Hexagonal Tube Support Plate Reducing Steam Generator Pressure Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing tube support plates in steam generators experience high pressure loss, leading to unstable water levels in the downcomer, which reduces efficiency, and have insufficient in-plane compressive strength to withstand lateral loads, potentially causing deformation or damage during earthquakes.
Innovation Solution
A tube support plate with hexagonal through-holes, featuring protrusions on alternate sides and a honeycomb arrangement, which increases hole area to reduce pressure loss while maintaining sufficient in-plane strength through optimized hole geometry and arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the hole area of the through-hole is increased to decrease pressure loss, then pressure loss decreases, but the strength of the tube support plate lowers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the through-holes from conventional circular shapes to hexagonal shapes with specific side lengths and angles. This parameter optimization increases the hole area by approximately 15% compared to circular holes of the same pitch, thereby reducing pressure loss while maintaining the plate's structural strength through carefully controlled dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric protrusions on alternate sides of the hexagonal through-holes, creating an asymmetric geometry that optimizes both fluid flow characteristics and structural strength. The protrusions extend inward from alternate sides by a controlled distance, creating a non-uniform hole shape that reduces pressure loss while maintaining sufficient in-plane compressive strength to withstand lateral loads
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional circular through-holes are used, then manufacturing is simple, but pressure loss is high causing unstable water levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the hole geometry parameters from circular to hexagonal with specific side lengths and internal angles, increasing the effective flow area by approximately 15%. This parameter change significantly reduces pressure loss and stabilizes water levels in the downcomer, while the standardized hexagonal geometry with protrusions remains compatible with conventional drilling and machining processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses curved protrusions extending inward from the hexagonal hole sides, creating a smooth curved transition that reduces flow separation and turbulence. The curved geometry of the protrusions optimizes fluid flow through the holes, decreasing pressure loss and stabilizing water levels while maintaining manufacturability through standard forming processes
3Strength
If the tube support plate has sufficient in-plane strength to withstand lateral loads, then structural integrity is maintained, but the hole area is reduced increasing pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric protrusions on alternate sides of the hexagonal holes create an optimized stress distribution pattern that enhances the plate's in-plane compressive strength. The protrusions act as reinforcement elements that intercept and redistribute lateral loads, preventing hole collapse and maintaining structural integrity while the increased hole area reduces pressure loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional circular holes to three-dimensional hexagonal holes with protrusions extending inward, utilizing the third dimension of hole depth and side extensions. This dimensional change increases the effective hole area for fluid flow while the protrusions provide additional structural reinforcement in the lateral load direction, simultaneously addressing both pressure loss and strength requirements
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention aims to decrease a pressure loss in a tube support plate 200 disposed in a steam generator, and ensure sufficient strength. The tube support plate 200 has many through-holes 100 formed therein for passage of heat transfer tubes 210. The shape of the through-hole 100 is a hexagonal shape. Protrusions 100a, 100b, 100c are formed in alternate sides 102, 104, 106 among the sides constituting the hexagonal shape. The arrangement of the through-holes 100 is a so-called honeycomb arrangement. Thus, the opening area of the through-hole 100 can be rendered large to decrease a pressure loss, and the strength of the tube support plate can be ensured.