In-Situ Demister Vane Cleaning Fixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for cleaning mist removal separator vanes in nuclear systems are inefficient, as they require dismantling the vane assemblies, leading to increased time, labor, and costs due to scale build-up from particulate material like magnetite, which reduces the effectiveness of moisture separation and increases moisture carryover.
Innovation Solution
An in-situ cleaning fixture with an injection chamber and a perforated plate that allows cleaning fluid to flow through holes along the vane bank and into a drain trough, enabling effective cleaning without disassembly, suitable for various vane geometries and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vane assembly is dismantled for cleaning, then the scale build-up can be removed, but the time and labor required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning fixture is divided into separate functional components: an injection chamber for delivering cleaning fluid, a perforated plate for distributing the fluid across the vane bank, and a drain trough for collecting used fluid. This segmentation allows the cleaning system to be applied in-situ without dismantling the vane assembly itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The perforated plate acts as an intermediary element that distributes cleaning fluid uniformly across the vane bank. It bridges the gap between the injection chamber and the vanes, enabling effective cleaning without direct contact or disassembly of the vane assembly.
2Reliability
If the vane assembly is dismantled for cleaning, then the scale build-up can be removed, but the labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning fixture is designed to be self-contained and easily attachable to the vane assembly in its operational position. The system allows the vane assembly to clean itself without requiring removal from the steam generator, thereby reducing labor requirements and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The perforated plate serves as a mediator that enables cleaning fluid delivery to the vanes while maintaining the integrity of the vane assembly structure. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for complex dismantling and reassembly operations.
3Loss of time
If the vane assembly remains installed, then time and labor are saved, but access for cleaning is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning fixture approaches the vane bank from a different dimension - from above the vane assembly, rather than requiring access from the side or bottom where the vanes are difficult to reach. The injection chamber positions cleaning fluid delivery in a accessible location, with the perforated plate distributing fluid downward onto the vanes.
Solution Approach 2:
The perforated plate acts as an intermediary that bridges the accessible injection chamber above the vane bank to the inaccessible vane surfaces below. This mediator enables cleaning access without requiring direct physical access to the vanes themselves.
4Reliability
If cleaning fluid is injected directly onto the vanes, then cleaning is effective, but the fluid distribution is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The perforated plate is segmented into multiple holes distributed across its surface, which divides the cleaning fluid flow into multiple streams. This segmentation ensures uniform distribution of cleaning fluid across the entire vane bank, preventing localized concentration or missed areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the perforated plate have holes positioned to correspond with specific areas of the vane bank, ensuring that each local region receives appropriate cleaning fluid flow. This local quality approach addresses varying cleaning requirements across different parts of the vane assembly.
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
The in-situ cleaning method reduces labor and costs by allowing for efficient scale removal without disassembly, maintaining vane effectiveness and minimizing moisture carryover, thus improving nuclear system operation.
Implementation Method 1
The plate has a plurality of holes formed therein. The cleaning fluid is passed through the holes in the plate, downward along the plurality of vanes and into the drain trough.
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning fluid is passed through the holes in the plate, downward along the plurality of vanes and into the drain trough.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to an in-situ cleaning fixture for demister separator vane assemblies. The cleaning fixture includes an injection chamber with an inlet and a perforated plate which extends horizontally, substantially over the length of the demister separator vane assembly. A cleaning fluid source is connected to the injection chamber during a cleaning process. The injection chamber is designed to receive the cleaning fluid, pass the cleaning fluid through the holes formed in the plate, downwardly along a plurality of vanes in the demister separator vane assembly and into the drain trough. The in-situ cleaning fixture facilitates removal of scale build-up from the demister separator vane assembly and thereby restores the efficacy of the vanes.