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 platinum 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 configuration and an insulating liner made of high-temperature-resistant materials, such as fluoropolymer, is used to maintain the solution below its decomposition temperature and shield it from high-velocity flows, preventing premature decomposition and blockage.
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 platinum solution breaks down at high temperatures causing blockage and reduced deposition efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested tube structure where an inner tube containing the deposition solution is placed inside an outer tube carrying the feed-water. This nested configuration allows the cold deposition solution to be transported through the hot feed-water environment without direct thermal contact, preventing premature decomposition and blockage while maintaining a compact injector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an insulating material as an intermediary layer between the inner tube carrying the deposition solution and the outer tube carrying the hot feed-water. This intermediary thermal barrier prevents heat transfer from the feed-water to the deposition solution, maintaining the solution's stability until injection point while adding minimal structural complexity.
2Productivity
If the distal end of the injection tap extends to the inner surface of the feed-water discharge line, then injection coverage is maximized, but deposited material accumulates within the distal end causing blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the deposition solution injection point from the hot feed-water environment by delivering the solution through the inner tube to a location where it can be injected without the tap extending into the high-temperature zone. This separation prevents material accumulation and blockage in the injection tap while maintaining effective deposition coverage on reactor surfaces through optimized injection positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary cooling and protection of the deposition solution as it travels through the insulated inner tube before reaching the injection point. This preliminary action ensures the solution remains stable and prevents premature decomposition that would otherwise occur if the solution were exposed to high temperatures before injection, thereby preventing blockage while maintaining productivity.
3Ease of operation
If ambient temperature deposition solution is injected into high-velocity feed-water flow, then mixing and distribution are improved, but the solution breaks down due to thermal shock and turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The nested tube configuration allows the cold deposition solution in the inner tube to be propelled forward by the pressure differential created by the outer tube's feed-water flow. This nested arrangement enables the solution to withstand the high-velocity environment without direct turbulent mixing until the intended injection point, maintaining composition stability while preserving ease of operation through passive flow-driven injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating intermediary layer protects the deposition solution from thermal shock when exposed to the high-velocity hot feed-water flow. This thermal barrier allows the solution to maintain its stability during the injection process into the high-velocity stream, preventing decomposition while enabling effective mixing and distribution at the injection point for ease of operation.
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 solution injector effectively prevents the breakdown of platinum solutions, ensuring consistent and efficient deposition of platinum ions on reactor surfaces, reducing the risk of blockages and unplanned reactor shutdowns.
Implementation Method 1
The annular space is configured so as to insulate the solution within the inner tube from the feed-water flowing within the outer tube
Implementation Method 2
the ambient (i.e., low) temperature deposition solution is mixed with an intruding eddy flow of the high temperature, high velocity feed-water (ranging between 260 °F (127 °C) and 420 °F (216 °C) with a flow velocity of about 10-20 ft/sec (3-6 m/s) that may cause the deposition solution to break down into platinum ions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An insulated solution injector (200) may include an outer tube (202) and an inner tube (204) arranged within the outer tube. The outer tube and the inner tube may define an annular space (203) therebetween, and the inner tube may define a solution space (205) 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.