Angled Channel Debris Filter for Reactor Coolant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing debris filters in nuclear reactors face challenges in manufacturability, assembly complexity, and effectiveness, with some designs generating debris and requiring complex manufacturing processes, while others struggle with pressure drop management and fine-tuning of thermal hydraulic design.
Innovation Solution
A debris filter comprising a plurality of adjacent plates defining channels at an angle to the coolant flow path, which can be part of a multistage filter configuration, improving filtering effectiveness and manufacturability without significantly increasing pressure drop, and allowing for flexible thermal hydraulic design adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stacked wire debris filter is used perpendicular to coolant flow, then filtering effectiveness is improved, but the wires generate debris resulting in fuel bundle failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous plate structure with numerous holes instead of stacked wires. The porous plate allows coolant to pass through while filtering debris, eliminating the debris generation problem associated with wire filters. The porous structure provides effective filtration without the mechanical wear and debris shedding inherent in wire-based filters.
2Device complexity
If an integral cast plate with multiple holes is used as debris filter, then assembly complexity is reduced, but manufacturing difficulty increases when hole size is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the filter into separate components: a porous plate and a lower tie plate. The porous plate can be manufactured independently with optimized hole patterns for effective filtration, while the lower tie plate provides structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured with appropriate processes without the constraints of integral casting, and simplifies assembly by requiring only the attachment of the porous plate to the tie plate.
3Ease of operation
If curved plates are used parallel to coolant flow, then assembly is simplified, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous plate with numerous holes that can be manufactured using standard porous material fabrication techniques. The plate is designed with holes of appropriate size and distribution to achieve effective debris filtration. The simple flat plate geometry with holes facilitates both manufacturing and assembly, avoiding the manufacturing complexity of curved plates while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A debris filter for reactor coolant includes a plurality of adjacent plates defining a plurality of channels therebetween, each of said channels being at an angle to the flow path of the coolant into the filter.