Alternating Diameter Pipe Routing for Nuclear Reactor Pressure Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

In nuclear reactor power generation facilities, the routing of high-pressure fluid pipes is hindered by structural members, leading to increased pressure drops and difficulty in spraying fluids at high pressure due to the need for large flow passage areas, which complicates installation and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A high-pressure fluid discharge device is designed with pipes formed by alternately connecting first pipes with smaller flow passage areas and second pipes with larger areas, allowing for increased flow passage and flexible routing while suppressing pressure drops, using stainless steel and liquid nitrogen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If pipes with large flow passage areas are used to suppress pressure drop, then pressure drop is reduced, but pipe routing becomes difficult due to large diameters requiring bent pipes and elbows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure dropVSAvoidpipe routing
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe is segmented into alternating sections of small diameter and large diameter. The small diameter sections enable easy routing around structural members, while the large diameter sections suppress pressure drop. This segmentation allows the pipe to combine the advantages of both small and large diameter pipes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the pipe have different diameters optimized for different functions. The small diameter sections are placed where routing flexibility is needed, while the large diameter sections are placed where pressure drop suppression is critical. This local differentiation optimizes overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If pipes with large flow passage areas are used to maintain high pressure, then pressure drop is suppressed, but installation time increases due to complex routing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure dropVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe is divided into alternating small and large diameter sections, allowing straightforward installation without requiring complex bent pipes and elbows. This reduces installation time while maintaining pressure through the large diameter sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Large diameter sections are strategically placed to suppress pressure drop where needed, while small diameter sections are used where easy routing is needed, optimizing both pressure maintenance and installation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If pipes are elongated to avoid structural members, then routing flexibility is achieved, but pressure drop increases making high pressure spraying impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoidpressure drop
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe alternates between small and large diameter sections, allowing it to be elongated and routed around structural members while the large diameter sections compensate for the increased length by reducing pressure drop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections have different diameters optimized for different functions: small diameter for routing flexibility and large diameter for pressure drop suppression, allowing the pipe to be both long and efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If bent pipes and elbows are used to route large diameter pipes, then routing is achieved, but installation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepipe routingVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe is segmented into alternating small and large diameter sections, allowing it to be routed easily without requiring bent pipes and elbows. The small diameter sections are inherently more flexible and easier to install.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3132862B1High-pressure fluid discharge device
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 IHI CORP
  • EP3132862B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3132862B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3132862B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided is a high-pressure fluid discharge device in which a pipe (31), to which a nozzle is connected, is routed and a high pressure fluid transferred through the pipe (31) is discharged from the nozzle, wherein the pipe (31) is formed by alternately connecting first pipes (31a) and second pipes (31b) having a larger flow passage area than the first pipes (31a).