Insulated Solution Injector for Nuclear Reactor Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional deposition solution injectors in nuclear reactors face issues with blockage and inefficient deposition due to the breakdown of solutions at high temperatures, leading to reduced platinum deposition on reactor surfaces and potential reactor shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
An insulated solution injector system with an outer and inner tube arrangement creates an annular space for insulation and shields the solution from high temperature and velocity, ensuring the solution is injected beyond the boundary layer and reducing premature decomposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the deposition solution is injected directly into the high temperature feed-water line without insulation, then the injection process is simple, but the solution breaks down at high temperatures causing blockage and reduced deposition efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested tube structure where an inner tube containing the deposition solution is placed within an outer tube carrying the high temperature feed-water. This nested configuration allows the solution to be insulated from the hot environment while maintaining a compact injector structure that can be integrated into the existing feed-water line.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary insulating layer (such as air gap or thermal insulation material) between the inner tube containing the deposition solution and the outer tube carrying hot feed-water. This intermediary barrier prevents direct heat transfer, maintaining solution integrity without requiring complex active cooling systems.
2Productivity
If the injection tap extends to the inner surface of the feed-water discharge line, then injection is efficient, but deposited material forms and blocks the tap due to high temperature breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the deposition solution injection point from the high temperature zone by using a sealed inner tube that extends into the feed-water line. The solution is injected through the tube wall or at the tip, but the tube itself remains isolated from the hot feed-water, preventing material deposition and blockage while maintaining injection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary insulation and protection of the deposition solution before it encounters the high temperature environment. The inner tube is pre-installed and sealed to prevent heat transfer and solution breakdown before injection occurs, ensuring continuous operation without blockages.
3Speed
If ambient temperature deposition solution is injected into high velocity feed-water, then mixing is rapid, but the solution breaks down due to high temperature and velocity causing premature deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the deposition solution to rapidly traverse through the high temperature zone by injecting it with sufficient velocity through the inner tube directly into the feed-water stream. The solution quickly mixes and deposits onto the target surface without prolonged exposure to conditions that would cause premature breakdown, maintaining composition stability.
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 insulated injector system effectively delivers the deposition solution into the high-temperature environment without premature breakdown, maintaining solution integrity and ensuring consistent platinum deposition on reactor surfaces, thereby extending reactor component life and preventing unplanned shutdowns.
Implementation Method 1
an annular space between the outer tube and the inner tube
Implementation Method 2
the shield portion may be configured to redirect a portion of the feed-water flow around the injector
Data Source
AI summary
An insulated solution injector may include an outer tube and an inner tube arranged within the outer tube. The outer tube and the inner tube may define an annular space therebetween, and the inner tube may define a solution space within. The annular space may be configured so as to insulate the solution within the solution space. As a result, the solution may be kept to a temperature below its decomposition temperature prior to injection. Accordingly, the decomposition of the solution and the resulting deposition of its constituents within the solution space may be reduced or prevented, thereby decreasing or precluding the occurrence of a blockage.