that the baffle turntable 3 can rotate freely in the baffle housing 2, but also play a sealing role; three circular holes with a diameter of A are opened in the circumference of the baffle turntable 3, the first circular hole is opposite to the goal guide rail 6, the second circular hole is opposite to the first row of ball guide rail 7, and the third circular hole is opposite to the second row of ball guide rail 4, and the three circular holes are smoothly connected to the three guide rails; a rotating shaft 11 is connected to the center of the baffle turntable 3.

[0042] The goal rail 6, first volleyball rail 7, and second volleyball rail 4 are each a square frame composed of four cylinders with an outer diameter ranging from 0.1B to 0.3B. The distance between adjacent cylinders is 0.9B, ensuring that balls with a diameter smaller than 0.9B can escape the square frame. The goal rail 6, first volleyball rail 7, and second volleyball rail 4 are made of a material with a lower hardness than the ball to prevent damage during ball passing.

[0043] The spoiler disc 3 is a circular ring with a thickness of 1.4A and an outer diameter smaller than C. The wall thickness of the ring meets the strength requirements of the spoiler disc 3 and ensures that the spoiler disc 3 does not deform during rotation. The spoiler disc 3 has a smooth outer surface. The spoiler disc 3 is connected to a bidirectional actuator via a rotating shaft 11.

[0044] Example

[0045] The fuel and graphite spheres for the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstration project have an outer diameter of 60mm. A 66mm inner diameter ball tube, two ball outlets, and a ball crushing discharge pipe were selected. A stainless steel tube with an outer diameter of 360mm and a thickness of 20mm was used to form the turntable. The tube was 100mm long, and three circular holes with an inner diameter of 66mm were machined in the center of the tube. The angles between the center of each hole and the line connecting the center of the circle were 100°, 160°, and 100°. Three square guide rails with a side length of 74mm were made from stainless steel rods with an outer diameter of 10mm. The distance between adjacent rails was 54mm. The four steel rods at one end of the guide rails were bent outward and welded to the outer extension of the 66mm inner diameter hole. This welding process did not affect the flow through the 66mm inner diameter hole, and the transition between the 66mm and 54mm holes was smooth. The three guide rails were on the same plane and smoothly connected at their other ends. To increase strength, circular arc-shaped reinforcement ribs were welded to the guide rails, which should not affect the passage of the balls. A transmission shaft with an outer diameter of 30 mm is welded to the center of the side of the disc.

[0046] The upper housing is made of a stainless steel tube with an inner diameter of 361mm, a wall thickness of 20mm, and a length of 100mm. One side of the stainless steel tube is sealed with a 20mm-thick stainless steel plate. The block and tube body are connected with a sealing gasket and bolted. A hole is drilled through the center of the block to pass the drive shaft. A flange is installed on the other side of the stainless steel tube. Three circular holes with an inner diameter of 66mm are machined in the center surface of the stainless steel tube. The angles between the centers of the three holes and the line connecting the center of the circle are 100°, 160°, and 100°. The three circular holes can be aligned with the three holes of the turntable. The three holes are connected to the goal tube and the two outlets respectively.

[0047] The lower housing is constructed from a stainless steel tube with an inner diameter of 361mm, a wall thickness of 20mm, and a length of 70mm. One side of the tube is sealed with a 20mm-thick stainless steel plate plug. The plug and tube are bolted together with a sealing gasket. A flange is installed on the other side of the tube, sealingly connecting it to the flange of the upper housing. A circular hole with an inner diameter of 66mm is machined in the center of the tube to connect to the ball discharge pipe.

[0048] The disc is installed in the housing and polished to ensure that the gap is as small as possible while ensuring that the disc does not get stuck. After the equipment is assembled, the feed pipe and discharge pipe are connected to the system, and the drive shaft is driven by the motor. The drive shaft rotation speed is adjusted according to the system requirements.

[0049] When the ball hole of the turntable is aligned with the feed pipe, the fuel and the broken balls and dust accompanying the fuel balls enter the ball hole. At this time, the two ball outlet holes are sealed by the outer shell.

[0050] When the ball enters the device from the ball inlet 1, the broken balls, debris and dust that enter with the ball fall into the lower part of the baffle housing 2 when passing through the ball guide 6 and are discharged through the broken ball collection port 9;

[0051] When the ball needs to enter the first ball receiving port 8, the baffle turntable 3 rotates counterclockwise under the drive of the rotating shaft 11, and when the second circular hole and the first volleyball guide rail 7 are opposite to the first ball receiving port 8, the ball falls into the first ball receiving port 8;

[0052] When the ball needs to enter the second ball receiving port 5 , the baffle turntable 3 rotates clockwise driven by the rotating shaft 11 , and when the third circular hole and the second volleyball guide rail 4 are opposite to the second ball receiving port 5 , the ball falls into the second ball receiving port 5 .

