Gas Supply Apparatus for Nuclear Plant Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In nuclear plants, electromagnetic valves used in gas and nitrogen supply systems face challenges in remote operation during power outages, leading to potential operational failures and unintended valve operations, especially during emergencies like station blackouts.
Innovation Solution
A gas supply apparatus and air or nitrogen supply apparatus are designed with a first electromagnetic valve and a second electromagnetic valve, along with a switching valve and an isolation valve, to ensure remote operation and prevent unintended operations by switching between gas discharge and supply lines based on power availability, utilizing multiple power sources and backup systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single electromagnetic valve is used to control gas flow to the operating valve, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is insufficient during power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple electromagnetic valves (first and second electromagnetic valves) with distinct functions: the first electromagnetic valve controls gas supply to the operating valve, while the second electromagnetic valve controls the switching valve. This segmentation allows independent control of gas supply and valve operation, improving reliability during power outages by enabling fallback operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A switching valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the gas supply source and the first electromagnetic valve. This switching valve can redirect gas flow paths, allowing the system to bypass the first electromagnetic valve when it fails during power outages, thereby maintaining operational reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If the electromagnetic valve remains closed during power outages to prevent unintended operations, then safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to perform necessary valve operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system is configured with a default closed state for the first electromagnetic valve during power outages, which preliminarily prevents unintended operations. However, the switching valve is pre-configured to enable alternative gas supply paths, allowing necessary operations to be performed through the second electromagnetic valve when the first valve remains closed, thus maintaining both safety and operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the electromagnetic valves based on power availability. During normal operation, the first electromagnetic valve controls gas flow. During power outages, the system switches to using the second electromagnetic valve and switching valve, changing the control parameters and gas flow paths to enable remote operation while preventing unintended actions through the default closed state of the first valve.
3Productivity
If the switching valve automatically switches to gas supply mode during power outages, then the productivity of emergency response is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to potential unintended operations during normal standby
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through the switching valve that monitors power source status and automatically adjusts gas flow paths. During power outages, the switching valve receives feedback about the power loss and automatically switches to connect the gas supply source to the first electromagnetic valve, improving emergency response efficiency without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching valve is designed with dynamic switching capability that adapts its connection state based on operational conditions. During normal standby, it maintains a controlled state that prevents unintended operations. During power outages, it dynamically switches to the emergency configuration that connects gas supply to the first electromagnetic valve, thus improving productivity while maintaining control precision through conditional dynamics.
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
Enables safe and remote operation of air-operated valves during power outages, preventing incorrect operations and ensuring continuous functionality of critical systems in nuclear plants.
Implementation Method 1
a first electromagnetic valve that is placed in the middle of the piping and that opens or closes a flow of the gas to the operating valve
Implementation Method 2
the switching valve switches between a gas discharge from the first electromagnetic valve and a gas supply to the first electromagnetic valve
Data Source
AI summary
A gas supply apparatus of the present invention includes a gas discharge line of a first electromagnetic valve having s a switching valve placed therein, and a second electromagnetic valve placed between the switching valve and a gas supply source. The switching valve switches between a gas discharge from the first electromagnetic valve and a gas supply to the first electromagnetic valve. At the time of a normal operation, the second electromagnetic valve opens a gas discharge line side and closes a switching valve side, and when the power source is lost, the second electromagnetic valve opens the switching valve side and closes the gas discharge line side. In this way, even when the power source is lost, an operating valve can not only be operated remotely but also be operated safely by a remote operator.