Film-Forming Amine Concentration Control in Power Plant Circulatory Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for conditioning power-generating circulatory systems in power plants often result in thick film-forming amine deposits that interfere with process operations, damage turbine blades, and require frequent replacements of mechanical filter installations and ion exchangers.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the controlled addition of a film-forming amine, such as octadecylamine, to the circulatory system to form a hydrophobic film on surfaces, with concentration monitoring to maintain a target range of 1 to 2 ppm, ensuring a mono-molecular film formation and preventing excessive impurity mobilization by adjusting metering rates and purging the system as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If film-forming amine is added to form protective film on surfaces, then surface protection from corrosion is improved, but thick deposits are formed that interfere with heat transport and narrow flow cross sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of the film-forming amine from conventional higher levels to a specific low range of 0.1-2 ppm. This parameter change transforms the film formation process from creating thick deposits to forming thin, controlled mono-molecular or few-layer films that protect surfaces without interfering with heat transport or narrowing flow cross sections.
2Stability of the object's composition
If film-forming amine concentration is increased to ensure complete surface coverage, then film continuity is improved, but thick deposits form that detach and damage turbine blades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the amine concentration in the 0.1-2 ppm range and monitoring it continuously. This ensures that sufficient amine is present to form continuous protective films on all surfaces, while preventing excess amine that would form thick, unstable deposits prone to detachment and turbine blade damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through continuous monitoring of the film-forming amine concentration in the water/steam circuit. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustment of the metering rate to maintain concentration within the optimal 0.1-2 ppm range, ensuring continuous film formation without exceeding levels that would cause harmful thick deposits.
3Reliability
If conventional methods are used to condition the circulatory system, then surface protection is achieved, but frequent replacement of mechanical filter installations and ion exchangers is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter to 0.1-2 ppm, which prevents the formation of thick deposits that would clog mechanical filters and ion exchangers. This parameter optimization maintains surface protection while significantly reducing the frequency of filter and ion exchanger replacements, thereby improving operational availability and productivity.
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 approach effectively prevents thick film formation, maintains surface protection, reduces impurity mobilization, and prolongs the lifespan of components by ensuring a consistent, mono-molecular film coverage and controlled impurity levels, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
adding an amine as a film-forming agent to a work medium circulating in the circulatory system, for the film-forming agent to form a hydrophobic film on surfaces of the circulatory system
Data Source
AI summary
A method for conditioning the circulatory system (1) of a power plant is especially suited for a nuclear power plant. An amine, which is a film-forming agent, is metered into the working medium circulating in the circulatory system. The film-forming agent forms a hydrophobic film on the surfaces of the circulatory system. During the process, the concentration of the film-forming agent is monitored in at least one measuring point by way of measurement, and metering of the film-forming agent is stopped once its concentration in the working medium has reached a value of 1 ppm to 2 ppm in at least one measuring point M1.