[0053] Although the present invention has been described in detail above using general descriptions and specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and improvements may be made based on the present invention. Therefore, such modifications and improvements, which do not depart from the spirit of the present invention, are intended to be within the scope of protection claimed herein.

Claims

1. A multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device, characterized in that: It includes a goal hole (1), a baffle housing (2), a baffle turntable (3), a first ball receiving hole (8), a broken ball collecting hole (9), a second ball receiving hole (5), a goal guide rail (6), a first volleyball guide rail (7) and a second volleyball guide rail (4); The diameter of the ball passing through the device is B, the baffle housing (2) is a cylindrical housing with an inner diameter of C, the value of C is 5B to 6B, the inner diameters of the ball inlet (1), the first ball receiving port (8) and the second ball receiving port (5) are all A, the value of A is 1.03B to 1.5B, the baffle housing (2) is divided into upper and lower parts, the ball inlet (1), the first ball receiving port (8) and the second ball receiving port (5) are installed on the central surface of the cylindrical circumference of the upper part of the baffle housing (2), and the broken ball collecting port (9) has an inner diameter of A and is installed on the central surface of the cylindrical circumference of the lower part of the baffle housing (2); The baffle turntable (3) is arranged in the baffle housing (2) and is fitted with a clearance between the baffle housing (2), which can ensure that the baffle turntable (3) can rotate freely in the baffle housing (2) and can also play a sealing role; three circular holes with a diameter of A are opened in the circumferential direction of the baffle turntable (3), the first circular hole is opposite to the goal guide rail (6), the second circular hole is opposite to the first volleyball guide rail (7), and the third circular hole is opposite to the second volleyball guide rail (4), and the three circular holes are smoothly connected to the three guide rails; the center of the baffle turntable (3) is connected to a rotating shaft (11); The goal guide rail (6), the first volleyball guide rail (7) and the second volleyball guide rail (4) are all square frames composed of four cylinders, the outer diameter of the cylinders is between 0.1B and 0.3B, and the distance between two adjacent cylinders is 0.9B, ensuring that balls with a diameter less than 0.9B can escape from the square frame; When the ball receiving port (1) is opposite to the first circular hole and the ball receiving guide rail (6), the second circular hole and the third circular hole are sealed by the baffle housing (2); when the first ball receiving port (8) is opposite to the second circular hole and the first volleyball guide rail (7), the first circular hole and the third circular hole are sealed by the baffle housing (2); when the second ball receiving port (5) is opposite to the third circular hole and the second volleyball guide rail (4), the second circular hole and the first circular hole are sealed by the baffle housing (2).

2. A multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spoiler housing (2) is installed at an inclination angle of 30° to 90°.

3. A multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner surface of the upper portion of the baffle housing (2) is smooth, and the upper cylindrical portion and the lower cylindrical portion are sealed and connected via a flange (10).

4. A multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylindrical height of the baffle housing (2) is greater than 2.6A, and the cylindrical thickness of the upper portion of the baffle housing (2) is 1.4A.

5. The multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The goal guide rail (6), the first volleyball guide rail (7) and the second volleyball guide rail (4) are made of a material with a hardness lower than that of the ball, so as to avoid damaging the ball during the ball passing process.

6. The multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spoiler turntable (3) is a circular ring with a thickness of 1.4A and an outer diameter less than C. The wall thickness of the circular ring meets the strength requirements of the spoiler turntable (3), and meets the requirement that the spoiler turntable (3) does not deform during rotation. The outer surface of the spoiler turntable (3) is smooth.

7. The multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The baffle rotary disc (3) is connected to an actuator capable of bidirectional action via a rotating shaft (11).

8. A multifunctional flow blocking and air locking method, characterized in that: The method is based on a multifunctional flow-blocking and air-locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: When the ball enters the device from the ball inlet (1), the broken balls, debris and dust that enter with the ball fall into the lower part of the baffle housing (2) when passing through the ball guide (6) and are discharged through the broken ball collection port (9); When the ball needs to enter the first ball receiving port (8), the baffle turntable (3) rotates counterclockwise under the drive of the rotating shaft (11), and when the second circular hole and the first volleyball guide rail (7) are opposite to the first ball receiving port (8), the ball falls into the first ball receiving port (8); When the ball needs to enter the second ball receiving port (5), the baffle turntable (3) rotates clockwise driven by the rotating shaft (11), and when the third circular hole and the second volleyball guide rail (4) are opposite to the second ball receiving port (5), the ball falls into the second ball receiving port (5).

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