Modular Steam Generator with Coaxial Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large steam generators, particularly those in pressurized water reactors, face challenges in design and installation due to the need for a large surface area for heat transfer, which complicates and costs the transport and installation of complex tube geometries and materials, while maintaining the integrity of the conduit to prevent radioactive primary coolant leakage.
Innovation Solution
A modular steam generator design where modules with coaxial tubes are connected via flange plates and intermediate plates, allowing the primary fluid to hold the modules together and prevent leakage, enabling easier manufacturing, transportation, and maintenance by allowing for smaller components and more complex designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a large number of tubes and large lengths of tubes are used to meet heat transfer requirements, then the heat transfer surface area is improved, but the complexity and cost of transport and installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is divided into multiple modules, each containing a subset of the total tubes. This segmentation allows the heat transfer surface area to be maintained while reducing the complexity of transport and installation, as smaller modular units are easier to handle and assemble than a single large unit containing all tubes.
2Reliability
If the integrity of the conduit is prioritized to prevent radioactive leakage, then the reliability is improved, but the design flexibility and ease of maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the steam generator into modular units with standardized connection interfaces, the integrity of the conduit system is maintained through consistent sealing mechanisms while enabling easier maintenance. Individual modules can be inspected, repaired, or replaced without compromising the overall system integrity, as the modular design allows for systematic disassembly and reassembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If modular arrangement is implemented to ease transportation and installation, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the risk of leakage at connection points increases
Solution Approach 1:
Connection elements or sealing interfaces are introduced as intermediary components between modular units. These intermediaries are specifically designed to maintain conduit integrity at connection points, preventing leakage while allowing the modular arrangement that facilitates easier transportation and installation. The connection elements act as mediators that bridge the gap between modular components while ensuring sealed connections.
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 modular arrangement reduces the risk of leakage, simplifies the installation and maintenance of large steam generators, and allows for more complex designs while maintaining structural integrity, facilitating the use of various materials and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure of the primary fluid contributes to holding the connected modules together
Implementation Method 2
the primary coolant is cooled by a secondary coolant, or in other words a secondary coolant is heated and converted to steam by the primary coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generator comprising a vessel having an inlet and an outlet, and in use a primary fluid flow enters the vessel through the inlet and exits the vessel through the outlet. A plurality of modules are connected in series and at least partially housed within the vessel, and each module comprises at least one tube. The modules are arranged such that at least one tube of one module is coaxial with at least one tube of an adjacent module so as to define a conduit through which a secondary fluid can flow from one module to an adjacent module.